Buying Guide
The Best 8TB SSDs
Five SSDs compared, from the 870 QVO 8TB to the GX PRO 850X 8TB, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
An 8TB SSD holds a very large game library or video archive on one drive. Every pick is listed at 8TB, and they range from SATA to PCIe 5.0, so check the slot and heat requirements.
We sorted these picks by sequential read, sequential write and endurance, working from the makers' own data; if a maker skips sequential read, the guide says so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Samsung 870 QVO 8TB
The lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing.
Best for: Getting Samsung's second-generation QLC NAND for the least money.
Our take Check price for Samsung 870 QVO 8TB (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
WD_BLACK SN850X 8TB with Heatsink
SanDisk TLC 3D NAND.
Best for: Buyers who want SanDisk TLC 3D NAND.
Our take Check price for WD_BLACK SN850X 8TB with Heatsink (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
WD_BLACK SN850X 8TB
SanDisk TLC 3D NAND.
Best for: Buyers who want SanDisk TLC 3D NAND.
Our take Check price for WD_BLACK SN850X 8TB (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Rated Read Speed
WD_BLACK SN8100 8TB with Heatsink
The fastest rated read speed here (14,900MB/s).
Best for: Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Our take Check price for WD_BLACK SN8100 8TB with Heatsink (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
SanDisk Optimus GX PRO 850X 8TB
The top of this price range, adding nCache 4.0 and DirectStorage support.
Best for: Spending more than the SN8100 8TB costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Our take Check price for SanDisk Optimus GX PRO 850X 8TB (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Samsung 870 QVO 8TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the 870 QVO 8TB brings to the table is Samsung's second-generation QLC NAND, plus a SATA interface that works in older desktops and laptops with a 2.5-inch bay.
Best for
- Getting Samsung's second-generation QLC NAND for the least money.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated read speed matters most to you; the SN8100 8TB offers 14,900MB/s.
Why we like it
It also offers a 560MB/s rated read speed and offers a 530MB/s rated write speed. Its 560MB/s rated read speed is the slowest in this group; the SN8100 8TB leads at 14,900MB/s. On rated write speed it trails the group at 530MB/s, while the SN8100 8TB offers 11,000MB/s.
On rated endurance it trails the group at 2,880TBW, while the SN8100 8TB offers 4,800TBW. You get an SATA III (2.5-inch) interface here, which sets it apart from the GX PRO 850X 8TB and its a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface. It is a SATA 2.5-inch drive, so it needs a free 2.5-inch bay or a mounting bracket plus a SATA data port and a SATA power connector from the power supply.
Its speed is capped by the SATA interface at about 560MB/s, so it runs the same in any SATA III port. It undercut the SN850X 8TB heatsink and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 560MB/s
- Sequential write: 530MB/s
- Endurance: 2,880TBW
- Interface: SATA III (2.5-inch)
- Capacity: 8TB
Pros
- 2,880TBW endurance rating
- Samsung's second-generation QLC NAND
- SATA interface that works in older desktops and laptops with a 2.5-inch bay
- The lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing
Cons
- Rated read speed trails the SN8100 8TB (14,900MB/s)
- Rated write speed trails the SN8100 8TB (11,000MB/s)
- Rated endurance trails the SN8100 8TB (4,800TBW)
Also Consider2 of 5
WD_BLACK SN850X 8TB with Heatsink on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the SN850X 8TB heatsink brings to the table is SanDisk TLC 3D NAND, plus Game Mode 2.0 in WD_BLACK Dashboard.
Best for
- Buyers who want SanDisk TLC 3D NAND.
Skip if
- Pass if a published rated endurance matters; this one has none.
Why we like it
It also offers a 7,300MB/s rated read speed and offers a 6,300MB/s rated write speed. Like the SN850X 8TB and GX PRO 850X 8TB, it has a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, while the 870 QVO 8TB uses an SATA III (2.5-inch) interface. You also get Adaptive Thermal Management.
It is an M.2 2280 drive, the standard length on desktop boards; check which of your board's slots it goes in, as some share lanes with SATA ports. It runs at full speed in any PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot and still works, slower, in a PCIe 3.0 slot. Remove the board's own M.2 cover or skip the drive's heatsink; you only need one.
It was priced above the 870 QVO 8TB and below the SN850X 8TB at the time of writing. There is no published rated endurance figure, whereas the SN8100 8TB offers 4,800TBW.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,300MB/s
- Sequential write: 6,300MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- Heatsink: Included
- Capacity: 8TB
Pros
- Heatsink included for boards without one
- SanDisk TLC 3D NAND
- Game Mode 2.0 in WD_BLACK Dashboard
- Adaptive Thermal Management
Cons
- No published rated endurance
- Costs more than the 870 QVO 8TB at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
WD_BLACK SN850X 8TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The SN850X 8TB is built around SanDisk TLC 3D NAND, with Game Mode 2.0 in WD_BLACK Dashboard on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want SanDisk TLC 3D NAND.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its rated endurance before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 7,300MB/s rated read speed and offers a 6,300MB/s rated write speed. On rated read speed it ties with the SN850X 8TB heatsink at 7,300MB/s. Like the SN850X 8TB heatsink and GX PRO 850X 8TB, it has a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, while the 870 QVO 8TB uses an SATA III (2.5-inch) interface.
