Buying Guide
The Best SSDs for a PC Build
Six 2TB NVMe SSDs across PCIe 4.0 and 5.0 compared on read and write speed, endurance, DRAM and price.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
Most games and apps load about as fast from any good Gen4 NVMe drive. Capacity and price matter more than peak speed for most builds.
We compared six 2TB drives. This is a research-based comparison built from maker specifications and retailer listings; we did not test these parts ourselves.
Quick Picks
Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best All-Round
WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB7,250MB/s reads and 6,900MB/s writes on TLC NAND.
Best for: Most builds.
Check price for WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best PCIe 5.0
Crucial T710 2TB14,900MB/s reads with a five-year warranty.
Best for: Boards with a Gen5 M.2 slot.
Check price for Crucial T710 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Well-Rounded Choice
Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TBThe 990 EVO Plus 2TB offers 7,250MB/s reads and runs on PCIe 4.0 x4 or 5.0 x2 lanes.
Best for: 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Highest Endurance
Lexar NM790 2TBA 1,500TBW rating.
Best for: Heavy write workloads.
Check price for Lexar NM790 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Value
Crucial P310 2TB7,100MB/s reads at one of the lowest 2TB prices.
Best for: Keeping costs down.
Check price for Crucial P310 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Solid Alternative
Samsung 9100 PRO 2TBThe 9100 PRO 2TB is a PCIe 5.0 drive rated for 14,700MB/s reads with Samsung's own controller, DRAM and NAND.
Best for: Buyers who want pcie 5.0 read speeds up to 14,700mb/s.
Check price for Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7,250MB/s reads and 6,900MB/s writes on TLC NAND. | Most builds. | Check price for WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 14,900MB/s reads with a five-year warranty. | Boards with a Gen5 M.2 slot. | Check price for Crucial T710 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The 990 EVO Plus 2TB offers 7,250MB/s reads and runs on PCIe 4.0 x4 or 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A 1,500TBW rating. | Heavy write workloads. | Check price for Lexar NM790 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 7,100MB/s reads at one of the lowest 2TB prices. | Keeping costs down. | Check price for Crucial P310 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The 9100 PRO 2TB is a PCIe 5.0 drive rated for 14,700MB/s reads with Samsung's own controller, DRAM and NAND. | Buyers who want pcie 5.0 read speeds up to 14,700mb/s. | Check price for Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best All-Round1 of 6
WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB
The SN7100 2TB offers 7,250MB/s reads and 6,900MB/s writes on TLC NAND.
Best for
- Most builds.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the P310 2TB cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On rated read speed it ties with the 990 EVO Plus 2TB at 7,250MB/s. Its 6,900MB/s rated write speed ranks third of 6 here, behind the T710 2TB (13,800MB/s) and ahead of the P310 2TB (6,000MB/s). Like the NM790 2TB and P310 2TB, it has a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, while the 990 EVO Plus 2TB uses a PCIe 4.0 x4 or 5.0 x2 interface.
You also get next-generation TLC NAND and the highest rated writes among the 2TB Gen4 drives here. 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. When we checked, only the P310 2TB cost less, and the NM790 2TB cost more.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 7,250MB/s
- Sequential write
- 6,900MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4
- Capacity
- 2TB
Pros
- Next-generation TLC NAND
- The highest rated writes among the 2TB Gen4 drives here
- Rated read speed of 7,250MB/s, ahead of the P310 2TB
- Rated write speed of 6,900MB/s, ahead of the NM790 2TB
Cons
- Costs more than the P310 2TB at the time of writing
Best PCIe 5.02 of 6
Crucial T710 2TB
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
- Boards with a Gen5 M.2 slot.
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
On rated read speed it leads this guide at 14,900MB/s, ahead of the 9100 PRO 2TB (14,700MB/s). It shares a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface with the 9100 PRO 2TB; the P310 2TB goes with 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. 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 6 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the 9100 PRO 2TB and the rest.
Key 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 P310 2TB at the time of writing
Well-Rounded Choice3 of 6
Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB
The 990 EVO Plus 2TB offers 7,250MB/s reads and runs on PCIe 4.0 x4 or 5.0 x2 lanes.
Best for
- Buyers who want design that runs on pcie 4.0 x4 or pcie 5.0 x2 lanes.
