Buying Guide
The Best Gen5 NVMe SSDs for Gaming
Five SSDs ranked on rated read speed and sequential read, where the 9100 Pro 1TB has the fastest rated read speed; the P510 1TB is the cheapest route in.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Gen5 drives are the fastest consumer SSDs, though games gain little over Gen4 today. Every pick is PCIe 5.0, ordered from the lowest price.
The order reflects sequential read, interface and capacity from maker specifications; gaps in the specs are flagged, not filled in rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
Crucial P510 1TBThe lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the Predator GM9 1TB the next step up.
Check price for Crucial P510 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Acer Predator GM9 1TBNVMe 2.0 over PCIe 5.0.
Best for: Buyers who want NVMe 2.0 over PCIe 5.0.
Check price for Acer Predator GM9 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TBA design that runs on PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 lanes.
Best for: Buyers who want design that runs on PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 lanes.
Check price for Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Rated Read Speed
Samsung 9100 Pro 1TBThe fastest rated read speed here (14,700MB/s).
Best for: Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Check price for Samsung 9100 Pro 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Corsair MP700 Pro 1TBNVMe 2.0 over PCIe Gen5 at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the P510 1TB costs less.
Check price for Corsair MP700 Pro 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing. | Spending as little as possible, with the Predator GM9 1TB the next step up. | Check price for Crucial P510 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| NVMe 2.0 over PCIe 5.0. | Buyers who want NVMe 2.0 over PCIe 5.0. | Check price for Acer Predator GM9 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A design that runs on PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 lanes. | Buyers who want design that runs on PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 lanes. | Check price for Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The fastest rated read speed here (14,700MB/s). | Buyers who put rated read speed first. | Check price for Samsung 9100 Pro 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| NVMe 2.0 over PCIe Gen5 at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the P510 1TB costs less. | Check price for Corsair MP700 Pro 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Crucial P510 1TB
What the P510 1TB brings to the table is TLC NAND on a PCIe 5.0 interface.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the Predator GM9 1TB the next step up.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed.
Why we like it
It also offers an 11,000MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 1TB. Its 11,000MB/s rated read speed ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the 9100 Pro 1TB (14,700MB/s) and ahead of the 990 EVO Plus 1TB (7,150MB/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.
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 the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Predator GM9 1TB was the next step up.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 11,000MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 5.0 x4
- Capacity
- 1TB
Pros
- TLC NAND on a PCIe 5.0 interface
- Rated read speed of 11,000MB/s, ahead of the 990 EVO Plus 1TB
- The lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- Rated read speed of 11,000MB/s, behind the 9100 Pro 1TB (14,700MB/s)
The catch
The main gap: rated read speed of 11,000MB/s, behind the 9100 Pro 1TB (14,700MB/s). If that matters, the 9100 Pro 1TB offers 14,700MB/s.
Also Consider2 of 5
Acer Predator GM9 1TB
The Predator GM9 1TB stands out for NVMe 2.0 over PCIe 5.0.
Best for
- Buyers who want NVMe 2.0 over PCIe 5.0.
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 also offers a 14,500MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 1TB. Its 14,500MB/s rated read speed ranks second of 5 here, behind the 9100 Pro 1TB (14,700MB/s) and ahead of the 990 EVO Plus 1TB (7,150MB/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.
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 second of 5, between the cheaper P510 1TB and the pricier 990 EVO Plus 1TB, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 14,500MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 5.0 x4
- Capacity
- 1TB
Pros
- PCIe 5.0 read speeds up to 14,500MB/s
- NVMe 2.0 over PCIe 5.0
- PCIe 5.0 x4 interface
- 1TB capacity
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- Costs more than the P510 1TB at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB
The 990 EVO Plus 1TB stands out for a design that runs on PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 lanes, and it adds Samsung Magician software for firmware updates.
Best for
- Buyers who want design that runs on PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 lanes.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed.
Why we like it
It also offers a 7,150MB/s rated read speed and offers a 6,300MB/s rated write speed. Its 7,150MB/s rated read speed is the slowest in this group; the 9100 Pro 1TB leads at 14,700MB/s. A PCIe 4.0 x4 or 5.0 x2 interface is unique to it among these picks, while the Predator GM9 1TB 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. 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 Predator GM9 1TB and the 9100 Pro 1TB, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 7,150MB/s
- Sequential write
- 6,300MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4 or 5.0 x2
- Capacity
- 1TB
Pros
- Design that runs on PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 lanes
- Samsung Magician software for firmware updates
- 7,150MB/s rated read speed
- 6,300MB/s rated write speed
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- Rated read speed trails the 9100 Pro 1TB (14,700MB/s)
- Costs more than the P510 1TB at the time of writing
The catch
If rated read speed is your priority, the 9100 Pro 1TB (14,700MB/s) is the stronger choice.
Fastest Rated Read Speed4 of 5
Samsung 9100 Pro 1TB
The 9100 Pro 1TB is built around a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated read speed first.
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
On the spec sheet, it offers a 14,700MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 1TB. Nothing else here matches its 14,700MB/s rated read speed; the Predator GM9 1TB comes closest at 14,500MB/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.
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. When we checked, only the 990 EVO Plus 1TB and cheaper picks cost less, and the MP700 Pro 1TB cost more.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 14,700MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 5.0 x4
- Capacity
- 1TB
Pros
- PCIe 5.0 read speeds up to 14,700MB/s
- PCIe 5.0 x4 interface
- The fastest rated read speed here (14,700MB/s)
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- Costs more than the P510 1TB at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Corsair MP700 Pro 1TB
The MP700 Pro 1TB stands out for NVMe 2.0 over PCIe Gen5.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the P510 1TB costs less.