You also get Adaptive Thermal Management. It is an M.2 2280 drive, the standard length on desktop boards; check which of your board's slots it goes in, as some share lanes with SATA ports. It runs at full speed in any PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot and still works, slower, in a PCIe 3.0 slot.
When we checked, only the SN850X 8TB heatsink and cheaper picks cost less, and the SN8100 8TB cost more. If you want a confirmed rated endurance, look to the SN8100 8TB instead: it offers 4,800TBW, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,300MB/s
- Sequential write: 6,300MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- Capacity: 8TB
Pros
- SanDisk TLC 3D NAND
- Game Mode 2.0 in WD_BLACK Dashboard
- Adaptive Thermal Management
- Rated read speed of 7,300MB/s, ahead of the 870 QVO 8TB
Cons
- No published rated endurance
- Costs more than the 870 QVO 8TB at the time of writing
Fastest Rated Read Speed4 of 5
WD_BLACK SN8100 8TB with Heatsink on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The SN8100 8TB is built around a low-profile anodized aluminium heatsink with RGB lighting, with TLC 3D CBA NAND on top.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 14,900MB/s rated read speed and offers an 11,000MB/s rated write speed. Nothing else here matches its 14,900MB/s rated read speed; the SN850X 8TB heatsink comes closest at 7,300MB/s. It matches the GX PRO 850X 8TB on rated endurance (4,800TBW).
No other pick in this guide offers a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface; compare the SN850X 8TB, which has a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface. It also offers fanless cooling. It is an M.2 2280 drive, the standard length on desktop boards; check which of your board's slots it goes in, as some share lanes with SATA ports.
Use a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot, usually the one closest to the CPU, and a board heatsink or the drive's own; in a PCIe 4.0 slot it runs at 4.0 speed. When we checked, only the SN850X 8TB and cheaper picks cost less, and the GX PRO 850X 8TB cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 14,900MB/s
- Sequential write: 11,000MB/s
- Endurance: 4,800TBW
- Interface: PCIe 5.0 x4
- Heatsink: Included
- Capacity: 8TB
Pros
- PCIe 5.0 read speeds up to 14,900MB/s
- 4,800TBW endurance rating
- Heatsink included for boards without one
- Low-profile anodized aluminium heatsink with RGB lighting
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- Costs more than the 870 QVO 8TB at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
SanDisk Optimus GX PRO 850X 8TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The GX PRO 850X 8TB stands out for nCache 4.0 and DirectStorage support, and it adds up to 1.2M random IOPS on the 8TB model.
Best for
- Spending more than the SN8100 8TB costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- The maker gives no rated read speed, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
Why we like it
It also offers a 4,800TBW rated endurance and is rated for 8TB. It shares a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface with the SN850X 8TB heatsink and SN850X 8TB; the SN8100 8TB goes with a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface. It also offers TCG Opal v2.01 data-at-rest encryption.
It is an M.2 2280 drive, the standard length on desktop boards; check which of your board's slots it goes in, as some share lanes with SATA ports. It runs at full speed in any PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot and still works, slower, in a PCIe 3.0 slot. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the SN8100 8TB. Buyers who need a confirmed rated read speed should compare it with the SN8100 8TB, which offers 14,900MB/s.
Key dimensions & specs
- Endurance: 4,800TBW
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- Capacity: 8TB
Pros
- 4,800TBW endurance rating
- NCache 4.0 and DirectStorage support
- Up to 1.2M random IOPS on the 8TB model
- TCG Opal v2.01 data-at-rest encryption
Cons
- No published rated read speed
- Costs more than the 870 QVO 8TB at the time of writing
How We Chose These 8TB SSDs
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up five drives on rated read speed, rated write speed, rated endurance and interface, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 5 picks leave out rated read speed.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the 870 QVO 8TB to the GX PRO 850X 8TB, state interface and capacity and share 8TB capacity.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The GX PRO 850X 8TB gives no rated read speed; the GX PRO 850X 8TB gives no rated write speed.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the 870 QVO 8TB ($1000 to $1500) to the GX PRO 850X 8TB (over $1500).
What to Look for in an 8TB SSD
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Rated read speed
Across these 4 picks rated read speed spans 560MB/s (the 870 QVO 8TB) to 14,900MB/s (the SN8100 8TB). For less, the SN850X 8TB heatsink is the runner-up at 7,300MB/s. The GX PRO 850X 8TB gives no rated read speed figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
How much rated write speed you need
Here rated write speed runs from 530MB/s on the 870 QVO 8TB to 11,000MB/s on the SN8100 8TB, a 1975% spread. The SN850X 8TB heatsink comes second at 6,300MB/s, in the same price tier as the SN8100 8TB. The GX PRO 850X 8TB gives no rated write speed figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
Rated endurance across these picks
Here rated endurance runs from 2,880TBW on the 870 QVO 8TB to 4,800TBW on the SN8100 8TB, a 67% spread. The SN8100 8TB is the pick for rated endurance. The SN850X 8TB heatsink and the SN850X 8TB give no rated endurance figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
Heatsink
The SN850X 8TB heatsink and the SN8100 8TB have it.
