Latest news with #SanDisk
Engadget
4 days ago
- Engadget
The best microSD cards for the Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch 2 comes with 256GB of built-in storage, eight times more than the original Switch and four times more than the Switch OLED. But the new console's improved performance means that some games will hog a ton of that space: Cyberpunk 2077 is a 60GB download, for one, while Split Fiction checks in at 73GB. Other titles aren't nearly as big, but chances are you'll eventually want to add more room to the device. When you do, you'll need a microSD Express card. These are not the same as the standard microSD cards you may have bought for the first Switch or other gaming handhelds — they're newer, faster and significantly more expensive. But if you want more space, they're your only choice. If you're looking to grab one today, we've laid out the best microSD cards for the Switch 2 and broken down what you should know before you buy. The SanDisk microSD Express Card and Lexar Play Pro. (Jeff Dunn for Engadget) The Switch 2 is the first mainstream device to require microSD Express for storage expansion, so there aren't many options available to buy just yet. To make things easy, here's a list of every microSD Express card we've seen at retailers at the time of writing: SanDisk microSD Express Card ($56 MSRP) PNY microSD Express Card ($47 MSRP) Remember: You're looking for microSD Express , not 'Extreme,' a la the branding SanDisk uses for some of its conventional microSD cards. A microSD Express card will have a big 'EX' logo printed on it — if you see that, you should be good to go. Nintendo says the Switch 2 technically supports cards with a capacity up to 2TB, but we haven't seen any microSD Express model go beyond 1TB just yet. It's also worth noting that GameStop and Onn (Walmart's in-house electronics brand) aren't manufacturers, so it's unclear who exactly is making their cards. Currently, stock for each of these cards has been extremely spotty. SanDisk's microSD Express Card has also increased in price since it first went up for sale in February; originally, it cost $45 for 128GB and $60 for 256GB. Either way, all of these cards are far pricier than traditional microSD options. The Samsung Pro Plus, for example, costs $17 for 128GB, $25 for 256GB, $43 for 512GB and $90 for 1TB as of this writing. All microSD Express cards will have this "EX" logo printed on them. (Nintendo/Engadget) We've already tested SanDisk's Express card and the Lexar Play Pro for our broader guide to the best microSD cards. Between the two, SanDisk's card has much faster sequential read speeds — up to 899 MB/s vs. 712 MB/s in CrystalDiskMark, to name one benchmark — which theoretically makes it better equipped to reduce load times. The Play Pro is quicker for sequential writes (up to 720 MB/s vs. 650 MB/s), available in more sizes and should be cheaper at 256GB whenever it's in stock. (SanDisk says the 128GB version of its card has slower sequential writes than the 256GB model, too.) Random performance is about equal, so the two should be similarly adept at keeping large games like Mario Kart World running smoothly. We mainly tested those cards on a Windows PC and Mac, though. How they perform on the actual Switch 2 remains to be seen. We'll test as many options as we can once we have our hands on the console, but for now we can't say if it'll render all microSD Express cards to similar speeds. That was largely the case with the first Switch: Once a (regular) microSD card hit a certain threshold of performance, there wasn't that much practical difference between it and other alternatives. The Switch 2 is working with a different standard, but if something similar were to happen again, the 'best' microSD Express card would simply be the most affordable one from a reputable brand in the capacity you want. That brings us to our main piece of advice: If you can hold off on buying one of these things early on, that's probably a good idea. It's not just about the lack of testing — truthfully, we'd be surprised if any of the cards above were truly 'bad.' It comes down to value: Barring more tariff shenanigans, all of these cards are as expensive today as they're ever likely to get. The Switch 2 is already popular and will continue to be, thus more microSD Express cards will need to be made and prices will (eventually) come down. Try to use all 256 of the gigabytes baked into the Switch 2 first, even if it means having to delete a game or two. But if you're absolutely sure you want more space right away, the cards above should be good enough. A microSD Express card like the one on the right has a second row of pins on the back. (Jeff Dunn for Engadget) Most microSD cards are based on a standard called Ultra High Speed (UHS), of which there are three versions: UHS-I, UHS-II and UHS-III. The vast majority of cards you may have bought in the past utilize UHS-I. These have one row of pins in the back and a theoretical maximum data transfer speed of 104 megabytes per second (MB/s). (Though many cards are able to surpass that limit with proprietary tech and card readers.) The original Switch has a UHS-I microSD slot, as do most other gaming handhelds like Valve's Steam Deck. UHS-II cards add a second row of pins and can reach up to 312 MB/s. These are pricier and much less common than cards based on UHS-I, but they're supported by some cameras and higher-power handhelds like the ASUS ROG Ally X. UHS-III, meanwhile, is twice as fast as UHS-II in theory (624 MB/s), but no microSD cards have actually