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The WD_BLACK SN8100 is the stronger choice if peak speed is what you are paying for. In PCGamesN’s review (updated May 20, 2025), it beat the Samsung 9100 PRO in most of its tests. The gap is smaller than the headline numbers suggest, though, and price, capacity, and cooling can easily decide which drive is the better buy for you.
Specifications side by side
Both drives are internal M.2 2280 NVMe SSDs that use a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface. The figures below are manufacturer maximum ratings, not guaranteed results in your machine.
| Comparison point | Samsung 9100 PRO | WD_BLACK SN8100 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 5.0 x4 NVMe (Samsung announcement, 2025) | PCIe Gen 5 x4 NVMe 2.0 (SanDisk data sheet, 2025) |
| Capacities | Up to 8TB (Samsung announcement, 2025) | 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 8TB (SanDisk data sheet, 2025) |
| Peak sequential read/write | Up to 14,800 / 13,400 MB/s (Samsung announcement, 2025) | 2TB and 4TB: up to 14,900 / 14,000 MB/s; 1TB write up to 13,200 MB/s; 8TB write up to 11,000 MB/s (SanDisk data sheet, 2025) |
| Peak random read/write | Up to 2.2M / 2.6M IOPS (Samsung announcement, 2025) | Up to 2.3M / 2.4M IOPS for 2TB–4TB models (SanDisk data sheet, 2025) |
| Warranty | Five-year limited warranty (Samsung announcement, 2025) | Five years (SanDisk data sheet, 2025) |
| Rated endurance (TBW) | Not stated in the Samsung announcement; check the TBW for your exact SKU | 600 TBW (1TB), 1,200 TBW (2TB), 2,400 TBW (4TB), 4,800 TBW (8TB) (SanDisk data sheet, 2025) |
| Software | Samsung Magician referenced in Samsung’s product material (2025) | SanDisk Dashboard for Windows and Acronis migration software (SanDisk data sheet, 2025) |
Note that the SN8100’s peak figures change with capacity, so do not assume the 2TB rating applies to the 1TB or 8TB model. Samsung’s announcement does not break its ratings down by capacity in the material reviewed for this comparison.
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What the published numbers do not tell you
A peak sequential rating measures how fast a drive moves large, continuous blocks of data under ideal conditions. It says little about how quickly a game loads or how responsive Windows feels. Before you compare figures, check three things:
#1 Best Overall
- This product has been replaced by our latest generation. Please search for the SANDISK Optimus GX PRO 8100 PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD.
- EXPERIENCE PCIe Gen 5: Drastically enhance your gaming and content creation experience with this PCIe Gen 5.0x4 NVMe M.2 SSD.
- BREAKNECK SPEEDS: Your drive reaches sequential read speeds up to an astonishing 14,900MB/s, sequential write speeds up to 14,000MB/s (2TB-4TB model), and over 2,300,000 IOPS (2TB-4TB Models) of random performance.
- AN INDUSTRY-LEADER IN POWER EFFICIENCY: Enjoy over 100% more power efficiency (1TB – 4TB models) than our PCIe Gen4 drive at an average operating power of 7.5W or under. Experience astonishing speeds without any added stress to your system.
- ROOM FOR REVOLUTION: Hold your biggest projects and still have room for OS updates, models for AI-powered applications, and your game library thanks to immense capacities up to 8TB. SANDISK SOFTWARE: Help maximize your drive’s performance, monitor its health and keep it up to date with SANDISK Dashboard (Windows only). Plus, effortlessly migrate your data with Acronis True Image for Sandisk.
- Your motherboard’s slot. A PCIe 5.0 drive in a PCIe 4.0 or 3.0 M.2 slot will run at that slot’s lower speed. Confirm the slot is wired for Gen 5 in your board’s manual.
- Your capacity. Ratings differ across the SN8100 range, and random-write and endurance figures vary by SKU.
- Your cooling. Gen 5 drives run hot under sustained load. Whether you need an extra heatsink depends on the drive version and your board, covered below.
Independent test results
PCGamesN’s review (updated May 20, 2025) is the most detailed head-to-head in the sources reviewed. Its results come from one test system, so treat them as a reliable direction rather than a universal measurement.
