PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSDs have reached a point where peak speeds look similar on paper, but the real differences are in NAND type, endurance, and how the drive behaves under heavy workloads. Two models that often come up in this segment are the Crucial P310 and the WD Black SN7100.
Both target modern desktops, laptops, and gaming systems. However, they are built with different design priorities, and that matters depending on how the drive will be used.
This comparison focuses on the 1TB class, where most buyers sit.
Quick Verdict
For general users and gamers, both drives feel extremely fast. For heavier write workloads and long term endurance, the WD Black SN7100 has a clear technical advantage. The Crucial P310 makes more sense when cost efficiency and everyday performance are the main goals.
Core Specifications Overview
| Feature | Crucial P310 | WD Black SN7100 |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe | PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe |
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 |
| DRAM Cache | DRAM-less | DRAM-less |
| NAND Type | QLC (as identified in technical reviews) | TLC 3D NAND |
| Sequential Read (up to) | ~7,100 MB/s | ~7,250 MB/s |
| Sequential Write (up to) | High Gen4 range, cache dependent | ~6,900 MB/s class |
| Endurance (1TB) | Around 220 TBW | Around 600 TBW |
| Target Segment | Mainstream performance | Gaming and performance systems |
Performance in Real Use
Everyday Tasks and Gaming
For operating systems, apps, and game loading, both drives deliver near instant responsiveness. Game loading is mostly read heavy, and both SSDs operate at top tier Gen4 read speeds.
In real world gaming, you are unlikely to feel a difference between the two in level loads, system boot, or general responsiveness.
Result: Tie for typical gaming and daily use.
Sustained Writes and Large File Transfers
This is where the design differences start to matter.
The WD Black SN7100 uses TLC NAND. TLC generally handles sustained writing better once the fast SLC cache area is filled. This makes it more stable during long transfers such as:
- Large video file copies
- Game installs that write tens or hundreds of gigabytes
- Project exports from content creation software
- Backup operations
The Crucial P310, using a QLC based design, relies more heavily on dynamic SLC caching. While short bursts are very fast, long continuous writes can drop more once the cache is exhausted.
For light users, this is rarely a problem. For heavy file movers, it can be noticeable.
Result: SN7100 is stronger for sustained write workloads.
Endurance and Long Term Use
Endurance ratings show how much data can be written over the life of the drive.
At 1TB capacity:
- Crucial P310 is rated around 220 TBW
- WD Black SN7100 is rated around 600 TBW
Both are safe for normal consumer use. However, the SN7100 provides a much larger endurance margin, which is valuable for:
- Workstations
- Frequent large file writes
- Long system lifecycles
- Users who want extra durability headroom
Result: SN7100 clearly leads in endurance.
DRAM-less Design and What It Means
Both SSDs are DRAM-less and use Host Memory Buffer (HMB), where a small part of system RAM assists the SSD.
Modern DRAM-less Gen4 drives are far more capable than older designs. For most users:
- System responsiveness remains excellent
- Gaming performance is not meaningfully impacted
- Power efficiency can even be better in laptops
Only very heavy professional workloads might benefit from premium drives with onboard DRAM.
Which SSD Should You Choose?
Choose Crucial P310 if:
- The system is mainly for gaming, office work, and general use
- Large sustained writes are not common
- You want a fast Gen4 drive focused on everyday performance
Choose WD Black SN7100 if:
- You regularly move or write large amounts of data
- You want higher endurance for long term reliability
- The system is used for gaming plus heavier workloads
- You prefer TLC based storage behavior under stress
Final Thoughts
The Crucial P310 and WD Black SN7100 are both fast PCIe Gen4 SSDs, but they are not built with the same priorities.
The P310 focuses on delivering high Gen4 speeds for mainstream users. The SN7100 adds stronger endurance and more consistent behavior under heavy writing, which makes it a better fit for performance oriented and mixed use systems.
For many home and gaming PCs, both will feel equally fast. For users who push storage harder, the SN7100 provides more headroom and long term confidence.