Buying Guide
The Best PCIe 4.0 SSDs
Five SSDs ranked on rated read speed and rated write speed; the NM790 1TB is the cheapest route in.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
PCIe 4.0 drives reach about 7,000MB/s and work in almost every current motherboard. Every pick is a PCIe 4.0 x4 drive, ordered by read speed.
Rankings weigh sequential read, sequential write and interface as the makers state them; if a maker skips sequential write, the guide says so 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.
Also Consider
Samsung 990 PRO 1TBThe highest rated reads among the 1TB Gen4 drives here.
Best for: Buyers who want highest rated reads among the 1TB Gen4 drives here.
Check price for Samsung 990 PRO 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
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)Worth a Look
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)
Premium Pick
Samsung 990 PRO 4TBThe top of this price range, adding near-maximum PCIe 4.0 performance, by Samsung's description.
Best for: Spending more than the 990 Pro 2TB heatsink costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Check price for Samsung 990 PRO 4TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Lexar NM790 1TBThe cheapest way into this group, below the 990 PRO 1TB.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $250.
Check price for Lexar NM790 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The highest rated reads among the 1TB Gen4 drives here. | Buyers who want highest rated reads among the 1TB Gen4 drives here. | Check price for Samsung 990 PRO 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A factory-fitted heatsink. | Buyers who want factory-fitted heatsink. | Check price for Samsung 990 Pro 1TB with Heatsink on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A factory-fitted heatsink. | Buyers who want factory-fitted heatsink. | Check price for Samsung 990 Pro 2TB with Heatsink on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding near-maximum PCIe 4.0 performance, by Samsung's description. | Spending more than the 990 Pro 2TB heatsink costs for the fullest feature set in this group. | Check price for Samsung 990 PRO 4TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The cheapest way into this group, below the 990 PRO 1TB. | Keeping the cost under $250. | Check price for Lexar NM790 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
Samsung 990 PRO 1TB
The 990 PRO 1TB offers 7,450MB/s reads and 6,900MB/s writes, the top rated speeds among the 1TB Gen4 drives here.
Best for
- Buyers who want highest rated reads among the 1TB Gen4 drives here.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the NM790 1TB cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its random read and write are 40% and 55% faster than the 980 PRO, and Samsung's nickel-coated controller manages heat in slim laptops too. It also offers Samsung Magician software for firmware updates. 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 priced above the NM790 1TB and below the 990 Pro 1TB heatsink at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 7,450MB/s
- Sequential write
- 6,900MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4
- Capacity
- 1TB
Pros
- The highest rated reads among the 1TB Gen4 drives here
- Samsung Magician software for firmware updates
- Rated read speed of 7,450MB/s, ahead of the NM790 1TB
Cons
- Costs more than the NM790 1TB at the time of writing
Strong Alternative2 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
- Its rated write speed is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 7,450MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 1TB. It matches the 990 PRO 1TB, the 990 Pro 2TB heatsink and the 990 PRO 4TB on rated read speed (7,450MB/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. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper 990 PRO 1TB and the pricier 990 Pro 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
Cons
- No published rated write speed
- Costs more than the NM790 1TB at the time of writing
The catch
The maker doesn't give its rated write speed; if that figure matters, the 990 PRO 1TB offers 6,900MB/s.
Worth a Look3 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
- The maker gives no rated write speed, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
Why we like it
It also offers a 7,450MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 2TB. It matches the 990 PRO 1TB, the 990 Pro 1TB heatsink and the 990 PRO 4TB on rated read speed (7,450MB/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. Its price falls between the 990 Pro 1TB heatsink and the 990 PRO 4TB, based on our last check.
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
- 2TB capacity, the only one here
Cons
- No published rated write speed
- Costs more than the NM790 1TB at the time of writing
The catch
Buyers who need a confirmed rated write speed should compare it with the 990 PRO 1TB, which offers 6,900MB/s.
Premium Pick4 of 5
Samsung 990 PRO 4TB
The 990 PRO 4TB keeps its 7,450MB/s reads and DRAM cache at double the capacity.
Best for
- Spending more than the 990 Pro 2TB heatsink costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the NM790 1TB, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is the fast, safe choice for a large library. On rated read speed it ties with the 990 PRO 1TB, the 990 Pro 1TB heatsink and the 990 Pro 2TB heatsink at 7,450MB/s. It matches the 990 PRO 1TB on rated write speed (6,900MB/s).
It also offers near-maximum PCIe 4.0 performance, by Samsung's description. 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. At our last price check it topped the group, with the 990 Pro 2TB heatsink the nearest cheaper option.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 7,450MB/s
- Sequential write
- 6,900MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4
- DRAM cache
- Yes
- Capacity
- 4TB
Pros
- Onboard DRAM cache
- Near-maximum PCIe 4.0 performance, by Samsung's description
- Rated read speed of 7,450MB/s, ahead of the NM790 1TB
- 4TB capacity, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the NM790 1TB at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
Lexar NM790 1TB
The NM790 1TB offers 7,400MB/s reads and a 1,000TBW rating, but uses HMB rather than onboard DRAM.
Best for
- Keeping the cost under $250.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated read speed matters most to you; the 990 PRO 1TB offers 7,450MB/s.
Why we like it
It suits gamers and creators who want Gen4 speed at a mid-range price. Its 7,400MB/s rated read speed is the slowest in this group; the 990 PRO 1TB leads at 7,450MB/s. On rated write speed it trails the group at 6,500MB/s, while the 990 PRO 1TB offers 6,900MB/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. It undercut the 990 PRO 1TB and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key 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
- The cheapest way into this group, below the 990 PRO 1TB
Cons
- Rated read speed trails the 990 PRO 1TB (7,450MB/s)
- No DRAM cache, unlike the 990 PRO 4TB
How We Chose These PCIe 4.0 SSDs
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.
