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 Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
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
Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best 4TB SSD
Samsung 990 PRO 4TB7,450MB/s reads with DRAM cache.
Best for: Large libraries on a fast PCIe 4.0 drive.
Check price for Samsung 990 PRO 4TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Highest Endurance
Lexar NM790 4TBA 3,000TBW rating.
Best for: Heavy writers and value seekers.
Check price for Lexar NM790 4TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best 4TB with Heatsink
WD_BLACK SN850X 4TB with HeatsinkAn included heatsink at 4TB.
Best for: 4TB builds on boards without an M.2 cover.
Check price for WD_BLACK SN850X 4TB with Heatsink on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best for Secondary Slots
Samsung 990 EVO Plus 4TBSupport for PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 at 4TB.
Best for: A second M.2 slot with shared lanes.
Check price for Samsung 990 EVO Plus 4TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget 4TB
WD Blue SN5000 4TB4TB with a 1,200TBW rating at a lower cost.
Best for: Bulk game storage on a budget.
Check price for WD Blue SN5000 4TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best PCIe 5.0 4TB
Crucial T705 4TB14,100MB/s reads with a five-year warranty.
Best for: Creators with a PCIe 5.0 board.
Check price for Crucial T705 4TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best 4TB SSD1 of 6
Samsung 990 PRO 4TB
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.
Key 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
The catch
The maker doesn't give its rated endurance; if that figure matters, the NM790 4TB offers 3,000TBW.
Highest Endurance2 of 6
Lexar NM790 4TB
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 4TB 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 990 EVO Plus 4TB and the SN850X 4TB, based on our last check.
Key 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
The catch
The main gap: no DRAM cache, unlike the 990 PRO 4TB. If that matters, the 990 PRO 4TB has it.
Best 4TB with Heatsink3 of 6
WD_BLACK SN850X 4TB with Heatsink
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 NM790 4TB and the 990 PRO 4TB, based on our last check.
Key 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
The catch
Buyers who need a confirmed rated endurance should compare it with the NM790 4TB, which offers 3,000TBW.
Best for Secondary Slots4 of 6
Samsung 990 EVO Plus 4TB
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. 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. Its price falls between the T705 4TB and the NM790 4TB, based on our last check.
Key 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
The catch
If rated write speed is your priority, the T705 4TB (12,600MB/s) is the stronger choice.
Best Budget 4TB5 of 6
WD Blue SN5000 4TB
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 T705 4TB the next step up.
Key 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
The catch
It gives ground on rated read speed, where the T705 4TB offers 14,100MB/s.
Best PCIe 5.0 4TB6 of 6
Crucial T705 4TB
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 speed 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.
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. It was priced above the SN5000 4TB and below the 990 EVO Plus 4TB at the time of writing.
Key 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
The catch
There is no published rated endurance figure, whereas the NM790 4TB offers 3,000TBW.
How We Chose These 4TB 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.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared six drives on rated read speed, rated write speed, rated endurance and interface as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 3 of the 6 fields compared are stated for every pick, while rated write speed and rated endurance have gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 6, from the 990 PRO 4TB to the T705 4TB, state rated read speed, interface and capacity and share 4TB capacity.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The SN5000 4TB gives no rated write speed; the 990 PRO 4TB, the SN850X 4TB, the 990 EVO Plus 4TB and the T705 4TB give no rated endurance.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the SN5000 4TB ($250 to $500) to the 990 PRO 4TB ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a 4TB SSD
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much rated read speed you need
The T705 4TB tops rated read speed at 14,100MB/s and the SN5000 4TB sits lowest at 5,500MB/s. Start with the T705 4TB if rated read speed decides it.
Rated write speed across these picks
Across these 5 picks rated write speed spans 6,300MB/s (the 990 EVO Plus 4TB) to 12,600MB/s (the T705 4TB). The T705 4TB is the pick for rated write speed. The SN5000 4TB gives no rated write speed figure, so 5 of 6 picks are compared here.
