Compare Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB and WD_BLACK SN8100 4TB: prices, speeds, $/TB. Which to buy in May 2026? Full spec breakdown.
Both run on Gen 5 hardware but at different capacities: 2 TB for the Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB versus 4 TB for the WD_BLACK SN8100 4TB. 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 2TB runs on Samsung's in-house Presto controller, designed specifically for the 9100 PRO series. The WD_BLACK SN8100 4TB pairs an SMI SM2508 controller that drew industry attention in 2024 for finally taming Gen 5 thermals.
There's a modest pricing advantage for the WD_BLACK SN8100 4TB: $207.25/TB compared with $232.50/TB. For typical gaming and productivity, this becomes the deciding factor when specs are close.
On warranty endurance the WD_BLACK SN8100 4TB carries 2,400 TBW against Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB's 1,200 TBW. Both will outlast typical use, but the gap matters if you're doing professional content work.
For PlayStation 5 builds, the console's internal M.2 slot tops out around 5,500 MB/s sustained, so both Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB and WD_BLACK SN8100 4TB hit the same wall — pick whichever is cheaper at the moment you buy. Heavy write workloads — video editing, RAW photo libraries, backup operations — favor the Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB's 13,400 MB/s sustained write speed. Both drives use the 2280 form factor, which is too long for Steam Deck or ROG Ally — you'd need a 2230 variant if either manufacturer offers one, or a dedicated handheld-format drive instead.
Pick the Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB if you value the lower retail price ($465 vs $829), and higher sustained writes (13,400 MB/s). Samsung's PRO line has the longest track record for firmware reliability — over a decade of consumer SSDs with global RMA support.
Pick the WD_BLACK SN8100 4TB if you value better $/TB economics ($207.25/TB), and a higher TBW endurance rating (2,400 TBW).