If you want higher frame rates, better graphics settings, or smoother play at a higher resolution, investigate your graphics card first—and confirm it is the part holding your games back. If games take too long to load, you are running out of room, or they are installed on a hard drive, an SSD is the more targeted upgrade. An SSD is not a general-purpose FPS upgrade.
Choose based on the improvement you want
| Your main problem or goal | Investigate first | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Low frame rates, graphics settings that are too demanding, or a goal of higher resolution or visual quality | Graphics card | Whether the GPU is limiting performance in the games you play; CPU limits, power supply, case clearance, monitor target, and budget. |
| Games load slowly, are installed on a hard drive, or storage is nearly full | SSD | Whether your system supports SATA or M.2 NVMe, the available slot and drive dimensions, and how much capacity you need. |
| Stuttering or inconsistent performance | Diagnose before buying | Check CPU and GPU usage, temperatures, memory, background tasks, and storage behavior. Stuttering alone does not identify the cause. |
| You already have an SSD and want shorter loading times | Check the game and workload before buying a faster SSD | Whether the game supports relevant storage features, whether the interface is a limit, and whether loading is actually storage-bound. |
The graphics card renders the game, so it is the component most directly tied to frame rates and visual quality. AMD describes the GPU as a main driver of those outcomes in its Radeon and RTX gaming benchmarks. That is manufacturer guidance, not a guarantee that a GPU upgrade will fix every performance problem: a CPU limit or another system issue can hold back the result.
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Storage is a different part of the experience. Microsoft says moving games to an SSD can improve load time in its Windows gaming features guide, dated April 9, 2026. If your game drive is a hard disk or is nearly full, an SSD may address the problem more directly than a graphics card.
How to tell whether the graphics card is the right upgrade
Match the card to your games and display
Compare performance in the games you actually play, at your target resolution and graphics settings. Set a realistic frame-rate goal based on your monitor, then consider the card’s price and whether it fits the rest of your system. A card that is a good fit for one game, resolution, or settings preset may not be the right choice for another.
#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
AMD’s comparison tool can help you compare graphics cards in selected games, but its figures are generated and verified in AMD’s internal labs. Treat them as vendor comparison data; AMD notes that results vary. They are not independent tests or a promise of the performance you will get in your own PC.
Check the rest of the PC before buying
- Confirm that the power supply can support the card and has the required connectors.
- Check the case’s clearance for the card’s length and thickness.
- Consider whether your CPU may limit performance in the games and settings you care about.
- Make sure the card can connect to your monitor and support your display target.
These are compatibility checks, not a diagnosis of your particular PC. Verify the exact requirements for the components you own and the card you are considering.
Rank #2
- 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
When an SSD is the better-targeted upgrade
Prioritize capacity or moving games off a hard drive
If you are short on room for games, or the games you play are on an HDD, compare SSD options that your system can use. Check whether the motherboard or laptop supports SATA or M.2 NVMe, whether the required slot is available, and what physical size fits. Choose capacity based on the games and files you intend to keep installed.
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Do not assume a faster SSD will raise frame rates
An SSD can improve loading, but a faster drive does not automatically produce more FPS. DirectStorage and GPU-assisted decompression can help with game asset loading in supported workloads; the benefit depends on both the PC and the game. Microsoft’s PC announcement says reduced loading-time benefits require a DirectStorage-capable PC and a DirectStorage-enabled game. Its DirectStorage announcement does not establish that every game or SSD will show the same improvement.
Rank #3
- 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).
Microsoft’s DirectStorage overview explains I/O benefits in an Xbox Series X|S GDK context; that technical discussion should not be treated as a universal PC benchmark. NVIDIA also describes accelerated asset loading and decompression in its RTX IO overview. NVIDIA’s “up to 100x” wording compares its RTX IO framing with hard drives and traditional storage APIs; it is not a typical result for choosing an SSD over a graphics card.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Diagnose stutters before choosing either upgrade
Stutters and inconsistent performance do not point to one component by themselves. Before spending money, observe CPU and GPU usage, temperatures, memory pressure, background tasks, and whether the game’s storage is behaving as expected. Look at the games and settings where the problem occurs rather than relying on a single symptom. If the evidence does not identify a limit, address that uncertainty before buying a component that may not solve it.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 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.
Rank #4
- 【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.
Make the final choice
- Name the outcome. For higher FPS or better graphics, investigate the GPU; for capacity or loading from an HDD, investigate an SSD.
- Check the limiting factor. Look at performance in your target games and settings. For stutters, diagnose CPU, GPU, temperature, memory, background-task, and storage behavior first.
- Verify compatibility. For a GPU, check power, connectors, case space, CPU pairing, and monitor connection. For an SSD, check interface, slot, dimensions, and capacity.
- Compare cost against the specific benefit. A GPU and an SSD can both be worthwhile, but they solve different problems. Choose based on the improvement you need and the evidence from your system.
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.