Skip if
- Pass on it if needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It matches the SN7100 2TB on rated read speed (7,250MB/s). On rated write speed it sits mid-pack at 6,300MB/s: the T710 2TB offers 13,800MB/s, and the P310 2TB comes in at 6,000MB/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. On price it sat fourth of 6, between the cheaper NM790 2TB and the pricier 9100 PRO 2TB, at the time of writing.
Key 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 P310 2TB
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- Costs more than the P310 2TB at the time of writing
Highest Endurance4 of 6
Lexar NM790 2TB
The NM790 2TB offers 7,400MB/s reads and a 1,500TBW rating without onboard DRAM.
Best for
- Heavy write workloads.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no DRAM cache, unlike the 9100 PRO 2TB.
Why we like it
On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 7,400MB/s: the T710 2TB offers 14,900MB/s, and the P310 2TB comes in at 7,100MB/s. Its 6,500MB/s rated write speed ranks fourth of 6 here, behind the T710 2TB (13,800MB/s) and ahead of the P310 2TB (6,000MB/s). Like the SN7100 2TB and P310 2TB, it has a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, while the 990 EVO Plus 2TB uses a PCIe 4.0 x4 or 5.0 x2 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. When we checked, only the SN7100 2TB and cheaper picks cost less, and the 990 EVO Plus 2TB cost more.
Key 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
- Rated read speed of 7,400MB/s, ahead of the SN7100 2TB
- Rated write speed of 6,500MB/s, ahead of the 990 EVO Plus 2TB
Cons
- No DRAM cache, unlike the 9100 PRO 2TB
- Costs more than the P310 2TB at the time of writing
The catch
What it gives up: no DRAM cache, unlike the 9100 PRO 2TB; by contrast, the 9100 PRO 2TB has it.
Best Value5 of 6
Crucial P310 2TB
The P310 2TB offers 7,100MB/s reads at one of the lowest 2TB prices here.
Best for
- Keeping costs down.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated read speed matters most to you; the T710 2TB offers 14,900MB/s.
Why we like it
Its 7,100MB/s rated read speed is the slowest in this group; the T710 2TB leads at 14,900MB/s. On rated write speed it trails the group at 6,000MB/s, while the T710 2TB offers 13,800MB/s. It shares a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface with the SN7100 2TB and NM790 2TB; the T710 2TB goes with a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface.
You also get 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 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 SN7100 2TB and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 7,100MB/s
- Sequential write
- 6,000MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4
- Capacity
- 2TB
Pros
- Acronis data migration bundle
- One of the lowest 2TB prices here
- 7,100MB/s reads at one of the lowest 2TB prices
Cons
- Rated read speed trails the T710 2TB (14,900MB/s)
- Rated write speed trails the T710 2TB (13,800MB/s)
The catch
The trade-off is rated read speed; for more, the T710 2TB offers 14,900MB/s.
Solid Alternative6 of 6
Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB
The 9100 PRO 2TB is a PCIe 5.0 drive rated for 14,700MB/s reads with Samsung's own controller, DRAM and NAND.
Best for
- Buyers who want pcie 5.0 read speeds up to 14,700mb/s.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed is a problem.
Why we like it
Its 14,700MB/s rated read speed ranks second of 6 here, behind the T710 2TB (14,900MB/s) and ahead of the P310 2TB (7,100MB/s). On rated write speed it sits mid-pack at 13,400MB/s: the T710 2TB offers 13,800MB/s, and the P310 2TB comes in at 6,000MB/s. It shares a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface with the T710 2TB; the 990 EVO Plus 2TB goes with a PCIe 4.0 x4 or 5.0 x2 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. 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. Its price falls between the 990 EVO Plus 2TB and the T710 2TB, based on our last check.
Key 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
- Rated write speed of 13,400MB/s, ahead of the SN7100 2TB
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- Costs more than the P310 2TB at the time of writing
How We Chose These 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.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up six drives on rated read speed, rated write speed, interface and DRAM cache as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 4 of 6 picks leave out DRAM cache.
- What every pick has in common
- All 6, from the SN7100 2TB to the 9100 PRO 2TB, state rated read speed, rated write speed and interface and share 2TB capacity.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The SN7100 2TB, the T710 2TB, the 990 EVO Plus 2TB and the P310 2TB give no DRAM cache.
- Price range
- From the P310 2TB to the T710 2TB, all sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in an SSD
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Rated read speed across these picks
Here rated read speed runs from 7,100MB/s on the P310 2TB to 14,900MB/s on the T710 2TB, an 110% spread. The 9100 PRO 2TB comes second at 14,700MB/s, in the same price tier as the T710 2TB.
