Buying Guide
The Best 2TB NVMe SSDs for Gaming
Six 2TB NVMe SSDs compared on PCIe generation, read and write speeds, DRAM cache and heatsinks, from value PCIe 4.0 to PCIe 5.0.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
An NVMe SSD makes the biggest difference to how quickly games and Windows load, and 2TB is a sensible size for a modern library. Above PCIe 4.0 speeds, game load times change little.
We compared six 2TB drives on PCIe generation, rated speeds, DRAM cache and heatsink options. This is a research-based comparison built from maker specifications; 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 Gaming SSD
Samsung 990 PRO 2TB7,450MB/s reads with DRAM cache on PCIe 4.0.
Best for: Most gaming PCs.
Check price for Samsung 990 PRO 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best with a Heatsink
WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB with HeatsinkAn included heatsink on a 7,300MB/s drive.
Best for: Boards without an M.2 cover.
Check price for WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB with Heatsink on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Value
Lexar NM790 2TB7,400MB/s reads and a 1,500TBW rating.
Best for: Budget builds that want speed.
Check price for Lexar NM790 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Most Flexible Lanes
Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TBSupport for PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2.
Best for: Boards that share M.2 lanes.
Check price for Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best PCIe 5.0 SSD
Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB14,700MB/s reads with DRAM cache.
Best for: Creative work on a PCIe 5.0 board.
Check price for Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Fastest Reads
WD_BLACK SN8100 2TB14,900MB/s rated reads, the highest here.
Best for: Large file work on a PCIe 5.0 board.
Check price for WD_BLACK SN8100 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best Gaming SSD1 of 6
Samsung 990 PRO 2TB
The 990 PRO sits near the top of PCIe 4.0 speeds at 7,450MB/s reads, with DRAM cache to hold speed under heavy writes.
Best for
- Most gaming PCs.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the NM790 2TB, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is the drive to pick for a gaming PC. On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 7,450MB/s: the SN8100 2TB offers 14,900MB/s, and the 990 EVO Plus 2TB comes in at 7,250MB/s. Its 6,900MB/s rated write speed ranks third of 6 here, behind the 9100 PRO 2TB (13,400MB/s) and ahead of the 990 EVO Plus 2TB (6,300MB/s).
Like the SN850X 2TB and NM790 2TB, it has a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, while the SN8100 2TB uses a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface. It also offers near-maximum PCIe 4.0 performance, by Samsung's description. 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 was priced above the 990 EVO Plus 2TB and below the 9100 PRO 2TB at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 7,450MB/s
- Sequential write
- 6,900MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4
- DRAM cache
- Yes
- Capacity
- 2TB
Pros
- Onboard DRAM cache
- Near-maximum PCIe 4.0 performance, by Samsung's description
- Rated read speed of 7,450MB/s, ahead of the NM790 2TB
- 7,450MB/s reads with DRAM cache on PCIe 4.0
Cons
- Costs more than the NM790 2TB at the time of writing
Best with a Heatsink2 of 6
WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB with Heatsink
The SN850X with heatsink offers 7,300MB/s reads and comes ready for boards without an M.2 cover.
Best for
- Boards without an M.2 cover.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the NM790 2TB, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Skip the heatsink version if your board has one. On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 7,300MB/s: the SN8100 2TB offers 14,900MB/s, and the 990 EVO Plus 2TB comes in at 7,250MB/s. Like the 990 PRO 2TB and NM790 2TB, it has a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, while the 9100 PRO 2TB uses a PCIe 5.0 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. Remove the board's own M.2 cover or skip the drive's heatsink; you only need one. It was priced above the 9100 PRO 2TB and below the SN8100 2TB at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 7,300MB/s
- Sequential write
- 6,300MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 x4
- Heatsink
- Included
- Capacity
- 2TB
Pros
- Heatsink included for boards without one
- Heatsink version suited to boards without an M.2 cover
- Rated read speed of 7,300MB/s, ahead of the 990 EVO Plus 2TB
- An included heatsink on a 7,300MB/s drive
Cons
- Costs more than the NM790 2TB at the time of writing
Best Value3 of 6
Lexar NM790 2TB
The NM790 reaches 7,400MB/s reads with a 1,500TBW rating and no DRAM, using host memory instead.
Best for
- Budget builds that want speed.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: no DRAM cache, unlike the 990 PRO 2TB.
Why we like it
For games that trade-off rarely shows. On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 7,400MB/s: the SN8100 2TB offers 14,900MB/s, and the 990 EVO Plus 2TB comes in at 7,250MB/s. Its 6,500MB/s rated write speed ranks fourth of 6 here, behind the 9100 PRO 2TB (13,400MB/s) and ahead of the 990 EVO Plus 2TB (6,300MB/s).
