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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesSSD price per gigabyte tells you the listed cost for each gigabyte of advertised capacity. It is a useful first-pass way to compare drive sizes, but it is not a score for compatibility, speed, endurance, or overall value. Use it to narrow options, then compare drives that fit your device and suit your workload.
How to calculate SSD price per gigabyte
Divide the listed price by the drive’s advertised capacity in gigabytes:
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Listed price ÷ advertised capacity in GB = price per advertised GB
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →For example, a hypothetical $100 drive advertised as 1,000GB costs $0.10 per advertised GB. This is an illustration, not a current offer or market benchmark.
#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
The denominator is advertised capacity, not necessarily the space available to store files. GIGABYTE says its capacity notation uses 1GB = 1 billion bytes and notes that usable capacity may vary. See its product specifications for a model-specific example.
What the ratio can tell you
Price per gigabyte normalizes the asking price by capacity, making it easier to see whether a larger drive has a lower unit cost than a smaller one. It is most useful when comparing compatible drives with similar specifications and the capacity you are considering. A lower ratio does not make extra capacity worthwhile if you will not use it, and it does not establish that one drive performs or lasts longer than another.
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
What price per gigabyte leaves out
Compatibility with your device
Check the device’s supported interface, form factor, drive length, and clearance before comparing prices. SSDs are not all interchangeable. For instance, GIGABYTE lists its cited 1TB model as M.2 2280, PCI-Express 3.0 x4, and NVMe 1.3; those are specifications of that model, not universal requirements. Consult your computer or motherboard documentation as well as the exact drive specifications.
Performance for your workload
The ratio does not show read or write speed. Even headline sequential speeds do not describe every kind of use, such as random access or sustained writes. GIGABYTE rates the cited model for up to 2,500 MB/s sequential reads and 2,100 MB/s sequential writes, while noting, “Actual performance may vary.” The manufacturer attributes variation to firmware and system hardware or configuration. These figures and caveats apply to that product, not to SSDs as a category.
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]
NAND type and write cache
Flash type and caching can help explain why drives differ in cost and in write behavior. In a 2018 analysis commissioned by Intel, Shrout Research described QLC as storing 33% more data per cell than TLC, offering a potential cost-per-gigabyte advantage alongside lower endurance. Its analysis of the Intel SSD 660p also discusses slower QLC writes after the SLC cache is depleted. This is dated, product-specific analysis; QLC drives do not all behave identically, and a price-per-gigabyte figure does not reveal a drive’s cache design.
Endurance and warranty
Check the rated total bytes written (TBW) and warranty for the exact model and capacity. GIGABYTE lists a limited warranty of five years or 1,600TBW, whichever comes first, for its cited 1TB model; its TBW figure is evaluated under a JEDEC workload standard. These terms are not a category-wide promise. Warranty coverage and endurance ratings should be checked on the manufacturer’s page for the specific drive you plan to buy.
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
Today’s price and availability
The ratio changes when a retailer’s price changes, so it is not a permanent characteristic of a drive. MaxMyBuild says its comparison-guide prices refresh daily; treat any live listing as time-sensitive and check the price and availability at the retailer before purchase. Its guide can help explain the metric, but should not replace manufacturer specifications for compatibility, endurance, and warranty.
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A practical way to compare SSDs
- Confirm fit: Check your device’s supported interface, form factor, physical length, and clearance against the exact drive specifications.
- Choose a realistic capacity: Estimate how much storage you will use. Do not treat a lower unit cost on a larger drive as savings if you do not need the extra space.
- Compare relevant performance: Look beyond sequential read/write ratings when your workload involves sustained transfers or other specific demands. Treat manufacturer figures as model-specific and read their test and configuration caveats.
- Review NAND and cache details: Compare what manufacturers disclose about flash type and caching, especially if sustained writes matter. If those details are not disclosed, do not infer them from price per gigabyte.
- Check TBW and warranty: Compare the stated endurance rating and warranty terms for the same model and capacity you are evaluating.
- Calculate using a current price: Divide the current listed price by advertised GB, then compare the result among drives that meet your capacity and compatibility needs.
When price per gigabyte is most useful
Use the metric as an opening filter when comparing several sizes or checking whether a larger capacity has a lower unit cost. For a meaningful shortlist, first narrow by fit and the capacity you actually need; then compare price per advertised GB alongside workload-relevant speed, disclosed cache and NAND information, TBW, and warranty. There is no single current market-wide SSD price-per-gigabyte benchmark established here, so avoid treating any one model’s price as a universal standard.
Quick Recap
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).
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.
