WD Black SN8100 debuts with PCIe 5.0, blazing-fast performance

Reviewers Liked

• Fastest SSD ever
• A true generational upgrade
• More affordable than Samsung 9100 Pro
• Up to 8TB capacity

90

By simultaneously being the fastest, most powerful, and most efficient SSD on the planet, SanDisk's WD Black SN8100 has earned a very rare 100% all-around perfect Editor's Choice rating.

By TweakTown on May 13, 2025

80

The WD Black SN8100 is the new SSD speed king, beating the Samsung 9100 Pro and showing what can be achieved if you push four PCIe 5.0 lanes to their limit. It's not cheap, and it runs hot too, but it's the fastest drive available if you can afford it.

By PCGamesN on May 13, 2025

94

This is the fastest PCIe 5.0 SSD on the market to date. It doesn't matter if you're a pro gamer or a working professional; the SN8100 delivers in every arena and then some. For its first PCIe 5.0 SSD WD has set the bar incredibly high. Now everyone else has to catch up.

By PCGamer on May 13, 2025

80

A future in which PCIe 5.0 SSDs are more affordable, efficient, and speedy is one we should all welcome and drives like WD_Black SN8100 mark an important step towards that. It’s an impressive drive and a worthy successor to the beloved WD_Black SN850X, even if it doesn’t always top the charts in the face of chonkier, more-power-hungry alternatives.

By Club386 on May 13, 2025

90

PCIe Gen 4 storage drives are already "fast enough", particularly on the high-end of the category, but that doesn't mean they'll satisfy needs forever. Technology moves on, and SanDisk is ready to double the read speeds of my current champion at a higher price for file storage space. Yes, you'll pay more per terabyte with PCIe 5.0, but the WD_BLACK SN8100 actually delivers better value on its read speeds for those who regularly create/render/transfer gigantic files.

By WindowsCentral on May 13, 2025

Hands on: Yes, compared to other SSDs you can buy, the price tag is a steep one. And chances are a lot of you will be more than happy with your PCIe Gen 4 SSD for plenty of time to come. If I hadn’t had been given the opportunity to test this drive, I know I certainly wouldn’t mind sticking with my 990 Evo. But now that I’ve witnessed the WD_Black SN8100 in action, I can never go back. PCIe Gen 5 is a truly generational shift that breathed all new life into my PC. And provided you’ve got the motherboard to support it, it will do the same for you too.

By Tom's Guide on May 13, 2025

For anyone running a Gen5-supported system, the SN8100 is an excellent addition to your rig. It brings significant performance gains over Gen4 drives and is perfect for tasks that demand speed and reliability, such as gaming, editing high-resolution media, or running AI models. As one of the fastest consumer SSDs on the market, with an excellent software tool and aggressive pricing, it’s an easy pick for a Best Of 2025 award!

By StorageReview on May 13, 2025