Sequential and system-drive benchmarks
In CrystalDiskMark sequential write testing, the SN8100 exceeded its own rated write claim by 88 MB/s and finished 638 MB/s ahead of the fastest 9100 PRO result in that review. In PCMark 10’s full system-drive test, the SN8100 scored 650 MB/s, 13 MB/s ahead of the Samsung drive that was tested.
Rank #2
- BREAKTHROUGH PCIe 5.0 PERFORMANCE: Supercharge your workflow and gaming with PCIe 5.0, boasting up to 14,700/13,400 MB/s* sequential read/write speeds. Tackle massive files and power up your gaming with Gen5—twice as fast as the 990 PRO SSD.
- EVERY TASK, TURBOCHARGED: Speed past productivity limits. With random read/write speeds up to 1,850K/2,600K IOPS*, enjoy fast game loads, seamless AI apps, and efficient multitasking. Virtually no lag, no limits—just nonstop performance.
- THINK FAST, CREATE FASTER: With random read/write speeds of up to 1,850K/2,600K IOPS*, the 9100 PRO SSD fuels seamless AI content creation, swift loads, and smooth gameplay. Work, play, and create at lightning speed.
- SPEED, WHENEVER YOU NEED: From laptops to desktop PCs, experience blazing PCIe 5.0 speeds and up to 8TB of storage. Perfect for video editing, gaming, and creative tasks, with the compatibility to match your device.
- STAY COOL, RUN FAST: Push limits, not temperatures. A 5nm controller boosts power efficiency up to 49% over the 990 PRO SSD*, while advanced thermal control keeps performance smooth and reliable.
Game loading
The results were mixed rather than a clean sweep. The SN8100 led in the Battlefield V load test, while the Samsung 9100 PRO was 10 MB/s ahead in the Overwatch load test. PCGamesN itself noted that peak sequential speed matters most for repeated large transfers between fast drives, and that everyday differences can be much smaller.
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In PCGamesN’s back-to-back sequential stress test, the SN8100 peaked at 73°C under the motherboard’s PCIe 5.0 heatsink, and the 9100 PRO peaked at 70°C under the same cooler. The reviewer reported that the SN8100 did not reach a warning state or throttle in those tests, but still recommended good airflow and a suitable heatsink. These are sustained stress-test peaks on one system, not typical temperatures for every build.
Rank #3
- BREAKTHROUGH PCIe 5.0 PERFORMANCE: Supercharge your workflow and gaming with PCIe 5.0, boasting up to 14,800/13,400 MB/s1 sequential read/write speeds. Tackle massive files and power up your gaming with Gen5—twice as fast as the 990 PRO SSD.
- EVERY TASK, TURBOCHARGED: Speed past productivity limits. With random read/write speeds up to 2,200K/2,600K IOPS¹, enjoy seamless AI apps, fast game loads, and efficient multitasking. Virtually no lag, no limits—just nonstop performance.
- THINK FAST, CREATE FASTER: With random read/write speeds of up to 2,200K/2,600K IOPS¹, the 9100 PRO SSD fuels seamless AI content creation, swift loads, and smooth gameplay. Work, play, and create at lightning speed.
- SPEED, WHEREVER YOU NEED: From laptops to desktop PCs, experience blazing PCIe 5.0 speeds and up to 8TB of storage. Perfect for video editing, gaming, and creative tasks, with the compatibility to match your device.
- STAY COOL, RUN FAST: Push limits, not temperatures. A 5nm controller boosts power efficiency up to 49% over the 990 PRO SSD², while advanced thermal control keeps performance smooth and reliable.
TechRadar’s Samsung 9100 PRO review
TechRadar’s review (March 18, 2025) tested a 4TB Samsung 9100 PRO under a Gigabyte X870E motherboard heatsink, with an AMD Ryzen 9 9950X and 32GB of DDR5 memory. Because it used a 4TB drive, its numbers are not a like-for-like match with PCGamesN’s 2TB results. The reviewer’s point about large, frequent saves of media files and Unreal Engine projects is useful for deciding whether peak write speed justifies the cost.
Price and value
Prices change often, and the figures below are launch-period US prices from 2025 reviews. They are not current offers, and they cannot tell you which drive is cheaper today.
Rank #4
- BREAKTHROUGH PCIe 5.0 PERFORMANCE: Supercharge your workflow and gaming with PCIe 5.0, boasting up to 14,700/13,300 MB/s* sequential read/write speeds. Tackle massive files and power up your gaming with Gen5—twice as fast as the 990 PRO SSD.
