For peak performance, the WD_BLACK SN8100 is the better choice: it posted higher results in most of PCGamesN’s tests and has higher published sequential-read and write ratings at 2TB and 4TB. The Samsung 9100 PRO is close, though, and may be the smarter buy if it costs less, you value its higher rated maximum random-write speed, or you prefer Samsung’s software. For gaming and everyday PC use, compare same-capacity prices before paying extra for either drive’s headline speeds.
How the specifications compare
Both drives are M.2 2280 NVMe SSDs designed for PCIe 5.0 x4 systems. Their published maximums are manufacturer ratings, not guaranteed speeds: the host system, workload, capacity, and available PCIe generation all matter.
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| Specification | Samsung 9100 PRO | WD_BLACK SN8100 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface and form factor | M.2 2280, PCIe 5.0 x4 NVMe (Samsung, 2025) | M.2 2280, PCIe Gen 5×4 NVMe 2.0 (SanDisk data sheet, 2025) |
| Peak sequential read/write | Up to 14,800/13,400 MB/s, according to Samsung (2025) | 2TB and 4TB: up to 14,900/14,000 MB/s. Ratings vary by capacity: 1TB write is up to 13,200 MB/s; 8TB write is up to 11,000 MB/s. (SanDisk data sheet, 2025) |
| Peak random read/write | Up to 2.2M/2.6M IOPS, according to Samsung (2025) | 2TB–4TB: up to 2.3M/2.4M IOPS (SanDisk data sheet, 2025) |
| Capacity options | Family reaches 8TB (Samsung, 2025) | 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, and 8TB (SanDisk data sheet, 2025) |
| Warranty and endurance | Five-year limited warranty; check the exact SKU for its TBW limit (Samsung, 2025) | Five years; rated endurance is 600, 1,200, 2,400, and 4,800 TBW for 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, and 8TB, respectively (SanDisk data sheet, 2025) |
| Software listed by the manufacturer | Samsung Magician (Samsung, 2025) | SanDisk Dashboard for Windows and Acronis migration software (SanDisk data sheet, 2025) |
Samsung’s cited announcement gives the family’s maximum capacity but does not establish a TBW figure for each capacity; verify the endurance rating for the specific 9100 PRO SKU you are considering. The SN8100’s published capacity-specific figures also mean you should not assume every version matches the 2TB and 4TB models’ top speeds.
What independent testing found
In a review updated May 20, 2025, PCGamesN found the SN8100 ahead of the 9100 PRO in most of its tests. In that review’s CrystalDiskMark sequential-write test, the SN8100 exceeded its own rated claim by 88 MB/s and was 638 MB/s faster than the best 9100 PRO result. It scored 650 MB/s in the review’s PCMark 10 full system-drive test, 13 MB/s ahead of the Samsung drive. These are results from the reviewer’s test setup, not speed guarantees for other PCs. (PCGamesN, updated May 20, 2025)
#1 Best Overall
- BREAKTHROUGH PCIe 5.0 PERFORMANCE: Supercharge your workflow and gaming with PCIe 5.0, boasting up to 14,800/13,400 MB/s sequential read/write speeds. Tackle massive files and power up your gaming with Gen5—twice as fast as the 990 PRO SSD.
- EVERY TASK, TURBOCHARGED: Speed past productivity limits. With random read/write speeds up to 2,200K/2,600K IOPS, enjoy fast game loads, seamless AI apps, and efficient multitasking. Virtually no lag, no limits—just nonstop performance.
- THNK FAST, CREATE FASTER: With random read/write speeds of up to 2,200K/2,600K IOPS, the 9100 PRO SSD fuels seamless AI content creation, swift loads, and smooth gameplay. Work, play, and create at lightning speed.
- SPEED, WHENEVER YOU NEED: From laptops to desktop PCs, experience blazing PCIe 5.0 speeds and up to 8TB of storage. Perfect for video editing, gaming, and creative tasks, with the compatibility to match your device.
