Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFor PC gaming, prioritize a compatible drive with enough capacity for the games you keep installed; a higher advertised sequential-read speed does not automatically mean higher frame rates. A 2026 comparison of 11 games found little gameplay difference among the tested drive generations in most titles. PS5 expansion is more prescriptive: Sony requires a compatible PCIe Gen4x4 M.2 NVMe drive that fits its size and cooling rules, and recommends at least 5,500 MB/s sequential read speed.
What matters most when choosing a gaming SSD
Use this order: confirm the drive works with your platform, decide how much usable space your library needs, then compare total prices among compatible options. Only pay extra for speed when your platform or a game’s requirements give you a reason to. Sequential-read figures are useful for matching a drive to a requirement, but they are not a direct forecast of gaming frame rates.
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- Compatibility: Check the motherboard’s supported drive types and slots for a PC, or Sony’s specific expansion requirements for PS5.
- Capacity: Estimate the space needed for the games you want installed at once. There is no evidence-based universal capacity sweet spot for every PC gamer.
- Total cost: Compare prices for the capacity you will actually use, and consider price per capacity at purchase time. Prices change; no current model-level price comparison is established here.
- Performance fit: Meet the interface and game requirements without assuming that the highest advertised sequential speed will improve every game.
- Physical fit and cooling: Check dimensions and whether the drive includes a cooling structure, especially for PS5.
Why a faster SSD may not make games run faster
Games often read many small or random pieces of data rather than sustaining the large sequential transfers represented in headline SSD speed figures. In Tom’s Hardware’s 2026 comparison of 11 titles, most games showed little meaningful gameplay performance difference across the tested drive generations. That result is informative, not universal: it covers those games and test conditions, not every PC, drive, or title.
There were exceptions. Tom’s Hardware reported that only two of the 11 tested titles showed measurable gameplay differences between SATA and PCIe drives. In one specific case, PCIe drives had roughly 38% better 1% lows than SATA during a storage-intensive portal sequence in Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart at 4K. That is a result for that scene and metric, not a claim of a 38% general frame-rate increase. Read Tom’s Hardware’s 11-game comparison.
#1 Best Overall
- This product has been replaced by our latest generation. Please search for the SANDISK Optimus GX 7100 NVMe SSD
- HIGH-OCTANE GAMING. Experience speeds up to 7,250MB/s read and 6,900MB/s write (1-2TB models), with up to 35% faster performance than previous generation.
- PURPOSE-BUILT. Designed for serious on-the-go gamers, with a PCIe Gen4 interface and SANDISK’s next generation TLC 3D NAND.
- MORE TIME TO CLEAR THAT CHECKPOINT. Built with laptops and handheld gaming devices in mind, with up to 100% more power efficiency over the previous generation.
- DO MORE WITH DASHBOARD. Ensure your drive is optimized for prime performance with the downloadable WD_BLACK Dashboard (Windows only).
Choosing an SSD for a gaming PC
Check the motherboard before buying
Confirm whether your motherboard has an available M.2 slot and which interfaces it supports. If you are replacing or adding a drive, also check whether the target is your boot drive or a secondary game library drive, and review your system’s documentation for installation and compatibility details. An M.2 form factor alone does not guarantee that a drive’s interface is supported by a particular slot.
Check the games and operating setup
Look at the system requirements for the games you play, particularly if a title specifies an SSD or a particular performance class. The 11-game comparison does not establish that every PC can use every M.2 SSD, or that all games behave alike.
Rank #2
- MEET THE NEXT GEN: Consider this a cheat code; Our Samsung 990 PRO Gen4 SSD helps you reach near max performance with lightning-fast speeds; Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or a tech guru, you’ll get power efficiency built for the final boss
- REACH THE NEXT LEVEL: Gen4 steps up with faster transfer speeds and high-performance bandwidth; With a more than 55% improvement in random performance compared to 980 PRO, it’s here for heavy computing and faster loading
- THE FASTEST SSD FROM THE WORLD'S FLASH MEMORY BRAND: The speed you need for any occasion; With read and write speeds up to 7450/6900 MB/s you’ll reach near max performance of PCIe 4.0 powering through for any use
- PLAY WITHOUT LIMITS: Give yourself some space with storage capacities from 1TB to 4TB; Sync all your saves and reign supreme in gaming, video editing, data analysis and more
- IT’S A POWER MOVE: Save the power for your performance; Get power efficiency all while experiencing up to 50% improved performance per watt over the 980 PRO; It makes every move more effective with less consumption
Choose capacity around your library
Think about how many large games you want installed simultaneously, how much space your operating system and other files consume, and whether you are willing to uninstall and reinstall games. Then compare compatible drives at that capacity. A 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD is a useful broad search phrase when comparing options, not a recommendation that 2TB is right for everyone.
Compare like with like
For drives that fit your system, compare total purchase price at the same capacity, interface, and physical configuration. If a drive includes a heatsink, account for it when checking clearance; if it does not, check whether your system provides cooling or whether a separate heatsink will fit. A more expensive sequential-speed rating is not, by itself, proof of better gaming performance.
