Tom’s Hardware assessment
The tested 2TB drive combines very high performance with improved Gen5 efficiency. Its premium is harder to justify for routine loading times.
Tom’s HardwareStorage & NAS / Review roundup
WD_BLACK SN8100 2TB
2TB M.2 2280 drive without heatsink
Roundup updated 2026-10-03 · 2 assessment sources
What reviewers found
Compare this with the 9100 Pro for a demanding Gen5 workstation.
For a gaming upgrade, a cheaper SN850X or 990 Pro may deliver more useful value without the Gen5 premium.
A roundup of published reviews; we haven’t tested this product. How we work
At a glance
Good for
Compare this with the 9100 Pro for a demanding Gen5 workstation.
The catch
Premium price for ordinary workloads; Cooling and slot compatibility matter
Where to buy
Current prices are available at the retailer.Check price at Amazon Product search
Affiliate links · We may earn a commission.
Strengths and limitations
Pros
- Very high transfer-speed ceiling
- Improved Gen5 efficiency
Cons
- Premium price for ordinary workloads
- Cooling and slot compatibility matter
In depth
Dong Knows Tech assessment
Strong transfer performance needs the matching host interface. The tested capacity and heatsink option deserve checking before comparing a price.
Dong Knows TechWho should buy it
Compare this with the 9100 Pro for a demanding Gen5 workstation. For a gaming upgrade, a cheaper SN850X or 990 Pro may deliver more useful value without the Gen5 premium.
Tom’s HardwareDong Knows TechReview observations
What reviewers reported in use; these are qualitative observations, not benchmark scores.
Review observation · Published assessment
Qualitative findingTom’s Hardware: The tested 2TB drive combines very high performance with improved Gen5 efficiency. Its premium is harder to justify for routine loading times.
Tom’s HardwareSpecifications
Check the configuration: memory, storage and cooling can vary between models.
Hardware & configuration
- Capacity
- 2 TB
- Form factor
- M.2 2280
- Interface
- PCIe 5.0 ×4 / NVMe
- Controller
- Silicon Motion SM2508
- NAND
- TLC
- DRAM
- 2 GB
- Sequential read claim
- Up to 14,900 MB/s
- Sequential write claim
- Up to 14,000 MB/s
- Endurance rating
- 1,200 TBW
- Warranty
- Five years or endurance limit
- Management
- SanDisk Dashboard
- Cooling
- Separate heatsink or motherboard cooling required
Still unknown
- No firsthand testing or long-term failure-rate study by Next Interrupt. Published measurements retain their original sample and test conditions.
Published reviews & comparisons
Tom’s Hardware · Review ·
WD_BLACK SN8100 2TB review ↗
The tested 2TB drive combines very high performance with improved Gen5 efficiency. Its premium is harder to justify for routine loading times.
Test scope
The tested 2TB drive combines very high performance with improved Gen5 efficiency. Its premium is harder to justify for routine loading times.
Publisher group: Future
Dong Knows Tech · Review ·
WD_BLACK SN8100 2TB review ↗
Strong transfer performance needs the matching host interface. The tested capacity and heatsink option deserve checking before comparing a price.
Test scope
Strong transfer performance needs the matching host interface. The tested capacity and heatsink option deserve checking before comparing a price.
Publisher group: Dong Knows Tech
Alternatives to consider
ModelChoose it forThe catchCompare
Samsung 9100 Pro 2TB2 reviewsFor sustained transfers on a machine with a proper Gen5 slot and cooling.Gen5 hardware and cooling needed; Little benefit for many ordinary workloadsCompare →
Samsung 990 PRO 2TB3 reviewsA mature high-performance PCIe 4.0 desktop or laptop SSDA premium SSD may add little to ordinary loading timesCompare →
WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB2 reviewsGaming and general high-performance PCIe 4.0 storageA fast specification does not guarantee better game loadingCompare →