Like the 990 PRO 2TB and SN850X 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. It also offers 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 cost the least of the 6 picks at the time of writing, with the 990 EVO Plus 2TB the next step up.
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 SN850X 2TB
- 7,400MB/s reads and a 1,500TBW rating
Cons
- No DRAM cache, unlike the 990 PRO 2TB
The catch
What it gives up: no DRAM cache, unlike the 990 PRO 2TB; by contrast, the 990 PRO 2TB has it.
Most Flexible Lanes4 of 6
Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB
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
- Boards that share M.2 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
Its 7,250MB/s reads keep it close to the fastest Gen4 drives. Its 7,250MB/s rated read speed is the slowest in this group; the SN8100 2TB leads at 14,900MB/s. On rated write speed it ties with the SN850X 2TB at 6,300MB/s.
A PCIe 4.0 x4 or 5.0 x2 interface is unique to it among these picks, while the SN8100 2TB uses a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface. It also comes with 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. Its price falls between the NM790 2TB and the 990 PRO 2TB, based on our last check.
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
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- Rated read speed trails the SN8100 2TB (14,900MB/s)
- Rated write speed trails the 9100 PRO 2TB (13,400MB/s)
The catch
If rated read speed is your priority, the SN8100 2TB (14,900MB/s) is the stronger choice.
Best PCIe 5.0 SSD5 of 6
Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB
The 9100 PRO doubles PCIe 4.0 speeds at 14,700MB/s reads with DRAM cache.
Best for
- Creative work on a PCIe 5.0 board.
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
It helps large file work more than game loading. Its 14,700MB/s rated read speed ranks second of 6 here, behind the SN8100 2TB (14,900MB/s) and ahead of the 990 EVO Plus 2TB (7,250MB/s). On rated write speed it leads this guide at 13,400MB/s, ahead of the SN8100 2TB (11,000MB/s).
It shares a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface with the SN8100 2TB; the 990 EVO Plus 2TB goes with a PCIe 4.0 x4 or 5.0 x2 interface. You also get 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. On price it sat fourth of 6, between the cheaper 990 PRO 2TB and the pricier SN850X 2TB, at the time of writing.
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
- Fastest rated write speed of the picks (13,400MB/s)
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- Costs more than the NM790 2TB at the time of writing
Fastest Reads6 of 6
WD_BLACK SN8100 2TB
The SN8100 lists the fastest reads here at 14,900MB/s.
Best for
- Large file work on a PCIe 5.0 board.
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
Like the 9100 PRO, it needs a PCIe 5.0 slot to reach them. Nothing else here matches its 14,900MB/s rated read speed; the 9100 PRO 2TB comes closest at 14,700MB/s. On rated write speed it sits mid-pack at 11,000MB/s: the 9100 PRO 2TB offers 13,400MB/s, and the 990 EVO Plus 2TB comes in at 6,300MB/s.
It shares a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface with the 9100 PRO 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. 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 SN850X 2TB and the rest.
Key specs
- Sequential read
- 14,900MB/s
- Sequential write
- 11,000MB/s
- Interface
- PCIe 5.0 x4
- Capacity
- 2TB
Pros
- PCIe 5.0 read speeds up to 14,900MB/s
- Rated write speeds up to 11,000MB/s
- Rated write speed of 11,000MB/s, ahead of the 990 PRO 2TB
- 14,900MB/s rated reads, the highest here
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- Costs more than the NM790 2TB at the time of writing
How We Chose These SSDs for Gaming
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 set side by side six drives on rated read speed, rated write speed, interface and DRAM cache from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 4 of the 5 fields compared are stated for every pick, while DRAM cache has gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 6, from the 990 PRO 2TB to the SN8100 2TB, state rated read speed, rated write speed and interface and share 2TB capacity.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The SN850X 2TB, the 990 EVO Plus 2TB and the SN8100 2TB give no DRAM cache.
- Price range
- From the NM790 2TB to the SN8100 2TB, all sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in an SSD for Gaming
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much rated read speed you need
The SN8100 2TB tops rated read speed at 14,900MB/s and the 990 EVO Plus 2TB sits lowest at 7,250MB/s. The 9100 PRO 2TB comes second at 14,700MB/s, in the same price tier as the SN8100 2TB.
Rated write speed
Here rated write speed runs from 6,300MB/s on the 990 EVO Plus 2TB to 13,400MB/s on the 9100 PRO 2TB, an 113% spread. If rated write speed is your first filter, the 9100 PRO 2TB sets the ceiling at 13,400MB/s.
