Buying Guide
The Best 2TB Gaming SSDs by Price
We weighed five SSDs on rated read speed and rated write speed; the 990 EVO Plus 2TB has the fastest rated read speed, and the P310 2TB costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
2TB is the sweet spot for a gaming library at current game sizes. Every pick is a 2TB NVMe SSD, ordered from the lowest price.
We ranked these SSDs on sequential read, sequential write and interface using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these SSDs ourselves, and where a maker leaves out sequential write, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Crucial P310 2TB
The cheapest way into this group, below the SN5100 2TB.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for Crucial P310 2TB (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
WD Blue SN5100 2TB
A five-year limited warranty.
Best for: Buyers who want five-year limited warranty.
Our take Check price for WD Blue SN5100 2TB (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Rated Write Speed
Corsair MP600 Elite 2TB
The fastest rated write speed here (6,500MB/s).
Best for: Buyers who put rated write speed first.
Our take Check price for Corsair MP600 Elite 2TB (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Rated Read Speed
Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB
The fastest rated read speed here (7,250MB/s).
Best for: Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Our take Check price for Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Crucial P310 2TB M.2 2230 SSD
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an M.2 2230 size for the Steam Deck and ROG Ally.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for Crucial P310 2TB M.2 2230 SSD (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The cheapest way into this group, below the SN5100 2TB. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for Crucial P310 2TB (opens in a new tab) |
| A five-year limited warranty. | Buyers who want five-year limited warranty. | Check price for WD Blue SN5100 2TB (opens in a new tab) |
| The fastest rated write speed here (6,500MB/s). | Buyers who put rated write speed first. | Check price for Corsair MP600 Elite 2TB (opens in a new tab) |
| The fastest rated read speed here (7,250MB/s). | Buyers who put rated read speed first. | Check price for Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an M.2 2230 size for the Steam Deck and ROG Ally. | Buyers who want the most complete package. | Check price for Crucial P310 2TB M.2 2230 SSD (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Crucial P310 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The P310 2TB offers 7,100MB/s reads at one of the lowest 2TB prices here.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: rated read speed of 7,100MB/s, behind the 990 EVO Plus 2TB (7,250MB/s).
Why we like it
It matches the SN5100 2TB and the P310 2TB 2230 on rated read speed (7,100MB/s). On rated write speed it ties with the P310 2TB 2230 at 6,000MB/s. It shares a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface with the SN5100 2TB and MP600 Elite 2TB; the P310 2TB 2230 goes with a PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230) interface.
You also get 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 undercut the SN5100 2TB and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The main gap: rated read speed of 7,100MB/s, behind the 990 EVO Plus 2TB (7,250MB/s). If that matters, the 990 EVO Plus 2TB offers 7,250MB/s.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,100MB/s
- Sequential write: 6,000MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- Capacity: 2TB
Pros
- Acronis data migration bundle
- One of the lowest 2TB prices here
- Rated read speed of 7,100MB/s, ahead of the MP600 Elite 2TB
- The cheapest way into this group, below the SN5100 2TB
Cons
- Rated read speed of 7,100MB/s, behind the 990 EVO Plus 2TB (7,250MB/s)
Also Consider2 of 5
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
- Buyers who want five-year limited warranty.
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. It matches the P310 2TB and the P310 2TB 2230 on rated read speed (7,100MB/s).
It shares a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface with the P310 2TB and MP600 Elite 2TB; the P310 2TB 2230 goes with a PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230) 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.
On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper P310 2TB and the pricier MP600 Elite 2TB, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its rated write speed; if that figure matters, the MP600 Elite 2TB offers 6,500MB/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 MP600 Elite 2TB
Cons
- No published rated write speed
- Costs more than the P310 2TB at the time of writing
Fastest Rated Write Speed3 of 5
Corsair MP600 Elite 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The MP600 Elite 2TB offers 7,000MB/s reads and 6,500MB/s writes on TLC NAND as a bare drive.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated write speed first.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated read speed matters most to you; the 990 EVO Plus 2TB offers 7,250MB/s.
