Buying Guide
The Best 1TB SSDs
We weighed five SSDs on rated read speed and sequential read, and the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
1TB covers Windows, apps and a few big games. Every pick is 1TB, ordered from the lowest price.
Rankings weigh sequential read, interface and warranty as the makers state them; we did not test these SSDs ourselves, and if a maker skips sequential read, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
Silicon Power 1TB PCIe Gen3The lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the NV3 1TB the next step up.
Check price for Silicon Power 1TB PCIe Gen3 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Kingston NV3 1TBThe lowest price among the 1TB drives here.
Best for: Buyers who want lowest price among the 1TB drives here.
Check price for Kingston NV3 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
WD Blue SN5100 1TBA five-year limited warranty.
Best for: Buyers who want five-year limited warranty.
Check price for WD Blue SN5100 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Crucial P310 1TBAn Acronis data migration bundle.
Best for: Buyers who want Acronis data migration bundle.
Check price for Crucial P310 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Patriot Viper VP4300 Lite 1TBA PCIe Gen4 x4 drive at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 costs less.
Check price for Patriot Viper VP4300 Lite 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing. | Spending as little as possible, with the NV3 1TB the next step up. | Check price for Silicon Power 1TB PCIe Gen3 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest price among the 1TB drives here. | Buyers who want lowest price among the 1TB drives here. | Check price for Kingston NV3 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A five-year limited warranty. | Buyers who want five-year limited warranty. | Check price for WD Blue SN5100 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| An Acronis data migration bundle. | Buyers who want Acronis data migration bundle. | Check price for Crucial P310 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A PCIe Gen4 x4 drive at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 costs less. | Check price for Patriot Viper VP4300 Lite 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Silicon Power 1TB PCIe Gen3
The Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 stands out for a PCIe Gen3x4 drive.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the NV3 1TB the next step up.
Skip if
- The maker gives no rated read speed, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
Why we like it
It also is rated for 1TB. A PCIe 3.0 x4 interface is unique to it among these picks, while the SN5100 1TB uses a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface. It is an M.2 2280 drive, the standard length on desktop boards; check which of your board's slots it goes in, as some share lanes with SATA ports.
It runs at full speed in any PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot and still works, slower, in a PCIe 3.0 slot. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the NV3 1TB was the next step up. Buyers who need a confirmed rated read speed should compare it with the SN5100 1TB, which offers 7,100MB/s.
Key specs
- Interface
- PCIe 3.0 x4
- Capacity
- 1TB
Pros
- PCIe Gen3x4 drive
- PCIe 3.0 x4 interface, the only one here
- The lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing
Cons
- No published rated read speed
Also Consider2 of 5
Kingston NV3 1TB
The NV3 1TB offers 6,000MB/s reads at the lowest 1TB price here, the trade being slower rated reads.
Best for
- Buyers who want lowest price among the 1TB drives here.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated read speed matters most to you; the SN5100 1TB offers 7,100MB/s.
Why we like it
It includes Acronis cloning software, which makes moving an existing install easy. Its 6,000MB/s rated read speed is the slowest in this group; the SN5100 1TB leads at 7,100MB/s. It is an M.2 2280 drive, the standard length on desktop boards; check which of your board's slots it goes in, as some share lanes with SATA ports.
It runs at full speed in any PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot and still works, slower, in a PCIe 3.0 slot. Another plus: 5-year warranty. Its price falls between the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 and the SN5100 1TB, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 6,000MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4
- Warranty
- 5-year
- Capacity
- 1TB
Pros
- 5-year warranty
- The lowest price among the 1TB drives here
- 6,000MB/s rated reads on PCIe 4.0
Cons
- Rated read speed trails the SN5100 1TB (7,100MB/s)
- Costs more than the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
WD Blue SN5100 1TB
The SN5100 1TB offers 7,100MB/s reads with a five-year warranty at a low price.
Best for
- Buyers who want five-year limited warranty.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It matches the P310 1TB on rated read speed (7,100MB/s). You also get the lowest price among the 1TB TLC-class drives here. It is an M.2 2280 drive, the standard length on desktop boards; check which of your board's slots it goes in, as some share lanes with SATA ports.
It runs at full speed in any PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot and still works, slower, in a PCIe 3.0 slot. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 at the time of writing. Its price falls between the NV3 1TB and the P310 1TB, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 7,100MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4
- Warranty
- 5-year
- Capacity
- 1TB
Pros
- 5-year warranty
- Five-year limited warranty
- The lowest price among the 1TB TLC-class drives here
- Rated read speed of 7,100MB/s, ahead of the NV3 1TB
Cons
- Costs more than the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
Crucial P310 1TB
The P310 1TB stands out for an Acronis data migration bundle, and it adds a design that also suits handheld consoles.
Best for
- Buyers who want Acronis data migration bundle.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It also offers a 7,100MB/s rated read speed and offers a 6,000MB/s rated write speed. It uses Micron's G8 NAND with thermal control and is up to twice as fast as Gen3 drives for boot and app launches. It is an M.2 2280 drive, the standard length on desktop boards; check which of your board's slots it goes in, as some share lanes with SATA ports.
