SSD family comparison · Updated July 27, 2026 · Prices verified July 27, 2026

WD_BLACK SN7100 vs WD_BLACK SN850X

WD_BLACK SN7100 vs WD_BLACK SN850X at every capacity: prices, $/TB, speeds, endurance. Which to buy in July 2026 — full family comparison.

Verdict: WD_BLACK SN7100 vs WD_BLACK SN850X

Comparing WD_BLACK SN7100 against WD_BLACK SN850X model-to-model means looking across the whole capacity range: the winner at 1 TB isn't always the winner at 4 TB, because per-TB pricing shifts with capacity. Here's the full picture.

The WD_BLACK SN850X posts the higher sequential read spec (7,300 MB/s vs 7,000 MB/s). Whether that shows up for you depends on workload: game load times won't change, sustained transfers will.

On value, the WD_BLACK SN850X family wins at most capacities — its best configuration lands at $133.75/TB versus $142.50/TB for the WD_BLACK SN7100's best. During the 2026 NAND shortage that spread compounds quickly at 2-4 TB.

Architecturally, the WD_BLACK SN850X family uses a dedicated DRAM cache while the WD_BLACK SN7100 relies on HMB (Host Memory Buffer). For OS and gaming duty they behave identically; sustained random writes favor DRAM.

WD_BLACK SN7100 vs WD_BLACK SN850X: price by capacity

CapacityWD_BLACK SN7100WD_BLACK SN850X
1 TB$220 · $220.00/TB
2 TB$290 · $145.00/TB$348 · $174.00/TBFull comparison →
4 TB$570 · $142.50/TB$535 · $133.75/TBFull comparison →
8 TB$1300 · $162.50/TB

Spec comparison (4 TB models)

Generation
Gen 4
Gen 4
Interface
PCIe 4.0 x4
PCIe 4.0 x4
Sequential read
7,000 MB/s
7,300 MB/s
Sequential write
6,700 MB/s
6,600 MB/s
Controller
SanDisk A101
WD G2
DRAM cache
No (HMB)
Yes
Warranty
5 years
5 years
PS5 compatible
Yes
Yes

WD_BLACK SN7100 vs WD_BLACK SN850X — common questions

Which is cheaper per TB, WD_BLACK SN7100 or WD_BLACK SN850X?

As of July 27, 2026, the WD_BLACK SN850X family offers the better $/TB: its best configuration is $133.75/TB versus $142.50/TB for the WD_BLACK SN7100. The exact winner varies by capacity — see the capacity table for per-size pricing.

Which capacity of the WD_BLACK SN7100 or WD_BLACK SN850X should I buy?

2 TB is the sweet spot for most builds: better $/TB than 1 TB and better availability than 4 TB+ during the 2026 NAND shortage. Check the capacity table above — the per-TB winner can flip between capacities.

Are the WD_BLACK SN7100 and WD_BLACK SN850X PS5 compatible?

Both families are PCIe NVMe M.2 2280 and work in the PS5 expansion slot. The PS5 caps sustained speeds at ~5,500 MB/s, so pick on price, not peak speed, and add a heatsink.