Buying Guide
The Best High-Speed SSDs
From the NM790 1TB to the T710 2TB: five SSDs ranked on rated read speed and rated write speed, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
The fastest SSDs cut load times for large projects. Every pick reads at 7,400MB/s or more, ordered by read speed.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: sequential read, sequential write and endurance come from each maker's published specs; nothing here was tested in-house, and a missing endurance is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Fastest Rated Write Speed
Corsair MP700 PRO XT 2TB
The fastest rated write speed here (14,500MB/s).
Best for: Buyers who put rated write speed first.
Our take Check price for Corsair MP700 PRO XT 2TB (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Crucial T710 2TB
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with Micron TLC NAND.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for Crucial T710 2TB (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Lexar NM790 1TB
The cheapest way into this group, below the NM790 2TB.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for Lexar NM790 1TB (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
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)
Strong Alternative
Crucial T500 2TB
Micron TLC NAND.
Best for: Buyers who want Micron TLC NAND.
Our take Check price for Crucial T500 2TB (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The fastest rated write speed here (14,500MB/s). | Buyers who put rated write speed first. | Check price for Corsair MP700 PRO XT 2TB (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with Micron TLC NAND. | Buyers who want the most complete package. | Check price for Crucial T710 2TB (opens in a new tab) |
| The cheapest way into this group, below the NM790 2TB. | Keeping the budget tight. | Check price for Lexar NM790 1TB (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) |
| Micron TLC NAND. | Buyers who want Micron TLC NAND. | Check price for Crucial T500 2TB (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Fastest Rated Write Speed1 of 5
Corsair MP700 PRO XT 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The MP700 PRO XT 2TB offers 14,900MB/s reads and 14,500MB/s writes, the fastest Corsair drive here.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated write 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 rated read speed it ties with the T710 2TB at 14,900MB/s. Its 14,500MB/s rated write speed is the fastest here; the T710 2TB comes next at 13,800MB/s. Like the T710 2TB, it has a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface, while the T500 2TB uses a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface.
You also get the highest rated writes among the drives here and DirectStorage support. 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 priced above the NM790 2TB and below the T500 2TB at the time of writing. There is no published rated endurance figure, whereas the NM790 2TB offers 1,500TBW.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 14,900MB/s
- Sequential write: 14,500MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 5.0 x4
- Capacity: 2TB
Pros
- PCIe 5.0 read speeds up to 14,900MB/s
- The highest rated writes among the drives here
- DirectStorage support
- Fastest rated write speed of the picks (14,500MB/s)
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- Costs more than the NM790 1TB at the time of writing
Premium Pick2 of 5
Crucial T710 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The T710 2TB is a PCIe 5.0 drive rated for 14,900MB/s reads and 13,800MB/s writes with a five-year warranty.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
Skip if
- Pass on it if needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated spee rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
On rated read speed it ties with the MP700 PRO XT 2TB at 14,900MB/s. Its 13,800MB/s rated write speed ranks second of 5 here, behind the MP700 PRO XT 2TB (14,500MB/s) and ahead of the NM790 2TB (6,500MB/s). Like the MP700 PRO XT 2TB, it has a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface, while the NM790 2TB uses a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface.
It also offers Micron TLC NAND. 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. Only the T500 2TB came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks. There is no published rated endurance figure, whereas the NM790 2TB offers 1,500TBW.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 14,900MB/s
- Sequential write: 13,800MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 5.0 x4
- Warranty: 5-year
- Capacity: 2TB
Pros
- PCIe 5.0 read speeds up to 14,900MB/s
- 5-year warranty
- Micron TLC NAND
- Five-year warranty
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- Costs more than the NM790 1TB at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 5
Lexar NM790 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The NM790 1TB offers 7,400MB/s reads and a 1,000TBW rating, but uses HMB rather than onboard DRAM.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: rated read speed of 7,400MB/s, behind the MP700 PRO XT 2TB (14,900MB/s).