It runs at full speed in any PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot and still works, slower, in a PCIe 3.0 slot. It was priced above the SN5100 1TB and below the VP4300 Lite 1TB at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 7,100MB/s
- Sequential write
- 6,000MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4
- Capacity
- 1TB
Pros
- Acronis data migration bundle
- Design that also suits handheld consoles
- Rated read speed of 7,100MB/s, ahead of the NV3 1TB
Cons
- Costs more than the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Patriot Viper VP4300 Lite 1TB
What the VP4300 Lite 1TB brings to the table is a PCIe Gen4 x4 drive.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 costs less.
Skip if
- Its rated read speed is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It also is rated for 1TB. It is an M.2 2280 drive, the standard length on desktop boards; check which of your board's slots it goes in, as some share lanes with SATA ports. It runs at full speed in any PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot and still works, slower, in a PCIe 3.0 slot.
It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the P310 1TB and the rest. The maker doesn't give its rated read speed; if that figure matters, the SN5100 1TB offers 7,100MB/s.
Key specs
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4
- Capacity
- 1TB
Pros
- PCIe Gen4 x4 drive
- A PCIe Gen4 x4 drive at the highest price in the group
- PCIe 4.0 x4 interface
- 1TB capacity
Cons
- No published rated read speed
- Costs more than the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 at the time of writing
How We Chose These 1TB SSDs
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- What we compared
- We lined up five drives on rated read speed, interface, warranty and capacity as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 2 of 5 picks leave out rated read speed.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 to the VP4300 Lite 1TB, state interface and capacity and share 1TB capacity.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 and the VP4300 Lite 1TB give no rated read speed; the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3, the P310 1TB and the VP4300 Lite 1TB give no warranty.
- Price range
- From the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 to the VP4300 Lite 1TB, all sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a 1TB SSD
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Rated read speed
Here rated read speed runs from 6,000MB/s on the NV3 1TB to 7,100MB/s on the SN5100 1TB, an 18% spread. Start with the SN5100 1TB if rated read speed decides it. The Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 and the VP4300 Lite 1TB give no rated read speed figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
Extras that separate them
The SN5100 1TB: the lowest price among the 1TB TLC-class drives here. The P310 1TB: a design that also suits handheld consoles. The VP4300 Lite 1TB: a PCIe Gen4 x4 drive.
An M.2 SSD going into a motherboard slot Budget
All 5 sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, from the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 at the low end to the VP4300 Lite 1TB at the top, so decide on features first.
Start from what matters most
Spending as little as possible, with the NV3 1TB the next step up: the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3. Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 costs less: the VP4300 Lite 1TB.
The M.2 slot and standoff on a motherboard Buy more capacity than you think
Many new games need 100GB or more. 2TB is a comfortable minimum for a gaming library; 4TB avoids juggling installs.
How to Choose a 1TB SSD
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible, with the NV3 1TB the next step up | Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 | The lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want lowest price among the 1TB drives here | NV3 1TB | The lowest price among the 1TB drives here |
| Buyers who want five-year limited warranty | SN5100 1TB | A five-year limited warranty |
| Buyers who want Acronis data migration bundle | P310 1TB | An Acronis data migration bundle |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 costs less | VP4300 Lite 1TB | A PCIe Gen4 x4 drive at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The SN5100 1TB leads on rated read speed at 7,100MB/s, ahead of the P310 1TB at 7,100MB/s. "Not listed" marks rated read speed where the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 and the VP4300 Lite 1TB leave the figure out.
| Drive | Sequential read | Interface | Warranty | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 | Not listed | PCIe 3.0 x4 | Not listed | 1TB |
| NV3 1TB | 6,000MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 5-year | 1TB |
| SN5100 1TB | 7,100MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 5-year | 1TB |
| P310 1TB | 7,100MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Not listed | 1TB |
| VP4300 Lite 1TB | Not listed | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Not listed | 1TB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the VP4300 Lite 1TB our Premium Pick?
The label rests on a PCIe Gen4 x4 drive at the highest price in the group. It makes sense for buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 costs less.
Do the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 and the NV3 1TB differ on interface?
The Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 uses PCIe 3.0 x4; the NV3 1TB, the SN5100 1TB, the P310 1TB and the VP4300 Lite 1TB use PCIe 4.0 x4.
What extras do the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 and the NV3 1TB include?
The Silicon Power 1TB Gen3: a PCIe Gen3x4 drive. The NV3 1TB: the lowest price among the 1TB drives here. The SN5100 1TB: a five-year limited warranty.
Who should choose the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3?
The Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 carries our Lowest Price Here label for the lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing. It ranks first of 5 here and sat in the $150 to $250 tier at our last price check; it suits spending as little as possible, with the NV3 1TB the next step up.
Should I pick the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 or the VP4300 Lite 1TB?
The Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 suits spending as little as possible, with the NV3 1TB the next step up; the VP4300 Lite 1TB suits buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 costs less.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3, chosen for the lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing. Look at the NV3 1TB for the lowest price among the 1TB drives here, the SN5100 1TB for a five-year limited warranty and the P310 1TB for an Acronis data migration bundle if those matter more to you.
Games fill 1TB fast; plan a second drive.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best 2TB NVMe SSDs for Gaming
- Related guideThe Best SSDs for a PC Build
- Related guideThe Best 2TB Gen4 NVMe SSDs
- Lower budgetThe Best SSDs Under $300
- Similar guideThe Best 1TB Gen4 NVMe SSDs
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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