An M.2 SSD installed in a laptop DRAM cache
The 990 PRO 2TB and the 9100 PRO 2TB have it; the NM790 2TB goes without.
Extras that separate them
The 990 EVO Plus 2TB: Intelligent TurboWrite 2.0 caching for large transfers. The 9100 PRO 2TB: in-house controller, DRAM and NAND. The SN8100 2TB: rated write speeds up to 11,000MB/s.
The M.2 standoff position marked on a Gigabyte motherboard Where your budget lands
All 6 sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, from the NM790 2TB at the low end to the SN8100 2TB at the top, so decide on features first.
How to Choose an SSD for Gaming
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Most gaming PCs | 990 PRO 2TB | 7,450MB/s reads with DRAM cache on PCIe 4.0 |
| Boards without an M.2 cover | SN850X 2TB | An included heatsink on a 7,300MB/s drive |
| Budget builds that want speed | NM790 2TB | 7,400MB/s reads and a 1,500TBW rating |
| Boards that share M.2 lanes | 990 EVO Plus 2TB | Support for PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 |
| Creative work on a PCIe 5.0 board | 9100 PRO 2TB | 14,700MB/s reads with DRAM cache |
| Large file work on a PCIe 5.0 board | SN8100 2TB | 14,900MB/s rated reads, the highest here |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The SN8100 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 SN850X 2TB, the 990 EVO Plus 2TB and the SN8100 2TB leave the figure out.
| Drive | Sequential read | Sequential write | Interface | DRAM cache |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 PRO 2TB | 7,450MB/s | 6,900MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Yes |
| SN850X 2TB | 7,300MB/s | 6,300MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | Not listed |
| NM790 2TB | 7,400MB/s | 6,500MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | No (HMB) |
| 990 EVO Plus 2TB | 7,250MB/s | 6,300MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 or 5.0 x2 | Not listed |
| 9100 PRO 2TB | 14,700MB/s | 13,400MB/s | PCIe 5.0 x4 | Yes |
| SN8100 2TB | 14,900MB/s | 11,000MB/s | PCIe 5.0 x4 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the 9100 PRO 2TB compare with the SN8100 2TB on rated read speed?
The SN8100 2TB leads at 14,900MB/s, with the 9100 PRO 2TB at 14,700MB/s. The 990 EVO Plus 2TB is at the other end of this group with 7,250MB/s.
Which has the fastest rated write speed: the 9100 PRO 2TB or the SN8100 2TB?
Between the top two, it is 13,400MB/s on the 9100 PRO 2TB against 11,000MB/s on the SN8100 2TB, a 22% difference. The spread runs down to the 990 EVO Plus 2TB at 6,300MB/s.
What does the SN8100 2TB add over the NM790 2TB?
On paper it adds rated read speed (14,900MB/s against 7,400MB/s) and rated write speed (11,000MB/s against 6,500MB/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 SN850X 2TB our Best with a Heatsink pick?
The label rests on an included heatsink on a 7,300MB/s drive. The price of that: the NM790 2TB, the cheapest pick, still beats it on rated read speed (7,400MB/s against 7,300MB/s) and rated write speed (6,500MB/s against 6,300MB/s). It is aimed at boards without an M.2 cover.
Do the 990 PRO 2TB and the 990 EVO Plus 2TB differ on interface?
The 990 PRO 2TB, the SN850X 2TB and the NM790 2TB use PCIe 4.0 x4; the 990 EVO Plus 2TB uses PCIe 4.0 x4 or 5.0 x2; the 9100 PRO 2TB and the SN8100 2TB use PCIe 5.0 x4.
What extras do the 990 PRO 2TB and the SN850X 2TB include?
The 990 PRO 2TB: near-maximum PCIe 4.0 performance, by Samsung's description. The SN850X 2TB: a heatsink version suited to boards without an M.2 cover. The NM790 2TB: a 1,500TBW endurance rating on the 2TB model.
Bottom Line
The Samsung 990 PRO is the pick for gaming, the WD_BLACK SN850X suits boards without a heatsink, and the Lexar NM790 is the value choice.
The Samsung 990 EVO Plus is flexible on lanes, and the Samsung 9100 PRO and WD_BLACK SN8100 are for PCIe 5.0 builds.
Related Guides
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- Related guideThe Best Hard Drives for Gaming PCs
- Related guideThe Best Motherboards for Gaming PCs
- Lower budgetThe Best SSDs Under $300
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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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