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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFor gaming alone, a good PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD is usually the sensible buy. PCIe 5.0 drives can deliver much higher sequential transfer speeds on a compatible system, but that headline advantage does not mean games load twice as fast, run at higher frame rates, or stream assets proportionally faster. Consider Gen 5 if you also move large files or have another workload that benefits from its throughput—or if the compatible drive costs little more than the Gen 4 option you would otherwise buy.
What changes between PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 5.0?
PCIe generation describes the interface’s potential bandwidth. A drive’s advertised sequential read speed is a maximum specification for a particular model, not a direct measure of game-loading performance. Games make varied storage requests, and the CPU, GPU, game engine, software path, and drive behavior all affect the result.
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| Example SSD | Interface | Manufacturer’s maximum sequential read | What the figure means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung 990 PRO | PCIe 4.0 | Up to 7,450 MB/s | Samsung’s product specification; not a measured gaming speed. Samsung’s 2022 announcement |
| Samsung 9100 PRO | PCIe 5.0 | Up to 14,800 MB/s | Samsung’s product specification; not a measured gaming speed. Samsung’s 2025 announcement |
These two manufacturer maxima show the potential throughput difference between these example models, not a gaming-performance ratio. They do not support a claim that the Gen 5 model loads games twice as fast.
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Do PCIe 5.0 SSDs load games faster?
Sometimes a Gen 5 drive has an edge, but independent multi-game comparisons find that gains over good Gen 4 drives are generally small or inconsistent, with results varying by title and test method. TechSpot reports that Gen 5 occasionally leads in modern DirectStorage games, but those wins are rare and small in its comparison. In TechRadar’s 2025 review, a Gen 4 Samsung 990 PRO beat the Gen 5 9100 PRO in 3DMark’s gaming-focused SSD benchmark. Neither result proves that one generation always wins; together they show why the generation label alone is a poor gaming score.
#1 Best Overall
- 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.
Samsung also reported that its 990 PRO test system loaded a map in Forspoken in about one second, compared with four seconds on a SATA SSD and 28 seconds on a hard drive. That is a Samsung-reported result from one named game and system, and it compares Gen 4 with slower storage—not Gen 4 with Gen 5. It illustrates how moving from much slower storage can matter without establishing a universal load time or a cross-generation advantage.
Does DirectStorage make PCIe 5.0 necessary?
No. DirectStorage changes how compatible software can handle game data and may support GPU decompression, but its presence does not establish that a Gen 5 SSD is required or materially faster than a Gen 4 drive in a particular game. The storage interface is only one part of the game’s data-loading path.
Rank #2
- BREAKTHROUGH PCIe 5.0 PERFORMANCE: Supercharge your workflow and gaming with PCIe 5.0, boasting up to 14,700/13,300 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.
Microsoft’s Game Development Kit documentation describes a design goal for DirectStorage: “The main design goal of DirectStorage is to allow a title to sustain 50K IOPS and only use between 5% and 10% of a single CPU core.” Those figures describe Microsoft’s technology goal, not a benchmark result achieved by every game or SSD. UL’s 3DMark DirectStorage feature test measures potential benefits on PCIe SSD systems; it is not proof that every DirectStorage title favors Gen 5. PCWorld’s Forspoken testing compared SATA and multiple NVMe drives, including Gen 4 models.
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In practice, support for the software path, the game’s I/O pattern and compression, the CPU and GPU, and the SSD can all affect loading and asset delivery. Compare results from the games you play when available rather than treating DirectStorage support as a reason by itself to upgrade.
Rank #3
- This product has been replaced by our latest generation. Please search for the SANDISK Optimus GX PRO 8100 PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD.
- EXPERIENCE PCIe Gen 5: Drastically enhance your gaming and content creation experience with this PCIe Gen 5.0x4 NVMe M.2 SSD.
- BREAKNECK SPEEDS: Your drive reaches sequential read speeds up to an astonishing 14,900MB/s, sequential write speeds up to 14,000MB/s (2TB-4TB model), and over 2,300,000 IOPS (2TB-4TB Models) of random performance.
- AN INDUSTRY-LEADER IN POWER EFFICIENCY: Enjoy over 100% more power efficiency (1TB – 4TB models) than our PCIe Gen4 drive at an average operating power of 7.5W or under. Experience astonishing speeds without any added stress to your system.
- ROOM FOR REVOLUTION: Hold your biggest projects and still have room for OS updates, models for AI-powered applications, and your game library thanks to immense capacities up to 8TB. SANDISK SOFTWARE: Help maximize your drive’s performance, monitor its health and keep it up to date with SANDISK Dashboard (Windows only). Plus, effortlessly migrate your data with Acronis True Image for Sandisk.
