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 The PC Journal editorial team
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
Our 6 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best All-Round
WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB
7,250MB/s reads and 6,900MB/s writes on TLC NAND.
Best for: Most builds.
Our take Check price for WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB (opens in a new tab)
Best PCIe 5.0
Crucial T710 2TB
14,900MB/s reads with a five-year warranty.
Best for: Boards with a Gen5 M.2 slot.
Our take Check price for Crucial T710 2TB (opens in a new tab)
Well-Rounded Choice
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.
Our take Check price for Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB (opens in a new tab)
Highest Endurance
Lexar NM790 2TB
A 1,500TBW rating.
Best for: Heavy write workloads.
Our take Check price for Lexar NM790 2TB (opens in a new tab)
Best Value
Crucial P310 2TB
7,100MB/s reads at one of the lowest 2TB prices.
Best for: Keeping costs down.
Our take Check price for Crucial P310 2TB (opens in a new tab)
Solid Alternative
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.
Our take Check price for Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7,250MB/s reads and 6,900MB/s writes on TLC NAND. | Most builds. | Check price for WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB (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 (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 (opens in a new tab) |
| A 1,500TBW rating. | Heavy write workloads. | Check price for Lexar NM790 2TB (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 (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 (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best All-Round1 of 6
WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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 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
- 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 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 P310 2TB at the time of writing
Well-Rounded Choice3 of 6
Samsung 990 EVO Plus 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.
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 spee 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 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 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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. What it gives up: no DRAM cache, unlike the 9100 PRO 2TB; by contrast, the 9100 PRO 2TB has it.
Key dimensions & 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
Best Value5 of 6
Crucial P310 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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)
Solid Alternative6 of 6
Samsung 9100 PRO 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.
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 spee 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 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
- 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
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Endurance
- We noted TBW ratings and warranty length where listed.
- Design
- We checked interface, DRAM cache and heatsink options.
- Speed
- We compared rated sequential read and write speeds.
- Capacity
- We compared drives at the same capacity within each guide.
What to Look for in an SSD
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
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.
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.
DRAM cache helps heavy use
Drives with DRAM cache hold speed better under long writes. DRAM-less drives with HMB are fine for games.
Check your M.2 slots
Check which slots run at PCIe 5.0 or 4.0, and which disable SATA ports or a PCIe slot when used.
Endurance is rarely a limit
TBW figures of 1,200 or more far exceed typical gaming writes. Heavy video work benefits from a higher rating.
Cool the drive
Fast drives throttle when hot. Use the motherboard's M.2 heatsink or a heatsink version of the drive.
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
Figures as each maker states them.
| 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 a PCIe 5.0 SSD worth it for gaming?
Not for load times, which change little. It helps large file transfers and creative work.
How much storage do I need for games?
2TB suits most players; 4TB suits large libraries without uninstalling.
Do I need an SSD heatsink?
Use one on fast drives. Most boards include M.2 heatsinks; otherwise buy the heatsink version.
Are DRAM-less SSDs bad?
No. Modern DRAM-less drives with HMB are fine for games; DRAM helps sustained heavy writes.
Can I use these in a PS5?
PCIe 4.0 M.2 drives work in a PS5 with a heatsink that fits the bay. Check Sony's size limits.
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
The SN7100 2TB suits most builds. The T710 is the Gen5 pick, the NM790 has the highest endurance here, and the P310 saves money.