Lexar SSD ARES PRO 2TB
2TB · PCIe 5.0 NVMe · 14,000 MB/s read · PassMark #54
NVMe WD BLACK SN8100 2TB
2TB · PCIe 5.0 NVMe · 14,900 MB/s read · PassMark #56
Lexar SSD ARES PRO 2TB takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Lexar SSD ARES PRO 2TB lands at 73 and NVMe WD BLACK SN8100 2TB at 72. That puts Lexar SSD ARES PRO 2TB ahead by 1 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Lexar SSD ARES PRO 2TB if…
- ✓Capable NVMe drive at PassMark rank #54
- ✓14 GB/s-class PCIe 5.0 reads in a slim single-sided M.2 layout
Pick NVMe WD BLACK SN8100 2TB if…
- ✓Capable NVMe drive at PassMark rank #56
- ✓PCIe 5.0 interface for next-gen platforms (AM5, LGA 1851)
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testValue for money
Lexar SSD ARES PRO 2TBSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Lexar SSD ARES PRO 2TB more score per dollar ($200 vs $279).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Lexar SSD ARES PRO 2TB | NVMe WD BLACK SN8100 2TB |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | M.2 2280 (single-sided, 2.45mm) | M.2 2280 (single-sided) |
| Interface | PCIe 5.0 x4 NVMe | PCIe 5.0 x4 NVMe 2.0 |
| Sequential read | 14,000 MB/s | 14,900 MB/s |
| Sequential write | 10,000 MB/s | 14,000 MB/s |
| Random read | 2,000,000 IOPS | 2,300,000 IOPS |
| Random write | 1,500,000 IOPS | 2,400,000 IOPS |
| Controller | 8-channel, reported MaxioTek MAP1806 class | SanDisk-tuned Silicon Motion SM2508 (6nm, quad Cortex-R8) |
| NAND | 3D TLC | 218-layer BiCS8 CBA 3D TLC |
| DRAM | DRAM-less (HMB, per ComputerBase report) | yes (onboard DRAM) |
| Endurance | 1,500 TBW | 1,200 TBW |
| Warranty | 5 years | 5 years |
| PassMark Disk Score | 76,799 | 75,912 |
| PassMark rank | #54 of 100 consumer SSDs | #56 of 100 consumer SSDs |
Lexar SSD ARES PRO 2TB
- +Capable NVMe drive at PassMark rank #54
- +14 GB/s-class PCIe 5.0 reads in a slim single-sided M.2 layout
- −DRAM-less controllers on lower-tier variants may throttle under sustained writes
- −Newer drives out-perform this generation on sequential + random 4K
NVMe WD BLACK SN8100 2TB
- +Capable NVMe drive at PassMark rank #56
- +PCIe 5.0 interface for next-gen platforms (AM5, LGA 1851)
- −PCIe 5.0 drives run hot — heatsink or motherboard M.2 cooling recommended
- −Newer drives out-perform this generation on sequential + random 4K
FAQ: Lexar SSD ARES PRO 2TB vs NVMe WD BLACK SN8100 2TB
Which is better, Lexar SSD ARES PRO 2TB or NVMe WD BLACK SN8100 2TB? +
Lexar SSD ARES PRO 2TB scores 73 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 1. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Lexar SSD ARES PRO 2TB worth the price? +
At $200, Lexar SSD ARES PRO 2TB delivers a Specdex score of 73 — strongest in passmark_disk.
Is NVMe WD BLACK SN8100 2TB worth the price? +
At $279, NVMe WD BLACK SN8100 2TB delivers a Specdex score of 72 — strongest in passmark_disk.
Does Lexar SSD ARES PRO 2TB or NVMe WD BLACK SN8100 2TB last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is the better value, Lexar SSD ARES PRO 2TB or NVMe WD BLACK SN8100 2TB? +
Lexar SSD ARES PRO 2TB — more score per dollar ($200 vs $279). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.