Western Digital Black SN7100
Executive Summary
The Western Digital Black SN7100 is a high-performance NVMe solid-state drive (SSD) designed for gaming PCs, laptops, and desktop systems. It is a mid-range to high-end drive that offers power efficiency and high-speed performance. The SN7100 is part of the WD Black series, which is known for its high-quality storage solutions. With its advanced features and competitive pricing, the SN7100 is an attractive option for those looking to upgrade their storage. The SN7100 is a PCIe Gen4 drive, which means it can take full advantage of the latest PCIe 4.0 interface. It is available in various capacities, including 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB. The drive uses the Polaris 3 controller, which is a proprietary 4-channel DRAM-less design that relies on Host Memory Buffer (HMB) technology for mapping tables. This controller is optimized for SanDisk's BiCS flash memory and offers high performance and low latency. In terms of performance, the SN7100 offers sequential read speeds of up to 7250 MB/s and sequential write speeds of up to 6900 MB/s. It also features a sophisticated pseudo-SLC caching system, which accelerates write performance. The drive has a 5-year warranty and is designed to be highly reliable and durable.Architecture & Design
The Western Digital Black SN7100 is designed with a focus on performance and power efficiency. The drive uses the Polaris 3 controller, which is a proprietary 4-channel DRAM-less design. This controller is optimized for SanDisk's BiCS flash memory and offers high performance and low latency. The SN7100 also features a sophisticated pseudo-SLC caching system, which accelerates write performance. The drive is built with a single-sided M.2 2280 (80mm) form factor, which makes it easy to install in a variety of systems. The SN7100 is also designed to be highly reliable and durable, with a 5-year warranty and a high level of endurance. The drive uses TLC (Triple-Level Cell) flash memory, which offers a good balance between performance and capacity. In terms of architecture, the SN7100 is a highly vertically integrated drive. Western Digital supplies both the NAND flash and the controller, which allows for tight control over the design and manufacturing process. This integration also enables the company to optimize the drive's performance and power efficiency. The SN7100's controller is a key component of its design. The Polaris 3 controller is a proprietary design that is optimized for SanDisk's BiCS flash memory. It offers high performance and low latency, making it well-suited for demanding applications such as gaming and video editing. The controller is also designed to be highly efficient, which helps to minimize power consumption and heat generation.Performance & Thermal
The Western Digital Black SN7100 offers high-performance storage for demanding applications. The drive features sequential read speeds of up to 7250 MB/s and sequential write speeds of up to 6900 MB/s. It also offers high random read and write performance, making it well-suited for applications that require low latency and high throughput. In terms of thermal performance, the SN7100 is designed to operate within a wide range of temperatures. The drive has an active power consumption of 3W and an idle power consumption of 0.969W. This makes it a good option for systems where power efficiency is a concern. The SN7100's performance is also influenced by its pseudo-SLC caching system. This system accelerates write performance by using a portion of the drive's capacity as a high-speed cache. The cache is dynamically allocated, which means that it can adapt to changing workloads and ensure that the drive is always operating at its best.Market Positioning
The Western Digital Black SN7100 is positioned as a high-performance storage solution for gaming PCs, laptops, and desktop systems. It is a mid-range to high-end drive that offers competitive pricing and high-quality features. The SN7100 is available in various capacities, including 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB, which makes it a versatile option for a wide range of applications. In terms of pricing, the SN7100 is competitive with other high-performance SSDs on the market. The drive's price varies depending on the capacity, but it is generally priced in line with other drives in its class. The SN7100's main competitors include the Samsung 990 EVO Plus and the Crucial P5 Plus. These drives offer similar performance and features, but the SN7100's pseudo-SLC caching system and high-quality controller give it an edge in terms of performance and reliability.Verdict
The Western Digital Black SN7100 is a high-performance NVMe SSD that offers excellent storage for demanding applications. Its pseudo-SLC caching system and high-quality controller make it a top choice for gaming PCs, laptops, and desktop systems. The drive's competitive pricing and high-quality features make it a good option for those looking to upgrade their storage. Overall, the SN7100 is a well-designed and well-performing drive that is suitable for a wide range of applications. Its high performance, low latency, and high endurance make it a good choice for anyone looking for a reliable and high-quality storage solution.Specifications
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x4, NVMe 2.0 |
|---|---|
| Controller | Polaris 3 (4-channel) |
| NAND Type | BiCS8 (218L TLC) 3,600 MT/s |
| DRAM Cache | Yes |
| Warranty | 5 years |
| Active Power | 3 W |
| Idle Power | 0.969 W |
| 500 GB specifications | Seq Read 6,800 MB/s, Seq Write 5,800 MB/s, Rand Read 760,000 IOPS, Rand Write 1,200,000 IOPS, Endurance 300 TBW |
| 1 TB specifications | Seq Read 7,250 MB/s, Seq Write 6,900 MB/s, Rand Read 1,000,000 IOPS, Rand Write 1,400,000 IOPS, Endurance 600 TBW |
| 2 TB specifications | Seq Read 7,250 MB/s, Seq Write 6,900 MB/s, Rand Read 1,000,000 IOPS, Rand Write 1,400,000 IOPS, Endurance 1200 TBW |
| 4 TB specifications | Seq Read 7,000 MB/s, Seq Write 6,700 MB/s, Rand Read 900,000 IOPS, Rand Write 1,350,000 IOPS, Endurance 2400 TBW |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the interface of the Western Digital Black SN7100?
The interface of the Western Digital Black SN7100 is PCIe 4.0 x4, NVMe 2.0.
What is the controller used in the Western Digital Black SN7100?
The controller used in the Western Digital Black SN7100 is the Polaris 3 (4-channel).
What is the NAND type used in the Western Digital Black SN7100?
The NAND type used in the Western Digital Black SN7100 is BiCS8 (218L TLC) 3,600 MT/s.
What is the warranty of the Western Digital Black SN7100?
The warranty of the Western Digital Black SN7100 is 5 years.