used it. UHS-I cards have held on over the years because they're cheap, widely supported and fast enough for the things most people need them to do: record 4K video, stash photos and so on. But with the Switch 2, Nintendo needs more. The new console is dramatically more powerful, which allows it to run demanding games that may have originally been built for stronger hardware like the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X or gaming PCs. The device also uses UFS 3.1 storage internally, which is much speedier than the eMMC storage used by the original Switch. (A custom file decompression engine should help improve load times as well.) So if the Switch 2 is going to accept microSD cards, it needs ones that won't bring a serious drop-off in performance and can hold up with modern games. The Nintendo Switch 2. (Sam Rutherford for Engadget) Hence, SD Express. This standard has technically been around since 2018 but mostly went nowhere until the Switch 2 came along. It also uses a second row of pins, but it lets microSD cards take advantage of the PCI Express (PCIe)/NVMe interface, which is the same underlying tech used by modern SSDs. As a result, it can produce considerably faster read and write speeds, with a current theoretical maximum of 985 MB/s. As noted above, real-world performance won't be quite that fast. Even if it was, the best microSD Express cards would still be much slower than the NVMe SSDs used by the PS5 and Xbox. (Sony recommends SSDs with sequential read speeds of at least 5,500 MB/s.) And they'll fall well below their peak speeds under sustained loads: SanDisk, for instance, says sustained write speeds for its 128GB Express card can drop as low as 100 MB/s. But they're still a marked improvement over old UHS-I cards, and in theory, they should be quicker than some older SATA-based SSDs when it comes loading game levels, asset streaming, retrieving saves or copying games to external storage. Whereas SanDisk's microSD Express card can produce sequential read speeds around 900 MB/s, Lexar's Professional Silver Plus — the top UHS-I pick in our general microSD card guide — topped out just over 200 MB/s, and that's with a proprietary reader. (On the first Switch, it'd be closer to 100 MB/s.) Sequential writes and random speeds were three to four times better as well, and sometimes even more depending on the benchmark we used. It remains to be seen how well these Express cards will hold up with extended use, and there's no way to know exactly when their sky-high prices will drop. Non-Switch 2 devices that support microSD Express are still exceedingly rare, and the standard itself isn't backwards compatible with UHS-II, so you'll be limited to UHS-I speeds if you want to use your card with another device (unless you buy a pricey external reader). Still, while the increased costs and limited selection are annoying, the tech itself seems worthy of a next-gen Switch.
TECHx
14-05-2025
- Business
- TECHx
SanDisk Launches WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe Gaming SSD
Home » Emerging technologies » Storage » SanDisk Launches WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe Gaming SSD SanDisk has announced the launch of its latest high-performance gaming SSD, the WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe SSD with PCIe Gen 5.0 technology. The internal SSD delivers speeds of up to 14,900 MB/s and offers capacities of up to 8TB. It is designed for gaming, content creation, and AI workloads. According to the company, the WD_BLACK SN8100 is built for PC gamers and professionals who demand speed, reliability, and power efficiency. SanDisk reported that the SSD is over 100% more power efficient than its PCIe Gen 4.0 drives, helping users maintain high performance with lower energy use. Eric Spanneut, Vice President of Devices at SanDisk, stated that high-performance users now have a PCIe Gen 5.0 solution that balances speed and power, allowing them to build top-tier gaming rigs and workstations. AMD's Senior VP and CTO for Compute and Graphics, Joe Macri, said PCIe Gen 5.0 brings a significant performance leap. He noted that the WD_BLACK SN8100 SSD improves both speed and efficiency for gaming and professional systems. Intel also commented on the launch. Todd Lewellen, Vice President of Client Ecosystem Group, said the combination of Intel Core Ultra processors and the SN8100 SSD will drive innovation in PC performance, supporting faster gameplay and content creation. The SSD features Sandisk BiCS8 TLC 3D CBA NAND technology and a low-power profile. It also offers improved thermal performance, simplifying system design without costly cooling systems. Key performance details shared include: Up to 14,900MB/s read and 14,000MB/s write speeds and speeds Over 2,300,000 IOPS of random performance (2TB–4TB models) of random performance (2TB–4TB models) Up to 2,400TBW endurance for demanding tasks like video editing and AI The company also introduced a heatsink version of the SSD. It features a passive cooling design made with anodized aluminum and includes customizable RGB lighting, with no need for extra power or fans. SanDisk confirmed that the WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe SSD with Heatsink will be available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities starting this fall. The 8TB model and its heatsink variant are expected to launch in the Middle East this summer. This release marks SanDisk's entry into PCIe Gen 5.0 SSDs for gaming and professional use, setting a new performance standard in the internal SSD market.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Sandisk launches WD_BLACK SN8100 as ‘world's fastest PCIe Gen 5.0 NVMe SSD'