Why we like it
Its 7,000MB/s rated read speed is the slowest in this group; the 990 EVO Plus 2TB leads at 7,250MB/s. Nothing else here matches its 6,500MB/s rated write speed; the 990 EVO Plus 2TB comes closest at 6,300MB/s. It shares a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface with the P310 2TB and SN5100 2TB; the P310 2TB 2230 goes with a PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230) interface.
You also get high-density 3D TLC NAND and a bare drive for boards with their own M.2 heatsink. 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 SN5100 2TB and the 990 EVO Plus 2TB, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,000MB/s
- Sequential write: 6,500MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- Capacity: 2TB
Pros
- High-density 3D TLC NAND
- Bare drive for boards with their own M.2 heatsink
- Fastest rated write speed of the picks (6,500MB/s)
Cons
- Rated read speed trails the 990 EVO Plus 2TB (7,250MB/s)
- Costs more than the P310 2TB at the time of writing
Fastest Rated Read Speed4 of 5
Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The 990 EVO Plus can run on PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 lanes, which suits boards that share lanes.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated read speed first.
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
Its 7,250MB/s reads keep it close to the fastest Gen4 drives. Nothing else here matches its 7,250MB/s rated read speed; the P310 2TB comes closest at 7,100MB/s. On rated write speed it sits mid-pack at 6,300MB/s: the MP600 Elite 2TB offers 6,500MB/s, and the P310 2TB 2230 comes in at 6,000MB/s.
You get a PCIe 4.0 x4 or 5.0 x2 interface here, which sets it apart from the P310 2TB 2230 and its a PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230) interface. It also offers 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. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper MP600 Elite 2TB and the pricier P310 2TB 2230, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,250MB/s
- Sequential write: 6,300MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4 or 5.0 x2
- Capacity: 2TB
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
- Fastest rated read speed of the picks (7,250MB/s)
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- Costs more than the P310 2TB at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Crucial P310 2TB M.2 2230 SSD on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the P310 2TB 2230 brings to the table is an M.2 2230 size for the Steam Deck and ROG Ally, plus listed compatibility with the Steam Deck, ROG Ally and Surface.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated write speed matters most to you; the MP600 Elite 2TB offers 6,500MB/s.
Why we like it
It also offers a 7,100MB/s rated read speed and offers a 6,000MB/s rated write speed. On rated read speed it ties with the P310 2TB and the SN5100 2TB at 7,100MB/s. No other pick in this guide offers a PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230) interface; compare the MP600 Elite 2TB, which has 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. At our last price check it topped the group, with the 990 EVO Plus 2TB the nearest cheaper option. Rated write speed is its weakest area, and the MP600 Elite 2TB covers it better at 6,500MB/s.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,100MB/s
- Sequential write: 6,000MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230)
- Capacity: 2TB
Pros
- M.2 2230 size for the Steam Deck and ROG Ally
- Listed compatibility with the Steam Deck, ROG Ally and Surface
- 7,100MB/s rated reads
- Rated read speed of 7,100MB/s, ahead of the MP600 Elite 2TB
Cons
- Rated write speed trails the MP600 Elite 2TB (6,500MB/s)
- Costs more than the P310 2TB at the time of writing
How We Chose These 2TB Gaming SSDs by Price
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We set side by side five drives on rated read speed, rated write speed, interface and capacity, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the P310 2TB to the P310 2TB 2230, state rated read speed, interface and capacity and share 2TB capacity.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The SN5100 2TB gives no rated write speed.
- Price range
- From the P310 2TB to the P310 2TB 2230, all sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a 2TB Gaming SSD by Price
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much rated read speed you need
Here rated read speed runs from 7,000MB/s on the MP600 Elite 2TB to 7,250MB/s on the 990 EVO Plus 2TB. The P310 2TB comes second for less money.
