Buying Guide
The Best Gaming SSDs With Heatsink
Five SSDs compared, from the NM790 1TB heatsink to the 9100 Pro 2TB heatsink, with the trade-offs of each named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
A heatsink keeps an SSD from throttling under long loads. Every pick includes a heatsink, ordered by read speed.
We sorted these picks by sequential read, interface and heatsink, working from the makers' own data; any figure a maker omits is noted as missing, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Fastest Rated Read Speed
WD_Black SN8100 2TB with HeatsinkThe fastest rated read speed here (14,900MB/s).
Best for: Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Check price for WD_Black SN8100 2TB with Heatsink on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Samsung 9100 Pro 2TB with HeatsinkThe top of this price range, adding a factory-fitted heatsink.
Best for: Spending more than the 990 Pro 2TB heatsink costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Check price for Samsung 9100 Pro 2TB with Heatsink on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Samsung 990 Pro 1TB with HeatsinkA factory-fitted heatsink.
Best for: Buyers who want factory-fitted heatsink.
Check price for Samsung 990 Pro 1TB with Heatsink on Amazon (opens in a new tab)Strong Alternative
Samsung 990 Pro 2TB with HeatsinkA factory-fitted heatsink.
Best for: Buyers who want factory-fitted heatsink.
Check price for Samsung 990 Pro 2TB with Heatsink on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Lexar NM790 1TB with HeatsinkUndercutting the 990 Pro 1TB heatsink on price when we checked.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $250.
Check price for Lexar NM790 1TB with Heatsink on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Fastest Rated Read Speed1 of 5
WD_Black SN8100 2TB with Heatsink
The SN8100 2TB heatsink is built around a factory-fitted heatsink.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 14,900MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 2TB. Nothing else here matches its 14,900MB/s rated read speed; the 9100 Pro 2TB heatsink comes closest at 14,700MB/s. It shares a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface with the 9100 Pro 2TB heatsink; the 990 Pro 2TB heatsink goes with 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. 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 third of 5, between the cheaper 990 Pro 1TB heatsink and the pricier 990 Pro 2TB heatsink, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 14,900MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 5.0 x4
- Heatsink
- Included
- Capacity
- 2TB
Pros
- PCIe 5.0 read speeds up to 14,900MB/s
- Heatsink included for boards without one
- Factory-fitted heatsink
- The fastest rated read speed here (14,900MB/s)
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- Costs more than the NM790 1TB heatsink at the time of writing
Premium Pick2 of 5
Samsung 9100 Pro 2TB with Heatsink
What the 9100 Pro 2TB heatsink brings to the table is a factory-fitted heatsink.
Best for
- Spending more than the 990 Pro 2TB heatsink costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Pass on it if needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It also offers a 14,700MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 2TB. On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 14,700MB/s: the SN8100 2TB heatsink offers 14,900MB/s, and the NM790 1TB heatsink comes in at 7,400MB/s. Like the SN8100 2TB heatsink, it has a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface, while the 990 Pro 2TB heatsink uses 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. 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. Only the 990 Pro 2TB heatsink came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 14,700MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 5.0 x4
- Heatsink
- Included
- Capacity
- 2TB
Pros
- PCIe 5.0 read speeds up to 14,700MB/s
- Heatsink included for boards without one
- Factory-fitted heatsink
- The top of this price range, adding a factory-fitted heatsink
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- Costs more than the NM790 1TB heatsink at the time of writing
Also Consider3 of 5
Samsung 990 Pro 1TB with Heatsink
The 990 Pro 1TB heatsink is built around a factory-fitted heatsink.
Best for
- Buyers who want factory-fitted heatsink.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the NM790 1TB heatsink was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 7,450MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 1TB. On rated read speed it ties with the 990 Pro 2TB heatsink at 7,450MB/s. Like the 990 Pro 2TB heatsink and NM790 1TB heatsink, it has a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, while the SN8100 2TB heatsink uses a PCIe 5.0 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. Remove the board's own M.2 cover or skip the drive's heatsink; you only need one. It was priced above the NM790 1TB heatsink and below the SN8100 2TB heatsink at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 7,450MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4
- Heatsink
- Included
- Capacity
- 1TB
Pros
- Heatsink included for boards without one
- Factory-fitted heatsink
- Rated read speed of 7,450MB/s, ahead of the NM790 1TB heatsink
Cons
- Costs more than the NM790 1TB heatsink at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 5
Samsung 990 Pro 2TB with Heatsink
The 990 Pro 2TB heatsink stands out for a factory-fitted heatsink.
