Choose an SSD in this order: confirm your computer’s supported drive form factor and interface, choose enough capacity for your files and expected growth, then compare workload-relevant performance, endurance, warranty, and total cost. An M.2 drive is not automatically NVMe: M.2 describes a form factor, and M.2 drives can use either SATA or PCIe/NVMe.
Start with compatibility: what drive can your computer use?
Before comparing speed or price, check the exact computer’s manual or manufacturer documentation. Confirm the supported interface and protocol, physical drive format and size, and any bay or slot requirements. A drive that physically fits may still use a protocol the system does not support.
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Do not confuse M.2 with NVMe
M.2 describes a card and connector form factor, not a data protocol. M.2 SSDs can use SATA or PCIe/NVMe, and an M.2 slot does not by itself prove NVMe support. Solidigm’s technical guide explains the distinction, and SATA-IO describes M.2 as supporting different connection types: SATA-IO’s SATA M.2 Card page and Solidigm’s SSD technical guide.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallLook up the computer’s exact model and verify the supported protocol and M.2 length, or whether it requires a 2.5-inch SATA drive. If the documentation is unclear, ask the computer manufacturer before buying.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
NVMe vs. SATA: choose the interface your system supports
NVMe is a protocol commonly used over PCIe in consumer SSDs, designed for high-speed data transfer with parallel, low-latency data paths. SATA is a different interface and protocol. SATA-IO lists SATA’s current transfer rate as 6 Gb/s; that is a transfer-rate specification, not the same unit or measure as an SSD’s advertised read/write speeds. See the SATA-IO FAQ.
| Option | When it makes sense | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe/NVMe SSD | When the computer supports NVMe and you want the performance its PCIe connection can provide. | Supported PCIe/NVMe protocol, slot, drive length, and system-specific requirements. |
| SATA SSD | When the computer requires SATA, or when a compatible SATA replacement is the appropriate choice. | Whether the system accepts a 2.5-inch SATA drive or a SATA M.2 drive; do not assume either based only on appearance. |
NVMe is generally the performance-oriented choice when supported, but an interface alone does not guarantee a noticeable improvement in every task. Application workload and the rest of the system matter. For a SATA-only computer, choose a compatible SATA SSD rather than an NVMe drive it cannot use.
Rank #2
- Ideal for high speed, low power storage
- Gen 4x4 NVMe PCle performance
- Up to 6,000MB/s read, 4,000MB/s write
- Includes Acronis cloning software
- 5-year limited warranty
Choose capacity for your files and likely growth
Estimate the space needed for the operating system, applications, games, active projects, and other files you want stored on the drive. Then allow room for additions over time. Your existing library, budget, and use of external or cloud storage all affect the right size.
Solidigm’s 2022 quick guide offers these examples, not universal minimums: Solidigm’s SSD storage guide.
Rank #3
- SPEED UP PROJECTS. Launch creator applications fast with uncompromising PCIe 4.0 read speeds up to 7,100MB/s,[2] (1TB and 2TB[1] models) and write speeds up to 6,700MB/s[2] (1TB[1]-4TB[1] models).
- CREATE AND STORE MORE. Make more room for your 4K videos and high-resolution images with capacities from 500GB[1] up to 4TB[1] on M.2 2280 built with our trusted 8th generation SANDISK BiCS QLC 3D CBA NAND.
- IT GOES WHERE YOU GO. With an all-new power efficient design, your drive delivers high performance with low power, giving you more time to be productive while on the go.
- UNCOMPROMISED RELIABILITY. With up to 1,200 TBW[3] (4TB[1] model) endurance rating, your drive is designed for creators.
- KEEP YOUR DRIVE UPDATED. Monitor your SSD’s performance and check for updates with the downloadable SANDISK Dashboard application.[5]
| Workload example | Solidigm’s suggested starting point | Additional context in the guide |
|---|---|---|
| Small business | 256 GB or more | 512 GB is suggested to leave room for growth. |
| Content creation | 1 TB or more | 2 TB is offered as a possible choice for projects and backup images. |
| Gaming | 1 TB or more | Described as a starting point for the operating system and a range of games. |
| Student work | 256 GB or more for smaller-file needs | Science or engineering work with larger files may call for 1 TB or more. |
Use those dated manufacturer examples as a planning aid, not a rule: the actual space required depends on what you keep and how quickly your files grow. A larger drive can reduce the need to uninstall or move files, but it is only useful if it fits the system and the added capacity is worth its cost to you.
Compare performance that matches your work
SSD specifications often separate sequential and random read/write performance. Sequential figures describe operations involving larger files, such as transferring or accessing large video files. Random figures describe activity involving smaller files in scattered locations.
Rank #4
- 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
- Large files: Pay attention to sequential performance if you regularly move or work with large projects.
- Mixed everyday activity: Random performance may be more relevant to workloads involving many small files.
- Real-world results: Specifications are commonly produced with synthetic workloads and may not predict your experience. Compare independent tests that resemble your actual use, rather than paying for a peak figure your system or workload cannot take advantage of.
There is no current model ranking or comparable independent test set established here, so a specific drive cannot be named as the best choice on performance alone.
Understand TBW and check the warranty
TBW means terabytes written. It is a rated lifetime write amount: how much data the manufacturer specifies can be written over the drive’s rated life. It is not a countdown that means the SSD will immediately fail when that number is reached. Compare the exact drive’s TBW rating with its warranty terms and your expected workload.
Best Value
- 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).
Solidigm’s approximately 2023 technical guide gives product-specific examples: its 1 TB 670p is rated at 370 TBW, which the guide illustrates as well over 200 GB written daily for five years; its 2 TB 670p example is rated at 740 TBW and has a five-year limited warranty. These figures describe those examples in that guide, not a current comparison or recommendation. Solidigm’s technical guide.
When endurance deserves closer attention
For ordinary browsing, school, office work, and gaming, capacity, compatibility, price, and warranty may be more useful comparison points than seeking the highest TBW rating. Solidigm says typical consumer applications do not reach SSD endurance thresholds; that is the manufacturer’s general guidance, not a guarantee for every workload. Writers who regularly record or edit large video projects, perform write-heavy work, or otherwise write unusually large volumes should compare endurance more carefully.
Read the warranty for the exact drive
Warranty periods and conditions vary by product and region. Crucial describes its warranty as three or five years, or until the maximum TBW is written, whichever comes first; check the current Crucial warranty terms and the warranty for the specific drive you are considering. Do not assume another manufacturer uses the same limit or conditions.
Make the final comparison
Once you have confirmed compatibility, compare actual candidate drives on the factors your system and workload can use:
- Compatibility: Supported interface and protocol, M.2 length or 2.5-inch bay, and any system-specific requirements.
- Capacity: Current stored data plus a sensible allowance for expected growth.
- Performance: Sequential figures for large files and random figures for small-file activity, checked against relevant independent testing.
- Endurance and warranty: TBW rating and warranty length and conditions for the exact model and region.
- Total cost: Price for the capacity and performance the computer can actually use.
Compare current prices and product documentation before buying: model prices and availability change, and the sources cited here do not establish a live retail comparison. If your system supports NVMe, search for a compatible NVMe SSD; if it requires SATA, look for the appropriate 2.5-inch SATA SSD or SATA M.2 SSD, as specified by its documentation.
Quick Recap
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.
