Buying Guide
The Best PCIe 5.0 SSDs by Price
We weighed four SSDs on rated read speed and rated write speed; the MP700 PRO XT 2TB has the fastest rated write speed, and the 9100 PRO 2TB costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
A PCIe 5.0 SSD only matters if your board supports it and you move large files. Every pick is a PCIe 5.0 drive, ordered from the lowest price.
The order reflects sequential read, sequential write and interface from maker specifications; we did not test these SSDs ourselves, and a missing sequential read is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB
The lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB (opens in a new tab)
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
Kingston FURY Renegade G5 2TB
Rated writes up to 14,000MB/s.
Best for: Buyers who want rated writes up to 14,000MB/s.
Our take Check price for Kingston FURY Renegade G5 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)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing. | Keeping the budget tight. | Check price for Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB (opens in a new tab) |
| 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) |
| Rated writes up to 14,000MB/s. | Buyers who want rated writes up to 14,000MB/s. | Check price for Kingston FURY Renegade G5 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) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The 9100 PRO doubles PCIe 4.0 speeds at 14,700MB/s reads with DRAM cache.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
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 helps large file work more than game loading. Its 14,700MB/s rated read speed is the slowest in this group; the MP700 PRO XT 2TB leads at 14,900MB/s. On rated write speed it trails the group at 13,400MB/s, while the MP700 PRO XT 2TB offers 14,500MB/s.
It also comes with in-house controller, DRAM and 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. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the MP700 PRO XT 2TB was the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 14,700MB/s
- Sequential write: 13,400MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 5.0 x4
- DRAM cache: Yes
- Capacity: 2TB
Pros
- PCIe 5.0 read speeds up to 14,700MB/s
- Onboard DRAM cache
- In-house controller, DRAM and NAND
- 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 trails the MP700 PRO XT 2TB (14,900MB/s)
Fastest Rated Write Speed2 of 4
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
- 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
It matches the T710 2TB on rated read speed (14,900MB/s). On rated write speed it leads this guide at 14,500MB/s, ahead of the FURY Renegade G5 (14,000MB/s). 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. On price it sat second of 4, between the cheaper 9100 PRO 2TB and the pricier FURY Renegade G5, at the time of writing.
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 9100 PRO 2TB at the time of writing
Also Consider3 of 4
Kingston FURY Renegade G5 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The FURY Renegade G5 is built around rated writes up to 14,000MB/s.
Best for
- Buyers who want rated writes up to 14,000MB/s.
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 the spec sheet, it offers a 14,000MB/s rated write speed and is rated for 2TB. Its 14,000MB/s rated write speed ranks second of 4 here, behind the MP700 PRO XT 2TB (14,500MB/s) and ahead of the 9100 PRO 2TB (13,400MB/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 MP700 PRO XT 2TB and cheaper picks cost less, and the T710 2TB cost more. If you want a confirmed rated read speed, look to the MP700 PRO XT 2TB instead: it offers 14,900MB/s, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential write: 14,000MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 5.0 x4
- Capacity: 2TB
Pros
- Rated writes up to 14,000MB/s
- Rated write speed of 14,000MB/s, ahead of the T710 2TB
- PCIe 5.0 x4 interface
- 2TB capacity
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- No published rated read speed
- Costs more than the 9100 PRO 2TB at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 4
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
- Worth skipping when needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated spee is a problem.
Why we like it
It matches the MP700 PRO XT 2TB on rated read speed (14,900MB/s). On rated write speed it sits mid-pack at 13,800MB/s: the MP700 PRO XT 2TB offers 14,500MB/s, and the 9100 PRO 2TB comes in at 13,400MB/s. You also get 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. It was the highest-priced of the 4 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the FURY Renegade G5 and the rest.
