SanDisk launches ultra-fast Gen5 gaming SSD WD_Black SN8100

SanDisk has introduced a new high-end SSD under the WD_Black brand. The WD_Black SN8100 NVMe SSD utilizes the PCIe Gen 5.0 interface and is primarily aimed at demanding PC users, including hardcore gamers, content creators and professional users who require very high storage performance.

What distinguishes the new SSD from Sandisk?

The SSD in the M.2 2280 form factor achieves read speeds of up to 14,900 MB/s and write speeds of up to 14,000 MB/s, according to SanDisk. This makes it one of the fastest models currently available on the market and confers a significant performance advantage compared to PCIe 4.0-based SSDs. The read speed in particular is said to have more than doubled compared to the previous SanDisk PCIe Gen 4.0 SSD. First reviews confirm blazing-fast read rates while also revealing inconsistencies with write speeds.

The SN8100 also achieves high random performance values with over 2,300,000 IOPS for both the 2 TB and 4 TB models, which are important for fast access times for small data packets. SanDisk uses its own BiCS8 TLC 3D CBA NAND technology here. In addition to the speed, the SSD is also said to be more than 100% energy-efficient than the previous generation, with average power consumption during operation estimated at less than 7 watts.

In terms of longevity, the manufacturer specifies a value of up to 2,400 TBW (terabytes written) for the 4 TB variant. This corresponds to the usual longevity for high-end SSDs and should also be sufficient for intensive use such as gaming, video editing and AI applications.

At market launch, the WD Black SN8100 will be available in capacities of 1 TB, 2 TB and 4 TB. At the end of 2025, a larger capacity of 8 TB is expected, also with or without a heat sink, which will cost around $20 more than the variant without cooling. SanDisk provides a five-year warranty for the WD Black SN8100.