Buying Guide
The Best 2TB Gen4 NVMe SSDs
Six 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe drives compared on read and write speed, DRAM, warranty and price.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read6 products evaluated
2TB is the capacity most gaming builds now start with. Gen4 drives fit every current board and run close to each other.
We compared six 2TB Gen4 drives. This is a research-based comparison built from maker specifications and retailer listings; we did not test these parts ourselves.
Quick Picks
Our 6 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best All-Round
WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB
7,250MB/s reads and 6,900MB/s writes.
Best for: Most builds.
Our take Check price for WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Writes
Crucial T500 2TB
7,000MB/s rated writes.
Best for: Large file copies.
Our take Check price for Crucial T500 2TB (opens in a new tab)
Best With Heatsink
WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB with Heatsink
An included heatsink with 7,300MB/s rated reads.
Best for: Boards without an M.2 heatsink.
Our take Check price for WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB with Heatsink (opens in a new tab)
Longest Warranty
WD Blue SN5100 2TB
A five-year warranty.
Best for: Long-term builds.
Our take Check price for WD Blue SN5100 2TB (opens in a new tab)
Solid Alternative
TEAMGROUP MP44 2TB
The MP44 2TB offers 7,000MB/s reads and 6,000MB/s writes with a slim graphene label.
Best for: Buyers who want slc caching for bursts of writes.
Our take Check price for TEAMGROUP MP44 2TB (opens in a new tab)
Worth Considering
Acer Predator GM7 2TB
The Predator GM7 2TB offers 7,400MB/s reads without onboard DRAM, relying on HMB.
Best for: Buyers who want hmb in place of onboard dram.
Our take Check price for Acer Predator GM7 2TB (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best All-Round1 of 6
WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The SN7100 2TB offers 7,250MB/s reads and 6,900MB/s writes on TLC NAND.
Best for
- Most builds.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the SN5100 2TB, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 7,250MB/s: the T500 2TB offers 7,400MB/s, and the MP44 2TB comes in at 7,000MB/s. Its 6,900MB/s rated write speed ranks second of 5 here, behind the T500 2TB (7,000MB/s) and ahead of the MP44 2TB (6,000MB/s). It also comes with next-generation TLC NAND and the highest rated writes among the 2TB Gen4 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. When we checked, only the MP44 2TB and cheaper picks cost less, and the Predator GM7 2TB cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,250MB/s
- Sequential write: 6,900MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- Capacity: 2TB
Pros
- Next-generation TLC NAND
- The highest rated writes among the 2TB Gen4 drives here
- Rated read speed of 7,250MB/s, ahead of the SN5100 2TB
- Rated write speed of 6,900MB/s, ahead of the Predator GM7 2TB
Cons
- Costs more than the SN5100 2TB at the time of writing
Fastest Writes2 of 6
Crucial T500 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The T500 2TB offers 7,400MB/s reads and 7,000MB/s writes, the fastest rated writes among the 2TB Gen4 drives here.
Best for
- Large file copies.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the SN5100 2TB was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
Nothing else here matches its 7,000MB/s rated write speed; the SN7100 2TB comes closest at 6,900MB/s. You also get Micron TLC NAND and an Acronis data migration bundle. 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 6 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the SN850X 2TB and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,400MB/s
- Sequential write: 7,000MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- Capacity: 2TB
Pros
- Micron TLC NAND
- Acronis data migration bundle
- Rated read speed of 7,400MB/s, ahead of the SN850X 2TB
- Fastest rated write speed of the picks (7,000MB/s)
Cons
- Costs more than the SN5100 2TB at the time of writing
Best With Heatsink3 of 6
WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB with Heatsink on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The SN850X 2TB with heatsink offers 7,300MB/s reads and 6,300MB/s writes, and its heatsink suits boards without an M.2 cover.
Best for
- Boards without an M.2 heatsink.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the SN5100 2TB, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 7,300MB/s: the T500 2TB offers 7,400MB/s, and the MP44 2TB comes in at 7,000MB/s. Its 6,300MB/s rated write speed ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the T500 2TB (7,000MB/s) and ahead of the MP44 2TB (6,000MB/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. Remove the board's own M.2 cover or skip the drive's heatsink; you only need one. When we checked, only the Predator GM7 2TB and cheaper picks cost less, and the T500 2TB cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,300MB/s
- Sequential write: 6,300MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- Heatsink: Included
- Capacity: 2TB
Pros
- Heatsink included for boards without one
- Heatsink version suited to boards without an M.2 cover
- Rated read speed of 7,300MB/s, ahead of the SN7100 2TB
- An included heatsink with 7,300MB/s rated reads
Cons
- Costs more than the SN5100 2TB at the time of writing
Longest Warranty4 of 6
WD Blue SN5100 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The SN5100 2TB offers 7,100MB/s reads with a five-year warranty.
Best for
- Long-term builds.
