Pros

  • Consistently delivers high speeds close to its advertised specs, achieving around 7000 MB/s read and 6200 MB/s write, which translates to neanstant app launches and fast boot times (5-6 seconds on Windows 11).
  • Runs cool and powefficiently for a Gen4 drive, with idle temps around 30°C and peak temps near 60°C without a heatsink, making it ideal for laptops or compact builds.
  • Uses reliable TLC 3D NAND with a high endurance rating of up to 2400 TBW, offering durability and longevity superior to many QLased SSDs.
  • Outperforms comparable Gen4 drives like Samsung 990 Pro and Crucial T500 while consuming less power and producing less heat.
  • Simple and straightforward installation process, suitable for gaming PCs and professional content creators alike.
  • Provides a substantial performance boost and faster system responsiveness compared to older SSDs and hard drives.
  • Compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS platforms, offering about 3.63TB of usable storage capacity after formatting.
  • Works great with the PS5 for storage expansion, giving gamers plenty of room for large game libraries.
  • Maintains WD’s trusted standard of dependability and reliability over extended usage, with no reported issues.

Cons

  • Experiences some throttling under sustained heavy load (like during very large file transfers/testing) when temperatures reach around 50°C, though it still outperforms Gen3 drives.
  • Lacks full compatibility with the current WD Kitfox software, limiting drive monitoring and management options until software updates address this.
  • Does not include cloning software, requiring users to purchase thirarty tools if migrating from an older drive.
  • Requires formatting before the system recognizes the drive, which might trip up less experienced users initially.

Bottom Line

The WD_BLACK 1TB SN7100 NVMe SSD is a powerhouse for gamers, professionals, and content creators who want blazing-fast Gen4 speeds paired with solid endurance and efficiency. Its cool operation and seamless installation make it a great fit for laptops and compact rigs. Just keep in mind that if you plan heavy sustained workloads, you might experience some throttling, and you'll need separate cloning software if you're upgrading from an existing drive. Overall, this SSD offers excellent value and performance, especially compared to rivals like Samsung 990 Pro, with lower power use and heat output. If you want a no-nonsense, reliable, high-speed upgrade for your gaming or creative setup, this is definitely worth considering.

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