WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB heatsink
Drop-in PS5 upgrade: Gen4 speed, built-in heatsink, within Sony's size limits.
Buying guide · Storage
WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB heatsinkImage: SanDisk 
WD_BLACK SN7100 2TBImage: SanDisk 
WD_BLACK SN8100 2TBImage: SanDisk 
Samsung 990 PRO 2TBImage: Samsung
The best NVMe SSDs right now (Gen4 vs. Gen5, explained)
Gaming PC: Samsung 990 PRO. PS5: WD_BLACK SN850X with heatsink. Laptop: WD_BLACK SN7100. Big files on a Gen5 board: WD_BLACK SN8100. For games, Gen5 barely beats Gen4 on load times (Tom's Hardware, TechSpot).
We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure
Alternatives first. The recommended use-case pick is last; these are not lab scores.
Jump to the final pick ↓Where is it going?
The short list
WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB
Near-flagship Gen4 speeds without a DRAM cache.
WD_BLACK SN8100 2TB
The fastest drive here. Worth it for big file work, less so for game loading.
Samsung 990 PRO 2TB
A top-tier Gen4 drive. Plenty fast for games, and it works in any PCIe 4.0 slot.
Store links checked Oct 10, 2026, 1:30 PM ET. Check current prices at the store.
Best for PS5
Fits the bay. Meets the rules.
WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB with heatsink (WDS200T2XHE) · 1 of 4
7300MB/s read (SanDisk)
8.9mmHeight with heatsink
1200TBW endurance
5 yrsWarranty
Get it if You're adding storage to a PS5 and want the heatsink handled out of the box.
Skip it if Your motherboard has its own M.2 heatsink. Buy the bare drive instead.
Full specs & caveats
Strengths
- Heatsink fits the PS5 bay (Sony allows up to 11.25 mm)
- Fast Gen4 speeds on the 2TB model
- 1200 TBW and a 5-year warranty
Keep in mind
- The heatsink is wasted if your motherboard already has one
- Gen4 speeds, not Gen5
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe (SanDisk) |
|---|---|
| Sequential read | 7300 MB/s (SanDisk, 2TB) |
| Sequential write | 6600 MB/s (SanDisk, 2TB) |
| Random read (4K) | 1.2M IOPS (SanDisk, 2TB) |
| Random write (4K) | 1.1M IOPS (SanDisk, 2TB) |
| Endurance | 1200 TBW (SanDisk, 2TB) |
| Warranty | 5 years limited (SanDisk) |
| Form factor | M.2 2280 with heatsink · 8.9 mm tall (SanDisk datasheet) |
| Brand note | Now sold under SanDisk; the WD_BLACK line is becoming SANDISK Optimus (SanDisk, Jan 2026) |
Best for laptops
Gen4 speed without the flagship extras.
WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB (WDS200T4X0E) · 2 of 4
7250MB/s read (SanDisk)
Gen4PCIe 4.0 x4
1200TBW endurance
5 yrsWarranty
Get it if You're upgrading a laptop or a budget build and want Gen4 speed without paying for a DRAM cache.
Skip it if Your handheld takes 2230 drives. This one is 2280.
Full specs & caveats
Strengths
- Rated speeds close to the 990 PRO
- 1200 TBW and a 5-year warranty on the 2TB
- Good fit for laptop and budget-build upgrades
Keep in mind
- No DRAM cache: slower in heavy sustained random workloads
- 2280 only, so it won't fit handhelds that take 2230 drives
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x4 · NVMe 2.0 (SanDisk) |
|---|---|
| Sequential read | 7250 MB/s (SanDisk, 2TB) |
| Sequential write | 6900 MB/s (SanDisk, 2TB) |
| Random read (4K) | 1.0M IOPS (SanDisk, 2TB) |
| Random write (4K) | 1.4M IOPS (SanDisk, 2TB) |
| DRAM cache | None (uses host memory buffer, per Tom's Hardware) |
| NAND | SanDisk 218-layer TLC (BiCS8, per Tom's Hardware) |
| Endurance | 1200 TBW (SanDisk, 2TB) |
| Warranty | 5 years limited (SanDisk) |
| Form factor | M.2 2280, no heatsink |
| Brand note | Being renamed SANDISK Optimus GX 7100 (SanDisk, Jan 2026) |
Best Gen5 drive
The fastest drive here. Pick it for the files, not the games.
WD_BLACK SN8100 2TB (WDS200T1X0M) · 3 of 4
14900MB/s read (SanDisk)
Gen5PCIe 5.0 x4
1200TBW endurance
5 yrsWarranty
Get it if You move big video projects or huge files on a PCIe 5.0 motherboard.