- STAY COOL, RUN FAST: Push limits, not temperatures. A 5nm controller boosts power efficiency up to 49% over the 990 PRO SSD, while advanced thermal control keeps performance smooth and reliable.
Game loads do not show a consistent winner
The same review’s game-load results were mixed: the SN8100 led in Battlefield V, while the 9100 PRO was 10 MB/s ahead in Overwatch. PCGamesN noted that peak sequential performance matters more for repeated large transfers between fast drives than for many everyday tasks. That makes the SN8100’s throughput advantage more relevant to people who regularly move large media files than to most gamers. (PCGamesN, updated May 20, 2025)
Thermals depend on the system and workload
During PCGamesN’s back-to-back sequential stress test, the SN8100 reached 73°C and the 9100 PRO reached 70°C under the same motherboard PCIe 5.0 heatsink. The reviewer reported no warning status or throttling for the SN8100 in those tests, while recommending adequate airflow and a suitable heatsink. These are peaks from one sustained-stress test, not expected temperatures for every installation. Check whether your motherboard already has an M.2 heatsink before buying another. (PCGamesN, updated May 20, 2025)
Rank #2
- BREAKTHROUGH PCIe 5.0 PERFORMANCE: Supercharge your workflow and gaming with PCIe 5.0, boasting up to 14,700/13,400 MB/s* sequential read/write speeds. Tackle massive files and power up your gaming with Gen5—twice as fast as the 990 PRO SSD.
- EVERY TASK, TURBOCHARGED: Speed past productivity limits. With random read/write speeds up to 1,850K/2,600K IOPS*, enjoy fast game loads, seamless AI apps, and efficient multitasking. Virtually no lag, no limits—just nonstop performance.
- THINK FAST, CREATE FASTER: With random read/write speeds of up to 1,850K/2,600K IOPS*, the 9100 PRO SSD fuels seamless AI content creation, swift loads, and smooth gameplay. Work, play, and create at lightning speed.
- SPEED, WHENEVER YOU NEED: From laptops to desktop PCs, experience blazing PCIe 5.0 speeds and up to 8TB of storage. Perfect for video editing, gaming, and creative tasks, with the compatibility to match your device.
- STAY COOL, RUN FAST: Push limits, not temperatures. A 5nm controller boosts power efficiency up to 49% over the 990 PRO SSD*, while advanced thermal control keeps performance smooth and reliable.
TechRadar’s March 2025 9100 PRO review tested a 4TB drive under a Gigabyte X870E motherboard heatsink, with an AMD Ryzen 9 9950X and 32GB of DDR5 memory. Because the setup and capacity differ from other comparisons, its results should not be treated as a directly matched head-to-head test. The review identifies frequent saves of very large media files and Unreal Engine projects as situations where strong sequential writes may be useful. (TechRadar, March 18, 2025)
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Which drive should you buy?
Choose the WD_BLACK SN8100 for maximum throughput
It is the stronger pick if you regularly transfer large files, want the highest published sequential ratings at 2TB or 4TB, and can get it for a competitive same-capacity price. Its lead in most of PCGamesN’s tests adds practical support for that choice, but does not promise the same margins in your system.
Rank #3
- BREAKTHROUGH PCIe 5.0 PERFORMANCE: Supercharge your workflow and gaming with PCIe 5.0, boasting up to 14,700/13,300 MB/s* sequential read/write speeds. Tackle massive files and power up your gaming with Gen5—twice as fast as the 990 PRO SSD.
- EVERY TASK, TURBOCHARGED: Speed past productivity limits. With random read/write speeds up to 1,850K/2,600K IOPS*, enjoy fast game loads, seamless AI apps, and efficient multitasking. Virtually no lag, no limits—just nonstop performance.
- THINK FAST, CREATE FASTER: With random read/write speeds of up to 1,850K/2,600K IOPS*, the 9100 PRO SSD fuels seamless AI content creation, swift loads, and smooth gameplay. Work, play, and create at lightning speed.
- SPEED, WHENEVER YOU NEED: From laptops to desktop PCs, experience blazing PCIe 5.0 speeds and up to 8TB of storage. Perfect for video editing, gaming, and creative tasks, with the compatibility to match your device.