- What we compared
- We lined up five drives on rated read speed, rated write speed, interface and DRAM cache, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and rated write speed and DRAM cache are missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the 990 PRO 1TB to the NM790 1TB, state rated read speed, interface and capacity and share PCIe 4.0 x4 interface.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The 990 Pro 1TB heatsink and the 990 Pro 2TB heatsink give no rated write speed; the 990 PRO 1TB, the 990 Pro 1TB heatsink and the 990 Pro 2TB heatsink give no DRAM cache.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the NM790 1TB ($150 to $250) to the 990 PRO 4TB ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a PCIe 4.0 SSD
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Rated read speed across these picks
Across these 5 picks rated read speed spans 7,400MB/s (the NM790 1TB) to 7,450MB/s (the 990 PRO 1TB). If rated read speed is your first filter, the 990 PRO 1TB sets the ceiling at 7,450MB/s.
How much rated write speed you need
The 990 PRO 1TB tops rated write speed at 6,900MB/s and the NM790 1TB sits lowest at 6,500MB/s; 2 picks share the top figure. The 990 PRO 1TB is the pick for rated write speed. The 990 Pro 1TB heatsink and the 990 Pro 2TB heatsink give no rated write speed figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
An M.2 SSD installed on a motherboard Heatsink
The 990 Pro 1TB heatsink and the 990 Pro 2TB heatsink have it. Sort out heatsink before price: it splits 2 stated picks into groups of 2.
Extras that separate them
The 990 Pro 1TB heatsink: a factory-fitted heatsink. The 990 PRO 4TB: near-maximum PCIe 4.0 performance, by Samsung's description. The NM790 1TB: HMB in place of onboard DRAM.
An M.2 SSD going into a motherboard slot Budget
$150 to $250 buys the NM790 1TB and the 990 PRO 1TB; $250 to $500 buys the 990 Pro 1TB heatsink and the 990 Pro 2TB heatsink; $500 to $1000 buys the 990 PRO 4TB at our last check.
How to Choose a PCIe 4.0 SSD
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want highest rated reads among the 1TB Gen4 drives here | 990 PRO 1TB | The highest rated reads among the 1TB Gen4 drives here |
| 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 |
| Spending more than the 990 Pro 2TB heatsink costs for the fullest feature set in this group | 990 PRO 4TB | The top of this price range, adding near-maximum PCIe 4.0 performance, by Samsung's description |
| Keeping the cost under $250 | NM790 1TB | The cheapest way into this group, below the 990 PRO 1TB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The 990 PRO 1TB leads on rated read speed at 7,450MB/s, ahead of the 990 Pro 1TB heatsink at 7,450MB/s. "Not listed" marks rated write speed where the 990 Pro 1TB heatsink and the 990 Pro 2TB heatsink leave the figure out.
| Drive | Sequential read | Sequential write | Interface | DRAM cache |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 PRO 1TB | 7,450MB/s | 6,900MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Not listed |
| 990 Pro 1TB heatsink | 7,450MB/s | Not listed | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Not listed |
| 990 Pro 2TB heatsink | 7,450MB/s | Not listed | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Not listed |
| 990 PRO 4TB | 7,450MB/s | 6,900MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Yes |
| NM790 1TB | 7,400MB/s | 6,500MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | No (HMB) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The NM790 1TB was the lowest-priced pick ($150 to $250) and the 990 PRO 4TB the highest ($500 to $1000) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Drives |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | NM790 1TB, 990 PRO 1TB |
| About $250 to $500 | 990 Pro 1TB heatsink, 990 Pro 2TB heatsink |
| About $500 to $1000 | 990 PRO 4TB |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the 990 PRO 4TB add over the NM790 1TB?
The spec sheets show rated read speed (7,450MB/s against 7,400MB/s) and rated write speed (6,900MB/s against 6,500MB/s) in its favour. On our last price check the NM790 1TB was in the $150 to $250 tier and the 990 PRO 4TB in the $500 to $1000 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if rated read speed and rated write speed decide your purchase.
Why is the NM790 1TB our Lowest Price Here pick?
It earns the label for the cheapest way into this group, below the 990 PRO 1TB. It suits keeping the cost under $250.
Does the 990 PRO 4TB have DRAM cache, and which others do?
The 990 PRO 4TB has it; the NM790 1TB does not. The 990 PRO 1TB, the 990 Pro 1TB heatsink and the 990 Pro 2TB heatsink have no DRAM cache listed, so 2 of 5 picks are covered here.
What extras do the 990 PRO 1TB and the 990 Pro 1TB heatsink include?
The 990 PRO 1TB: the highest rated reads among the 1TB Gen4 drives here. The 990 Pro 1TB heatsink: a factory-fitted heatsink. The 990 Pro 2TB heatsink: a factory-fitted heatsink.
Should I pick the 990 PRO 1TB or the NM790 1TB?
The 990 PRO 1TB suits buyers who want highest rated reads among the 1TB Gen4 drives here; the NM790 1TB suits keeping the cost under $250.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the 990 PRO 1TB, chosen for the highest rated reads among the 1TB Gen4 drives here. Look at the 990 Pro 1TB heatsink for a factory-fitted heatsink, the 990 Pro 2TB heatsink for a factory-fitted heatsink and the 990 PRO 4TB for the top of this price range, adding near-maximum PCIe 4.0 performance, by Samsung's description if those matter more to you.
A Gen4 drive in a Gen3 slot still works, at roughly half speed.
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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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