- EVERY TASK, TURBOCHARGED: Speed past productivity limits. With random read/write speeds up to 1,850K/2,600K IOPS*, enjoy fast game loads, seamless AI apps, and efficient multitasking. Virtually no lag, no limits—just nonstop performance.
- THINK FAST, CREATE FASTER: With random read/write speeds of up to 1,850K/2,600K IOPS*, the 9100 PRO SSD fuels seamless AI content creation, swift loads, and smooth gameplay. Work, play, and create at lightning speed.
- SPEED, WHENEVER YOU NEED: From laptops to desktop PCs, experience blazing PCIe 5.0 speeds and up to 8TB of storage. Perfect for video editing, gaming, and creative tasks, with the compatibility to match your device.
- STAY COOL, RUN FAST: Push limits, not temperatures. A 5nm controller boosts power efficiency up to 49% over the 990 PRO SSD*, while advanced thermal control keeps performance smooth and reliable.
| Model | Capacity | Launch price cited | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| WD_BLACK SN8100 | 2TB | $279.99 (US MSRP) | PCGamesN, updated May 20, 2025 |
| WD_BLACK SN8100 | 4TB | $549.99 (US MSRP) | PCGamesN, updated May 20, 2025 |
| Samsung 9100 PRO | 2TB | $299.99 (launch price) | TechRadar, March 18, 2025 |
| Samsung 9100 PRO | 4TB | $549.99 (launch price) | TechRadar, March 18, 2025 |
At the 2025 launch prices, the SN8100 was $20 cheaper at 2TB and the same price at 4TB. Current prices may have moved a lot since then, so compare the same capacity and heatsink configuration at the retailers you use before buying. If you will not use the extra speed, a cheaper PCIe 4.0 drive may serve you better.
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Which one should you buy?
Choose the WD_BLACK SN8100 if
- You want the highest peak sequential speeds and move large files often.
- It costs the same as or less than the Samsung drive at the capacity you need.
Choose the Samsung 9100 PRO if
- It is cheaper at the capacity you need when you buy.
- You value its higher published random-write maximum (2.6M IOPS versus 2.4M IOPS for the SN8100’s 2TB–4TB models) or prefer Samsung’s software.
- You want a drive that ran slightly cooler under the shared cooler in PCGamesN’s stress test.
For gaming or everyday desktop use
Both drives are very fast. Load-time differences in the reviews were small, and in one case the Samsung drive was ahead. Spending more mainly for peak sequential speed is hard to justify unless your workload regularly writes or copies very large files.
Best Value
- This product has been replaced by our latest generation. Please search for the SANDISK Optimus GX PRO 8100 PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD.
- EXPERIENCE PCIe Gen 5: Drastically enhance your gaming and content creation experience with this PCIe Gen 5.0x4 NVMe M.2 SSD.
- BREAKNECK SPEEDS: Your drive reaches sequential read speeds up to an astonishing 14,900MB/s, sequential write speeds up to 14,000MB/s (2TB-4TB model), and over 2,300,000 IOPS (2TB-4TB Models) of random performance.
- AN INDUSTRY-LEADER IN POWER EFFICIENCY: Enjoy over 100% more power efficiency (1TB – 4TB models) than our PCIe Gen4 drive at an average operating power of 7.5W or under. Experience astonishing speeds without any added stress to your system.
- ROOM FOR REVOLUTION: Hold your biggest projects and still have room for OS updates, models for AI-powered applications, and your game library thanks to immense capacities up to 8TB. SANDISK SOFTWARE: Help maximize your drive’s performance, monitor its health and keep it up to date with SANDISK Dashboard (Windows only). Plus, effortlessly migrate your data with Acronis True Image for Sandisk.
For a high-performance build
Before you buy, confirm the following:
- Your motherboard has a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot and the drive’s capacity fits your plans.
- Your board already provides an M.2 heatsink that fits the drive. Add a separate heatsink only if it does not, and check that it fits your cooler clearance.
- Your case gives the drive decent airflow.
- The warranty and TBW rating listed for your exact model and capacity meet your expectations.
Once you have checked these, the choice comes down to price at your capacity, which of the two sets of workload results matches your use, and whether you prefer each brand’s software.
Prices and availability were not verified for this article. Check live retailer pricing and product listings for the exact capacity and heatsink version you intend to buy.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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