Key Takeaways
1. Performance Boost: The WD Blue SN5100 NVMe offers up to a 30% increase in performance compared to the previous WD Blue series.
2. Specifications: Built on PCI Express 4.0, the drive features DRAM-less architecture, BiCS8 quad-level cell NAND, and is available in M.2 2280 format, making it suitable for laptops.
3. Speed Metrics: The 1 TB and 2 TB versions achieve read speeds up to 7,100 MB/s and write speeds of 6,700 MB/s, with the 500 GB variant reaching read speeds of 6,600 MB/s.
4. Endurance and Warranty: Endurance ratings remain unchanged with 5-year warranty, covering up to 1,200 TB written for the largest 4 TB model.
5. Price Increase: Prices have risen by 22 to 36 percent compared to the previous generation, with suggested retail prices ranging from $54.99 for 500 GB to $299.99 for 4 TB.
SanDisk has launched the WD Blue SN5100 NVMe, aimed at creators and power users needing high performance for extensive tasks, rapid application launches, and swift file transfers. According to SanDisk, this new model offers up to a 30% boost in performance compared to the earlier WD Blue series.
Specifications and Design
The drive is built on PCI Express 4.0 and comes in the M.2 2280 format. It features a DRAM-less architecture with Host Memory Buffer and utilizes BiCS8 quad-level cell NAND across all sizes. SanDisk’s nCache 4.0 organizes writes in single-level cell blocks before transferring data to quad-level cells during idle periods. Its single-sided layout also makes it suitable for laptops.
Performance Metrics
When it comes to performance, the 1 TB and 2 TB versions can reach read speeds up to 7,100 MB/s and write speeds reaching 6,700 MB/s. The 500 GB variant still provides read speeds of up to 6,600 MB/s. In terms of random performance, you can expect around 1 million reads and 1.3 million writes IOPS. SanDisk claims this delivers up to 29% faster read speeds and up to 34% quicker write speeds compared to the WD Blue SN5000.
Endurance and Warranty
Even with these speed enhancements, the endurance ratings have stayed the same: 300 TB written for the 500 GB version, 600 for 1 TB, 900 for 2 TB, and 1,200 for 4 TB. The warranty period remains at 5 years. Additionally, SanDisk includes Acronis True Image for straightforward cloning, and its Dashboard utility allows you to keep an eye on health, performance, and firmware updates.
Real-World Performance
Wondering about actual speeds? The interface used can greatly affect performance. For instance, placing a 2 TB SN5100 in a Thunderbolt enclosure with APFS formatting could yield write speeds around 3,125 MB/s and read speeds near 3,057 MB/s. However, if a standard USB enclosure is used, speeds may drop to about 1,000 MB/s due to connection limitations.
Price Comparison
The SN5100 is significantly quicker than the SN5000’s top 4 TB model, which maxes out at 5,500 MB/s read speed and 5,000 MB/s write speed. Yet, the pricing has increased as well. Suggested retail prices are $54.99 for 500 GB, $79.99 for 1 TB, $149.99 for 2 TB, and $299.99 for 4 TB. This indicates a price hike of about 22 to 36 percent compared to the previous generation for equivalent storage capacities.
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