Buying Guide
The Best SSDs for ROG Ally
We weighed five SSDs on rated read speed and rated write speed; the Optimus GX 7100M has the fastest rated read speed, and the ON1000T 1TB costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
The original ROG Ally takes a short M.2 2230 drive, so a standard 2280 SSD will not fit. We ordered 1TB and 2TB 2230 drives by listed read speed, since the Ally's PCIe 4.0 slot can use it.
Rankings weigh sequential read, sequential write and interface as the makers state them; we did not test these SSDs ourselves, and if a maker skips sequential write, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Fastest Rated Read Speed
SanDisk Optimus GX 7100M 1TB (M.2 2230)
The fastest rated read speed here (7,250MB/s).
Best for: Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Our take Check price for SanDisk Optimus GX 7100M 1TB (M.2 2230) (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Crucial P310 2TB M.2 2230 SSD
An M.2 2230 size for the Steam Deck and ROG Ally.
Best for: Buyers who want M.2 2230 size for the Steam Deck and ROG Ally.
Our take Check price for Crucial P310 2TB M.2 2230 SSD (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Kingston NV3 1TB (M.2 2230)
Kingston's Gen 4x4 NVMe in a low-power design.
Best for: Buyers who want Kingston's Gen 4x4 NVMe in a low-power design.
Our take Check price for Kingston NV3 1TB (M.2 2230) (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Kingston NV3 2TB (M.2 2230)
Kingston's Gen 4x4 NVMe in a low-power design at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the ON1000T 1TB costs less.
Our take Check price for Kingston NV3 2TB (M.2 2230) (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
OSCOO ON1000T 1TB (M.2 2230)
Undercutting the NV3 1TB 2230 on price when we checked.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the NV3 1TB 2230.
Our take Check price for OSCOO ON1000T 1TB (M.2 2230) (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The fastest rated read speed here (7,250MB/s). | Buyers who put rated read speed first. | Check price for SanDisk Optimus GX 7100M 1TB (M.2 2230) (opens in a new tab) |
| An M.2 2230 size for the Steam Deck and ROG Ally. | Buyers who want M.2 2230 size for the Steam Deck and ROG Ally. | Check price for Crucial P310 2TB M.2 2230 SSD (opens in a new tab) |
| Kingston's Gen 4x4 NVMe in a low-power design. | Buyers who want Kingston's Gen 4x4 NVMe in a low-power design. | Check price for Kingston NV3 1TB (M.2 2230) (opens in a new tab) |
| Kingston's Gen 4x4 NVMe in a low-power design at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the ON1000T 1TB costs less. | Check price for Kingston NV3 2TB (M.2 2230) (opens in a new tab) |
| Undercutting the NV3 1TB 2230 on price when we checked. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the NV3 1TB 2230. | Check price for OSCOO ON1000T 1TB (M.2 2230) (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Fastest Rated Read Speed1 of 5
SanDisk Optimus GX 7100M 1TB (M.2 2230) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Optimus GX 7100M brings to the table is 8th-generation BiCS TLC NAND, plus a power-efficient design SanDisk pitches at handheld battery life.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the ON1000T 1TB was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It also offers a 7,250MB/s rated read speed and offers a 6,900MB/s rated write speed. Its 7,250MB/s rated read speed is the fastest here; the P310 2TB 2230 comes next at 7,100MB/s. Nothing else here matches its 6,900MB/s rated write speed; the P310 2TB 2230 comes closest at 6,000MB/s.