An M.2 SSD installed on a motherboard Rated endurance
Across these 2 picks rated endurance spans 1,200TBW (the SN5000 4TB) to 3,000TBW (the NM790 4TB). If rated endurance is your first filter, the NM790 4TB sets the ceiling at 3,000TBW. The 990 PRO 4TB, the SN850X 4TB, the 990 EVO Plus 4TB and the T705 4TB give no rated endurance figure, so 2 of 6 picks are compared here.
DRAM cache
The 990 PRO 4TB has it; the NM790 4TB goes without. Settling DRAM cache first narrows 2 picks to 1 or 1.
An M.2 SSD going into a motherboard slot Features beyond the spec table
The 990 EVO Plus 4TB: Intelligent TurboWrite 2.0 caching for large transfers. The SN5000 4TB: Acronis True Image for Western Digital migration software. The T705 4TB: an Acronis True Image and Adobe software bundle.
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
The T705 4TB leads on rated read speed at 14,100MB/s, ahead of the 990 PRO 4TB at 7,450MB/s. "Not listed" marks rated write speed where the SN5000 4TB leaves the figure out.
| 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
At our last check the cheapest pick, the SN5000 4TB, sat in the $250 to $500 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the 990 PRO 4TB at $500 to $1000; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Drives |
|---|---|
| About $250 to $500 | SN5000 4TB |
| About $500 to $1000 | T705 4TB, 990 EVO Plus 4TB, NM790 4TB, SN850X 4TB, 990 PRO 4TB |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the 990 PRO 4TB compare with the T705 4TB on rated read speed?
Between the top two, it is 14,100MB/s on the T705 4TB against 7,450MB/s on the 990 PRO 4TB, an 89% difference. The SN5000 4TB closes the ranking at 5,500MB/s.
Is the T705 4TB ahead of the 990 PRO 4TB on rated write speed?
The T705 4TB leads at 12,600MB/s, with the 990 PRO 4TB at 6,900MB/s. The spread runs down to the 990 EVO Plus 4TB at 6,300MB/s. The SN5000 4TB is left out of this ranking because its rated write speed isn't stated; 5 of 6 picks are ranked.
Is the NM790 4TB ahead of the SN5000 4TB on rated endurance?
The NM790 4TB leads at 3,000TBW, with the SN5000 4TB at 1,200TBW. The 990 PRO 4TB, the SN850X 4TB, the 990 EVO Plus 4TB and the T705 4TB are left out of this ranking because their rated endurance isn't stated; 2 of 6 picks are ranked.
Is the 990 PRO 4TB worth paying more than the SN5000 4TB?
What it brings is rated read speed (7,450MB/s against 5,500MB/s). The SN5000 4TB sat in the $250 to $500 tier and the 990 PRO 4TB in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked, with 4 other picks between them; pay the difference only if rated read speed decides your purchase.
What makes the SN850X 4TB the Best 4TB with Heatsink?
The label rests on an included heatsink at 4TB. The SN5000 4TB, the cheapest pick, sat in the $250 to $500 tier against $500 to $1000 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at 4TB builds on boards without an M.2 cover.
Do the 990 PRO 4TB and the 990 EVO Plus 4TB differ on interface?
The 990 PRO 4TB, the NM790 4TB, the SN850X 4TB and the SN5000 4TB use PCIe 4.0 x4; the 990 EVO Plus 4TB uses PCIe 4.0 x4 or 5.0 x2; the T705 4TB uses PCIe 5.0 x4.
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.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best 2TB NVMe SSDs for Gaming
- Related guideThe Best Hard Drives for Gaming PCs
- Related guideWhich PC upgrade should you make first?
- Lower budgetThe Best SSDs Under $300
- Similar guideThe Best 4TB NVMe SSDs
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- Check compatibility: motherboardsHow to Choose a Motherboard for Your PC Build
- Similar guideThe Best SSDs for a PC Build
- Topic hubAll ssds and storage guides
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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