Western Digital WD Blue SN5100 1TB

Name: Western Digital WD Blue SN5100 1TB
Brand: Western Digital
SKU: 4238

Manufacturer: Western Digital

The Western Digital WD Blue SN5100 1TB is an NVMe SSD designed to deliver high-speed performance for demanding applications. With a sequential read speed of 7100 MB/s, it offers fast data access and efficient file transfers. Its M.2 form factor and 1TB of internal storage make it suitable for users looking for a reliable, high-capacity storage solution.

This SSD utilizes QLC storage type and features the WD Polaris 3 A101-000103-A1 controller, ensuring optimized performance. It supports PCIe 4.0 and NVMe 2.0, with a Terabytes Written (TBW) rating of 600, ensuring durability over time. Additionally, the drive has a 1.3 million-hour MTBF and comes with a 5-year warranty.

Pros

High sequential read speed of 7100 MB/s for fast data transfer.
Supports NVMe 2.0 for enhanced performance in high-demand applications.
1TB of internal storage offers ample space for most users.
5-year warranty ensures reliability and long-term support.
Uses PCIe 4.0 for faster data access and efficient performance.

Cons

Lacks an integrated heatsink, which may affect thermal performance during intensive use.
No AES encryption support, limiting security for sensitive data.
No RGB lighting, which may be a downside for users seeking aesthetic customization.

Who is this for?

The Western Digital WD Blue SN5100 1TB is ideal for users seeking high-performance storage for demanding applications, such as gaming, video editing, or data-heavy workloads. With its 7100 MB/s sequential read speed and 1TB of internal storage, it excels in environments requiring fast data transfers and large file storage. Its NVMe 2.0 support and PCIe 4.0 interface make it suitable for users who need cutting-edge speed and reliability in their SSDs.

Who is this NOT for?

This SSD may not be suitable for users looking for advanced security features, as it lacks AES encryption support. Additionally, its lack of an integrated heatsink means it might not perform optimally in high-thermal environments, such as extended gaming or heavy content creation sessions. It also lacks RGB lighting, which could be a drawback for users seeking customizable aesthetics in their builds.

Read speed:

sequential read speed	7100 MB/s
random read speed	1000000 IOPS

The Western Digital WD Blue SN5100 1TB SSD offers impressive read speeds, including a sequential read speed of 7100 MB/s for fast data transfers. Additionally, it delivers a high random read speed of 1,000,000 IOPS, ensuring quick access to small files and improving overall system responsiveness.

Write speed:

sequential write speed	6700 MB/s
random write speed	1300000 IOPS

The Western Digital WD Blue SN5100 1TB SSD offers impressive write performance, with a sequential write speed of 6700 MB/s for efficient large file transfers. Additionally, it features a high random write speed of 1,300,000 IOPS, providing quick write access for smaller files and enhancing overall system responsiveness.

Benchmarks:

PassMark result	47478

The Western Digital WD Blue SN5100 1TB SSD has achieved a PassMark result of 47478, indicating solid performance in real-world tasks. This benchmark result reflects the drive's ability to handle demanding workloads efficiently, providing users with reliable performance in various applications.

General info:

type	M2
SSD cache	HMB (Host Memory Buffer)
Is an NVMe SSD	✓
NVMe version	2
internal storage	1000GB
release date	August 2025
controller	WD Polaris 3 A101-000103-A1
SSD storage type	QLC
PCI Express (PCIe) version	4
Controller channels	4
Terabytes Written (TBW)	600
MTBF	1.3million hours
warranty period	5 years
Has an integrated heatsink	✕
bits of encryption supported	0
has RGB lighting	✕

The Western Digital WD Blue SN5100 1TB is an M.2 NVMe SSD offering 1TB of internal storage. It features the WD Polaris 3 A101-000103-A1 controller and utilizes QLC storage type for efficient performance. With a PCIe 4.0 interface and NVMe 2.0 support, the drive offers fast data transfer speeds. Additionally, it comes with a 5-year warranty and has a Terabytes Written (TBW) rating of 600, ensuring long-term durability.

Final Verdict

The Western Digital WD Blue SN5100 1TB is a solid choice for users looking for high-speed NVMe storage with impressive sequential read speeds of 7100 MB/s and 1TB of storage capacity. It is well-suited for tasks like gaming, content creation, and demanding applications that require quick data access. While it lacks some advanced features like AES encryption and an integrated heatsink, its performance, backed by NVMe 2.0 and PCIe 4.0 support, makes it a reliable and durable SSD with a 5-year warranty. Overall, it offers a strong balance of speed and capacity for most high-performance users.