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 9100 PRO 2TB at the time of writing
How We Chose These PCIe 5.0 SSDs by Price
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We set side by side four drives on rated read speed, rated write speed, interface and capacity, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the 9100 PRO 2TB to the T710 2TB, state rated write speed, interface and capacity and share PCIe 5.0 x4 interface and 2TB capacity.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The FURY Renegade G5 gives no rated read speed.
- Price range
- From the 9100 PRO 2TB to the T710 2TB, all sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a PCIe 5.0 SSD by Price
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much rated write speed you need
Here rated write speed runs from 13,400MB/s on the 9100 PRO 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 read speed
Here rated read speed runs from 14,700MB/s on the 9100 PRO 2TB to 14,900MB/s on the MP700 PRO XT 2TB. The MP700 PRO XT 2TB is the pick for rated read speed. No figure for the FURY Renegade G5.
Extras that separate them
The MP700 PRO XT 2TB: DirectStorage support. The FURY Renegade G5: rated writes up to 14,000MB/s. The T710 2TB: a five-year warranty.
Where your budget lands
All 4 sat in one tier when we checked, from the 9100 PRO 2TB at the low end to the T710 2TB at the top, so decide on features first.
Start from what matters most
Keeping the budget tight: the 9100 PRO 2TB. Buyers who put rated write speed first: the MP700 PRO XT 2TB. Buyers who want the most complete package: the T710 2TB.
How to Choose a PCIe 5.0 SSD by Price
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the budget tight | 9100 PRO 2TB | The lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing |
| Buyers who put rated write speed first | MP700 PRO XT 2TB | The fastest rated write speed here (14,500MB/s) |
| Buyers who want rated writes up to 14,000MB/s | FURY Renegade G5 | Rated writes up to 14,000MB/s |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | T710 2TB | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with Micron TLC NAND |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The MP700 PRO XT 2TB leads on rated write speed at 14,500MB/s, ahead of the FURY Renegade G5 at 14,000MB/s. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Drive | Sequential read | Sequential write | Interface | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9100 PRO 2TB | 14,700MB/s | 13,400MB/s | PCIe 5.0 x4 | 2TB |
| MP700 PRO XT 2TB | 14,900MB/s | 14,500MB/s | PCIe 5.0 x4 | 2TB |
| FURY Renegade G5 | Not listed | 14,000MB/s | PCIe 5.0 x4 | 2TB |
| T710 2TB | 14,900MB/s | 13,800MB/s | PCIe 5.0 x4 | 2TB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the MP700 PRO XT 2TB ahead of the FURY Renegade G5 on rated write speed?
The MP700 PRO XT 2TB leads at 14,500MB/s, with the FURY Renegade G5 at 14,000MB/s. The 9100 PRO 2TB is at the other end of this group with 13,400MB/s.
What does the T710 2TB add over the 9100 PRO 2TB?
On paper it adds rated write speed (13,800MB/s against 13,400MB/s) and rated read speed (14,900MB/s against 14,700MB/s). The 9100 PRO 2TB was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the MP700 PRO XT 2TB our Fastest Rated Write Speed pick?
It earns the label for the fastest rated write speed here (14,500MB/s). It suits anyone who put rated write speed first.
What extras do the 9100 PRO 2TB and the MP700 PRO XT 2TB include?
The 9100 PRO 2TB: in-house controller, DRAM and NAND. The MP700 PRO XT 2TB: the highest rated writes among the drives here. The FURY Renegade G5: rated writes up to 14,000MB/s.
Should I pick the 9100 PRO 2TB or the T710 2TB?
The 9100 PRO 2TB suits keeping the budget tight; the T710 2TB suits buyers who want the most complete package.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the 9100 PRO 2TB, chosen for the lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing. Look at the MP700 PRO XT 2TB for the fastest rated write speed here (14,500MB/s), the FURY Renegade G5 for rated writes up to 14,000MB/s and the T710 2TB for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with Micron TLC NAND if those matter more to you.
Check that the M.2 slot you use is wired for PCIe 5.0.