Buying Guide
The Best 4TB Gaming SSDs by Read Speed
Three SSDs ranked on rated read speed and rated write speed, where the T705 4TB has the fastest rated read speed; the NM790 4TB is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
A 4TB SSD holds a very large game library without a second drive. Every pick is a 4TB NVMe SSD, ordered by sequential read speed.
Rankings weigh sequential read, sequential write and interface as the makers state them; any figure a maker omits is noted as missing rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Fastest Rated Read Speed
Crucial T705 4TB
The fastest rated read speed here (14,100MB/s).
Best for: Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Our take Check price for Crucial T705 4TB (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Samsung 990 PRO 4TB
The top of this price range, adding near-maximum PCIe 4.0 performance, by Samsung's description.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for Samsung 990 PRO 4TB (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Lexar NM790 4TB
Undercutting the T705 4TB on price when we checked.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Our take Check price for Lexar NM790 4TB (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The fastest rated read speed here (14,100MB/s). | Buyers who put rated read speed first. | Check price for Crucial T705 4TB (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding near-maximum PCIe 4.0 performance, by Samsung's description. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for Samsung 990 PRO 4TB (opens in a new tab) |
| Undercutting the T705 4TB on price when we checked. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build. | Check price for Lexar NM790 4TB (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Fastest Rated Read Speed1 of 3
Crucial T705 4TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The T705 4TB is a PCIe 5.0 drive with 14,100MB/s reads, Micron TLC NAND and a five-year warranty.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed.
Why we like it
It needs a Gen5 slot and good cooling. Nothing else here matches its 14,100MB/s rated read speed; the 990 PRO 4TB comes closest at 7,450MB/s. On rated write speed it leads this guide at 12,600MB/s, ahead of the 990 PRO 4TB (6,900MB/s).
You get a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface here, which sets it apart from the NM790 4TB and its a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface. It also offers an Acronis True Image and Adobe software 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.
Use a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot, usually the one closest to the CPU, and a board heatsink or the drive's own; in a PCIe 4.0 slot it runs at 4.0 speed. On price it sat second of 3, between the cheaper NM790 4TB and the pricier 990 PRO 4TB, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 14,100MB/s
- Sequential write: 12,600MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 5.0 x4
- Warranty: 5-year
- Capacity: 4TB
Pros
- PCIe 5.0 read speeds up to 14,100MB/s
- 5-year warranty
- Micron TLC NAND
- Acronis True Image and Adobe software bundle
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- Costs more than the NM790 4TB at the time of writing
Premium Pick2 of 3
Samsung 990 PRO 4TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The 990 PRO 4TB keeps its 7,450MB/s reads and DRAM cache at double the capacity.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the NM790 4TB was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It is the fast, safe choice for a large library. On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 7,450MB/s: the T705 4TB offers 14,100MB/s, and the NM790 4TB comes in at 7,400MB/s. Its 6,900MB/s rated write speed ranks second of 3 here, behind the T705 4TB (12,600MB/s) and ahead of the NM790 4TB (6,500MB/s).
Like the NM790 4TB, it has a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, while the T705 4TB uses a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface. It also comes with near-maximum PCIe 4.0 performance, by Samsung's description. 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. Only the T705 4TB came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 3 picks.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,450MB/s
- Sequential write: 6,900MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- DRAM cache: Yes
- Capacity: 4TB
Pros
- Onboard DRAM cache
- Near-maximum PCIe 4.0 performance, by Samsung's description
- Rated read speed of 7,450MB/s, ahead of the NM790 4TB
- The top of this price range, adding near-maximum PCIe 4.0 performance, by Samsung's description
Cons
- Costs more than the NM790 4TB at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 3
Lexar NM790 4TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The NM790 4TB offers a 3,000TBW rating, the highest here, with 7,400MB/s reads.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated read speed matters most to you; the T705 4TB offers 14,100MB/s.
Why we like it
It is DRAM-less, which rarely matters for games. On rated read speed it trails the group at 7,400MB/s, while the T705 4TB offers 14,100MB/s. Its 6,500MB/s rated write speed is the slowest in this group; the T705 4TB leads at 12,600MB/s.