SanDisk has launched WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe SSD, an internal solid-state drive featuring PCIe Gen 5.0 technology. The company claims that this is the world's fastest NVMe SSD , and is designed for client PCs and offers high performance for demanding applications, including high-performance gaming , content creation as well as artificial intelligence (AI) workloads. WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe SSD price in India, availability The WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe SSD is available for purchase starting on Wednesday (May 14) through IT reseller partners and e-commerce platforms in 1TB (Rs 17,499), 2TB, and 4TB capacities. The WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe SSD with Heatsink will be available in the fall in 1TB (Rs 18,999), 2TB and 4TB capacities. An 8TB capacity option for both versions is expected to be available later this year. WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe SSD specifications by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Co-Founder of Google Brain, Andrew Ng, Recommends: "These 5 Books Will Turn Your Life Around" Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo The WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe SSD is claimed to have sequential read speeds up to 14,900 MBps and write speeds up to 14,000 MBps. It delivers random performance of over 2,300,000 IOPS on 2TB and 4TB models. This represents a reported two-fold improvement in read speeds compared to SanDisk's previous generation PCIe Gen 4.0 SSDs, the company claimed. According to SanDisk, the new PCIe Gen 5.0 SSD is claimed to be 100% more power efficient than their high-performance PCIe Gen 4.0 offering, with an average operating power of 7W or less. The drive incorporates SanDisk's BiCS8 TLC 3D CBA NAND technology, which the company states contributes to its performance, reliability, low-power profile, and optimised thermal management, potentially simplifying system cooling requirements. Endurance for the 4TB model is rated at up to 2,400TBW (Terabytes Written), supporting tasks such as video editing and AI processing. The drive will be available in capacities up to 8TB, providing space for large games, projects, and datasets. SanDisk is also offering an optional version of the WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe SSD with an integrated, low-profile passive heatsink. This heatsink utilises anodised aluminium for cooling without requiring additional power or fans. This version also includes customisable RGB LED lighting. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Digital Trends
14-05-2025
- Digital Trends
SanDisk's latest drive sets new benchmark for consumer NVMe SSDs
SanDisk has officially introduced the WD Black SN8100, its latest high-end PCIe Gen 5 NVMe SSD targeting PC enthusiasts, gamers, and professional users. With sequential read speeds of up to 14,900 MB/s and write speeds of 14,000 MB/s, the drive sets a new bar for consumer SSD performance, surpassing some of the best NVMe SSDs currently on the market, including the Crucial T705. The SN8100 uses a standard M.2 2280 form factor and is available in capacities of 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, and 8TB. It's worth noting that the 1TB model offers lower write speeds, up to 11,000 MB/s, compared to the higher-capacity versions, which reach up to 14,000 MB/s. Recommended Videos According to SanDisk, the drive is designed for applications ranging from gaming and content creation to AI workflows, where rapid data access and transfer are critical. The SN8100 uses SanDisk's BiCS8 TLC 3D CBA NAND, which is engineered for a smaller footprint thereby improving thermal performance. SanDisk also states that the Gen 5.0 model is twice as power efficient as its PCIe Gen 4.0 predecessor, averaging just 7W of power consumption. Comparing the new WD Black SN8100 with the Crucial T705, which is currently one of the fastest consumer NVMe SSDs, it has some clear advantages. It's marginally faster in read speeds (14,900 MB/s vs. 14,500 MB/s) but noticeably faster in write speeds (14,000 MB/s vs. 12,700 MB/s). It also delivers much better random performance, with 2.3 million IOPS for both reads and writes, compared to 1.5 million on the T705. While these are just numbers, in the practical world such small differences shouldn't matter for the average consumer. Feature WD Black SN8100 Crucial T705 Interface PCIe Gen 5.0 PCIe Gen 5.0 Sequential Read (MB/s) 14,900 14,500 Sequential Write (MB/s) 14,000 12,700 Random IOPS (Read/Write) 2.3M / 2.3M 1.5M / 1.5M Power Draw (Avg) 7W ~11W Form Factor M.2 2280 M.2 2280 Max Capacity 8TB 4TB More importantly, the SN8100 is more power efficient. As mentioned, the drive is listed to draw an average of just 7W of power draw, while the T705 uses around 11W. That should potentially mean less heat and better performance in tight spaces. The WD Black SN8100 is available now through and major retailers, with U.S. MSRPs set at $179.99 for 1TB, $279.99 for 2TB, and $549.99 for 4TB. The top-tier 8TB version of the SN8100 is expected to release later in the year. Additionally, a heatsink-equipped variant is also expected to launch this fall for all current capacities, priced at a $20 premium. These models will feature a newly designed passive aluminum heatsink with a low-profile form factor and customizable RGB lighting.
