Buying Guide
The Best SSD for OS
We weighed five SSDs on rated read speed and sequential read; the SN7100 500GB has the fastest rated read speed, and the MP33 512GB costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
An operating system drive needs fast random access more than huge capacity; 1TB to 2TB leaves room for apps. These NVMe SSDs are ordered from the lowest listed price.
Rankings weigh sequential read, interface and capacity as the makers state them; we did not test these SSDs ourselves, and if a maker skips sequential read, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
Teamgroup MP33 512GBThe lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the P310 500GB the next step up.
Check price for Teamgroup MP33 512GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Crucial P310 500GBLaptop, desktop and handheld compatibility.
Best for: Buyers who want laptop, desktop and handheld compatibility.
Check price for Crucial P310 500GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Lexar NM710 500GBAn M.2 2280 NVMe drive.
Best for: Buyers who want M.2 2280 NVMe drive.
Check price for Lexar NM710 500GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Silicon Power 1TB PCIe Gen3A PCIe Gen3x4 drive.
Best for: Buyers who want PCIe Gen3x4 drive.
Check price for Silicon Power 1TB PCIe Gen3 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Rated Read Speed
WD_Black SN7100 500GBThe fastest rated read speed here (6,800MB/s).
Best for: Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Check price for WD_Black SN7100 500GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing. | Spending as little as possible, with the P310 500GB the next step up. | Check price for Teamgroup MP33 512GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Laptop, desktop and handheld compatibility. | Buyers who want laptop, desktop and handheld compatibility. | Check price for Crucial P310 500GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| An M.2 2280 NVMe drive. | Buyers who want M.2 2280 NVMe drive. | Check price for Lexar NM710 500GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A PCIe Gen3x4 drive. | Buyers who want PCIe Gen3x4 drive. | Check price for Silicon Power 1TB PCIe Gen3 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The fastest rated read speed here (6,800MB/s). | Buyers who put rated read speed first. | Check price for WD_Black SN7100 500GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Teamgroup MP33 512GB
What the MP33 512GB brings to the table is a PCIe Gen3 drive for budget builds.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the P310 500GB the next step up.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: slower 1,700MB/s rated reads.
Why we like it
It also offers a 1,700MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 0.5TB. Its 1,700MB/s rated read speed is the slowest in this group; the SN7100 500GB leads at 6,800MB/s. It shares a PCIe 3.0 x4 interface with the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3; the SN7100 500GB goes with a PCIe 4.0 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. It undercut the P310 500GB and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 1,700MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 3.0 x4
- Capacity
- 0.5TB
Pros
- PCIe Gen3 drive for budget builds
- The lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing
- 1,700MB/s rated read speed
- PCIe 3.0 x4 interface
Cons
- Slower 1,700MB/s rated reads
- Rated read speed trails the SN7100 500GB (6,800MB/s)
The catch
The trade-off is rated read speed; for more, the SN7100 500GB offers 6,800MB/s.
Also Consider2 of 5
Crucial P310 500GB
The P310 500GB stands out for laptop, desktop and handheld compatibility.
Best for
- Buyers who want laptop, desktop and handheld compatibility.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the MP33 512GB, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also offers a 6,600MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 0.5TB. On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 6,600MB/s: the SN7100 500GB offers 6,800MB/s, and the MP33 512GB comes in at 1,700MB/s. Like the NM710 500GB and SN7100 500GB, it has a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, while the MP33 512GB uses a PCIe 3.0 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. It was priced above the MP33 512GB and below the NM710 500GB at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 6,600MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4
- Capacity
- 0.5TB
Pros
- Laptop, desktop and handheld compatibility
- Rated read speed of 6,600MB/s, ahead of the NM710 500GB
- PCIe 4.0 x4 interface
- 0.5TB capacity
Cons
- Costs more than the MP33 512GB at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Lexar NM710 500GB
The NM710 500GB stands out for an M.2 2280 NVMe drive.
Best for
- Buyers who want M.2 2280 NVMe drive.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when slower 5,000MB/s rated reads is a problem.
Why we like it
It also offers a 5,000MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 0.5TB. Its 5,000MB/s rated read speed ranks third of 4 here, behind the SN7100 500GB (6,800MB/s) and ahead of the MP33 512GB (1,700MB/s). It shares a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface with the P310 500GB and SN7100 500GB; the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 goes with a PCIe 3.0 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. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper P310 500GB and the pricier Silicon Power 1TB Gen3, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 5,000MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4
- Capacity
- 0.5TB
Pros
- M.2 2280 NVMe drive
- Rated read speed of 5,000MB/s, ahead of the MP33 512GB
- PCIe 4.0 x4 interface
- 0.5TB capacity
Cons
- Slower 5,000MB/s rated reads
- Costs more than the MP33 512GB at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
Silicon Power 1TB PCIe Gen3
The Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 stands out for a PCIe Gen3x4 drive.
Best for
- Buyers who want PCIe Gen3x4 drive.
Skip if
- Its rated read speed is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It also is rated for 1TB. It shares a PCIe 3.0 x4 interface with the MP33 512GB; the P310 500GB goes with a PCIe 4.0 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. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper NM710 500GB and the pricier SN7100 500GB, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its rated read speed; if that figure matters, the SN7100 500GB offers 6,800MB/s.
