The first main factor to consider is storage capacity. Depending on how much space your system still has, you may want to get a higher capacity since a single modern game can take up to over 100GB of storage. Gaming SSDs usually range from 125GB to 4TB, but the price gets relatively more expensive per GB.
However, with games increasing in size, you’ll want to consider getting at least 500GB or 1TB of storage, especially if you plan on downloading multiple games at once. Opting for a lower capacity SSD to use as a boot drive is fine, but you never know when you’ll need the extra space. While you’re thinking about storage, make sure you also choose an SSD that’s compatible with your PC or console.
Next are read and write speeds. The fastest SSDs available are PCIe 4.0 drives with read speeds up to around 7,000 Mb/s and write speeds at 5,000 Mb/s. PCIe SSDs are also known to be much faster than their SATA counterparts.
For longevity, purchasing an SSD with a heat sink is a better option than without one as it helps to dissipate heat better. The cooler your SSD runs, the longer its lifespan will be the more consistent it’ll perform. Having a higher terabytes written rating (TBW) is also important as it’s a measure of how much data can be written to the drive over its lifetime.
Now that you know what to look for in a gaming SSD, let’s take a closer look at the best options available.
Best SSD for Gaming Overall: Samsung 980 Pro
The Samsung 980 Pro is a $230 1TB high-performance SSD that uses the latest PCIe technology that fits into most modern PCs and consoles. It delivers read and write speeds up to 7,000 Mb/s and 5,000 Mb/s respectively.
✓ Great price for monster performance✓ All components are manufactured in-house✓ Still a great option for PCIe 3. 0 users✓ PlayStation 5 compatible✓ Five-year warranty
✗ Maximum storage capacity of 2 TB✗ 2 TB version is expensive
For a little less than double the price, you can upgrade to 2TB. Depending on the number of applications, programs, or games you want to run at lightning speed, getting the extra storage space might be worth it.
The Samsung 980 Pro uses PCIe Gen 4 technology designed for hardcore and competitive gamers that want more and faster bandwidth while gaming. It’s also ideal to run any demanding application that’s heavy on graphics.
To provide stable and consistent performance, as well as longevity, the 980 Pro offers reliable thermal control using a nickel coating that effectively dissipates heat. The drive’s designed to last, as it has an impressive terabyte written (TBW) rating of 300 TBW at 500GB up to 1,200 TBW at 2TB.
The 980 Pro is also fully compatible with PlayStation 5 and PCIe 3.0 rigs. However, installing the drive in a 3.0 slot will limit the speeds–it’ll still be over 3,000 Mb/s. You can also install Samsung Magician to update firmware and further optimize the drive’s performance and monitor its health.
Best Budget SSD for Gaming: Crucial P5
The Crucial P5 is an excellent budget option that costs $80 for 500 GB. And although it uses PCIe Gen 3 technology, it’s still capable of providing decent read and write speeds up to 3,400 Mb/s and 3,000 Mb/s respectively.
✓ Decent read and write speeds✓ Inexpensive option with great performance✓ Better than most PCIe 3. 0 SSDs✓ Five-year warranty
✗ 250 GB version isn’t worth it✗ Slower than Gen 4 SSDs
You can upgrade to 1TB for $110 or 2TB for $180. We don’t recommend the 250GB version as the write speed is dramatically reduced to 1,400 Mb/s. The low amount of storage is also not worth the investment as you could find yourself taking it up with just a few games.
The drive at 500GB and over will be more than enough for competitive gaming at a higher level, even though it’s not the latest NVMe version. If you’re coming from a hard disk drive or an older SSD, you’ll undoubtedly notice the speed boost.
Crucial P5 offers higher read and write speeds compared to your average Gen 3 drive, making it a top contender in its category. It also offers advanced features such as dynamic write acceleration, error correction, full hardware-based encryption, and adaptive thermal protection to optimize performance and durability.
The SSD has a pretty high terabytes written rating of 300 TBW starting at 500GB, and it goes up to 1200 TBW at 2TB. The Crucial P5 Plus is a better version of the P5 if you ever decide to upgrade your system further.
Best M.2 SSD for Gaming: XPG GAMMIX S70
Looking for a heavy-duty M.2 SSD that can handle the most strenuous tasks? The XPG GAMMIX S70 costs $150 for 1TB, and it offers some of the fastest read and write speeds on the market—up to 7,400 Mb/s and 6,800 Mb/s respectively.
✓ Handles the toughest workloads✓ Offers top-tier read and write speeds✓ Stays cool for consistent performance
✗ On the pricer side✗ May not fit in some motherboards✗ PCIe 3. 0 users can find a cheaper alternative
Overall, this SSD is designed for the most demanding gamers, and it’s one of the best options for those who overclock their PCs. It can handle the toughest workloads while maintaining the best performance possible.
