Buying Guide
The Best 4TB SSDs for a Large Game Library
Six 4TB NVMe SSDs compared on speed, endurance, DRAM cache and PCIe generation, for game libraries that no longer fit on 2TB.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read6 products evaluated
With major games passing 100GB, a 4TB SSD holds a large library without juggling installs. At this size, endurance and value matter as much as peak speed.
We compared six 4TB drives on speed, endurance, DRAM cache and PCIe generation. This is a research-based comparison built from maker specifications; we did not test these parts ourselves.
Quick Picks
Our 6 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best 4TB SSD
Samsung 990 PRO 4TB
7,450MB/s reads with DRAM cache.
Best for: Large libraries on a fast PCIe 4.0 drive.
Our take Check price for Samsung 990 PRO 4TB (opens in a new tab)
Highest Endurance
Lexar NM790 4TB
A 3,000TBW rating.
Best for: Heavy writers and value seekers.
Our take Check price for Lexar NM790 4TB (opens in a new tab)
Best 4TB with Heatsink
WD_BLACK SN850X 4TB with Heatsink
An included heatsink at 4TB.
Best for: 4TB builds on boards without an M.2 cover.
Our take Check price for WD_BLACK SN850X 4TB with Heatsink (opens in a new tab)
Best for Secondary Slots
Samsung 990 EVO Plus 4TB
Support for PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 at 4TB.
Best for: A second M.2 slot with shared lanes.
Our take Check price for Samsung 990 EVO Plus 4TB (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget 4TB
WD Blue SN5000 4TB
4TB with a 1,200TBW rating at a lower cost.
Best for: Bulk game storage on a budget.
Our take Check price for WD Blue SN5000 4TB (opens in a new tab)
Best PCIe 5.0 4TB
Crucial T705 4TB
14,100MB/s reads with a five-year warranty.
Best for: Creators with a PCIe 5.0 board.
Our take Check price for Crucial T705 4TB (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best 4TB SSD1 of 6
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
- Large libraries on a fast PCIe 4.0 drive.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the SN5000 4TB was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It is the fast, safe choice for a large library. Its 7,450MB/s rated read speed ranks second of 6 here, behind the T705 4TB (14,100MB/s) and ahead of the SN5000 4TB (5,500MB/s). On rated write speed it sits mid-pack at 6,900MB/s: the T705 4TB offers 12,600MB/s, and the 990 EVO Plus 4TB comes in at 6,300MB/s.
You also get 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.
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 4TB and the rest. The maker doesn't give its rated endurance; if that figure matters, the NM790 4TB offers 3,000TBW.
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
- 7,450MB/s reads with DRAM cache
Cons
- Costs more than the SN5000 4TB at the time of writing
Highest Endurance2 of 6
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
- Heavy writers and value seekers.
Skip if
- Pass on it if no DRAM cache, unlike the 990 PRO 4T rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It is DRAM-less, which rarely matters for games. Its 7,400MB/s rated read speed ranks third of 6 here, behind the T705 4TB (14,100MB/s) and ahead of the SN5000 4TB (5,500MB/s). On rated write speed it sits mid-pack at 6,500MB/s: the T705 4TB offers 12,600MB/s, and the 990 EVO Plus 4TB comes in at 6,300MB/s.
You also get 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.
Its price falls between the SN5000 4TB and the 990 EVO Plus 4TB, based on our last check. The main gap: no DRAM cache, unlike the 990 PRO 4TB. If that matters, the 990 PRO 4TB has it.
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
- Rated read speed of 7,400MB/s, ahead of the SN850X 4TB
Cons
- No DRAM cache, unlike the 990 PRO 4TB
- Costs more than the SN5000 4TB at the time of writing
Best 4TB with Heatsink3 of 6
WD_BLACK SN850X 4TB with Heatsink on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The SN850X 4TB with heatsink offers 7,300MB/s reads ready for boards without an M.2 cover.
Best for
- 4TB builds on boards without an M.2 cover.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the SN5000 4TB cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its 7,300MB/s rated read speed ranks fourth of 6 here, behind the T705 4TB (14,100MB/s) and ahead of the SN5000 4TB (5,500MB/s). On rated write speed it ties with the 990 EVO Plus 4TB at 6,300MB/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. Its price falls between the T705 4TB and the 990 PRO 4TB, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed rated endurance should compare it with the NM790 4TB, which offers 3,000TBW.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,300MB/s
- Sequential write: 6,300MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- Heatsink: Included
- Capacity: 4TB
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 990 EVO Plus 4TB
Cons
- Costs more than the SN5000 4TB at the time of writing
Best for Secondary Slots4 of 6
Samsung 990 EVO Plus 4TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The 990 EVO Plus 4TB runs on PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 with 7,250MB/s reads, a good fit for secondary M.2 slots.
Best for
- A second M.2 slot with shared lanes.
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
Its 7,250MB/s rated read speed ranks fifth of 6 here, behind the T705 4TB (14,100MB/s) and ahead of the SN5000 4TB (5,500MB/s). On rated write speed it ties with the SN850X 4TB at 6,300MB/s. A PCIe 4.0 x4 or 5.0 x2 interface is unique to it among these picks, while the T705 4TB uses a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface.
