Buying Guide
The Best PCIe 5.0 SSDs
Five SSDs compared, from the 990 EVO Plus 1TB to the 990 EVO Plus 4TB, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
PCIe 5.0 SSDs double the sequential speed of Gen4 drives on a supported M.2 slot. Every pick has PCIe 5.0, ordered by read speed.
Our comparison rests on published figures for sequential read, sequential write and interface; where a maker leaves a figure out, 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.
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)
Also Consider
Crucial T710 2TB
Micron TLC NAND.
Best for: Buyers who want Micron TLC NAND.
Our take Check price for Crucial T710 2TB (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB
A 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.
Our take Check price for Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Samsung 990 EVO Plus 4TB
The top of this price range, adding a design that runs on PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 lanes.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for Samsung 990 EVO Plus 4TB (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB
The cheapest way into this group, below the 990 EVO Plus 2TB.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB (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) |
| Micron TLC NAND. | Buyers who want Micron TLC NAND. | Check price for Crucial T710 2TB (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 2TB (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding a design that runs on PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 lanes. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for Samsung 990 EVO Plus 4TB (opens in a new tab) |
| The cheapest way into this group, below the 990 EVO Plus 2TB. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB (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 990 EVO Plus 1TB uses a PCIe 4.0 x4 or 5.0 x2 interface.
It also comes with 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. When we checked, only the 990 EVO Plus 2TB and cheaper picks cost less, and the T710 2TB cost more.
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 990 EVO Plus 1TB at the time of writing
Also Consider2 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 Micron TLC NAND.
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 990 EVO Plus 1TB (6,300MB/s). Like the MP700 PRO XT 2TB, it has a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface, while the 990 EVO Plus 4TB uses a PCIe 4.0 x4 or 5.0 x2 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. 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 MP700 PRO XT 2TB and cheaper picks cost less, and the 990 EVO Plus 4TB cost more.
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 990 EVO Plus 1TB at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The 990 EVO Plus can run on PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 lanes, which suits boards that share lanes.
Best for
- Buyers who want design that runs on PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 lanes.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated spee is a problem.
Why we like it
Its 7,250MB/s reads keep it close to the fastest Gen4 drives. On rated read speed it ties with the 990 EVO Plus 4TB at 7,250MB/s. It also offers Intelligent TurboWrite 2.0 caching for large transfers and firmware updates through Samsung Magician software.
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 cost less, and the MP700 PRO XT 2TB cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,250MB/s
- Sequential write: 6,300MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4 or 5.0 x2
- Capacity: 2TB
Pros
- Design that runs on PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 lanes
- Intelligent TurboWrite 2.0 caching for large transfers
- Firmware updates through Samsung Magician software
- Rated read speed of 7,250MB/s, ahead of the 990 EVO Plus 1TB
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- Costs more than the 990 EVO Plus 1TB at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 5
Samsung 990 EVO Plus 4TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The 990 EVO Plus 4TB runs on PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 with 7,250MB/s reads, a good fit for secondary M.2 slots.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated spee is a problem.
Why we like it
On rated write speed it ties with the 990 EVO Plus 2TB and the 990 EVO Plus 1TB at 6,300MB/s. It also offers Intelligent TurboWrite 2.0 caching for large transfers and firmware updates through Samsung Magician software. 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 highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the T710 2TB and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,250MB/s
- Sequential write: 6,300MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4 or 5.0 x2
- Capacity: 4TB
Pros
- Design that runs on PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 lanes
- Intelligent TurboWrite 2.0 caching for large transfers
- Firmware updates through Samsung Magician software
- Rated read speed of 7,250MB/s, ahead of the 990 EVO Plus 1TB
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- Costs more than the 990 EVO Plus 1TB at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 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. On rated read speed it trails the group at 7,150MB/s, while the MP700 PRO XT 2TB offers 14,900MB/s. It matches the 990 EVO Plus 2TB and the 990 EVO Plus 4TB 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. 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 cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the 990 EVO Plus 2TB the next step up.
Key dimensions & 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
- 1TB capacity, the only one here
- The cheapest way into this group, below the 990 EVO Plus 2TB
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- Rated read speed trails the MP700 PRO XT 2TB (14,900MB/s)
How We Chose These PCIe 5.0 SSDs
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Endurance
- We noted TBW ratings and warranty length where listed.
- Speed
- We compared rated sequential read and write speeds.
- Capacity
- We compared drives at the same capacity within each guide.
- Design
- We checked interface, DRAM cache and heatsink options.
What to Look for in a PCIe 5.0 SSD
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Decide on rated write speed first
Among these picks, rated write speed runs from 6,300MB/s on the 990 EVO Plus 1TB to 14,500MB/s on the MP700 PRO XT 2TB. Pick the lowest figure that covers your use; the extra usually costs more than it returns.
PCIe 4.0 is enough for games
Game load times barely change between fast PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 5.0 drives. PCIe 5.0 helps large file copies and creative work.
DRAM cache helps heavy use
Drives with DRAM cache hold speed better under long writes. DRAM-less drives with HMB are fine for games.
Cool the drive
Fast drives throttle when hot. Use the motherboard's M.2 heatsink or a heatsink version of the drive.
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 PCIe 5.0 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 Micron TLC NAND | T710 2TB | Micron TLC NAND |
| Buyers who want design that runs on PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 lanes | 990 EVO Plus 2TB | A design that runs on PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 lanes |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | 990 EVO Plus 4TB | The top of this price range, adding a design that runs on PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 lanes |
| Spending as little as possible | 990 EVO Plus 1TB | The cheapest way into this group, below the 990 EVO Plus 2TB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Drive | Sequential read | Sequential write | Interface | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MP700 PRO XT 2TB | 14,900MB/s | 14,500MB/s | PCIe 5.0 x4 | 2TB |
| T710 2TB | 14,900MB/s | 13,800MB/s | PCIe 5.0 x4 | 2TB |
| 990 EVO Plus 2TB | 7,250MB/s | 6,300MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 or 5.0 x2 | 2TB |
| 990 EVO Plus 4TB | 7,250MB/s | 6,300MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 or 5.0 x2 | 4TB |
| 990 EVO Plus 1TB | 7,150MB/s | 6,300MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 or 5.0 x2 | 1TB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Drives |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | 990 EVO Plus 1TB |
| About $250 to $500 | 990 EVO Plus 2TB, MP700 PRO XT 2TB, T710 2TB |
| About $500 to $1000 | 990 EVO Plus 4TB |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which of these SSDs has the fastest rated read speed?
The MP700 PRO XT 2TB leads at 14,900MB/s, ahead of the T710 2TB at 14,900MB/s; the 990 EVO Plus 1TB sits at the other end with 7,150MB/s.
What is the least I can spend on one of these SSDs?
Start with the 990 EVO Plus 1TB, the lowest-priced pick when we checked. The 990 EVO Plus 4TB is the premium end, so the spread between them shows what extra money buys here.
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.
Do I need an SSD heatsink?
Use one on fast drives. Most boards include M.2 heatsinks; otherwise buy the heatsink version.
Can I clone my old drive to a new SSD?
Yes. Most makers offer free cloning software; check the drive maker's site.
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 Micron TLC NAND, the 990 EVO Plus 2TB for a design that runs on PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 lanes and the 990 EVO Plus 4TB for the top of this price range, adding a design that runs on PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 lanes if those matter more to you.
Gen5 drives run hot; use the motherboard's heatsink or the drive's own.