Why we like it
It suits gamers and creators who want Gen4 speed at a mid-range price. On rated read speed it ties with the NM790 2TB and the T500 2TB at 7,400MB/s. Like the NM790 2TB and T500 2TB, it has a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, while the MP700 PRO XT 2TB 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. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the NM790 2TB was closest. What it gives up: rated read speed of 7,400MB/s, behind the MP700 PRO XT 2TB (14,900MB/s); by contrast, the MP700 PRO XT 2TB offers 14,900MB/s.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,400MB/s
- Sequential write: 6,500MB/s
- Endurance: 1,000TBW
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- DRAM cache: No (HMB)
- Capacity: 1TB
Pros
- 1,000TBW endurance rating on the 1TB model
- HMB in place of onboard DRAM
- 7,400MB/s rated reads, near the PCIe 4.0 ceiling
- 1TB capacity, the only one here
Cons
- Rated read speed of 7,400MB/s, behind the MP700 PRO XT 2TB (14,900MB/s)
Also Consider4 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
- Skip it if rated write speed matters most to you; the MP700 PRO XT 2TB offers 14,500MB/s.
Why we like it
For games that trade-off rarely shows. On rated write speed it ties with the NM790 1TB at 6,500MB/s. It shares a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface with the NM790 1TB and T500 2TB; the T710 2TB goes with a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface.
You also get 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.
Its price falls between the NM790 1TB and the MP700 PRO XT 2TB, based on our last check. If rated write speed is your priority, the MP700 PRO XT 2TB (14,500MB/s) is the stronger choice.
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
- Highest rated endurance of the picks (1,500TBW)
Cons
- Rated write speed trails the MP700 PRO XT 2TB (14,500MB/s)
- Costs more than the NM790 1TB at the time of writing
Strong Alternative5 of 5
Crucial T500 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The T500 2TB offers 7,400MB/s reads and 7,000MB/s writes, the fastest rated writes among the 2TB Gen4 drives here.
Best for
- Buyers who want Micron TLC NAND.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated read speed matters most to you; the MP700 PRO XT 2TB offers 14,900MB/s.
Why we like it
On rated read speed it ties with the NM790 1TB and the NM790 2TB at 7,400MB/s. Its 7,000MB/s rated write speed ranks third of 5 here, behind the MP700 PRO XT 2TB (14,500MB/s) and ahead of the NM790 2TB (6,500MB/s). Like the NM790 1TB and NM790 2TB, it has a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, while the MP700 PRO XT 2TB uses a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface.
It also comes with Micron TLC NAND and 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 was priced above the MP700 PRO XT 2TB and below the T710 2TB at the time of writing. It gives ground on rated read speed, where the MP700 PRO XT 2TB offers 14,900MB/s.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,400MB/s
- Sequential write: 7,000MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- Capacity: 2TB
Pros
- Micron TLC NAND
- Acronis data migration bundle
- Rated write speed of 7,000MB/s, ahead of the NM790 1TB
Cons
- Rated read speed trails the MP700 PRO XT 2TB (14,900MB/s)
- Costs more than the NM790 1TB at the time of writing
How We Chose These High-Speed SSDs
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up five drives on rated read speed, rated write speed, rated endurance and interface, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the MP700 PRO XT 2TB to the T500 2TB, state rated read speed, rated write speed and interface.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The MP700 PRO XT 2TB, the T710 2TB and the T500 2TB give no rated endurance; the MP700 PRO XT 2TB, the T710 2TB and the T500 2TB give no DRAM cache.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the NM790 1TB ($150 to $250) to the T710 2TB ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a High-Speed SSD
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Rated read speed
Here rated read speed runs from 7,400MB/s on the T500 2TB to 14,900MB/s on the MP700 PRO XT 2TB. The MP700 PRO XT 2TB is the pick for rated read speed.
How much rated write speed you need
Here rated write speed runs from 6,500MB/s on the NM790 2TB to 14,500MB/s on the MP700 PRO XT 2TB. Start with the MP700 PRO XT 2TB if rated write speed decides it.