Rated write speed
Here rated write speed runs from 6,000MB/s on the P310 2TB 2230 to 6,500MB/s on the MP600 Elite 2TB. The MP600 Elite 2TB is the pick for rated write speed. No figure for the SN5100 2TB.
Extras that separate them
The MP600 Elite 2TB: a bare drive for boards with their own M.2 heatsink. The 990 EVO Plus 2TB: Intelligent TurboWrite 2.0 caching for large transfers. The P310 2TB 2230: listed compatibility with the Steam Deck, ROG Ally and Surface.
How much to spend
All 5 sat in one tier when we checked, from the P310 2TB at the low end to the P310 2TB 2230 at the top, so decide on features first.
Start from what matters most
Spending as little as possible: the P310 2TB. Buyers who put rated write speed first: the MP600 Elite 2TB. Buyers who put rated read speed first: the 990 EVO Plus 2TB.
How to Choose a 2TB Gaming SSD by Price
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible | P310 2TB | The cheapest way into this group, below the SN5100 2TB |
| Buyers who want five-year limited warranty | SN5100 2TB | A five-year limited warranty |
| Buyers who put rated write speed first | MP600 Elite 2TB | The fastest rated write speed here (6,500MB/s) |
| Buyers who put rated read speed first | 990 EVO Plus 2TB | The fastest rated read speed here (7,250MB/s) |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | P310 2TB 2230 | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an M.2 2230 size for the Steam Deck and ROG Ally |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The 990 EVO Plus 2TB leads on rated read speed at 7,250MB/s, ahead of the P310 2TB at 7,100MB/s. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Drive | Sequential read | Sequential write | Interface | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P310 2TB | 7,100MB/s | 6,000MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 2TB |
| SN5100 2TB | 7,100MB/s | Not listed | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 2TB |
| MP600 Elite 2TB | 7,000MB/s | 6,500MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 2TB |
| 990 EVO Plus 2TB | 7,250MB/s | 6,300MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 or 5.0 x2 | 2TB |
| P310 2TB 2230 | 7,100MB/s | 6,000MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230) | 2TB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 990 EVO Plus 2TB ahead of the P310 2TB on rated read speed?
The 990 EVO Plus 2TB leads at 7,250MB/s, with the P310 2TB at 7,100MB/s. The MP600 Elite 2TB is at the other end of this group with 7,000MB/s.
How does the 990 EVO Plus 2TB compare with the MP600 Elite 2TB on rated write speed?
The MP600 Elite 2TB leads at 6,500MB/s, with the 990 EVO Plus 2TB at 6,300MB/s. The P310 2TB 2230 is at the other end of this group with 6,000MB/s. The SN5100 2TB doesn't state a figure, so it sits outside this comparison.
Why is the 990 EVO Plus 2TB our Fastest Rated Read Speed pick?
It earns the label for the fastest rated read speed here (7,250MB/s). It suits anyone who put rated read speed first.
Do the P310 2TB and the 990 EVO Plus 2TB differ on interface?
The P310 2TB, the SN5100 2TB and the MP600 Elite 2TB use PCIe 4.0 x4; the 990 EVO Plus 2TB uses PCIe 4.0 x4 or 5.0 x2; the P310 2TB 2230 uses PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230).
What extras do the P310 2TB and the SN5100 2TB include?
The P310 2TB: an Acronis data migration bundle. The SN5100 2TB: a five-year limited warranty. The MP600 Elite 2TB: high-density 3D TLC NAND.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the P310 2TB, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the SN5100 2TB. Look at the SN5100 2TB for a five-year limited warranty, the MP600 Elite 2TB for the fastest rated write speed here (6,500MB/s) and the 990 EVO Plus 2TB for the fastest rated read speed here (7,250MB/s) if those matter more to you.
Compare the price per terabyte, not just the headline price.