Having the perfect SSD for gaming will severely enhance your gaming expertise, and provides your system a pace increase when working and loading the most recent PC video games. A solid-state drive (SSD) runs off flash reminiscence to put in writing and skim information digitally, and any system can profit from swapping from an ageing mechanical drive to a extra trendy SSD. Because the creation of the NVMe protocol, high-capacity M.2 drive storage has by no means been so small or inexpensive. However which gaming SSD is correct to your wants?
There are many glorious gaming SSDs available on the market, from well-known manufacturers like Samsung, Corsair, and Western Digital, in addition to extra area of interest choices that also carry out effectively. That can assist you select the perfect SSD for gaming, we’ve benchmarked the most recent solid-state drives, evaluating their learn and write speeds in opposition to and reporting on their real-life efficiency in comparison with the producer’s claimed specs.
The newest PC video games can require excessive storage necessities, which means it’s extra essential than ever to make sure your gaming PC or gaming laptop computer has loads of obtainable house. Utilizing years of PC gaming expertise and our in-house testing, we’ll show you how to discover the perfect SSD for gaming.
Why you may belief our recommendation ✔ At PCGamesN, our consultants spend hours testing {hardware} and reviewing video games and VPNs. We share sincere, unbiased opinions that can assist you purchase the perfect. Discover out how we check.
Greatest SSD for gaming:
Greatest SSD for gaming total
WD Black SN850X specs:
Sizes
1TB, 2TB, 4TB
Kind issue
M.2 Kind-2280
Interface
PCIe 4.0 x4
Seq. learn
As much as 7,300MB/s
Seq. write
As much as 6,600MB/s
Causes to purchase
Quickest PCIe 4.0 gaming SSD
Elective RGB heatsink
Good capability selections
Causes to keep away from
Can run sizzling with out a heatsink
The WD Black SN850X is the quickest SSD you should buy, absolutely making use of its PCIe 4.0 interface with lightning-fast sequential learn and write speeds of seven,300MB/s and 6,600MB/s, respectively.
This stage of efficiency not solely improves sport loading occasions, however it’s best to discover your gaming PC boots quicker and extra shortly handles common duties. You’ll all the time get probably the most out of the drive whereas enjoying video games, because of its Sport Mode 2.0 toggle within the included software program.
In the event you’re apprehensive about potential thermal throttling impacting the WD Black SN850X, you may choose it up with an optionally available heatsink for peace of thoughts. Higher nonetheless, the heatsink comes with a splash of RGB, so it could look cool whereas staying cool.
Learn our WD Black SN850X overview.
Samsung 980
Greatest PCIe 3.0 SSD for gaming
Samsung 980 specs:
Sizes
250GB, 500GB, 1TB
Kind issue
M.2 Kind-2280
Interface
PCIe 3.0 x4
Seq. learn
As much as 3,500MB/s
Seq. write
As much as 3,000MB/s
Causes to purchase
Quick PCIe 3.0 speeds
Strong Samsung Magician software program
Causes to keep away from
Outperformed by PCIe 4.0 drives
No DRAM
The Samsung 980 is the right match for anybody trying to improve their ageing SATA arduous drives or SSDs with one thing a bit nippier. The South Korean tech large’s storage elements have remained among the many most fascinating out there for years, and it’s not arduous to see why.
Utilizing a PCIe 3.0 interface, the Samsung 980 delivers sequential learn and write speeds that remodel any sluggish gaming PC right into a nippy machine. The SSD could be additional enhanced by way of the usage of Samsung Magician software program, making it straightforward to get probably the most out of your new drive.
Essential T705 specs:
Capacities
1TB, 2TB, 4TB
Warmth sink
Sure (passive)
Interface
PCIe 5.0 x 4
Seq. learn
As much as 14,500MB/s
Seq. write
As much as 12,700MB/s
Causes to purchase
Blazingly quick learn and write speeds
Sensibly-sized heatsink
Good endurance score and guarantee
Causes to keep away from
Thermally throttles beneath load
No lively cooling choices
Velocity above all else is the precedence of the T705, because the Essential SSD barrels forward of its competitors with energy to ship the quickest speeds we’ve seen but from PCIe 5.0 storage. Whereas it’s fast, although, it does include some caveats.
The T705 is staggeringly speedy, with learn and write efficiency of as much as 14,500MB/s (14.5GB/s) and 12,700MB/s (12.7GB/s), respectively. Whereas it could hit these speeds in brief bursts, extended stress can see the passive heatsink falter, bringing the Essential SSD’s sky-high ambitions crashing down in an Icarus-like style.
These issues don’t have an effect on gaming efficiency, which is of course of a excessive commonplace. That stated, the T705 suffers from the identical drawback as all different PCIe 5.0 SSDs, in that increased speeds don’t have any tangible profit in video games relative to PCIe 4.0 drives (no less than for now).