Features beyond the spec table
The SN850X 8TB heatsink: Game Mode 2.0 in WD_BLACK Dashboard. The SN8100 8TB: TLC 3D CBA NAND. The GX PRO 850X 8TB: up to 1.2M random IOPS on the 8TB model.
How to Choose an 8TB SSD
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting Samsung's second-generation QLC NAND for the least money | 870 QVO 8TB | The lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want SanDisk TLC 3D NAND | SN850X 8TB heatsink | SanDisk TLC 3D NAND |
| Buyers who want SanDisk TLC 3D NAND | SN850X 8TB | SanDisk TLC 3D NAND |
| Buyers who put rated read speed first | SN8100 8TB | The fastest rated read speed here (14,900MB/s) |
| Spending more than the SN8100 8TB costs for the fullest feature set in this group | GX PRO 850X 8TB | The top of this price range, adding nCache 4.0 and DirectStorage support |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The SN8100 8TB leads on rated read speed at 14,900MB/s, ahead of the SN850X 8TB heatsink at 7,300MB/s. "Not listed" marks rated read speed where the GX PRO 850X 8TB leaves the figure out.
| Drive | Sequential read | Sequential write | Endurance | Interface |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 870 QVO 8TB | 560MB/s | 530MB/s | 2,880TBW | SATA III (2.5-inch) |
| SN850X 8TB heatsink | 7,300MB/s | 6,300MB/s | Not listed | PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| SN850X 8TB | 7,300MB/s | 6,300MB/s | Not listed | PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| SN8100 8TB | 14,900MB/s | 11,000MB/s | 4,800TBW | PCIe 5.0 x4 |
| GX PRO 850X 8TB | Not listed | Not listed | 4,800TBW | PCIe 4.0 x4 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the 870 QVO 8TB, sat in the $1000 to $1500 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the GX PRO 850X 8TB at over $1500; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Drives |
|---|---|
| About $1000 to $1500 | 870 QVO 8TB |
| Over $1500 | SN850X 8TB heatsink, SN850X 8TB, SN8100 8TB, GX PRO 850X 8TB |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the fastest rated read speed: the SN8100 8TB or the SN850X 8TB heatsink?
Between the top two, it is 14,900MB/s on the SN8100 8TB against 7,300MB/s on the SN850X 8TB heatsink, a 104% difference. The 870 QVO 8TB is at the other end of this group with 560MB/s. The GX PRO 850X 8TB doesn't state a rated read speed figure, so it sits outside this comparison; 4 of 5 picks are ranked.
How does the SN850X 8TB heatsink compare with the SN8100 8TB on rated write speed?
The SN8100 8TB leads at 11,000MB/s, with the SN850X 8TB heatsink at 6,300MB/s. The 870 QVO 8TB closes the ranking at 530MB/s. No rated write speed figure is published for the GX PRO 850X 8TB, which leaves 4 of 5 picks ranked here.
Is the GX PRO 850X 8TB worth paying more than the 870 QVO 8TB?
The spec sheets show rated endurance (4,800TBW against 2,880TBW) in its favour. The 870 QVO 8TB sat in the $1000 to $1500 tier and the GX PRO 850X 8TB in the over $1500 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if rated endurance decides your purchase.
What makes the SN8100 8TB the Fastest Rated Read Speed?
It carries the badge for the fastest rated read speed here (14,900MB/s). The SN850X 8TB heatsink is next on rated read speed at 7,300MB/s, so this pick's 14,900MB/s is 104% further out. The 870 QVO 8TB, the cheapest pick, sat in the $1000 to $1500 tier against over $1500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It makes sense for anyone who puts rated read speed first.
Do the 870 QVO 8TB and the SN850X 8TB heatsink differ on interface?
The 870 QVO 8TB uses SATA III (2.5-inch); the SN850X 8TB heatsink, the SN850X 8TB and the GX PRO 850X 8TB use PCIe 4.0 x4; the SN8100 8TB uses PCIe 5.0 x4.
Beyond the specs, what sets the 870 QVO 8TB and the SN850X 8TB heatsink apart?
The 870 QVO 8TB: Samsung's second-generation QLC NAND. The SN850X 8TB heatsink: SanDisk TLC 3D NAND. The SN850X 8TB: SanDisk TLC 3D NAND.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the 870 QVO 8TB, chosen for the lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing. Look at the SN850X 8TB heatsink for SanDisk TLC 3D NAND, the SN850X 8TB for SanDisk TLC 3D NAND and the SN8100 8TB for the fastest rated read speed here (14,900MB/s) if those matter more to you.
Check that your motherboard has an M.2 slot with room for the drive, and note the price per terabyte against two 4TB drives.