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 an 11,700MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 1TB. Its 11,700MB/s rated read speed ranks third of 5 here, behind the 9100 Pro 1TB (14,700MB/s) and ahead of the 990 EVO Plus 1TB (7,150MB/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.
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 the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the 9100 Pro 1TB.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 11,700MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 5.0 x4
- Capacity
- 1TB
Pros
- NVMe 2.0 over PCIe Gen5
- Rated read speed of 11,700MB/s, ahead of the P510 1TB
- NVMe 2.0 over PCIe Gen5 at the highest price in the group
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- Costs more than the P510 1TB at the time of writing
How We Chose These Gen5 NVMe SSDs for Gaming
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 five drives on rated read speed, interface and capacity from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 3 of the 3 fields compared are stated for every pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the P510 1TB to the MP700 Pro 1TB, state rated read speed, interface and capacity and share 1TB capacity.
- Who each pick suits
- The P510 1TB for the lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing; the Predator GM9 1TB for NVMe 2.0 over PCIe 5.0; the 990 EVO Plus 1TB for a design that runs on PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 lanes.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the P510 1TB ($150 to $250) to the MP700 Pro 1TB ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a Gen5 NVMe SSD for Gaming
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Rated read speed
Here rated read speed runs from 7,150MB/s on the 990 EVO Plus 1TB to 14,700MB/s on the 9100 Pro 1TB, a 106% spread. The Predator GM9 1TB comes second at 14,500MB/s, in the same price tier as the 9100 Pro 1TB.
Extras that separate them
The 990 EVO Plus 1TB: Samsung Magician software for firmware updates. The 9100 Pro 1TB: a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface. The MP700 Pro 1TB: NVMe 2.0 over PCIe Gen5.
The M.2 slot and standoff on a motherboard How much to spend
$150 to $250 buys the P510 1TB, the Predator GM9 1TB, the 990 EVO Plus 1TB and the 9100 Pro 1TB; $250 to $500 buys the MP700 Pro 1TB at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Spending as little as possible, with the Predator GM9 1TB the next step up: the P510 1TB. Buyers who put rated read speed first: the 9100 Pro 1TB. Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the P510 1TB costs less: the MP700 Pro 1TB.
An M.2 SSD installed in a laptop 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.
How to Choose a Gen5 NVMe SSD for Gaming
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible, with the Predator GM9 1TB the next step up | P510 1TB | The lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want NVMe 2.0 over PCIe 5.0 | Predator GM9 1TB | NVMe 2.0 over PCIe 5.0 |
| Buyers who want design that runs on PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 lanes | 990 EVO Plus 1TB | A design that runs on PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 lanes |
| Buyers who put rated read speed first | 9100 Pro 1TB | The fastest rated read speed here (14,700MB/s) |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the P510 1TB costs less | MP700 Pro 1TB | NVMe 2.0 over PCIe Gen5 at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The 9100 Pro 1TB leads on rated read speed at 14,700MB/s, ahead of the Predator GM9 1TB at 14,500MB/s.
| Drive | Sequential read | Interface | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| P510 1TB | 11,000MB/s | PCIe 5.0 x4 | 1TB |
| Predator GM9 1TB | 14,500MB/s | PCIe 5.0 x4 | 1TB |
| 990 EVO Plus 1TB | 7,150MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 or 5.0 x2 | 1TB |
| 9100 Pro 1TB | 14,700MB/s | PCIe 5.0 x4 | 1TB |
| MP700 Pro 1TB | 11,700MB/s | PCIe 5.0 x4 | 1TB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The P510 1TB was the lowest-priced pick ($150 to $250) and the MP700 Pro 1TB the highest ($250 to $500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Drives |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | P510 1TB, Predator GM9 1TB, 990 EVO Plus 1TB, 9100 Pro 1TB |
| About $250 to $500 | MP700 Pro 1TB |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the fastest rated read speed: the 9100 Pro 1TB or the Predator GM9 1TB?
The 9100 Pro 1TB tops rated read speed at 14,700MB/s; the Predator GM9 1TB follows at 14,500MB/s, 1% apart. The 990 EVO Plus 1TB closes the ranking at 7,150MB/s.
What does the MP700 Pro 1TB add over the P510 1TB?
What it brings is rated read speed (11,700MB/s against 11,000MB/s). On our last price check the P510 1TB was in the $150 to $250 tier and the MP700 Pro 1TB in the $250 to $500 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if rated read speed decides your purchase.
Why is the 9100 Pro 1TB our Fastest Rated Read Speed pick?
It carries the badge for the fastest rated read speed here (14,700MB/s). On rated read speed it leads the Predator GM9 1TB, 14,700MB/s against 14,500MB/s, a 1% margin. It suits anyone who puts rated read speed first.
Do the P510 1TB and the 990 EVO Plus 1TB differ on interface?
The P510 1TB, the Predator GM9 1TB, the 9100 Pro 1TB and the MP700 Pro 1TB use PCIe 5.0 x4; the 990 EVO Plus 1TB uses PCIe 4.0 x4 or 5.0 x2.
What extras do the P510 1TB and the Predator GM9 1TB include?
The P510 1TB: TLC NAND on a PCIe 5.0 interface. The Predator GM9 1TB: NVMe 2.0 over PCIe 5.0. The 990 EVO Plus 1TB: a design that runs on PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 lanes.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the P510 1TB, chosen for the lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing. Look at the Predator GM9 1TB for NVMe 2.0 over PCIe 5.0, the 990 EVO Plus 1TB for a design that runs on PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 lanes and the 9100 Pro 1TB for the fastest rated read speed here (14,700MB/s) if those matter more to you.
Use the motherboard heatsink; Gen5 drives run hot.
Related Guides
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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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