Compare WD_BLACK SN8100 4TB and Sabrent Rocket 5 4TB: prices, speeds, $/TB. Which to buy in July 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 the SMI SM2508 — a 6nm Gen 5 controller running notably cooler than first-gen Phison E26 designs. The Sabrent Rocket 5 4TB pairs an original Phison E26 chip that defined the Gen 5 reference design.
For PlayStation 5 builds, the console's internal M.2 slot tops out around 5,500 MB/s sustained, so both WD_BLACK SN8100 4TB and Sabrent Rocket 5 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 Sabrent Rocket 5 4TB's 11,600 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.
How do these two fit the wider Gen 5 4 TB field? Out of 6 tracked drives, the WD_BLACK SN8100 4TB is #3 on $/TB and the Sabrent Rocket 5 4TB is #4. Neither is a value leader right now — if $/TB is your priority, check the cheaper alternatives below before committing.
As of July 27, 2026, these tracked drives undercut both the WD_BLACK SN8100 4TB and Sabrent Rocket 5 4TB on $/TB:
Pick the WD_BLACK SN8100 4TB if you value the lower retail price ($700 vs $739), and better $/TB economics ($175.00/TB).
Sabrent's Rocket line carries a community reputation for transparent firmware support — manual update tools available directly from the manufacturer.