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WD_Black SN7100 500GB NVMe SSD - Gen4 PCIe, M.2 2280, Up to 6,800 MB/s Read Speed, Next Gen TLC 3D NAND, for Laptops, Handheld Gaming Devices - WDS500G4X0E
Sandisk

Sandisk WD_Black SN7100 500GB NVMe SSD (WDS500G4X0E)

Bottom line: The Sandisk WD_Black SN7100 500GB NVMe SSD ($159.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-06): Up to 6,800 MB/s sequential read on the 500GB model; main trade-off: 500GB fills fast - many modern AAA installs exceed 100GB.

$159.99

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Buy on Amazon — $159.99 Compare to similar ssds & storage

By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For SSDs and PC storage upgrades, synthesises manufacturer specs and independent reviews rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference.

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ Up to 6,800 MB/s sequential read on the 500GB model
  • ✓ PCIe Gen4 x4 in standard M.2 2280 - fits Steam Deck class handhelds
  • ✓ Up to 100% better power efficiency vs previous WD_BLACK generation
  • ✓ Free WD_BLACK Dashboard for health, firmware and tuning on Windows

Cons

  • ✗ 500GB fills fast - many modern AAA installs exceed 100GB
  • ✗ Peak 7,250/6,900 MB/s speeds apply only to 1TB and 2TB models
  • ✗ Gen4 interface, so no benefit on Gen5 boards
  • ✗ WD_BLACK Dashboard is Windows-only, no macOS or Linux app

Manufacturer description

This 500GB capacity is rated for read speeds up to 6,800 MB/s, giving you a fast, low-overhead upgrade path for a Steam Deck, ROG Ally, or a thin-and-light notebook that only has a single M.2 slot. Western Digital pairs the Gen4 controller with next-generation TLC 3D NAND from Sandisk, and the SN7100 family claims up to 100 percent better power efficiency than the previous generation, which matters when your storage is drawing from a handheld battery rather than a wall socket. On Windows, the downloadable WD_BLACK Dashboard lets you monitor drive health, check firmware, and tune the drive…

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored Sandisk WD_Black SN7100 500GB NVMe SSD using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the ssds & storage category. Sandisk's ssds & storage lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.

Common buyer scenarios for ssds & storage of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the WD_BLACK SN7100 fit my Steam Deck or ROG Ally?

It is an M.2 2280 drive, so it fits any device with a full-length 2280 M.2 slot. Handhelds that only accept the shorter 2230 form factor, including the standard Steam Deck, will not take this drive - check your device's slot length before buying.

How fast is the 500GB SN7100 compared to the 1TB and 2TB versions?

The 500GB model is rated up to 6,800 MB/s read. The 7,250 MB/s read and 6,900 MB/s write figures Western Digital advertises apply to the 1TB and 2TB capacities only.

Is 500GB enough storage for a gaming drive?

It works well as a boot drive or a secondary drive for a rotating library of a few titles, but large AAA games routinely exceed 100GB each. If you keep more than four or five big installs plus updates and DLC, step up to a larger capacity in the SN7100 line.

Do I need a PCIe Gen5 motherboard to use this SSD?

No. The SN7100 is a PCIe Gen4 drive and runs at full speed in any Gen4 M.2 slot. It is backward compatible with Gen3 slots as well, though throughput will be limited by the slower interface.

Who makes the WD_BLACK SN7100 and what warranty does it carry?

WD_BLACK flash products are manufactured by Sandisk Technologies and distributed under license from Western Digital Corporation. Check the product listing for current warranty terms and endurance ratings for the 500GB WDS500G4X0E.

Key Features

  • HIGH-OCTANE GAMING. Experience speeds up to 7,250MB/s read and 6,900MB/s write (1-2TB models), with up to 35% faster performance than previous generation.
  • PURPOSE-BUILT. Designed for serious on-the-go gamers, with a PCIe Gen4 interface and SANDISK’s next generation TLC 3D NAND.
  • MORE SPACE FOR FAVORITES AND NEW TITLES. Available in multiple capacities up to 2TB, upgrade to an SSD that gives you tons of storage.
  • MORE TIME TO CLEAR THAT CHECKPOINT. Built with laptops and handheld gaming devices in mind, with up to 100% more power efficiency over the previous generation.
  • DO MORE WITH DASHBOARD. Ensure your drive is optimized for prime performance with the downloadable WD_BLACK Dashboard (Windows only).
  • POWERED BY SANDISK: The WD_BLACK, WD Blue, and WD Green flash products are manufactured by Sandisk Technologies, Inc. or its affiliates and distributed under license from Western Digital Corporation.

Full Specifications

BrandSandisk
ColorBlack
Model NameWD_BLACK SN7100 NVMe SSD
Read Speed6800 megabytes_per_second
Unit Count1 Count
Form FactorM2
Media Speed6900 MB/s
Model NumberWDS500G4X0E-00CJA0
Built-In MediaWD_BLACK SN7100 NVMe SSD
Hard-Drive Size500 GB
Mfr Part NumberWDS500G4X0E
Number of Items1
Special FeaturePCIe Gen4 NVMe
Hardware Platformx86_64
Installation TypeInternal Hard Drive
Compatible DevicesDesktop, Laptop
Data Transfer Rate6800 megabytes_per_second
Enclosure MaterialInformation Not Available
Additional FeaturesPCIe Gen4 NVMe
Hard Disk InterfaceNVMe
Full listing titleWD_Black SN7100 500GB NVMe SSD - Gen4 PCIe, M.2 2280, Up to 6,800 MB/s Read Speed, Next Gen TLC 3D NAND, for Laptops, Handheld Gaming Devices - WDS500G4X0E

Ready to buy?

WD_Black SN7100 500GB NVMe SSD - Gen4 PCIe, M.2 2280, Up to 6,800 MB/s Read Speed, Next Gen TLC 3D NAND, for Laptops, Handheld Gaming Devices - WDS500G4X0E is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.

Buy on Amazon — $159.99

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.

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WD_Black SN7100 500GB NVMe SSD - Gen4 PCIe, M.2 2280, Up to 6,800 MB/s Read Speed, Next Gen TLC 3D NAND, for Laptops, Handheld Gaming Devices - WDS500G4X0E
$159.99
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