Best for
- Buyers who want factory-fitted heatsink.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the NM790 1TB heatsink cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also offers a 7,450MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 2TB. On rated read speed it ties with the 990 Pro 1TB heatsink at 7,450MB/s. Like the 990 Pro 1TB heatsink and NM790 1TB heatsink, it has a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, while the SN8100 2TB heatsink uses a PCIe 5.0 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. Remove the board's own M.2 cover or skip the drive's heatsink; you only need one. When we checked, only the SN8100 2TB heatsink and cheaper picks cost less, and the 9100 Pro 2TB heatsink cost more.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 7,450MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4
- Heatsink
- Included
- Capacity
- 2TB
Pros
- Heatsink included for boards without one
- Factory-fitted heatsink
- Rated read speed of 7,450MB/s, ahead of the NM790 1TB heatsink
Cons
- Costs more than the NM790 1TB heatsink at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
Lexar NM790 1TB with Heatsink
What the NM790 1TB heatsink brings to the table is a factory-fitted heatsink.
Best for
- Keeping the cost under $250.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated read speed matters most to you; the SN8100 2TB heatsink offers 14,900MB/s.
Why we like it
It also offers a 7,400MB/s rated read speed and offers a 6,500MB/s rated write speed. On rated read speed it trails the group at 7,400MB/s, while the SN8100 2TB heatsink offers 14,900MB/s. Like the 990 Pro 1TB heatsink and 990 Pro 2TB heatsink, it has a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, while the SN8100 2TB heatsink uses a PCIe 5.0 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. Remove the board's own M.2 cover or skip the drive's heatsink; you only need one. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the 990 Pro 1TB heatsink the next step up.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 7,400MB/s
- Sequential write
- 6,500MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4
- Heatsink
- Included
- Capacity
- 1TB
Pros
- Heatsink included for boards without one
- Factory-fitted heatsink
- Undercutting the 990 Pro 1TB heatsink on price when we checked
Cons
- Rated read speed trails the SN8100 2TB heatsink (14,900MB/s)
The catch
It gives ground on rated read speed, where the SN8100 2TB heatsink offers 14,900MB/s.
How We Chose These Gaming SSDs With Heatsink
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 set side by side five drives on rated read speed, interface, heatsink and capacity as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 4 of the 4 fields compared are stated for every pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the SN8100 2TB heatsink to the NM790 1TB heatsink, state rated read speed, interface and heatsink and share heatsink.
- Who each pick suits
- The SN8100 2TB heatsink for the fastest rated read speed here (14,900MB/s); the 9100 Pro 2TB heatsink for the top of this price range, adding a factory-fitted heatsink; the 990 Pro 1TB heatsink for a factory-fitted heatsink.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the NM790 1TB heatsink ($150 to $250) to the 9100 Pro 2TB heatsink ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a Gaming SSD With Heatsink
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Rated read speed
The SN8100 2TB heatsink tops rated read speed at 14,900MB/s and the NM790 1TB heatsink sits lowest at 7,400MB/s. Start with the SN8100 2TB heatsink if rated read speed decides it.
Heatsink
The SN8100 2TB heatsink, the 9100 Pro 2TB heatsink, the 990 Pro 1TB heatsink, the 990 Pro 2TB heatsink and the NM790 1TB heatsink have it. Sort out heatsink before price: it splits 5 stated picks into groups of 5.
An M.2 SSD installed on a motherboard Capacity
The SN8100 2TB heatsink, the 9100 Pro 2TB heatsink and the 990 Pro 2TB heatsink list 2TB; the 990 Pro 1TB heatsink and the NM790 1TB heatsink list 1TB. Sort out capacity before price: it splits 5 stated picks into groups of 3 and 2.
Features beyond the spec table
The SN8100 2TB heatsink: a factory-fitted heatsink.
