Compare Samsung 9100 PRO 1TB and WD_BLACK SN8100 2TB: prices, speeds, $/TB. Which to buy in September 2026? Full spec breakdown.
Both run on Gen 5 hardware but at different capacities: 1 TB for the Samsung 9100 PRO 1TB versus 2 TB for the WD_BLACK SN8100 2TB. Whether the larger drive's $/TB advantage justifies the higher upfront cost depends on how much you actually need.
Hardware-wise, the Samsung 9100 PRO 1TB runs on the proprietary Samsung Presto silicon found only in the 9100 PRO line. The WD_BLACK SN8100 2TB pairs SMI's SM2508 silicon, which became the default Gen 5 controller for power-conscious flagships.
There's a modest pricing advantage for the WD_BLACK SN8100 2TB: $220.00/TB compared with $248.00/TB. For typical gaming and productivity, this becomes the deciding factor when specs are close.
WD_BLACK SN8100 2TB earns higher TBW ratings (1,200 vs 600 TBW) — relevant for sustained write workloads, irrelevant for everything else.
If this purchase is for a PS5 storage expansion, the comparison flattens — Sony's PCIe Gen 4 controller normalizes both Samsung 9100 PRO 1TB and WD_BLACK SN8100 2TB to roughly equal in-game load times. The cheaper drive is the smart pick. For content creators routinely rendering 4K or 8K video, the Samsung 9100 PRO 1TB's 13,400 MB/s sustained write is the deciding factor — multi-GB project files land noticeably faster than on the alternative. Note for handheld gamers: M.2 2280 is the desktop/laptop standard. Steam Deck and the ROG Ally line need 2230 drives — neither Samsung 9100 PRO 1TB nor WD_BLACK SN8100 2TB fits without modification.
Market context: the Samsung 9100 PRO 1TB ranks #3 of 6 Gen 5 1 TB drives we track by $/TB, while the WD_BLACK SN8100 2TB ranks #9 of 11 Gen 5 2 TB drives. Neither is a value leader right now — if $/TB is your priority, check the cheaper alternatives below before committing.
Pick the Samsung 9100 PRO 1TB if you value the lower retail price ($248 vs $440), and higher sustained writes (13,400 MB/s). Among consumer SSD makers, Samsung's PRO series consistently scores highest on long-term reliability surveys (Backblaze, Puget Systems Q1 2026 data).
Pick the WD_BLACK SN8100 2TB if you value better $/TB economics ($220.00/TB), and a higher TBW endurance rating (1,200 TBW).