It also offers DirectStorage support and SanDisk Dashboard Game Mode and Acronis migration software. It is an M.2 2230 (30mm) drive, shorter than the 2280 drives in most desktops; check your device's documentation for the M.2 length it accepts before ordering. It has no bulky heatsink, which helps it fit under a handheld's SSD shield; move the original thermal pad or shielding across if your device uses one. It was priced above the NV3 1TB 2230 and below the P310 2TB 2230 at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,250MB/s
- Sequential write: 6,900MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230)
- Capacity: 1TB
Pros
- 8th-generation BiCS TLC NAND
- Power-efficient design SanDisk pitches at handheld battery life
- DirectStorage support
- SanDisk Dashboard Game Mode and Acronis migration software
Cons
- Costs more than the ON1000T 1TB at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
Crucial P310 2TB M.2 2230 SSD on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the P310 2TB 2230 brings to the table is an M.2 2230 size for the Steam Deck and ROG Ally, plus listed compatibility with the Steam Deck, ROG Ally and Surface.
Best for
- Buyers who want M.2 2230 size for the Steam Deck and ROG Ally.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the ON1000T 1TB was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It also offers a 7,100MB/s rated read speed and offers a 6,000MB/s rated write speed. On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 7,100MB/s: the Optimus GX 7100M offers 7,250MB/s, and the ON1000T 1TB comes in at 5,200MB/s. Its 6,000MB/s rated write speed ranks second of 3 here, behind the Optimus GX 7100M (6,900MB/s) and ahead of the ON1000T 1TB (4,800MB/s).
It is an M.2 2230 (30mm) drive, shorter than the 2280 drives in most desktops; check your device's documentation for the M.2 length it accepts before ordering. It has no bulky heatsink, which helps it fit under a handheld's SSD shield; move the original thermal pad or shielding across if your device uses one. It was priced above the Optimus GX 7100M and below the NV3 2TB 2230 at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,100MB/s
- Sequential write: 6,000MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230)
- Capacity: 2TB
Pros
- M.2 2230 size for the Steam Deck and ROG Ally
- Listed compatibility with the Steam Deck, ROG Ally and Surface
- 7,100MB/s rated reads
- Rated read speed of 7,100MB/s, ahead of the NV3 1TB 2230
Cons
- Costs more than the ON1000T 1TB at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Kingston NV3 1TB (M.2 2230) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the NV3 1TB 2230 brings to the table is Kingston's Gen 4x4 NVMe in a low-power design, plus listed use in handheld gaming devices and small-form-factor PCs.
Best for
- Buyers who want Kingston's Gen 4x4 NVMe in a low-power design.
Skip if
- Its rated write speed is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It also offers a 6,000MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 1TB. It matches the NV3 2TB 2230 on rated read speed (6,000MB/s). It is an M.2 2230 (30mm) drive, shorter than the 2280 drives in most desktops; check your device's documentation for the M.2 length it accepts before ordering.
It has no bulky heatsink, which helps it fit under a handheld's SSD shield; move the original thermal pad or shielding across if your device uses one. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper ON1000T 1TB and the pricier Optimus GX 7100M, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its rated write speed; if that figure matters, the Optimus GX 7100M offers 6,900MB/s.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 6,000MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230)
- Capacity: 1TB
Pros
- Kingston's Gen 4x4 NVMe in a low-power design
- Listed use in handheld gaming devices and small-form-factor PCs
- Rated read speed of 6,000MB/s, ahead of the ON1000T 1TB
Cons
- No published rated write speed
- Costs more than the ON1000T 1TB at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 5
Kingston NV3 2TB (M.2 2230) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The NV3 2TB 2230 is built around Kingston's Gen 4x4 NVMe in a low-power design, with listed use in handheld gaming devices and small-form-factor PCs on top.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the ON1000T 1TB costs less.
Skip if
- The maker gives no rated write speed, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 6,000MB/s rated read speed and is rated for 2TB. It matches the NV3 1TB 2230 on rated read speed (6,000MB/s). It is an M.2 2230 (30mm) drive, shorter than the 2280 drives in most desktops; check your device's documentation for the M.2 length it accepts before ordering.