Tom's Guide
13-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
This is the fastest SSD I've ever used — the WD_Black SN8100 made my old SSD look like a floppy disk
The last time I was blown away by SSD speeds was when I fired up my PS5 for the first time – watching Spider-Man load in less than 5 seconds. But now, it's happened again thanks to SanDisk's new WD_Black SN8100 PCIe Gen 5 SSD, which has made my PC legitimately feel next gen with its blisteringly fast load times. And it's not as if my previous drive was a couch potato — the Samsung 990 Evo is a Gen 4 beast of a drive that feels snappy in loading complex games and apps quickly. But when put up to something that makes the most of that Gen 5 slot on my motherboard, there's no competition. 8K video projects load in a snap, Cyberpunk 2077 loads up to 4X faster, and Chrome loads faster than the average blink of an eye. It is well worth that $179/£149 price of entry (provided your PC has the right motherboard to support it). For the speeds that come damn close to the 14,900 MB/s touted by SanDisk, this is impressive value for money. It's definitely on the steeper side of things for internal SSDs, but the performance is impressive nonetheless. Taking into account the higher value of the pound, you'll see the SSD available in the UK for £149. And my motherboard absolutely can support the WD_Black SN8100. The Asus TUF Gaming B850-Plus WiFi has a PCIe 5.0 slot that is primed and ready to make the most of the capable data speeds here. This comes part and parcel of the Cortex Supreme prebuild from PC Specialist. Inside the Fractal North case, you'll find the following: As for installing the SSD, there is already a heatsink for the SSD built into the motherboard's construction. However, if you do need one, SanDisk offers alternate versions of the SN8100 with one included, starting at $199/£166. So let's start with the bit I know matters to a lot of PC geeks like me out there: the testing. SanDisk promises speeds of up to 14,900MB/s read and 14,000MB/s write. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Of course this is based on the company's own internal testing, which is done in optimal usage conditions to get the biggest numbers. I'll be honest — I wasn't quite sure if these were correct, so I reopened CrystalDiskMark and tried again, and again, and again. This average of three tests is a number I had never witnessed before, and this transformational upgrade is reflected in the time it takes to open up games and apps. In the real world testing, it comes a whole lot closer than I thought, and the SN8100 absolutely delivers on the 2X faster promise (and then some). Yes you did read that right. Cyberpunk 2077 loads roughly 4x faster on PCIe 5.0 than PCIe 4.0. At 26 seconds, it was already pretty fast, but at 6!? It virtually eliminates any of that waiting period that comes with getting into PC games. And yep, Google Chrome loads faster than you can blink! So let me take you into my day-to-day use of the SN8100 in my rig — just some of the things I noticed that gave me the cheesiest, most satisfied grin while putting it through its paces. SanDisk talks about how this is able to speed up gaming, content creation and AI workloads, so let's take them one by one. You already saw the game loading times up above, but without my benchmarking hat on, I was still blown away. While I am a PC gamer at heart, I can totally appreciate the benefit of a console over a tower being the slickness of getting into a game. While a new SSD isn't going to bring a new console-esque UI to my rig, it certainly means you won't be spending long at all staring at Windows 11 before you jump into a level. Hitman 3 — a game that usually takes about 8 seconds to load on my Gen 4 drive — took around 3.5 seconds here. Whatever information-dense title you throw at this, the SN8100 can easily eat for breakfast. Then we get to the content creation and AI side of things. For those uninitiated, I found out the RTX 5070 Ti is capable of some truly incredible content creation feats. But for any SSD to match its energy, you need fast loading and saving, alongside scratch disk performance. This is when your PC uses the SSD as a temporary storage location to fit info that doesn't fit on the RAM. For particularly demanding AI tasks, it's essential. In everything I did, the difference is immediately felt. From small things like opening Chrome and Photoshop far more quickly, to not having to wait more than half a second for a Premiere Pro timeline to start playing with zero dropped frames, it sped up my workload from the word go. But on top of that, applying Photoshop AI edits get an extra turbo boost, too. Nothing massive, as a lot of this is fueled by the GPU, but the 10 second speed boost for applying complex edits to RAW photography is great to have here. And the 2,400 terabytes of writing endurance gave me confidence in the durability of this SSD, alongside the more than 100% improved power efficiency over PCIe Gen 4 (down to 7 watts) that will assure lower thermal demand too. SSDs are not the sexiest thing to talk about — I know that. But this is legitimately the first time loading speeds have blown me away in over five years. Yes, compared to other SSDs you can buy, the price tag is a steep one. And chances are a lot of you will be more than happy with your PCIe Gen 4 SSD for plenty of time to come. If I hadn't had been given the opportunity to test this drive, I know I certainly wouldn't mind sticking with my 990 Evo. But now that I've witnessed the WD_Black SN8100 in action, I can never go back. PCIe Gen 5 is a truly generational shift that breathed all new life into my PC. And provided you've got the motherboard to support it, it will do the same for you too.