Key specs
- Interface
- PCIe 3.0 x4
- Capacity
- 1TB
Pros
- PCIe Gen3x4 drive
- 1TB capacity, the only one here
- PCIe 3.0 x4 interface
Cons
- No published rated read speed
- Costs more than the MP33 512GB at the time of writing
Fastest Rated Read Speed5 of 5
WD_Black SN7100 500GB
The SN7100 500GB is built around next-gen TLC 3D NAND.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the MP33 512GB was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 6,800MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 0.5TB. Nothing else here matches its 6,800MB/s rated read speed; the P310 500GB comes closest at 6,600MB/s. Like the P310 500GB and NM710 500GB, it has a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, while the MP33 512GB uses a PCIe 3.0 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. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 the nearest cheaper option.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 6,800MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4
- Capacity
- 0.5TB
Pros
- Next-gen TLC 3D NAND
- Fastest rated read speed of the picks (6,800MB/s)
- PCIe 4.0 x4 interface
- 0.5TB capacity
Cons
- Costs more than the MP33 512GB at the time of writing
How We Chose
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 compared five drives on rated read speed, interface and capacity as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 5 picks leave out rated read speed.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the MP33 512GB to the SN7100 500GB, state interface and capacity.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 gives no rated read speed.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the MP33 512GB ($50 to $100) to the SN7100 500GB ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in an SSD for OS
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much rated read speed you need
Here rated read speed runs from 1,700MB/s on the MP33 512GB to 6,800MB/s on the SN7100 500GB, a 300% spread. The P310 500GB comes second at 6,600MB/s, in the $100 to $150 tier against $150 to $250 for the SN7100 500GB. The Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 gives no rated read speed figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
Capacity
The MP33 512GB, the P310 500GB, the NM710 500GB and the SN7100 500GB list 0.5TB; the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 lists 1TB. Settling capacity first narrows 5 picks to 4 or 1.
An M.2 SSD installed on a motherboard Extras that separate them
The NM710 500GB: an M.2 2280 NVMe drive. The Silicon Power 1TB Gen3: a PCIe Gen3x4 drive. The SN7100 500GB: next-gen TLC 3D NAND.
Budget
$50 to $100 buys the MP33 512GB; $100 to $150 buys the P310 500GB and the NM710 500GB; $150 to $250 buys the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 and the SN7100 500GB at our last check.
An M.2 SSD going into a motherboard slot Start from what matters most
Spending as little as possible, with the P310 500GB the next step up: the MP33 512GB. Buyers who put rated read speed first: the SN7100 500GB.
How to Choose an SSD for OS
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible, with the P310 500GB the next step up | MP33 512GB | The lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want laptop, desktop and handheld compatibility | P310 500GB | Laptop, desktop and handheld compatibility |
| Buyers who want M.2 2280 NVMe drive | NM710 500GB | An M.2 2280 NVMe drive |
| Buyers who want PCIe Gen3x4 drive | Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 | A PCIe Gen3x4 drive |
| Buyers who put rated read speed first | SN7100 500GB | The fastest rated read speed here (6,800MB/s) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The SN7100 500GB leads on rated read speed at 6,800MB/s, ahead of the P310 500GB at 6,600MB/s. "Not listed" marks rated read speed where the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 leaves the figure out.
| Drive | Sequential read | Interface | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| MP33 512GB | 1,700MB/s | PCIe 3.0 x4 | 0.5TB |
| P310 500GB | 6,600MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 0.5TB |
| NM710 500GB | 5,000MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 0.5TB |
| Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 | Not listed | PCIe 3.0 x4 | 1TB |
| SN7100 500GB | 6,800MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 0.5TB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The MP33 512GB was the lowest-priced pick ($50 to $100) and the SN7100 500GB the highest ($150 to $250) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Drives |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | MP33 512GB |
| About $100 to $150 | P310 500GB, NM710 500GB |
| About $150 to $250 | Silicon Power 1TB Gen3, SN7100 500GB |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the SN7100 500GB ahead of the P310 500GB on rated read speed?
The SN7100 500GB tops rated read speed at 6,800MB/s; the P310 500GB follows at 6,600MB/s, 3% apart. The spread runs down to the MP33 512GB at 1,700MB/s. The Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 doesn't state a rated read speed figure, so it sits outside this comparison; 4 of 5 picks are ranked.
What does the SN7100 500GB add over the MP33 512GB?
On paper it adds rated read speed (6,800MB/s against 1,700MB/s). On our last price check the MP33 512GB was in the $50 to $100 tier and the SN7100 500GB in the $150 to $250 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if rated read speed decides your purchase.
Why is the SN7100 500GB our Fastest Rated Read Speed pick?
It earns the label for the fastest rated read speed here (6,800MB/s). On rated read speed it leads the P310 500GB, 6,800MB/s against 6,600MB/s, a 3% margin. The MP33 512GB, the cheapest pick, sat in the $50 to $100 tier against $150 to $250 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It suits anyone who puts rated read speed first.
Do the MP33 512GB and the P310 500GB differ on interface?
The MP33 512GB and the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 use PCIe 3.0 x4; the P310 500GB, the NM710 500GB and the SN7100 500GB use PCIe 4.0 x4.
What extras do the MP33 512GB and the P310 500GB include?
The MP33 512GB: a PCIe Gen3 drive for budget builds. The P310 500GB: laptop, desktop and handheld compatibility. The NM710 500GB: an M.2 2280 NVMe drive.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the MP33 512GB, chosen for the lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing. Look at the P310 500GB for laptop, desktop and handheld compatibility, the NM710 500GB for an M.2 2280 NVMe drive and the Silicon Power 1TB Gen3 for a PCIe Gen3x4 drive if those matter more to you.
Put the OS on the fastest M.2 slot, usually the one wired to the CPU.
Related Guides
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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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