Skip if
- Its rated write speed is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It reads at up to 7,100MB/s, about 30% faster than WD's previous generation. Note that WD has replaced it with the SanDisk Optimus 5100. Its 7,100MB/s rated read speed ranks fifth of 6 here, behind the T500 2TB (7,400MB/s) and ahead of the MP44 2TB (7,000MB/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. It undercut the MP44 2TB and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its rated write speed; if that figure matters, the T500 2TB offers 7,000MB/s.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,100MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- Warranty: 5-year
- Capacity: 2TB
Pros
- 5-year warranty
- Five-year limited warranty
- Rated read speed of 7,100MB/s, ahead of the MP44 2TB
Cons
- No published rated write speed
Solid Alternative5 of 6
TEAMGROUP MP44 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The MP44 2TB offers 7,000MB/s reads and 6,000MB/s writes with a slim graphene label.
Best for
- Buyers who want slc caching for bursts of writes.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated read speed matters most to you; the T500 2TB offers 7,400MB/s.
Why we like it
A graphene label helps spread heat, which works alongside a motherboard heatsink. On rated read speed it trails the group at 7,000MB/s, while the T500 2TB offers 7,400MB/s. It also offers SLC caching for bursts of writes.
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 2TB and below the SN7100 2TB at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,000MB/s
- Sequential write: 6,000MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- Capacity: 2TB
Pros
- SLC caching for bursts of writes
- Slim graphene label for laptops
- 7,000MB/s rated reads
Cons
- Rated read speed trails the T500 2TB (7,400MB/s)
- Rated write speed trails the T500 2TB (7,000MB/s)
- Costs more than the SN5100 2TB at the time of writing
Worth Considering6 of 6
Acer Predator GM7 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Predator GM7 2TB offers 7,400MB/s reads without onboard DRAM, relying on HMB.
Best for
- Buyers who want hmb in place of onboard dram.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the SN5100 2TB, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On rated read speed it ties with the T500 2TB at 7,400MB/s. Its 6,500MB/s rated write speed ranks third of 5 here, behind the T500 2TB (7,000MB/s) and ahead of the MP44 2TB (6,000MB/s). It also offers listed PS5 compatibility and 7,400MB/s rated reads, near the PCIe 4.0 ceiling.
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. When we checked, only the SN7100 2TB and cheaper picks cost less, and the SN850X 2TB cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,400MB/s
- Sequential write: 6,500MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- DRAM cache: No (HMB)
- Capacity: 2TB
Pros
- HMB in place of onboard DRAM
- Listed PS5 compatibility
- 7,400MB/s rated reads, near the PCIe 4.0 ceiling
- Rated read speed of 7,400MB/s, ahead of the SN850X 2TB
Cons
- Costs more than the SN5100 2TB at the time of writing
How We Chose These 2TB Gen4 SSDs
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Design
- We checked interface, DRAM cache and heatsink options.
- Endurance
- We noted TBW ratings and warranty length where listed.
- Capacity
- We compared drives at the same capacity within each guide.
- Speed
- We compared rated sequential read and write speeds.
What to Look for in a 2TB Gen4 SSD
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
PCIe 4.0 is enough for games
Game load times barely change between fast PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 5.0 drives. PCIe 5.0 helps large file copies and creative work.
DRAM cache helps heavy use
Drives with DRAM cache hold speed better under long writes. DRAM-less drives with HMB are fine for games.
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.
Cool the drive
Fast drives throttle when hot. Use the motherboard's M.2 heatsink or a heatsink version of the drive.
Check your M.2 slots
Check which slots run at PCIe 5.0 or 4.0, and which disable SATA ports or a PCIe slot when used.
Endurance is rarely a limit
TBW figures of 1,200 or more far exceed typical gaming writes. Heavy video work benefits from a higher rating.
How to Choose a 2TB Gen4 SSD
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most builds | SN7100 2TB | 7,250MB/s reads and 6,900MB/s writes |
| Large file copies | T500 2TB | 7,000MB/s rated writes |
| Boards without an M.2 heatsink | SN850X 2TB | An included heatsink with 7,300MB/s rated reads |
| Long-term builds | SN5100 2TB | A five-year warranty |
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Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Drive | Sequential read | Sequential write | Interface | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SN7100 2TB | 7,250MB/s | 6,900MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 2TB |
| T500 2TB | 7,400MB/s | 7,000MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 2TB |
| SN850X 2TB | 7,300MB/s | 6,300MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 2TB |
| SN5100 2TB | 7,100MB/s | Not listed | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 2TB |
| MP44 2TB | 7,000MB/s | 6,000MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 2TB |
| Predator GM7 2TB | 7,400MB/s | 6,500MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 2TB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an SSD heatsink?
Use one on fast drives. Most boards include M.2 heatsinks; otherwise buy the heatsink version.
Can I use these in a PS5?
PCIe 4.0 M.2 drives work in a PS5 with a heatsink that fits the bay. Check Sony's size limits.
How much storage do I need for games?
2TB suits most players; 4TB suits large libraries without uninstalling.
Are DRAM-less SSDs bad?
No. Modern DRAM-less drives with HMB are fine for games; DRAM helps sustained heavy writes.
Can I clone my old drive to a new SSD?
Yes. Most makers offer free cloning software; check the drive maker's site.
Is a PCIe 5.0 SSD worth it for gaming?
Not for load times, which change little. It helps large file transfers and creative work.
Bottom Line
The SN7100 2TB suits most builds. The T500 has the fastest rated writes, the SN5100 adds a five-year warranty, and the SN850X comes with a heatsink.