Sandisk unveils WD_Black SSDs that balance performance and power efficiency

May 13, 2025 5:00 AM

WD_Black SN8100 family of SSDs.

Image Credit: Sandisk

Sandisk today unveiled the WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe SSD with PCIe Gen 5.0 technology, a cutting-edge internal SSD with high speeds and capacities for gaming, content creation and AI workloads.

The SSD can hit s speeds up to 14,900 MB/s 1 and capacities up to 8TB 2.

With the evolution of gaming graphics, high-quality 4K and 8K content and AI applications, today’s gamers and professionals need solutions to help maximize the performance of their PCs. The SandiskWD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe PCIe Gen 5.0 SSD is built for hardcore PC gamers looking to add the most

advanced combination of speed and reliability to their rig for peak performance.

It’s also targeted at professionals needing a top-of-the-line PC storage solution for intensive workflows and AI applications. In addition to fast speeds, the new PCIe Gen 5.0 SSD is also 100% more power efficient than Sandisk’s high-performance PCIe Gen 4.0 SSD.

“Whether it’s for high-level gaming, professional content creation or AI applications, high-performance users now have a PCIe Gen 5.0 storage solution that matches speed with power efficiency to help them build the ultimate gaming rig or best-in-class workstation, enabling them to play and create with next- level performance and reliability,” said Eric Spanneut, vice president of devices for Sandisk, in a statement. “The WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe SSD with PCIe Gen 5.0 delivers peak storage performance for the mostdiscerning users.”

“PCIe Gen 5.0 is the next evolution of the PCIe interface offering up to 2x performance capability over today’s PCIe 4.0,” said Joe Macri, CTO for compute and graphics at AMD, in a statement. “The WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe SSD with PCIe Gen 5.0 revolutionizes storage performance and power efficiency bringing the next level of flash storage to PCs for gamers, content creators, or professionals seeking only the highest storage performance possible.”

“Technologies like the Intel Core Ultra processors combined with WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe PCIe Gen 5.0 SSDs will fuel the innovation of PCs and workstations, vastly speeding up play, productions or projects for gamers, creators and professionals,” said Todd Lewellen, VP of client ecosystem group at Intel, in a statement. “With its great performance and power efficiency, the WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe PCIe Gen 5.0 SSD is a great option for those looking to build their best gaming and high-performance PCs.”

The WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe SSD features advanced Sandisk BiCS8 TLC 3D CBA NAND technology powering performance and reliability, with a low-power profile and optimized thermal performance to help simplify system design without adding expensive cooling.

Key features include an enhanced gaming and workflow experience with the speed of PCIe Gen 5.0×4NVMe M.2 SSD technology. It also hits sequential speeds of up to 14,900MB/s 1 read, 14,000MB/s 1 write and over 2,300,000 IOPS 1 of random performance (2TB – 4TB 2 models) – a 2x performance improvement in read speeds over Sandisk’s PCIe Gen 4.0 3 .

And it is over 100% more power efficient than Sandisk’s PCIe Gen 4.0 3 , plus energy optimization with an average operating power of 7W 1 or under helps keep drives running at optimal performance.

It also has up to 2,400TBW endurance (4TB 2 ), which means machines can handle the most intense tasks, such as gaming, video editing and AI workloads.

And it has the capacity to hold the biggest new games and projects, while still having room for models for AI-powered applications, large datasets and growing game libraries.

In addition to the WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe with PCIe Gen 5.0 SSD, Sandisk is offering an optional WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe with PCIe Gen 5.0 SSD with Heatsink. The heatsink version features a new integrated, low-profile passive cooling design engineered with anodized aluminum with no extra power or noisy fans required. Plus, it comes with a customizable RGB LED for those who want to match their lighting style and build needs.

The WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe SSD is available for purchase at Sandisk.com, select retailers and e-tailers worldwide in 1TB ($180 U.S. MSRP), 2TB ($280) and 4TB 2 ($550) capacities.

The WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe with Heatsink will also be available this fall in 1TB ($200), 2TB ($300) and 4TB 2 ($570) capacities. An 8TB 2 WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe SSD and WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe SSD with Heatsink are expected to be available later this year.