Class-leading efficiency naturally comes with a better value too, and the T705 is not any exception, with its value coming in a lot increased than slower PCIe 5.0 SSDs. You may knock off a couple of dollars by choosing a mannequin with out a heatsink, however this drive wants some type of cooling to be thought of value utilizing.
Learn our Essential T705 overview.
Samsung 870 EVO
Greatest SATA SSD for gaming
Samsung 870 EVO specs:
Sizes
250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB
Kind issue
2.5-inch
Interface
SATA
Seq. learn
As much as 560MB/s
Seq. write
As much as 530MB/s
Causes to purchase
Nonetheless lots quick for PC video games
Excessive capability choices
Causes to keep away from
Barely lofty price ticket
A lot slower in comparison with NVMe drives
NVMe SSDs will undoubtedly exchange their SATA brethren, however there’s nonetheless loads of worth available in drives that use the ageing interface just like the Samsung 870 EVO. Whereas its sequential learn and write speeds could appear paltry within the face of PCIe storage, it’s nonetheless lots quick for many video games and is undeniably quicker than any arduous drive.
In the event you prioritize capability over pace, choosing the Samsung 870 EVO might be a sensible transfer. You may choose it up in sizes that go all the best way as much as 4TB, which means you received’t have to fret about rehoming your Steam library and it prices a lot lower than any M.2 SSD with the identical quantity of house.
Greatest PCIe 5.0 SSD for gaming
Corsair MP700 Professional specs:
Capacities
1TB, 2TB, 4TB
Heatsink
Sure (lively, water-cooled)
Interface
PCIe 5.0 x 4
Seq. learn
As much as 12,400MB/s
Seq. write
As much as 11,800MB/s
Causes to purchase
Good steadiness of value to efficiency
Lively heatsink eliminates thermal throttling
5-year guarantee
Causes to keep away from
PCIe 5.0 speeds don’t profit video games but
Fan curve can’t be configured
No passive heatsink choice
PCIe 5.0 SSDs just like the MP700 Professional push storage speeds effectively above PCIe 4.0 however, for the second, their efficiency usually comes with added value and thermal concerns. Corsair’s MP700 Professional makes coping with these difficulties the best of any drive we’ve examined, with lively cooling instead of an infinite passive heatsink and a value that doesn’t break the financial institution.
That includes respective learn and write speeds of as much as 12,400MB/s (12.4GB/s) and 11,800MB/s (11.8GB/s), the MP700 Professional is among the quickest SSDs you may slot into your system. These specs naturally make the drive a superb alternative for gaming, however enhancements in comparison with cheaper, competing PCIe 4.0 drives are minimal, even in video games that help DirectStorage.
For those who require a dual-purpose drive, although, significantly for eventualities the place extended learn and write speeds are a precedence, the MP700 Professional emerges a lower above all different PCIe 5.0 SSDs because of its lively heatsink. Whereas its fan curve sadly can’t be configured, the out-of-the-box efficiency ensured the temperature of Corsair’s drive peaked at simply 65°C in our testing.
Corsair additionally presents the MP700 Professional with a Hydro X Sequence water block, for fanatic builders rocking a customized water-cooling loop. Whereas there’s sadly no passive heatsink obtainable for the SSD, you may seize it with none heatsink in any way and place your speeds on the mercy of your motherboard heatsinks if you want. Nonetheless, given how sizzling PCIe 5.0 storage will get, we strongly suggest choosing the mannequin with the lively cooler, particularly because it solely prices $10-20 additional.
Learn our Corsair MP700 Professional overview.
WD Blue SN570 specs:
Sizes
250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB
Kind issue
M.2 Kind-2280
Interface
PCIe 3.0 x4
Seq. learn
As much as 3,500MB/s
Seq. write
As much as 3,000MB/s
Causes to purchase
Full x4 PCIe 3 interface
Nice price-to-performance worth
900TBW endurance
Causes to keep away from
No DRAM
Boring design
Availability is changing into restricted
WD is right here to point out that you would be able to (nearly) have all of it, because the Blue SN570 NVMe SSD boasts as much as 2TB of storage, a stable 900TBW endurance, and respectable learn and write speeds for one of many lowest costs available on the market.
Throughout testing, our reviewer discovered that the random 4K efficiency noticed learn and write speeds of 1,890MB/s and 1,723MB/sec respectively, that are quicker than the outcomes from the Samsung 980. After all, it’s not the quickest drive on the market, however it’s the perfect you may get beneath $100 with out sacrificing capability, pace, or each. It’s the right choice for constructing a gaming PC on a finances.
Learn our WD Blue SN570 overview.