Skip it if Your board has no PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot, or games are the main job.
Full specs & caveats
Strengths
- Tom's Hardware calls it the fastest overall consumer SSD it has reviewed
- About twice the 990 PRO's sequential speeds
Keep in mind
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speeds
- Game load times barely change vs. Gen4 (Tom's, TechSpot)
| Interface | PCIe 5.0 x4 NVMe (SanDisk) |
|---|---|
| Sequential read | 14900 MB/s (SanDisk, 2TB) |
| Sequential write | 14000 MB/s (SanDisk, 2TB) |
| Random read (4K) | 2.3M IOPS (SanDisk, 2TB–4TB) |
| Random write (4K) | 2.4M IOPS (SanDisk, 2TB–4TB) |
| Endurance | 1200 TBW (SanDisk, 2TB) |
| Warranty | 5 years limited (SanDisk) |
| Form factor | M.2 2280, no heatsink (this model) |
| Brand note | Being renamed SANDISK Optimus GX PRO 8100 (SanDisk, Jan 2026) |
Our top pick for most gaming PCs
Gen4, done right.
Samsung 990 PRO 2TB (MZ-V9P2T0B/AM) · 4 of 4
7450MB/s read (Samsung)
Gen4PCIe 4.0 x4
1200TBW endurance
5 yrsWarranty
Get it if You want a fast, proven drive for games and everyday work and your PC has an M.2 2280 slot that takes NVMe.
Skip it if It's going in a PS5. This version has no heatsink, and Sony requires one.
Full specs & caveats
Strengths
- Among the fastest Gen4 drives
- DRAM cache and 1200 TBW on the 2TB
- Works in any PCIe 4.0 or 5.0 M.2 slot
Keep in mind
- This version has no heatsink: add one for a PS5
- Gen5 drives are roughly twice as fast in sequential transfers
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x4 · NVMe 2.0 (Samsung) |
|---|---|
| Sequential read | 7450 MB/s (Samsung) |
| Sequential write | 6900 MB/s (Samsung) |
| Random read (4K) | 1.4M IOPS, QD32 (Samsung) |
| Random write (4K) | 1.55M IOPS, QD32 (Samsung) |
| DRAM cache | 2GB LPDDR4 (Samsung) |
| NAND | Samsung V-NAND 3-bit MLC (TLC) |
| Endurance | 1200 TBW (Samsung) |
| Warranty | 5 years limited (Samsung) |
| Form factor | M.2 2280, no heatsink (this model) |
Side by side.
Pick two. Compare the numbers—not the marketing.
Choose two different products. All 2TB models. Speeds are manufacturer ratings. Emphasis marks the higher rated speed. Ties stay neutral.
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Interface | ||
| Sequential read | ||
| Sequential write | ||
| Random read | ||
| DRAM cache | ||
| Endurance | ||
| Form factor |
| Specification | Best for PS5WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB heatsink | Best for laptopsWD_BLACK SN7100 2TB | Best Gen5 driveWD_BLACK SN8100 2TB | Our top pick for most gaming PCsSamsung 990 PRO 2TB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||||
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe (SanDisk) | PCIe 4.0 x4 · NVMe 2.0 (SanDisk) | PCIe 5.0 x4 NVMe (SanDisk) | PCIe 4.0 x4 · NVMe 2.0 (Samsung) |
| Sequential read | 7300 MB/s (SanDisk, 2TB) | 7250 MB/s (SanDisk, 2TB) | 14900 MB/s (SanDisk, 2TB) | 7450 MB/s (Samsung) |
| Sequential write | 6600 MB/s (SanDisk, 2TB) | 6900 MB/s (SanDisk, 2TB) | 14000 MB/s (SanDisk, 2TB) | 6900 MB/s (Samsung) |
| Random read | 1.2M IOPS (SanDisk, 2TB) | 1.0M IOPS (SanDisk, 2TB) | 2.3M IOPS (SanDisk, 2TB–4TB) | 1.4M IOPS, QD32 (Samsung) |
| DRAM cache | Not listed | None (uses host memory buffer, per Tom's Hardware) | Not listed | 2GB LPDDR4 (Samsung) |
| Endurance | 1200 TBW (SanDisk, 2TB) | 1200 TBW (SanDisk, 2TB) | 1200 TBW (SanDisk, 2TB) | 1200 TBW (Samsung) |
| Form factor | M.2 2280 with heatsink · 8.9 mm tall (SanDisk datasheet) | M.2 2280, no heatsink | M.2 2280, no heatsink (this model) | M.2 2280, no heatsink (this model) |
WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB heatsink
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe (SanDisk)