Like the 990 PRO 4TB, it has a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, while the T705 4TB uses a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface. It also offers lower power draw than DRAM-equipped Gen4 drives, by Lexar's figure. 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. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the T705 4TB was closest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,400MB/s
- Sequential write: 6,500MB/s
- Endurance: 3,000TBW
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- DRAM cache: No (HMB)
- Capacity: 4TB
Pros
- 3,000TBW endurance rating
- Lower power draw than DRAM-equipped Gen4 drives, by Lexar's figure
- Undercutting the T705 4TB on price when we checked
Cons
- Rated read speed trails the T705 4TB (14,100MB/s)
- Rated write speed trails the T705 4TB (12,600MB/s)
- No DRAM cache, unlike the 990 PRO 4TB
How We Chose These 4TB Gaming SSDs by Read Speed
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We compared three drives on rated read speed, rated write speed, interface and DRAM cache from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the T705 4TB to the NM790 4TB, state rated read speed, rated write speed and interface and share 4TB capacity.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The T705 4TB gives no DRAM cache.
- Price range
- From the NM790 4TB to the 990 PRO 4TB, all sat in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a 4TB Gaming SSD by Read Speed
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Rated read speed across these picks
Here rated read speed runs from 7,400MB/s on the NM790 4TB to 14,100MB/s on the T705 4TB. Start with the T705 4TB if rated read speed decides it.
How much rated write speed you need
Here rated write speed runs from 6,500MB/s on the NM790 4TB to 12,600MB/s on the T705 4TB. The T705 4TB is the pick for rated write speed.
DRAM cache
The 990 PRO 4TB has it; the NM790 4TB goes without. Rule out the mismatches before looking at price.
Extras that separate them
The T705 4TB: an Acronis True Image and Adobe software bundle. The 990 PRO 4TB: near-maximum PCIe 4.0 performance, by Samsung's description. The NM790 4TB: lower power draw than DRAM-equipped Gen4 drives, by Lexar's figure.
Budget
All 3 sat in one tier when we checked, from the NM790 4TB at the low end to the 990 PRO 4TB at the top, so decide on features first.
How to Choose a 4TB Gaming SSD by Read Speed
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put rated read speed first | T705 4TB | The fastest rated read speed here (14,100MB/s) |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | 990 PRO 4TB | The top of this price range, adding near-maximum PCIe 4.0 performance, by Samsung's description |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | NM790 4TB | Undercutting the T705 4TB on price when we checked |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The T705 4TB leads on rated read speed at 14,100MB/s, ahead of the 990 PRO 4TB at 7,450MB/s. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Drive | Sequential read | Sequential write | Interface | DRAM cache |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T705 4TB | 14,100MB/s | 12,600MB/s | PCIe 5.0 x4 | Not listed |
| 990 PRO 4TB | 7,450MB/s | 6,900MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Yes |
| NM790 4TB | 7,400MB/s | 6,500MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | No (HMB) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the 990 PRO 4TB compare with the T705 4TB on rated read speed?
The T705 4TB leads at 14,100MB/s, with the 990 PRO 4TB at 7,450MB/s. The NM790 4TB is at the other end of this group with 7,400MB/s.
Which has the fastest rated write speed: the T705 4TB or the 990 PRO 4TB?
The T705 4TB leads at 12,600MB/s, with the 990 PRO 4TB at 6,900MB/s. The NM790 4TB is at the other end of this group with 6,500MB/s.
What does the 990 PRO 4TB add over the NM790 4TB?
On paper it adds rated read speed (7,450MB/s against 7,400MB/s) and rated write speed (6,900MB/s against 6,500MB/s). The NM790 4TB was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the T705 4TB our Fastest Rated Read Speed pick?
It earns the label for the fastest rated read speed here (14,100MB/s). It suits anyone who put rated read speed first.
Do the T705 4TB and the 990 PRO 4TB differ on interface?
The T705 4TB uses PCIe 5.0 x4; the 990 PRO 4TB and the NM790 4TB use PCIe 4.0 x4.
What extras do the T705 4TB and the 990 PRO 4TB include?
The T705 4TB: Micron TLC NAND. The 990 PRO 4TB: near-maximum PCIe 4.0 performance, by Samsung's description. The NM790 4TB: lower power draw than DRAM-equipped Gen4 drives, by Lexar's figure.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the T705 4TB, chosen for the fastest rated read speed here (14,100MB/s). Look at the 990 PRO 4TB for the top of this price range, adding near-maximum PCIe 4.0 performance, by Samsung's description and the NM790 4TB for undercutting the T705 4TB on price when we checked if those matter more to you.
Check the M.2 slot count on your board before buying a second drive.