WD_BLACK SN7100 1TB NVMe SSD: PCIe Gen4 speeds and who it suits

The WD_BLACK SN7100 is an internal NVMe solid state drive in the M.2 2280 format, using a PCIe Gen4 interface. The 1TB model (WDS100T4X0E) is rated at up to 7,250 MB/s read and 6,900 MB/s write. It is designed for gaming PCs, laptops and handheld gaming devices. This page explains what those numbers mean.

What NVMe, M.2 and PCIe Gen4 mean

M.2 describes the shape: a small stick that plugs into a slot on a motherboard or laptop. "2280" means it is 22 mm wide and 80 mm long. NVMe is the protocol it uses to talk to the system, and it runs over PCIe lanes, which is much faster than the older SATA connection used by 2.5-inch SSDs. PCIe Gen4 is the generation of that interface, and a drive like this typically uses four lanes. A Gen4 drive also works in a Gen3 slot, but speeds are then limited by the slot.

Reading the speed figures

Western Digital's "up to" figures are sequential speeds, which describe reading or writing large continuous files. They are best-case numbers measured under the brand's test conditions. In everyday use, what you notice most is how quickly the system boots, apps open and game levels load, which also depends on the processor and software. WD_BLACK says the SN7100 delivers up to 35% faster performance than its previous drive. The 7,250 MB/s read speed also needs a Gen4 slot that can supply it.

Built for laptops and handhelds

The brand says the drive was designed with laptops and handheld gaming devices in mind, and cites up to 100% more power efficiency than the previous generation. Lower power use typically means less heat and longer battery life, which is why it matters in portable devices. Check that your device has a free M.2 2280 slot, as some handhelds and thin laptops use other lengths.

Capacity and endurance

The SN7100 range goes up to 4TB. The 1TB model here is part of the 1TB-2TB group for which the speed figures are quoted. Endurance is rated in TBW (terabytes written), the total amount of data a drive is rated to take over its life. WD_BLACK lists up to 2,400TBW for the 4TB model, with smaller capacities rated lower. Ordinary users rarely get near these limits. The drive uses TLC 3D NAND, a common design that stores three bits per cell.

Fitting it

Installation usually means opening the device, finding the M.2 slot, inserting the drive at an angle and securing it with a screw. A motherboard heatsink may cover the slot. Some consoles and handhelds need specific drive types or heatsink arrangements, so follow the device maker's guidance. Cloning an existing drive or installing a fresh operating system are both common ways to start.

What to check before you buy

• Slot: confirm that your device has an M.2 2280 slot that supports NVMe.
• Interface: a PCIe Gen4 slot gets the full speeds.
• Size: check for height limits, heatsink clearance and any mounting screw.
• Compatibility: consoles and handhelds may have their own requirements.
• Capacity: think about how many large games you want installed at once.
• Backups: back up your data before cloning or swapping drives.

The short version

• A 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe SSD with a PCIe Gen4 interface and TLC 3D NAND.
• Rated by WD_BLACK at up to 7,250 MB/s read and 6,900 MB/s write.
• Aimed at gaming PCs, laptops and handheld gaming devices, with improved power efficiency over the previous generation.
• The range goes up to 4TB, and endurance is rated in TBW.

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