- Is the SanDisk Optimus GX 7100 worth it over a Gen3 drive?
- If your laptop or desktop has a Gen4 M.2 slot, yes. It roughly doubles sequential throughput over Gen3 drives and cuts game and app load times. On a Gen3-only machine it will run at Gen3 speed, so the upgrade buys little.
- Will it fit my laptop or desktop?
- It is a standard M.2 2280 drive, 22mm wide and 80mm long, which fits most modern laptops and desktop boards. Check that your slot supports NVMe and PCIe Gen4, and that there is clearance for the drive's height.
- Does it come with a heatsink?
- No. It is a bare M.2 drive, so a desktop board's built-in heatsink or an aftermarket one is worth using under sustained Gen4 loads. Many laptops have no room for a heatsink, and the drive works without one at lower sustained speeds.
- Is TLC flash better than QLC here?
- Yes for sustained writes. TLC stores three bits per cell and holds speed better than QLC when you write large files. It also generally lasts longer, which matters for a drive you will keep for years.
- Can I use it in a PS5?
- Yes, if the console's expansion slot accepts a standard M.2 2280 NVMe drive. Sony requires a heatsink for PS5 use, and this drive ships without one, so add a compatible heatsink before installing.
- How does it compare with flagship Gen4 SSDs?
- It gives up some peak sequential speed and dedicated DRAM cache, so huge file transfers can slow sooner. For gaming, booting and everyday work the difference is small, and it costs less than flagship drives.
- Where is the SANDISK Optimus GX 7100 1TB Internal SSD cheapest?
- At Best Buy, for $229.99, as of our latest check.
- Where can I buy the SANDISK Optimus GX 7100 1TB Internal SSD?
- 3 stores we checked sell it, including Best Buy, Newegg, Antonline.