Buying Guide
The Best Gen4 NVMe SSDs for Gaming
Five SSDs compared, from the P310 2TB to the Predator GM7 2TB, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Gen4 drives offer the best value for games. Every pick is a 2TB or larger Gen4 drive, ordered from the lowest price.
Our comparison rests on published figures for sequential read, sequential write and interface; where a maker leaves out sequential write, we say so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
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)
Strong Alternative
Corsair MP600 CORE XT 2TB
QLC NAND, which trades sustained write speed for price.
Best for: Buyers who want QLC NAND, which trades sustained write speed for price.
Our take Check price for Corsair MP600 CORE XT 2TB (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Lexar NM790 2TB
A 1,500TBW endurance rating on the 2TB model.
Best for: Buyers who want 1,500TBW endurance rating on the 2TB model.
Our take Check price for Lexar NM790 2TB (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Acer Predator GM7 2TB
The top of this price range, adding HMB in place of onboard DRAM.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for Acer Predator GM7 2TB (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) |
| QLC NAND, which trades sustained write speed for price. | Buyers who want QLC NAND, which trades sustained write speed for price. | Check price for Corsair MP600 CORE XT 2TB (opens in a new tab) |
| A 1,500TBW endurance rating on the 2TB model. | Buyers who want 1,500TBW endurance rating on the 2TB model. | Check price for Lexar NM790 2TB (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding HMB in place of onboard DRAM. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for Acer Predator GM7 2TB (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
- Look at the others if this bothers you: rated read speed of 7,100MB/s, behind the NM790 2TB (7,400MB/s).
Why we like it
On rated read speed it ties with the SN5100 2TB at 7,100MB/s. Its 6,000MB/s rated write speed ranks third of 4 here, behind the NM790 2TB (6,500MB/s) and ahead of the MP600 CORE XT 2TB (5,000MB/s). It also comes with 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. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the SN5100 2TB was closest. What it gives up: rated read speed of 7,100MB/s, behind the NM790 2TB (7,400MB/s); by contrast, the NM790 2TB offers 7,400MB/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 CORE XT 2TB
- The cheapest way into this group, below the SN5100 2TB
Cons
- Rated read speed of 7,100MB/s, behind the NM790 2TB (7,400MB/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
- Skip it if you need to know its rated write speed before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
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. On rated read speed it ties with the P310 2TB at 7,100MB/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. When we checked, only the P310 2TB cost less, and the MP600 CORE XT 2TB cost more. If you want a confirmed rated write speed, look to the NM790 2TB instead: it offers 6,500MB/s, while this one gives no figure.
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 CORE XT 2TB
Cons
- No published rated write speed
- Costs more than the P310 2TB at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Corsair MP600 CORE XT 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the MP600 CORE XT 2TB brings to the table is QLC NAND, which trades sustained write speed for price.
Best for
- Buyers who want QLC NAND, which trades sustained write speed for price.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated read speed matters most to you; the NM790 2TB offers 7,400MB/s.
Why we like it
It also offers a 5,900MB/s rated read speed and offers a 5,000MB/s rated write speed. Its 5,900MB/s rated read speed is the slowest in this group; the NM790 2TB leads at 7,400MB/s. On rated write speed it trails the group at 5,000MB/s, while the NM790 2TB offers 6,500MB/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. Its price falls between the SN5100 2TB and the NM790 2TB, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 5,900MB/s
- Sequential write: 5,000MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- Capacity: 2TB
Pros
- QLC NAND, which trades sustained write speed for price
- 5,900MB/s rated read speed
- 5,000MB/s rated write speed
- PCIe 4.0 x4 interface
Cons
- Rated read speed trails the NM790 2TB (7,400MB/s)
- Rated write speed trails the NM790 2TB (6,500MB/s)
- Costs more than the P310 2TB at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
Lexar NM790 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The NM790 reaches 7,400MB/s reads with a 1,500TBW rating and no DRAM, using host memory instead.
Best for
- Buyers who want 1,500TBW endurance rating on the 2TB model.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the P310 2TB was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
For games that trade-off rarely shows. It matches the Predator GM7 2TB on rated read speed (7,400MB/s). On rated write speed it ties with the Predator GM7 2TB at 6,500MB/s.