- STAY COOL, RUN FAST: Push limits, not temperatures. A 5nm controller boosts power efficiency up to 49% over the 990 PRO SSD*, while advanced thermal control keeps performance smooth and reliable.
Choose the Samsung 9100 PRO for price, random-write rating, or software preference
The 9100 PRO makes sense if it is cheaper at the capacity you need, if its higher published maximum random-write rating matters to your workload, or if you prefer Samsung Magician. PCGamesN’s results were close overall, and the Samsung drive ran slightly cooler under the shared cooler in that review’s stress test.
For gaming and general desktop use, prioritize value
Both are high-end PCIe 5.0 drives, but headline sequential rates do not translate directly into shorter game loads or a proportionally snappier desktop. Compare the same capacity and heatsink configuration at current prices. If you will not regularly use peak throughput, a less expensive PCIe 4.0 or lower-tier SSD may fit your needs better.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- HUGE SPEED BOOST: Get random read/write speeds that are 40%/55% faster than 980 PRO; Experience up to 1400K/1550K IOPS, while sequential read/write speeds up to 7,450/6,900 MB/s reach near the max performance of PCIe 4.0*
- BREAKTHROUGH POWER EFFICIENCY: Use less power and get more performance; Enjoy up to 50% improved performance per watt over 980 PRO, plus optimal power efficiency with max PCIe 4.0 performance**
- SMART THERMAL CONTROL: Samsung's own nickel-coated controller delivers effective thermal control; With its slim size, 990 PRO is a perfect fit for desktops and laptops that meet the PCI-SIG D8 standard***
- THE CHAMPION MAKER: Up to 65% improvement in random performance enables faster loads for an ultimate gaming experience on PS5 and DirectStorage PC games****
- SAMSUNG MAGICIAN SOFTWARE: Get the most out of your SSD with Samsung Magician's advanced yet intuitive optimization tools; Monitor drive health, protect valuable data, and receive important updates for your 990 PRO
Rank #4
- MEET THE NEXT GEN: Consider this a cheat code; Our Samsung 990 PRO Gen4 SSD helps you reach near max performance with lightning-fast speeds; Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or a tech guru, you’ll get power efficiency built for the final boss
- REACH THE NEXT LEVEL: Gen4 steps up with faster transfer speeds and high-performance bandwidth; With a more than 55% improvement in random performance compared to 980 PRO, it’s here for heavy computing and faster loading
- THE FASTEST SSD FROM THE WORLD'S FLASH MEMORY BRAND: The speed you need for any occasion; With read and write speeds up to 7450/6900 MB/s you’ll reach near max performance of PCIe 4.0 powering through for any use
- PLAY WITHOUT LIMITS: Give yourself some space with storage capacities from 1TB to 4TB; Sync all your saves and reign supreme in gaming, video editing, data analysis and more
- IT’S A POWER MOVE: Save the power for your performance; Get power efficiency all while experiencing up to 50% improved performance per watt over the 980 PRO; It makes every move more effective with less consumption
Check compatibility, cooling, and price before buying
- Confirm the slot: Check that your motherboard or device supports an M.2 2280 SSD and the PCIe generation you want. A Gen 5 drive installed in a lower-generation slot will not reach its Gen 5 maximum.
- Compare like with like: Match capacity and heatsink version when comparing current prices. The 2025 launch prices are not a guide to today’s offers: PCGamesN listed US launch MSRPs of $279.99 for the 2TB SN8100 and $549.99 for 4TB; TechRadar listed $299.99 for the 2TB 9100 PRO and $549.99 for 4TB.
- Check the cooling already included: A motherboard heatsink or a drive version with an integrated heatsink may be sufficient. Add a separate cooler only if the installation lacks suitable cooling and it fits the motherboard’s clearance.
- Verify the exact SKU: Capacities have different peak ratings, and the 9100 PRO’s TBW limit should be checked for the specific capacity. Follow the device and drive installation instructions.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
