SanDisk has launched a higher capacity WD_Black SN8100 M.2 SSD that provides up to 8TB of storage capacity on a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface. Costing as much as a complete system, this drive is targeting enthusiasts and professionals looking for the fastest and largest solution fitting the M.2 2280 form factor. With speeds reaching nearly 15GB/s, it should blast through tasks without a sweat.
Though it retains the WD (Western Digital) part in its name, the WD_Black SN8100 is now under SanDisk’s umbrella following the company’s separation. This new model doubles the capacity compared to its predecessor, using TLC 3D CBA NAND, making it ideal for compact desktops and laptops that have limited expansion capabilities.
Most importantly, the WD_Black SN8100 does so without hindering performance, delivering up to 14.9GB/s sequential read and 13.2GB/s sequential write when paired with a Gen 5 M.2 interface. Random read and write are also excellent, hitting 2.2 million IOPS and 2.4 million IOPS, respectively. All of this at an efficient average operating power of 7.5W, removing the need for active-cooled heatsinks, and putting the SN8100 among the fastest SSDs on the market.
For instance, if you edit large high-resolution videos or stream and record content at the same time, the 13.2GB/s of write speed should ensure a snappy experience with no dropped frames or hitches. That said, note that this 8TB version is slightly slower than its smaller siblings, trailing in random access and sequential write. Nothing you would notice without measurement software.
Regarding endurance, SanDisk advertises 4,800 TBW (terabytes written) of durability, meaning you could write 2.6TB per day for five years or fill and wipe the drive completely 600 times. Furthermore, reaching 4,800 TBW doesn’t systematically break the drive.
The WD_Black SN8100 8TB SSD can be had for an eye-watering £937.99 / $1,049.99 with and £916.99 / $999.99 without a heatsink, backed by a five-year warranty. This puts it about £140 higher than the competing Samsung 9100 Pro, which may limit its appeal to some users. Price aside, this is as good as it gets on the consumer segment, so you are unlikely to be disappointed by its performance.