How much rated write speed you need
Across these 6 picks rated write speed spans 6,000MB/s (the P310 2TB) to 13,800MB/s (the T710 2TB). For less, the 9100 PRO 2TB is the runner-up at 13,400MB/s.
An M.2 SSD installed on a motherboard DRAM cache
The NM790 2TB goes without; the 9100 PRO 2TB has it.
Extras that separate them
The NM790 2TB: lower power draw than DRAM-equipped Gen4 drives, by Lexar's figure. The P310 2TB: one of the lowest 2TB prices here. The 9100 PRO 2TB: in-house controller, DRAM and NAND.
An M.2 SSD going into a motherboard slot How much to spend
All 6 sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, from the P310 2TB at the low end to the T710 2TB at the top, so decide on features first.
How to Choose an SSD
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most builds | SN7100 2TB | 7,250MB/s reads and 6,900MB/s writes on TLC NAND |
| Boards with a Gen5 M.2 slot | T710 2TB | 14,900MB/s reads with a five-year warranty |
| Heavy write workloads | NM790 2TB | A 1,500TBW rating |
| Keeping costs down | P310 2TB | 7,100MB/s reads at one of the lowest 2TB prices |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The T710 2TB leads on rated read speed at 14,900MB/s, ahead of the 9100 PRO 2TB at 14,700MB/s. "Not listed" marks DRAM cache where the SN7100 2TB, the T710 2TB, the 990 EVO Plus 2TB and the P310 2TB leave the figure out.
| Drive | Sequential read | Sequential write | Interface | DRAM cache |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SN7100 2TB | 7,250MB/s | 6,900MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Not listed |
| T710 2TB | 14,900MB/s | 13,800MB/s | PCIe 5.0 x4 | Not listed |
| 990 EVO Plus 2TB | 7,250MB/s | 6,300MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 or 5.0 x2 | Not listed |
| NM790 2TB | 7,400MB/s | 6,500MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | No (HMB) |
| P310 2TB | 7,100MB/s | 6,000MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Not listed |
| 9100 PRO 2TB | 14,700MB/s | 13,400MB/s | PCIe 5.0 x4 | Yes |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the T710 2TB ahead of the 9100 PRO 2TB on rated read speed?
The T710 2TB leads at 14,900MB/s, with the 9100 PRO 2TB at 14,700MB/s. The P310 2TB closes the ranking at 7,100MB/s.
How does the 9100 PRO 2TB compare with the T710 2TB on rated write speed?
Between the top two, it is 13,800MB/s on the T710 2TB against 13,400MB/s on the 9100 PRO 2TB, a 3% difference. The P310 2TB is at the other end of this group with 6,000MB/s.
What does the T710 2TB add over the P310 2TB?
What it brings is rated read speed (14,900MB/s against 7,100MB/s) and rated write speed (13,800MB/s against 6,000MB/s). Both sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, so the gains in rated read speed and rated write speed cost little extra by tier.
Why is the T710 2TB our Best PCIe 5.0 pick?
It carries the badge for 14,900MB/s reads with a five-year warranty. It suits boards with a Gen5 M.2 slot.
Do the SN7100 2TB and the T710 2TB differ on interface?
The SN7100 2TB, the NM790 2TB and the P310 2TB use PCIe 4.0 x4; the T710 2TB and the 9100 PRO 2TB use PCIe 5.0 x4; the 990 EVO Plus 2TB uses PCIe 4.0 x4 or 5.0 x2.
What extras do the SN7100 2TB and the T710 2TB include?
The SN7100 2TB: next-generation TLC NAND. The T710 2TB: Micron TLC NAND. The 990 EVO Plus 2TB: a design that runs on PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 lanes.
Bottom Line
The SN7100 2TB suits most builds. The T710 is the Gen5 pick, the NM790 has the highest endurance here, and the P310 saves money.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best 2TB NVMe SSDs for Gaming
- Related guideThe Best 4TB SSDs for a Large Game Library
- Related guideThe Best 2TB Gen4 NVMe SSDs
- Lower budgetThe Best SSDs Under $300
- Similar guideThe Best 1TB SSDs
- ExplainerNVMe vs SATA SSD
- ExplainerHow to Choose a SATA SSD
- Check compatibility: motherboardsATX vs Micro-ATX vs Mini-ITX
- Similar guideThe Best 8TB SSDs
- Topic hubAll ssds and storage guides
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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