An M.2 SSD going into a motherboard slot Budget
$150 to $250 buys the NM790 1TB heatsink; $250 to $500 buys the 990 Pro 1TB heatsink, the SN8100 2TB heatsink and the 990 Pro 2TB heatsink; $500 to $1000 buys the 9100 Pro 2TB heatsink at our last check.
How to Choose a Gaming SSD With Heatsink
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put rated read speed first | SN8100 2TB heatsink | The fastest rated read speed here (14,900MB/s) |
| Spending more than the 990 Pro 2TB heatsink costs for the fullest feature set in this group | 9100 Pro 2TB heatsink | The top of this price range, adding a factory-fitted heatsink |
| Buyers who want factory-fitted heatsink | 990 Pro 1TB heatsink | A factory-fitted heatsink |
| Buyers who want factory-fitted heatsink | 990 Pro 2TB heatsink | A factory-fitted heatsink |
| Keeping the cost under $250 | NM790 1TB heatsink | Undercutting the 990 Pro 1TB heatsink on price when we checked |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The SN8100 2TB heatsink leads on rated read speed at 14,900MB/s, ahead of the 9100 Pro 2TB heatsink at 14,700MB/s.
| Drive | Sequential read | Interface | Heatsink | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SN8100 2TB heatsink | 14,900MB/s | PCIe 5.0 x4 | Included | 2TB |
| 9100 Pro 2TB heatsink | 14,700MB/s | PCIe 5.0 x4 | Included | 2TB |
| 990 Pro 1TB heatsink | 7,450MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Included | 1TB |
| 990 Pro 2TB heatsink | 7,450MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Included | 2TB |
| NM790 1TB heatsink | 7,400MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Included | 1TB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the NM790 1TB heatsink, sat in the $150 to $250 tier, 3 tiers in all up to the 9100 Pro 2TB heatsink at $500 to $1000; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Drives |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | NM790 1TB heatsink |
| About $250 to $500 | 990 Pro 1TB heatsink, SN8100 2TB heatsink, 990 Pro 2TB heatsink |
| About $500 to $1000 | 9100 Pro 2TB heatsink |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the SN8100 2TB heatsink ahead of the 9100 Pro 2TB heatsink on rated read speed?
The SN8100 2TB heatsink leads at 14,900MB/s, with the 9100 Pro 2TB heatsink at 14,700MB/s. The NM790 1TB heatsink is at the other end of this group with 7,400MB/s.
Is the 9100 Pro 2TB heatsink worth paying more than the NM790 1TB heatsink?
The spec sheets show rated read speed (14,700MB/s against 7,400MB/s) in its favour. The NM790 1TB heatsink sat in the $150 to $250 tier and the 9100 Pro 2TB heatsink in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if rated read speed decides your purchase.
What makes the SN8100 2TB heatsink the Fastest Rated Read Speed?
The label rests on the fastest rated read speed here (14,900MB/s). The 9100 Pro 2TB heatsink is next on rated read speed at 14,700MB/s, so this pick's 14,900MB/s is 1% further out. The NM790 1TB heatsink, the cheapest pick, sat in the $150 to $250 tier against $250 to $500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It suits anyone who puts rated read speed first.
Do the SN8100 2TB heatsink and the 990 Pro 1TB heatsink differ on interface?
The SN8100 2TB heatsink and the 9100 Pro 2TB heatsink use PCIe 5.0 x4; the 990 Pro 1TB heatsink, the 990 Pro 2TB heatsink and the NM790 1TB heatsink use PCIe 4.0 x4.
Beyond the specs, what sets the SN8100 2TB heatsink and the 9100 Pro 2TB heatsink apart?
The SN8100 2TB heatsink: a factory-fitted heatsink. The 9100 Pro 2TB heatsink: a factory-fitted heatsink. The 990 Pro 1TB heatsink: a factory-fitted heatsink.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the SN8100 2TB heatsink, chosen for the fastest rated read speed here (14,900MB/s). Look at the 9100 Pro 2TB heatsink for the top of this price range, adding a factory-fitted heatsink, the 990 Pro 1TB heatsink for a factory-fitted heatsink and the 990 Pro 2TB heatsink for a factory-fitted heatsink if those matter more to you.
Check clearance under the GPU for tall heatsinks.
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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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