Review of the Sandisk WD Blue SN5100 NVMe SSD
Prices for SSDs are currently quite volatile. While they haven’t been hit as hard as memory prices, we’re still seeing regular increases across many SSD models. If the prices you see differ from what’s mentioned here, that’s likely the reason. To ensure you’re getting a good deal, consider using a price tracking tool.
It’s been a year since I first reviewed the WD Blue SN5000, and what a year it has been. At that time, the drive had its shortcomings: it ran hot, was relatively slow, and was outperformed by cheaper alternatives. Its aging QLC NAND flash didn’t quite live up to expectations. Fortunately, the new Sandisk WD Blue SN5100 addresses nearly all of my previous concerns.
With a refined controller and a more advanced QLC NAND flash package that boasts higher densities and improved performance, the SN5100 makes a compelling case for being one of the best SSDs available—assuming the price is right. In fact, it has achieved a notable 21% increase in score compared to the original model.
Interestingly, Sandisk is marketing the SN5100 primarily as a creator drive rather than targeting gamers. It’s designed for those in need of affordable mass storage for 4K video files and large RAW photography collections. I even had a bit of a challenge getting a sample for review, as the PR team insisted it wasn’t aimed at gamers. However, I firmly believe they are mistaken. Let me explain why.
The significant upgrade from the SN5000 to the SN5100 lies in the NAND technology.
Capacity: 2 TB
Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
Memory controller: Sandisk Polaris 3
Flash memory: Sandisk 218-layer BiCS8 3D QLC NAND
Rated performance: 7,100 MB/s sustained read, 6,700 MB/s sustained write
Endurance: 600 TBW
Warranty: Five years
Price: $130 | £125
The SN5100 replaces the older 162-layer BiCS6 QLC NAND with a more advanced 218-layer BiCS8 3D QLC setup, significantly reducing the bit size. This improvement is largely due to stacking more layers vertically, but Sandisk has also enhanced “lateral scaling,” allowing for smaller cell sizes. This technology is similar to what’s found in the renowned Sandisk WD Black SN8100, which uses TLC instead of QLC flash.
This advancement enables Sandisk to fit 4 TB of storage into a single NAND package, enhancing power efficiency, reducing latency, and significantly boosting drive speed. Benchmarks clearly reflect these improvements, which we’ll delve into shortly. The overall design remains largely unchanged, still featuring a single-sided M.2 2280 form factor for broad compatibility with consoles, laptops, and PCs. It retains the Sandisk Polaris 3 controller and comes with the expected warranties and features.
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
Sandisk WD Blue SN5100 |
Teamgroup MP44Q |
|---|---|---|
|
3DMark Storage – Index |
3915 |
2874 |
|
3DMark Storage – Bandwidth (MB/s) |
672.63 |
496.38 |
|
3DMark Storage – Access time (µs) |
59 |
63 |
|
CrystalDiskMark 7.0.0 – SEQ1M Q8T1 Read (MB/s) |
7318 |
7407 |
|
CrystalDiskMark 7.0.0 – SEQ1M Q8T1 Write (MB/s) |
6687 |
6595 |
|
RND4k Q1T1 Read (IOPS) |
26224 |
17195 |
|
RND4K Q1T1 Write (IOPS) |
75158 |
70309 |
|
Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers – Total loading time (seconds) |
7.125 |
7.97 |
|
Peak temperature (°C) |
61 |
54 |
PC Gamer test bench
CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9900X | RAM: 64 GB (2x32GB) Team Group T-Create Expert DDR5 @ 6000 C34 | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super | Motherboard: Asus ROG Strix X870E-E Gaming WiFi/NZXT N9 X870E | CPU Cooler: Asus ROG Ryujin III 360 ARGB Extreme | PSU: 1200W NZXT C1200 (2024) 80+ Gold | Chassis: Geometric Future Model 5
The performance gains from the NAND upgrade have been remarkable. This semi-budget drive performs exceptionally well, maxing out PCIe 4.0 bandwidth with sequential read speeds of 7.3 GB/s and write speeds of 6.7 GB/s. In 3DMark’s SSD benchmark, it scored an impressive 3,915, with SSD bandwidth at 672.63 and a latency of just 59 ns. This performance is very close to some of the latest PCIe 5.0 SSDs, only trailing the Crucial T710 by 100 MB/s and outperforming many early PCIe 5.0 drives.
However, the random 4K performance is where this drive truly shines. It achieved a read score of 107 MB/s and a write score of 308 MB/s. The read score, which is crucial for gamers, is the second-highest I’ve ever tested, surpassed only by the SN8100. No other drive, whether PCIe 4.0 or 5.0, can match it. While the write performance is slightly slower, it still exceeds expectations for this technology.
This performance translates well into game load times. In our Final Fantasy load time tests, it clocked in at a solid 7.125 seconds, comparable to some of the best offerings from Crucial. It also maintained a comfortable temperature of 61 degrees, well within acceptable limits, especially considering it was attached to a passive motherboard heatsink.
✅ If you’re seeking the ultimate QLC drive: Limited only by its connection standard, it offers exceptional random 4K performance and game load times, even rivaling some first and second-generation PCIe 5.0 drives.
❌ If you need sequential performance: It’s somewhat limited, constrained by the PCIe 4.0 standard, with a maximum performance of “only” 7 GB/s.
Pricing is where things get a bit tricky. When I first tested this in October 2025, before the chaos of Black Friday and the subsequent rise in NAND prices, it was priced at an attractive $130. Since then, Sandisk has increased the price by an additional $50, which is quite a jump.
While this aligns with industry trends, you can also find the TLC-powered 2 TB SN7100 at the same price. This presents a dilemma, as the SN7100 is better suited for larger file transfers once the pseudo SLC cache is exhausted, making it a more appealing choice overall. Although our benchmarks show slower random 4K read speeds and game load times for the SN7100, it’s important to note that the tested model was the 1 TB version, not the 2 TB SN5100 we have here.
For a modern QLC drive, the SN5100 is impressive. It has its limitations; being QLC means it will eventually throttle during massive file transfers. However, if your primary use is loading games or running occasional programs, it stands among the best TLC SSDs available.
The catch is that with the current market volatility, if you can find an older TLC drive for the same or less money, you’re likely to get better performance for your investment, especially for larger transfers. Until Sandisk and the broader NAND market stabilize, this situation may not improve anytime soon. Is the SN5100 a good buy? Yes and no. It ultimately depends on the price and the whims of the market.
1. Best overall: WD_Black SN7100
2. Best budget: Biwin Black Opal NV7400
3. Best PCIe 5.0: WD_Black SN8100
4. Best budget PCIe 5.0: Crucial P510
5. Best 4 TB: TeamGroup MP44
6. Best 8 TB: WD_Black SN850X
7. Best M.2 2230: Lexar Play 2230
8. Best for PS5: Silicon Power XS70
