Buying Guide
The Best Gaming SSDs With a Heatsink
Four PCIe 4.0 drives sold with a heatsink attached, for boards without M.2 shields and for the PS5 expansion bay.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read4 products evaluated
Fast PCIe 4.0 drives can slow down when they get hot. Many motherboards include M.2 heatsinks; if yours does not, or you are adding storage to a PS5, a drive with its own heatsink helps.
We compared speed, capacity and heatsink design from each listing; we did not benchmark these drives. Remove the board's own M.2 shield before fitting a drive with a heatsink.
Quick Picks
Which of the 4 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best SSD With Heatsink
WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB with Heatsink2TB with 7,300MB/s reads and a heatsink.
Best for: Most gaming PCs and PS5s.
Check price for WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB with Heatsink on Amazon (opens in a new tab)Largest Capacity
WD_BLACK SN850X 4TB with Heatsink4TB with a heatsink.
Best for: Large game libraries.
Check price for WD_BLACK SN850X 4TB with Heatsink on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Low-Profile Heatsink
Corsair MP600 PRO LPX 1TBA low-profile heatsink sized for the PS5 bay.
Best for: PS5 storage and slim cases.
Check price for Corsair MP600 PRO LPX 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best 1TB Heatsink Pick
Corsair MP600 Elite 1TB with Heatsink7,000MB/s reads and 6,500MB/s writes with a heatsink.
Best for: Smaller budgets.
Check price for Corsair MP600 Elite 1TB with Heatsink on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2TB with 7,300MB/s reads and a heatsink. | Most gaming PCs and PS5s. | Check price for WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB with Heatsink on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 4TB with a heatsink. | Large game libraries. | Check price for WD_BLACK SN850X 4TB with Heatsink on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A low-profile heatsink sized for the PS5 bay. | PS5 storage and slim cases. | Check price for Corsair MP600 PRO LPX 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 7,000MB/s reads and 6,500MB/s writes with a heatsink. | Smaller budgets. | Check price for Corsair MP600 Elite 1TB with Heatsink on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best SSD With Heatsink1 of 4
WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB with Heatsink
The SN850X with heatsink offers 7,300MB/s reads and comes ready for boards without an M.2 cover.
Best for
- Most gaming PCs and PS5s.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the MP600 Elite 1TB, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Skip the heatsink version if your board has one. On rated read speed it ties with the SN850X 4TB at 7,300MB/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. It was priced above the MP600 PRO LPX 1TB and below the SN850X 4TB at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 7,300MB/s
- Sequential write
- 6,300MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4
- Heatsink
- Included
- Capacity
- 2TB
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 MP600 PRO LPX 1TB
- 2TB capacity, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the MP600 Elite 1TB at the time of writing
Largest Capacity2 of 4
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
- Large game libraries.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated write speed matters most to you; the MP600 Elite 1TB offers 6,500MB/s.
Why we like it
It matches the SN850X 2TB on rated write speed (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. Only the SN850X 2TB came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 4 picks. It gives ground on rated write speed, where the MP600 Elite 1TB offers 6,500MB/s.
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 MP600 PRO LPX 1TB
- 4TB capacity, the only one here
Cons
- Rated write speed trails the MP600 Elite 1TB (6,500MB/s)
- Costs more than the MP600 Elite 1TB at the time of writing
Best Low-Profile Heatsink3 of 4
Corsair MP600 PRO LPX 1TB
Corsair's MP600 PRO LPX pairs a PCIe 4.0 drive with a low-profile heatsink sized to fit the PS5 bay as well as a desktop M.2 slot.
Best for
- PS5 storage and slim cases.
Skip if
- Pass if a published rated write speed matters; this one has none.
Why we like it
It has 7,100MB/s reads. On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 7,100MB/s: the SN850X 2TB offers 7,300MB/s, and the MP600 Elite 1TB comes in at 7,000MB/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. It was priced above the MP600 Elite 1TB and below the SN850X 2TB at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 7,100MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4
- Heatsink
- Included
- Capacity
- 1TB
Pros
- Heatsink included for boards without one
- Low-profile heatsink sized for the PS5 bay
- Rated read speed of 7,100MB/s, ahead of the MP600 Elite 1TB
Cons
- No published rated write speed
- Costs more than the MP600 Elite 1TB at the time of writing
The catch
There is no published rated write speed figure, whereas the MP600 Elite 1TB offers 6,500MB/s.
Best 1TB Heatsink Pick4 of 4
Corsair MP600 Elite 1TB with Heatsink
The MP600 Elite 1TB offers 7,000MB/s reads and 6,500MB/s writes on TLC NAND, with a heatsink.
Best for
- Smaller budgets.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated read speed matters most to you; the SN850X 2TB offers 7,300MB/s.
Why we like it
On rated read speed it trails the group at 7,000MB/s, while the SN850X 2TB offers 7,300MB/s. On rated write speed it leads this guide at 6,500MB/s, ahead of the SN850X 2TB (6,300MB/s). It also offers high-density 3D TLC NAND and a heatsink version listed for PS5.