It also comes with Intelligent TurboWrite 2.0 caching for large transfers and firmware updates through Samsung Magician software. 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. Its price falls between the NM790 4TB and the T705 4TB, based on our last check. If rated write speed is your priority, the T705 4TB (12,600MB/s) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,250MB/s
- Sequential write: 6,300MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4 or 5.0 x2
- Capacity: 4TB
Pros
- Design that runs on PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 lanes
- Intelligent TurboWrite 2.0 caching for large transfers
- Firmware updates through Samsung Magician software
- Rated read speed of 7,250MB/s, ahead of the SN5000 4TB
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- Rated write speed trails the T705 4TB (12,600MB/s)
- Costs more than the SN5000 4TB at the time of writing
Best Budget 4TB5 of 6
WD Blue SN5000 4TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The WD Blue SN5000 is the slowest drive here at 5,500MB/s reads, but still loads games quickly.
Best for
- Bulk game storage on a budget.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: slower 5,500MB/s rated reads.
Why we like it
It is the budget way to 4TB. On rated read speed it trails the group at 5,500MB/s, while the T705 4TB offers 14,100MB/s. It also comes with a 1,200TBW endurance rating on the 4TB model, Acronis True Image for Western Digital migration software and a lower price per terabyte than performance drives.
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 cost the least of the 6 picks at the time of writing, with the NM790 4TB the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 5,500MB/s
- Endurance: 1,200TBW
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- Capacity: 4TB
Pros
- 1,200TBW endurance rating on the 4TB model
- Acronis True Image for Western Digital migration software
- Lower price per terabyte than performance drives
- 4TB with a 1,200TBW rating at a lower cost
Cons
- Slower 5,500MB/s rated reads
- Rated read speed trails the T705 4TB (14,100MB/s)
- No published rated write speed
Best PCIe 5.0 4TB6 of 6
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
- Creators with a PCIe 5.0 board.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated spee is a problem.
Why we like it
It needs a Gen5 slot and good cooling. Its 14,100MB/s rated read speed is the fastest here; the 990 PRO 4TB comes next at 7,450MB/s. Nothing else here matches its 12,600MB/s rated write speed; the 990 PRO 4TB comes closest at 6,900MB/s.
It is the only pick here with a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface; the SN850X 4TB has a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface instead. 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.
It was priced above the 990 EVO Plus 4TB and below the SN850X 4TB at the time of writing. There is no published rated endurance figure, whereas the NM790 4TB offers 3,000TBW.
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 SN5000 4TB at the time of writing
How We Chose These 4TB SSDs
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- 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.
- Design
- We checked interface, DRAM cache and heatsink options.
What to Look for in a 4TB SSD
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
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.
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.
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.
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.
DRAM cache helps heavy use
Drives with DRAM cache hold speed better under long writes. DRAM-less drives with HMB are fine for games.
Cool the drive
Fast drives throttle when hot. Use the motherboard's M.2 heatsink or a heatsink version of the drive.
How to Choose a 4TB SSD
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Large libraries on a fast PCIe 4.0 drive | 990 PRO 4TB | 7,450MB/s reads with DRAM cache |
| Heavy writers and value seekers | NM790 4TB | A 3,000TBW rating |
| 4TB builds on boards without an M.2 cover | SN850X 4TB | An included heatsink at 4TB |
| A second M.2 slot with shared lanes | 990 EVO Plus 4TB | Support for PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 at 4TB |
| Bulk game storage on a budget | SN5000 4TB | 4TB with a 1,200TBW rating at a lower cost |
| Creators with a PCIe 5.0 board | T705 4TB | 14,100MB/s reads with a five-year warranty |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Drive | Sequential read | Sequential write | Endurance | Interface |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 PRO 4TB | 7,450MB/s | 6,900MB/s | Not listed | PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| NM790 4TB | 7,400MB/s | 6,500MB/s | 3,000TBW | PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| SN850X 4TB | 7,300MB/s | 6,300MB/s | Not listed | PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| 990 EVO Plus 4TB | 7,250MB/s | 6,300MB/s | Not listed | PCIe 4.0 x4 or 5.0 x2 |
| SN5000 4TB | 5,500MB/s | Not listed | 1,200TBW | PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| T705 4TB | 14,100MB/s | 12,600MB/s | Not listed | PCIe 5.0 x4 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Drives |
|---|---|
| About $250 to $500 | SN5000 4TB |
| About $500 to $1000 | NM790 4TB, 990 EVO Plus 4TB, T705 4TB, SN850X 4TB, 990 PRO 4TB |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much storage do I need for games?
2TB suits most players; 4TB suits large libraries without uninstalling.
Do I need an SSD heatsink?
Use one on fast drives. Most boards include M.2 heatsinks; otherwise buy the heatsink version.
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.
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.
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.
Bottom Line
The Samsung 990 PRO 4TB is the pick, the Lexar NM790 4TB has the highest endurance rating, and the WD Blue SN5000 is the budget option.
The WD_BLACK SN850X and Samsung 990 EVO Plus are solid alternatives, and the Crucial T705 suits PCIe 5.0 builds.