SK Hynix Platinum P41
Greatest M.2 SSD for laptops
SK Hynix Platinum P41 specs:
Sizes
500GB, 1TB, 2TB
Kind issue
M.2 Kind-2280
Interface
PCIe 4.0 x4
Seq. learn
As much as 7,000MB/s
Seq. write
As much as 6,500MB/s
Causes to purchase
Compact kind issue
5-year guarantee
Extraordinary 1,200TBW score
Even the finest gaming laptop computer advantages from extra storage, and the SK Hynix Platinum P41 SSD is ideal for rising your on-the-go storage with out compromising on spec. That includes an in-house Aries controller, this drive is able to learn speeds as much as 7,000MB/s, which means it’ll run rings round SATA SSDs and plenty of NVMe choices.
Regardless of its spectacular speeds, the Platinum P41 options an equally spectacular energy effectivity score, one thing that helps preserve peak efficiency inside a toasty laptop computer surroundings. Naturally, this additionally means it’ll be kinder to your moveable powerhouse’s battery, which may show you how to spend much less time gaming subsequent to an influence outlet.
Sabrent Rocket 2230
Greatest Steam Deck SSD
Sabrent Rocket 2230 specs:
Sizes
256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Kind issue
M.2 Kind-2280
Interface
M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4
Seq. learn
As much as 5,000MB/s
Seq. write
As much as 4,300MB/s
Causes to purchase
Proper dimension for Steam Deck
Causes to keep away from
Inconsistent efficiency
Simple to put in
In the event you’ve already had a peek inside Valve’s handheld, you’ll already know that a normal M.2 SSD isn’t going to suit. Fortunately, the Sabrent Rocket 2230 is precisely the correct dimension, so that you received’t must make any bizarre modifications to broaden your on-the-go storage.
The Sabrent Rocket 2230 is perhaps dinky sufficient to suit contained in the Steam Deck, however it nonetheless packs a solid-state punch. The PCIe 4.0 drive boasts as much as 4,750MB/s learn speeds, and also you’ll be capable of write as much as 4,300MB/s to the compact SSD. Regardless of its dimension, 1TB fashions are additionally obtainable, which means you may deliver a fair higher chunk of your Steam library with you in your travels. It’s one of many finest Steam Deck equipment checklist to improve the storage on your handheld gaming PC.
Greatest SSD for gaming FAQ
What are the advantages of utilizing an SSD?
Stable-state drives are inherently quicker than conventional mechanical drives, principally because of the reality they characteristic no shifting elements. So, by changing your outdated arduous drive with even the most cost effective SSD, you may count on quick boot occasions, speedy file switch charges, and even enhanced gaming efficiency. Nonetheless, putting in a brand new storage drive received’t make your gaming PC quicker for those who’re nonetheless rocking outdated elements elsewhere.
SATA vs NVMe SSDs
SATA drives have been round for some time longer, and whereas they provide decrease learn and write speeds than you’ll discover on an NVMe-based drive, the value per GB is way decrease. This makes them the right alternative if you would like a high-capacity solid-state drive for storing your Steam library, or for those who’re going for a finances PC construct. Plus, the speeds are nonetheless considerably higher than a standard arduous drive.
What’s an add-in card SSD?
Add-in card SSDs look a bit of bit like graphics playing cards, they usually hook up with your PC through PCIe. Whereas they use the identical commonplace as M.2, PCIe choices boast compatibility over M.2, as you received’t want a motherboard with a more moderen socket kind to improve from SATA.
Which capability SSD ought to I get?
A better-capacity SSD will value extra, so think about how a lot you need to spend. Not all the finest PC video games profit from being put in on an SSD, so that you don’t essentially want a drive as massive as your secondary storage. Some of the SSD choices on this information begin at 250GB capability, however for those who can afford it, we suggest getting a 1TB SSD to future-proof your system for longer. You may get an SSD as much as 4TB, however that is costly. In the event you simply need an SSD to put in Home windows onto, then a 512GB capability is ample.
What’s the perfect SSD model?
We belief all the SSD manufacturers in our information (in any other case we wouldn’t have included them). Western Digital and Samsung are well-known for being dependable and long-lasting, however we additionally suggest checking the retailer and producer guarantee once you purchase an SSD, as some will provide prolonged guarantee durations of as much as three or 5 years – offering peace of thoughts within the unlikely occasion that your gaming SSD fails.
Can you set a PCIe 5.0 SSD in a PCIe 4.0 slot?
PCIe 4.0 is back and forth suitable, which means you should utilize a PCIe 3.0 drive with the newer format and vice versa. It’s value noting in each cases, your efficiency shall be constricted by the three.0 commonplace’s limitations.
For extra assist constructing your very best gaming PC, take a look at our checklist of the perfect gaming playing cards, which is able to show you how to discover the correct graphics card.