- Sequential read
- 7300 MB/s (SanDisk, 2TB)
- Sequential write
- 6600 MB/s (SanDisk, 2TB)
- Random read
- 1.2M IOPS (SanDisk, 2TB)
- DRAM cache
- Not listed
- Endurance
- 1200 TBW (SanDisk, 2TB)
- Form factor
- M.2 2280 with heatsink · 8.9 mm tall (SanDisk datasheet)
WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4 · NVMe 2.0 (SanDisk)
- Sequential read
- 7250 MB/s (SanDisk, 2TB)
- Sequential write
- 6900 MB/s (SanDisk, 2TB)
- Random read
- 1.0M IOPS (SanDisk, 2TB)
- DRAM cache
- None (uses host memory buffer, per Tom's Hardware)
- Endurance
- 1200 TBW (SanDisk, 2TB)
- Form factor
- M.2 2280, no heatsink
WD_BLACK SN8100 2TB
- Interface
- PCIe 5.0 x4 NVMe (SanDisk)
- Sequential read
- 14900 MB/s (SanDisk, 2TB)
- Sequential write
- 14000 MB/s (SanDisk, 2TB)
- Random read
- 2.3M IOPS (SanDisk, 2TB–4TB)
- DRAM cache
- Not listed
- Endurance
- 1200 TBW (SanDisk, 2TB)
- Form factor
- M.2 2280, no heatsink (this model)
Samsung 990 PRO 2TB
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4 · NVMe 2.0 (Samsung)
- Sequential read
- 7450 MB/s (Samsung)
- Sequential write
- 6900 MB/s (Samsung)
- Random read
- 1.4M IOPS, QD32 (Samsung)
- DRAM cache
- 2GB LPDDR4 (Samsung)
- Endurance
- 1200 TBW (Samsung)
- Form factor
- M.2 2280, no heatsink (this model)
How we chose
Rated speeds, endurance and warranty from Samsung and SanDisk datasheets, all for the 2TB versions. We cross-checked against Tom’s Hardware’s SSD reviews and two gaming load-time studies. We don’t test drives ourselves.
What actually matters
Gen5 vs. Gen4 for games. It barely matters. In Tom’s Hardware’s 11-game test, game reads peaked around 2.9 GB/s on both Gen4 and Gen5 drives — far below either drive’s ceiling. TechSpot found “only a small difference in load times” between NVMe drives. Pay for Gen5 when you move large files, not to load levels faster.
PS5. Sony’s rules: a PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 drive, 250GB to 8TB, with a heatsink, no thicker than 11.25 mm. The SN850X heatsink version is 8.9 mm tall per SanDisk’s datasheet.
DRAM cache. Nice to have, not required. The DRAM-less SN7100 stays close to the 990 PRO on rated speeds. A DRAM cache helps most under long, heavy workloads.
Endurance. Every pick here is rated for 1200 TBW at 2TB, with a five-year warranty. Endurance is not the tiebreaker.
The WD_BLACK name. SanDisk now sells these drives and is renaming the line SANDISK Optimus. Same drives; check the model number on the listing.
Also good. The Samsung 9100 PRO is the other top Gen5 option, rated at 14,700 MB/s reads for the 2TB.
Sources
- Tom's Hardware — Impact of SSD speed on gaming performance in 11 titles (Aug 8, 2026)
- TechSpot — Best SSD for gaming: PCIe 5.0 vs 4.0 vs 3.0 vs SATA vs HDD (Aug 12, 2025)
- Tom's Hardware — Best SSDs 2026
- PlayStation — How to add an M.2 SSD to a PS5
- SanDisk — SANDISK Optimus SSD brand announcement (Jan 5, 2026)
- SanDisk — WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB with heatsink product page
- SanDisk — WD_BLACK SN850X datasheet (PDF)
- Tom's Hardware — WD Black SN850X SSD review
- SanDisk — WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB product page
- SanDisk — WD_BLACK SN7100 datasheet (PDF)
- Tom's Hardware — WD Black SN7100 SSD review
- SanDisk — WD_BLACK SN8100 2TB product page
- SanDisk — WD_BLACK SN8100 datasheet (PDF)
- Tom's Hardware — Sandisk WD Black SN8100 2TB SSD review
- Samsung — 990 PRO 2TB (MZ-V9P2T0B/AM) product page and specs
- Tom's Hardware — Samsung 990 Pro SSD review
Image credits: WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB heatsink — SanDisk · WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB — SanDisk · WD_BLACK SN8100 2TB — SanDisk · Samsung 990 PRO 2TB — Samsung.