This article covers WD_BLACK 4TB SN8100 NVMe SSD 内蔵ソリッドステートドライブ.

Overview

Western Digital's WD_BLACK brand has unleashed the SN8100 NVMe SSD, a PCIe Gen 5.0 drive that pushes the boundaries of consumer storage. The 4TB model (WDS400T1X0M) delivers sequential read speeds up to 14,900MB/s and writes up to 14,000MB/s, with random IOPS reaching 2.3 million. This M.2 2280 drive is built for the most demanding workloads: 8K video editing, AI model training, and next-gen gaming with DirectStorage. At its core, the SN8100 uses TLC 3D CBA NAND flash and sips just 7W average power—over 100% more efficient than PCIe Gen 4 drives according to WD. Endurance is rated at 2,400 TBW for the 4TB variant, backed by a 5-year limited warranty. This positions the SN8100 as a top-tier contender in the PCIe 5.0 SSD market, competing directly with Samsung 9100 PRO and Seagate FireCuda 540.

Compatibility Guide

Form factor: M.2 2280 (22mm x 80mm). Fits any standard M.2 slot on desktops and many laptops, but to achieve full PCIe 5.0 x4 speeds, the slot must be wired to a PCIe 5.0-capable CPU or chipset (e.g., AMD Ryzen 7000/9000 series, Intel Core Ultra 200 series). Backward compatible with PCIe 4.0 and 3.0 slots, but speed will be limited to the slot's maximum bandwidth (e.g., ~7,000MB/s on PCIe 4.0 x4). No heatsink included. While the drive runs cool at 7W average, sustained heavy writes may cause thermal throttling without adequate airflow or a motherboard M.2 heatsink. For best performance, use a heatsink. Operating system support: Windows 10/11, macOS, Linux—any OS with standard NVMe drivers.

Product Info

The WD_BLACK SN8100 4TB launched in 2025 as Western Digital's flagship consumer NVMe SSD. It sits firmly in the high-end tier, offering some of the fastest sequential speeds available on the market. Pricing is around ¥120,000 in Japan, placing it alongside premium competitors. Key specs: 4TB capacity, PCIe 5.0 x4 interface, NVMe 2.0, 14,900/14,000 MB/s sequential read/write, 2,300,000 IOPS, TLC 3D CBA NAND, 7W average power, 2,400 TBW endurance, 5-year warranty.

Best Use Cases

Enthusiast Gamers: If you have a PCIe 5.0 motherboard and want the fastest game load times possible, the SN8100 excels. DirectStorage titles will benefit from its high IOPS. However, for most current games, a PCIe 4.0 SSD offers similar real-world performance at half the cost. Content Creators: Video editors working with 8K ProRes RAW or large 3D scenes will see dramatically reduced render and transfer times. The 4TB capacity allows keeping multiple projects online without external drives. AI/ML Engineers: Loading large datasets (e.g., LLM training data) benefits from the SN8100's sequential throughput. Model checkpoint saving is also faster, reducing idle GPU time. Who should NOT buy: Users on PCIe 3.0/4.0 platforms who don't plan to upgrade soon; budget-conscious builders who can get a 4TB PCIe 4.0 SSD for half the price; anyone who doesn't need 4TB capacity.

Things to Consider

PCIe 5.0 requirement: To unlock full speed, you need a compatible CPU and motherboard. Intel 12th-14th Gen and AMD Ryzen 5000 series and older are limited to PCIe 4.0. Thermal management: Although power draw is low, the drive can still throttle under sustained writes. A heatsink is strongly recommended for heavy workloads. Price premium: At ¥120,000, this is an investment. Consider whether 2TB (¥60,000) would suffice for your needs. Also compare with Samsung 9100 PRO (slightly slower sequential but similar real-world performance) and Seagate FireCuda 540 (lower TBW). Overkill for typical use: For everyday computing, gaming, and even most creative work, a PCIe 4.0 SSD like the WD_BLACK SN850X offers excellent performance at a much lower price. ## FAQ
Q: Will this work in a PCIe 4.0 slot? What speeds can I expect? A: Yes, it will work. Sequential read/write will be limited to about 7,000MB/s (the PCIe 4.0 x4 ceiling). Random IOPS will still be very high, so gaming and general use will still feel fast. Q: Can I use this SSD in a PlayStation 5? A: Yes, but the PS5 only supports PCIe 4.0. The drive will operate at PCIe 4.0 speeds (~7,000MB/s), which exceeds Sony's minimum requirement of 5,500MB/s. However, the PS5's M.2 slot may not have optimal cooling for this drive; a heatsink is mandatory. Q: How does the SN8100 compare to the Samsung 9100 PRO? A: The SN8100 has slightly higher sequential read (14,900 vs 14,500 MB/s) and similar write speeds. Samsung's 9100 PRO may have better random performance in some benchmarks and a slightly lower price. Both are excellent; choose based on price and ecosystem preference.

Product Disclosure (Amazon)

  • Manufacturer: SanDisk
  • Seller: Amazon US
  • Fulfilled by: Amazon US
  • ASIN: B0F3B6MZM9
  • Note: This article covers a manufacturer-made product based on Amazon listing details.