Rated endurance across these picks
Here rated endurance runs from 1,000TBW on the NM790 1TB to 1,500TBW on the NM790 2TB. The NM790 2TB is the pick for rated endurance. No figure for the MP700 PRO XT 2TB, the T710 2TB and the T500 2TB.
DRAM cache
The NM790 1TB and the NM790 2TB go without.
Capacity
The MP700 PRO XT 2TB, the T710 2TB, the NM790 2TB and the T500 2TB list 2TB; the NM790 1TB lists 1TB. Settle this first, then compare prices.
Check your M.2 slots
Check which slots run at PCIe 5.0 or 4.0, and which disable SATA ports or a PCIe slot when used.
How to Choose a High-Speed SSD
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put rated write speed first | MP700 PRO XT 2TB | The fastest rated write speed here (14,500MB/s) |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | T710 2TB | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with Micron TLC NAND |
| Keeping the budget tight | NM790 1TB | The cheapest way into this group, below the NM790 2TB |
| Buyers who want 1,500TBW endurance rating on the 2TB model | NM790 2TB | A 1,500TBW endurance rating on the 2TB model |
| Buyers who want Micron TLC NAND | T500 2TB | Micron TLC NAND |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The MP700 PRO XT 2TB leads on rated read speed at 14,900MB/s, ahead of the T710 2TB at 14,900MB/s. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Drive | Sequential read | Sequential write | Endurance | Interface |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MP700 PRO XT 2TB | 14,900MB/s | 14,500MB/s | Not listed | PCIe 5.0 x4 |
| T710 2TB | 14,900MB/s | 13,800MB/s | Not listed | PCIe 5.0 x4 |
| NM790 1TB | 7,400MB/s | 6,500MB/s | 1,000TBW | PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| NM790 2TB | 7,400MB/s | 6,500MB/s | 1,500TBW | PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| T500 2TB | 7,400MB/s | 7,000MB/s | Not listed | PCIe 4.0 x4 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The NM790 1TB was the lowest-priced pick and the T710 2TB the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Drives |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | NM790 1TB |
| About $250 to $500 | NM790 2TB, MP700 PRO XT 2TB, T500 2TB, T710 2TB |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the T710 2TB compare with the MP700 PRO XT 2TB on rated write speed?
The MP700 PRO XT 2TB leads at 14,500MB/s, with the T710 2TB at 13,800MB/s. The NM790 2TB is at the other end of this group with 6,500MB/s.
Is the NM790 2TB ahead of the NM790 1TB on rated endurance?
The NM790 2TB leads at 1,500TBW, with the NM790 1TB at 1,000TBW. The MP700 PRO XT 2TB, the T710 2TB and the T500 2TB don't state a figure, so they sit outside this comparison.
Is the T710 2TB worth paying more than the NM790 1TB?
On paper it adds rated read speed (14,900MB/s against 7,400MB/s) and rated write speed (13,800MB/s against 6,500MB/s). The NM790 1TB was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
What makes the MP700 PRO XT 2TB the Fastest Rated Write Speed?
It earns the label for the fastest rated write speed here (14,500MB/s). It suits anyone who put rated write speed first.
Do the MP700 PRO XT 2TB and the NM790 1TB differ on interface?
The MP700 PRO XT 2TB and the T710 2TB use PCIe 5.0 x4; the NM790 1TB, the NM790 2TB and the T500 2TB use PCIe 4.0 x4.
What should I check before buying the T500 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 fifth of 5.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the MP700 PRO XT 2TB, chosen for the fastest rated write speed here (14,500MB/s). Look at the T710 2TB for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with Micron TLC NAND, the NM790 1TB for the cheapest way into this group, below the NM790 2TB and the NM790 2TB for a 1,500TBW endurance rating on the 2TB model if those matter more to you.
Check your M.2 slot's PCIe generation.