It also comes with 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. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper MP600 CORE XT 2TB and the pricier Predator GM7 2TB, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,400MB/s
- Sequential write: 6,500MB/s
- Endurance: 1,500TBW
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- DRAM cache: No (HMB)
- Capacity: 2TB
Pros
- 1,500TBW endurance rating on the 2TB model
- Lower power draw than DRAM-equipped Gen4 drives, by Lexar's figure
- Rated read speed of 7,400MB/s, ahead of the P310 2TB
Cons
- Costs more than the P310 2TB at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Acer Predator GM7 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Predator GM7 2TB offers 7,400MB/s reads without onboard DRAM, relying on HMB.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the P310 2TB cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It matches the NM790 2TB on rated read speed (7,400MB/s). On rated write speed it ties with the NM790 2TB at 6,500MB/s. You also get listed PS5 compatibility and 7,400MB/s rated reads, near the PCIe 4.0 ceiling.
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 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the NM790 2TB and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,400MB/s
- Sequential write: 6,500MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- DRAM cache: No (HMB)
- Capacity: 2TB
Pros
- HMB in place of onboard DRAM
- Listed PS5 compatibility
- 7,400MB/s rated reads, near the PCIe 4.0 ceiling
- Rated read speed of 7,400MB/s, ahead of the P310 2TB
Cons
- Costs more than the P310 2TB at the time of writing
How We Chose These Gen4 NVMe SSDs for Gaming
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We set side by side five drives on rated read speed, rated write speed, interface and DRAM cache as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the P310 2TB to the Predator GM7 2TB, state rated read speed, interface and capacity and share PCIe 4.0 x4 interface and 2TB capacity.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The SN5100 2TB gives no rated write speed; the P310 2TB, the SN5100 2TB and the MP600 CORE XT 2TB give no DRAM cache.
- Price range
- From the P310 2TB to the Predator GM7 2TB, all sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Gen4 NVMe SSD for Gaming
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 5,900MB/s on the MP600 CORE XT 2TB to 7,400MB/s on the NM790 2TB. The NM790 2TB is the pick for rated read speed.
Rated write speed across these picks
Here rated write speed runs from 5,000MB/s on the MP600 CORE XT 2TB to 6,500MB/s on the NM790 2TB. Start with the NM790 2TB if rated write speed decides it. No figure for the SN5100 2TB.
DRAM cache
The NM790 2TB and the Predator GM7 2TB go without. Settle this first, then compare prices.
What to check at home
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.
Features beyond the spec table
The MP600 CORE XT 2TB: QLC NAND, which trades sustained write speed for price. The NM790 2TB: lower power draw than DRAM-equipped Gen4 drives, by Lexar's figure. The Predator GM7 2TB: listed PS5 compatibility.
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.
How to Choose a Gen4 NVMe SSD for Gaming
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 want QLC NAND, which trades sustained write speed for price | MP600 CORE XT 2TB | QLC NAND, which trades sustained write speed for price |
| Buyers who want 1,500TBW endurance rating on the 2TB model | NM790 2TB | A 1,500TBW endurance rating on the 2TB model |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | Predator GM7 2TB | The top of this price range, adding HMB in place of onboard DRAM |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The NM790 2TB leads on rated read speed at 7,400MB/s, ahead of the Predator GM7 2TB at 7,400MB/s. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Drive | Sequential read | Sequential write | Interface | DRAM cache |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P310 2TB | 7,100MB/s | 6,000MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Not listed |
| SN5100 2TB | 7,100MB/s | Not listed | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Not listed |
| MP600 CORE XT 2TB | 5,900MB/s | 5,000MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Not listed |
| NM790 2TB | 7,400MB/s | 6,500MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | No (HMB) |
| Predator GM7 2TB | 7,400MB/s | 6,500MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | No (HMB) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Predator GM7 2TB worth paying more than the P310 2TB?
On paper it adds rated read speed (7,400MB/s against 7,100MB/s) and rated write speed (6,500MB/s against 6,000MB/s). The P310 2TB was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
What makes the P310 2TB the Lowest Price Here?
It earns the label for the cheapest way into this group, below the SN5100 2TB. It suits spending as little as possible.
What should I check before buying the MP600 CORE XT 2TB?
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. In this guide it ranks third of 5.
Beyond the specs, what sets the P310 2TB and the SN5100 2TB apart?
The P310 2TB: an Acronis data migration bundle. The SN5100 2TB: a five-year limited warranty. The MP600 CORE XT 2TB: QLC NAND, which trades sustained write speed for price.
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.
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 CORE XT 2TB for QLC NAND, which trades sustained write speed for price and the NM790 2TB for a 1,500TBW endurance rating on the 2TB model if those matter more to you.
Check DirectStorage support in your games.