This is thanks to the latest PCIe Gen 4 interface and 3D NAND Flash technology—combined with dynamic SLC caching and DRAM cache. Drives with DRAM cache are typically faster than drives without it.
Even when the SSD’s under full load, it’ll remain cooler as it has a heat spreader design that increases airflow. This not only increases its lifespan but also provides you with a consistent gaming experience without throttling.
The S70 is compatible with PCIe 3.0 expansion slots, but it only provides maximum read and write speeds of 3,400 Mb/s and 3,000 Mb/s respectively. It’s also compatible with NVMe 1.4 and the PlayStation 5, though there is a better option for the console.
Best PCIe 4.0 SSD for Gaming: Corsair MP600 PRO XT
Corsair’s MP600 PRO XT is one of the few gaming SSDs that you can purchase for up to 4TB of storage. It is pricey, but this SSD delivers serious read and write speeds up to 7,100 Mb/s and 6,800 Mb/s respectively.
✓ Purchase up to 4 TB of storage✓ Heavy-duty heat sink ✓ High TWB ratings✓ Five-year warranty
✗ Pretty expensive✗ 1 TB and 2 TB have the same TWB rating
The MP600 PRO XT is a powerful PCIe Gen 4 gaming SSD that effectively combines performance and endurance using high-density 3D TLC NAND. This is in addition to the aluminum heat spreader that disperses heat and reduces throttling. It also integrates a liquid-cooling option that sets it apart from other options.
The drive leverages NVMe Protocol 1.4 to provide maximum bandwidth. Combined with the heavy-duty heat sink, the MP600 PRO XT is one of the best 4.0 SSDs for those who value consistent and fast speeds. The 1TB and 2TB versions have a 700 TBW rating, but it jumps to an astonishing 3,000 TBW at 4TB.
Upgrading to 2TB isn’t too expensive, while upgrading to 4TB is a hefty $800. If you’re looking to go full out on storage, you can get the MP400 version that offers a massive 8TB of storage. With more storage, you can store many years worth of games and data on a high-performance drive.
Best SSD for PS5: WD_BLACK SN850
Boost your PlayStation 5 with this M.2 gaming drive. The WD_BLACK SN850 costs $230 for 1TB, and it’ll provide your console with incredible read and write speeds up to 7000 Mb/s and 5,300 Mb/s respectively.
✓ Recommended heat sink by Sony is available✓ Sleek and slim design✓ RGB customization with WD software✓ Five-year warranty
✗ Gets hot after long hours of gaming✗ Slower write speeds outside 1 TB version✗ On the expensive side
For $150, you can downsize to 500GB or upgrade to 2TB for $450. It’s important to note that at 2TB, the write speed is decreased to 5,100 Mb/s, and it’s decreased even further at 500GB to 4,100 Mb/s. So, if you want the best performance, stick with 1TB!
The drive also tends to get pretty hot after extended use, so we recommend getting the heat sink version that’s available for all capacities. It will be a little more expensive but it’ll prolong the SSD’s lifespan and reduce throttling, which is ideal for consistent performance. You’re also given a long five-year warranty upon purchase in case the SSD gives out.
Combining PCIe Gen 4 technology and TLC 3D NAND flash memory, the SSD’s optimized for competitive gaming and even doubles the bandwidth limit of PCIe 3.0 drives. It offers a large and dynamic SLC cache and has a 300 TBW rating at 500GB, 600 TBW at 1TB, and 1,200 TBW at 2TB. Finally, you can install Western Digital Dashboard to update, analyze, clean, customize, and optimize the drive.
Best External SSD for Gaming: WD_BLACK P50 Game Drive
At 1TB for $250, WD_BLACK P50 Game Drive is one of the best external SSDs for gaming, delivering read and write speeds up to 2,000 Mb/s. It’s a USB-3.2 Gen 2 x2 SSD that’s compatible with PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Mac.
✓ Fast USB interface speed✓ Reliable portability✓ Comes with USB-C to USB-A cable✓ Five-year warranty
✗ Slightly bulky✗ No AES 256-bit encryption
The smaller 500GB size costs $140, and you can upgrade to 2TB for $350 or 4TB for $560. The read and write speeds remain the same for all capacities, so you can choose one based on how much storage you need.
The P50 offers decent speed for an external SSD, but it’s still slower than your average PCIe 3.0 drive. However, you’ll still have no problem booting up your system and quickly hopping into the action of your favorite games or transferring files. It’ll be a dramatic upgrade over your standard portable drive or USB flash drive.
The simple plug-and-play design makes it easy to get started, and the included USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB-A cables gives you more compatibility with other devices. The Gen 2 x2 interface’s designed to work with the latest hardware, and it’ll last for many years.
For optimized speed and long-term use, the P50 features an impressive 20 GB/s USB interface speed, protected by a shock-resistant and forged aluminum cover casing for reliable portability. The drive’s capable of delivering twice the bandwidth of other external gaming SSDs, making it ideal for gamers who strive for the best performance possible.