Rank #3
- HUGE SPEED BOOST: Get random read/write speeds that are 40%/55% faster than 980 PRO; Experience up to 1400K/1550K IOPS, while sequential read/write speeds up to 7,450/6,900 MB/s reach near the max performance of PCIe 4.0*
- BREAKTHROUGH POWER EFFICIENCY: Use less power and get more performance; Enjoy up to 50% improved performance per watt over 980 PRO, plus optimal power efficiency with max PCIe 4.0 performance**
- SMART THERMAL CONTROL: Samsung's own nickel-coated controller delivers effective thermal control; With its slim size, 990 PRO is a perfect fit for desktops and laptops that meet the PCI-SIG D8 standard***
- THE CHAMPION MAKER: Up to 65% improvement in random performance enables faster loads for an ultimate gaming experience on PS5 and DirectStorage PC games****
- SAMSUNG MAGICIAN SOFTWARE: Get the most out of your SSD with Samsung Magician's advanced yet intuitive optimization tools; Monitor drive health, protect valuable data, and receive important updates for your 990 PRO
Choosing an SSD for PS5 expansion
PS5 expansion has a defined compatibility checklist. Eliminate any drive that fails Sony’s requirements before weighing its price or advertised speed. Sony recommends sequential read speed of 5,500 MB/s or faster, while warning that not all games necessarily deliver the same performance as the console’s internal SSD even when an M.2 drive exceeds that speed. Check Sony’s PS5 M.2 SSD requirements.
| Requirement | Sony’s specification |
|---|---|
| Drive type and interface | PCIe Gen4x4 M.2 NVMe SSD, Key M |
| Capacity | 250 GB to 8 TB |
| Supported lengths | 30, 42, 60, 80, or 110 mm |
| Maximum width | Up to 25 mm |
| Maximum thickness | Up to 11.25 mm, including the cooling structure, with Sony’s dimensional conditions |
| Cooling | Effective heat dissipation is required; a heatsink or heat-transfer sheet may be needed |
| Sequential read speed | 5,500 MB/s or faster recommended |
| M.2 SATA | Unsupported |
For PS5, check the assembled drive dimensions, including its heatsink or other cooling structure, rather than relying only on the bare SSD’s size. Sony’s page includes further fit and installation details. Its answer to “Can I insert a SATA drive into the PS5 console?” is no: “M.2 SATA SSDs aren’t supported.”
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【7450MB/s・Amazing Speed】Maximum read speed of 7450MB/s and maximum write speed of 6500MB/s (random read/ write speed of up to 1000K IOPS) realises the workflow of high-performance desktop PCs and notebook PCs. Ideal for power users who are looking for market-leading speeds.
- 【PCIe Gen4×4 for Superior Performance】Biwin NV7400 M.2 SSD utilizes the latest PCIe Gen 4x4 and 3D TLC NAND, choosing high-quality premium NAND flash chosen through our automated selection. Capacities of up to 4 TB are available, providing ample storage space and eliminating the anxiety of insufficient storage.
- 【PMIC Power Management & Graphite Heat Sink】NV7400 M.2 SSD adopts a composite power supply IC (PMIC), which improves power saving and energy saving performance by increasing the efficiency of power distribution, and effectively extends the durability of the SSD. Moreover, it is equipped with a 0.5mm graphene aluminium heat sink to prevent overheating with excellent heat dissipation performance and maintain stable top performance.
- 【Enhanced System Stability】The NV7400 delivers stable performance for demanding applications. Enhanced by Host Memory Buffer (HMB) technology, it ensures stable operation even under heavy workloads. The integration of Smart Cache optimizes data retrieval, while Zip data compression maximizes storage efficiency.
- 【Free Biwin Intelligence Software】Biwin Intelligence is multifunctional management software, designed to support Biwin consumer-brand storage products. For a more convenient and more secure storage experience, this software helps users manage their drives with features like performance test, data migration, firmware update, and more.
Rank #4
- BREAKTHROUGH PCIe 5.0 PERFORMANCE: Supercharge your workflow and gaming with PCIe 5.0, boasting up to 14,700/13,400 MB/s* sequential read/write speeds. Tackle massive files and power up your gaming with Gen5—twice as fast as the 990 PRO SSD.
- EVERY TASK, TURBOCHARGED: Speed past productivity limits. With random read/write speeds up to 1,850K/2,600K IOPS*, enjoy fast game loads, seamless AI apps, and efficient multitasking. Virtually no lag, no limits—just nonstop performance.
- THINK FAST, CREATE FASTER: With random read/write speeds of up to 1,850K/2,600K IOPS*, the 9100 PRO SSD fuels seamless AI content creation, swift loads, and smooth gameplay. Work, play, and create at lightning speed.
- SPEED, WHENEVER YOU NEED: From laptops to desktop PCs, experience blazing PCIe 5.0 speeds and up to 8TB of storage. Perfect for video editing, gaming, and creative tasks, with the compatibility to match your device.
- STAY COOL, RUN FAST: Push limits, not temperatures. A 5nm controller boosts power efficiency up to 49% over the 990 PRO SSD*, while advanced thermal control keeps performance smooth and reliable.
A practical buying checklist
- Identify the platform: For PC, check the motherboard slot and interface; for PS5, use Sony’s M.2 requirements.
- Set a capacity target: Base it on your installed library and budget, not a universal gaming rule.
- Filter incompatible options: For PS5, confirm Gen4x4 NVMe, capacity, dimensions, cooling, and the recommended read-speed target. For PC, confirm the board and game requirements.
- Compare equivalent drives: Check total price at the capacity you need, alongside interface, speed, physical size, and included cooling.
- Pay for speed only when it serves a requirement: Do not treat a larger sequential-read number as a guaranteed frame-rate upgrade.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