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. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the MP600 PRO LPX 1TB was closest.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 7,000MB/s
- Sequential write
- 6,500MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4
- Heatsink
- Included
- Capacity
- 1TB
Pros
- Heatsink included for boards without one
- High-density 3D TLC NAND
- Heatsink version listed for PS5
- Fastest rated write speed of the picks (6,500MB/s)
Cons
- Rated read speed trails the SN850X 2TB (7,300MB/s)
The catch
Rated read speed is its weakest area, and the SN850X 2TB covers it better at 7,300MB/s.
How We Chose These 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 four drives on rated read speed, rated write speed, interface and heatsink from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 4 of the 5 fields compared are stated for every pick, while rated write speed has gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the SN850X 2TB to the MP600 Elite 1TB, state rated read speed, interface and heatsink and share PCIe 4.0 x4 interface and heatsink.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The MP600 PRO LPX 1TB gives no rated write speed.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the MP600 Elite 1TB ($250 to $500) to the SN850X 4TB ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in an SSD With Heatsink
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Rated read speed across these picks
Across these 4 picks rated read speed spans 7,000MB/s (the MP600 Elite 1TB) to 7,300MB/s (the SN850X 2TB). Start with the SN850X 2TB if rated read speed decides it.
How much rated write speed you need
The MP600 Elite 1TB tops rated write speed at 6,500MB/s and the SN850X 4TB sits lowest at 6,300MB/s. If rated write speed is your first filter, the MP600 Elite 1TB sets the ceiling at 6,500MB/s. The MP600 PRO LPX 1TB gives no rated write speed figure, so 3 of 4 picks are compared here.
An M.2 SSD going into a motherboard slot Heatsink
The SN850X 2TB, the SN850X 4TB, the MP600 PRO LPX 1TB and the MP600 Elite 1TB have it.
Extras that separate them
The SN850X 2TB: a heatsink version suited to boards without an M.2 cover. The MP600 PRO LPX 1TB: a low-profile heatsink sized for the PS5 bay. The MP600 Elite 1TB: a heatsink version listed for PS5.
The M.2 slot and standoff on a motherboard How much to spend
$250 to $500 buys the MP600 Elite 1TB, the MP600 PRO LPX 1TB and the SN850X 2TB; $500 to $1000 buys the SN850X 4TB at our last check.
How to Choose an SSD With Heatsink
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most gaming PCs and PS5s | SN850X 2TB | 2TB with 7,300MB/s reads and a heatsink |
| Large game libraries | SN850X 4TB | 4TB with a heatsink |
| PS5 storage and slim cases | MP600 PRO LPX 1TB | A low-profile heatsink sized for the PS5 bay |
| Smaller budgets | MP600 Elite 1TB | 7,000MB/s reads and 6,500MB/s writes with a heatsink |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The SN850X 2TB leads on rated read speed at 7,300MB/s, ahead of the SN850X 4TB at 7,300MB/s. "Not listed" marks rated write speed where the MP600 PRO LPX 1TB leaves the figure out.
| Drive | Sequential read | Sequential write | Interface | Heatsink |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SN850X 2TB | 7,300MB/s | 6,300MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Included |
| SN850X 4TB | 7,300MB/s | 6,300MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Included |
| MP600 PRO LPX 1TB | 7,100MB/s | Not listed | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Included |
| MP600 Elite 1TB | 7,000MB/s | 6,500MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Included |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The MP600 Elite 1TB was the lowest-priced pick ($250 to $500) and the SN850X 4TB the highest ($500 to $1000) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Drives |
|---|---|
| About $250 to $500 | MP600 Elite 1TB, MP600 PRO LPX 1TB, SN850X 2TB |
| About $500 to $1000 | SN850X 4TB |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the MP600 Elite 1TB ahead of the SN850X 2TB on rated write speed?
The MP600 Elite 1TB leads at 6,500MB/s, with the SN850X 2TB at 6,300MB/s. The MP600 PRO LPX 1TB doesn't state a rated write speed figure, so it sits outside this comparison; 3 of 4 picks are ranked.
What does the SN850X 4TB add over the MP600 Elite 1TB?
The spec sheets show rated read speed (7,300MB/s against 7,000MB/s) in its favour. It does not win everywhere: the MP600 Elite 1TB still leads on rated write speed (6,500MB/s). On our last price check the MP600 Elite 1TB was in the $250 to $500 tier and the SN850X 4TB in the $500 to $1000 tier, with 2 other picks between them; pay the difference only if rated read speed decides your purchase.
Why is the SN850X 4TB our Largest Capacity pick?
It earns the label for 4TB with a heatsink. The price of that: the MP600 Elite 1TB, the cheapest pick, still beats it on rated write speed (6,500MB/s against 6,300MB/s). It suits large game libraries.
Do the SN850X 2TB and the SN850X 4TB differ on capacity?
The SN850X 2TB uses 2TB; the SN850X 4TB uses 4TB; the MP600 PRO LPX 1TB and the MP600 Elite 1TB use 1TB.
What extras do the SN850X 2TB and the SN850X 4TB include?
The SN850X 2TB: a heatsink version suited to boards without an M.2 cover. The SN850X 4TB: a heatsink version suited to boards without an M.2 cover. The MP600 PRO LPX 1TB: a low-profile heatsink sized for the PS5 bay.
Bottom Line
The WD Black SN850X 2TB with heatsink suits most gaming PCs and PS5s, and the 4TB version holds larger libraries. The Corsair MP600 PRO LPX has the lowest-profile heatsink, and the MP600 Elite 1TB is the smaller-budget option.
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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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