Compare WD_BLACK SN8100 4TB and Sabrent Rocket 5 4TB: prices, speeds, $/TB. Which to buy in May 2026? Full spec breakdown.
Both the WD_BLACK SN8100 4TB and Sabrent Rocket 5 4TB sit in the Gen 5 category at 4 TB, so the matchup turns on controller efficiency, cache topology, and current pricing rather than raw class differences.
Hardware-wise, the WD_BLACK SN8100 4TB runs on an SMI SM2508 controller that drew industry attention in 2024 for finally taming Gen 5 thermals. The Sabrent Rocket 5 4TB pairs Phison's E26 silicon, which kicked off the consumer Gen 5 era and typically requires a heatsink.
There's a modest pricing advantage for the Sabrent Rocket 5 4TB: $184.75/TB compared with $207.25/TB. For typical gaming and productivity, this becomes the deciding factor when specs are close.
For PS5 expansion, both are PCIe Gen 4 M.2 2280 drives that meet Sony's minimum spec (14,000 MB/s read). The console can't take advantage of speeds beyond that, so save money by choosing the Sabrent Rocket 5 4TB. For content creators routinely rendering 4K or 8K video, the Sabrent Rocket 5 4TB's 11,600 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 WD_BLACK SN8100 4TB nor Sabrent Rocket 5 4TB fits without modification.
The WD_BLACK SN8100 4TB fits buyers who prefer its specific performance profile or have brand preference for WD.
Pick the Sabrent Rocket 5 4TB if you value the lower retail price ($739 vs $829), and better $/TB economics ($184.75/TB). Of the Phison E26 drives, Sabrent's Rocket 5 has earned a reputation for consistent thermal behavior with its larger heatsink design.