Which SSD benchmarks are useful for gaming?
Look for tests that resemble real use, not just a sequential-read chart. UL’s 3DMark Storage Benchmark models activities such as game loading, saving progress, installing game files, and recording gameplay. PC Gamer describes a broader SSD-testing approach that includes sequential and random benchmarks, a large game-file copy, a live Final Fantasy XIV level-load test, and temperature checks.
- Game loading and streaming: Prefer tests using the same game, save, patch, and system when comparing drives. Expect results to vary by title and test path.
- Sequential throughput: Useful for large transfers and some productivity workloads, but a manufacturer’s maximum does not promise a proportional gaming gain.
- Random I/O and latency: Many small requests matter to responsiveness; sequential read speed alone does not describe them.
- Sustained performance and temperature: Check whether performance holds up under extended activity, especially in a compact system or with a high-performance drive.
What should you buy for a gaming PC?
Choose PCIe 4.0 for a gaming-focused build
A good Gen 4 NVMe SSD is the practical default when gaming is the main workload. If your budget is limited, compare capacity and current price before paying extra for peak throughput you may not notice in your games. The Samsung 990 PRO is one example of a Gen 4 model; its stated maximum is a model specification, not a guarantee of game performance.
Rank #4
- This product has been replaced by our latest generation. Please search for the SANDISK Optimus GX PRO 8100 PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD.
- EXPERIENCE PCIe Gen 5: Drastically enhance your gaming and content creation experience with this PCIe Gen 5.0x4 NVMe M.2 SSD.
- BREAKNECK SPEEDS: Your drive reaches sequential read speeds up to an astonishing 14,900MB/s, sequential write speeds up to 14,000MB/s (2TB-4TB model), and over 2,300,000 IOPS (2TB-4TB Models) of random performance.
- AN INDUSTRY-LEADER IN POWER EFFICIENCY: Enjoy over 100% more power efficiency (1TB – 4TB models) than our PCIe Gen4 drive at an average operating power of 7.5W or under. Experience astonishing speeds without any added stress to your system.
- ROOM FOR REVOLUTION: Hold your biggest projects and still have room for OS updates, models for AI-powered applications, and your game library thanks to immense capacities up to 8TB. SANDISK SOFTWARE: Help maximize your drive’s performance, monitor its health and keep it up to date with SANDISK Dashboard (Windows only). Plus, effortlessly migrate your data with Acronis True Image for Sandisk.
Consider PCIe 5.0 for mixed workloads
A Gen 5 SSD can make sense if your system supports it and you regularly move very large files or use other work tasks that benefit from higher sequential throughput. The Samsung 9100 PRO is an example, but its higher manufacturer-rated read speed should not be treated as a promise of substantially faster gaming.
Check the slot, drive fit, and cooling
A Gen 5 drive needs a motherboard and M.2 slot that support its full interface speed; otherwise it will not operate at that speed. Before buying, consult the motherboard manual for supported slot generation, lane sharing, and drive-size limits. Also check whether the drive or motherboard already provides a suitable heatsink and whether it fits your build. A separate M.2 heatsink is conditional, not an automatic requirement.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- PCIe 5.0 Performance: Delivers up to 14,100MB/s read and 12,600MB/s write speeds for quicker game load times, bootups, and smooth multitasking
- Spacious 4TB Capacity: Store AAA titles, 8K+ video, and creative assets with blazing-fast Gen5 NVMe throughput
- Platform-Optimized Compatibility: Designed for Intel 13th/14th Gen and AMD Ryzen 7000 in M.2 Gen5 slots
- Heatsink-Compatible Design: Install with a compatible heatsink for optimal performance in sustained gaming sessions and demanding workloads
- Trusted Micron Quality: Engineered for tech enthusiasts and hardcore gamers with Micron TLC NAND and a 5-year warranty
How to make the comparison useful
- Confirm compatibility: Check the motherboard manual for the M.2 slot’s PCIe generation, lane sharing, drive dimensions, and cooling arrangement.
- Compare the same kind of evidence: Look for same-system, same-game loading or streaming results. Treat synthetic throughput as a separate measure from game performance.
- Weigh capacity and price: Check current prices and decide whether added storage for your game library is more useful than unused peak bandwidth.
- Match the drive to your workload: Favor Gen 4 for a straightforward gaming-focused purchase; consider Gen 5 when compatible hardware and non-gaming work make its extra throughput useful.
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.