It has no bulky heatsink, which helps it fit under a handheld's SSD shield; move the original thermal pad or shielding across if your device uses one. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the P310 2TB 2230. Buyers who need a confirmed rated write speed should compare it with the Optimus GX 7100M, which offers 6,900MB/s.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 6,000MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230)
- Capacity: 2TB
Pros
- Kingston's Gen 4x4 NVMe in a low-power design
- Listed use in handheld gaming devices and small-form-factor PCs
- Rated read speed of 6,000MB/s, ahead of the ON1000T 1TB
- Kingston's Gen 4x4 NVMe in a low-power design at the highest price in the group
Cons
- No published rated write speed
- Costs more than the ON1000T 1TB at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
OSCOO ON1000T 1TB (M.2 2230) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the ON1000T 1TB brings to the table is AES-256 encryption, TRIM and S.M.A.R.T.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the NV3 1TB 2230.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: slower 5,200MB/s rated reads.
Why we like it
support, plus up to 300K random IOPS. It also offers a 5,200MB/s rated read speed and offers a 4,800MB/s rated write speed. On rated read speed it trails the group at 5,200MB/s, while the Optimus GX 7100M offers 7,250MB/s. Its 4,800MB/s rated write speed is the slowest in this group; the Optimus GX 7100M leads at 6,900MB/s.
It also offers a graphene heat-spreader label in place of a bulky heatsink. It is an M.2 2230 (30mm) drive, shorter than the 2280 drives in most desktops; check your device's documentation for the M.2 length it accepts before ordering. It has no bulky heatsink, which helps it fit under a handheld's SSD shield; move the original thermal pad or shielding across if your device uses one. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the NV3 1TB 2230 was closest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 5,200MB/s
- Sequential write: 4,800MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230)
- Capacity: 1TB
Pros
- AES-256 encryption, TRIM and S.M.A.R.T. support
- Up to 300K random IOPS
- Graphene heat-spreader label in place of a bulky heatsink
- Undercutting the NV3 1TB 2230 on price when we checked
Cons
- Slower 5,200MB/s rated reads
- Rated read speed trails the Optimus GX 7100M (7,250MB/s)
How We Chose These SSDs for ROG Ally
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared five drives on rated read speed, rated write speed, interface and capacity as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 2 of 5 picks leave out rated write speed.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Optimus GX 7100M to the ON1000T 1TB, state rated read speed, interface and capacity and share PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230) interface.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The NV3 1TB 2230 and the NV3 2TB 2230 give no rated write speed.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the ON1000T 1TB ($150 to $250) to the NV3 2TB 2230 ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in an SSD for ROG Ally
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Rated read speed
Here rated read speed runs from 5,200MB/s on the ON1000T 1TB to 7,250MB/s on the Optimus GX 7100M, a 39% spread. If rated read speed is your first filter, the Optimus GX 7100M sets the ceiling at 7,250MB/s.
Rated write speed across these picks
The Optimus GX 7100M tops rated write speed at 6,900MB/s and the ON1000T 1TB sits lowest at 4,800MB/s. The Optimus GX 7100M is the pick for rated write speed. The NV3 1TB 2230 and the NV3 2TB 2230 give no rated write speed figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
Extras that separate them
The P310 2TB 2230: listed compatibility with the Steam Deck, ROG Ally and Surface. The NV3 1TB 2230: listed use in handheld gaming devices and small-form-factor PCs. The ON1000T 1TB: up to 300K random IOPS.
Budget
$150 to $250 buys the ON1000T 1TB, the NV3 1TB 2230 and the Optimus GX 7100M; $250 to $500 buys the P310 2TB 2230 and the NV3 2TB 2230 at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Buyers who put rated read speed first: the Optimus GX 7100M. Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the ON1000T 1TB costs less: the NV3 2TB 2230. Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the NV3 1TB 2230: the ON1000T 1TB.
How to Choose an SSD for ROG Ally
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put rated read speed first | Optimus GX 7100M | The fastest rated read speed here (7,250MB/s) |
| Buyers who want M.2 2230 size for the Steam Deck and ROG Ally | P310 2TB 2230 | An M.2 2230 size for the Steam Deck and ROG Ally |
| Buyers who want Kingston's Gen 4x4 NVMe in a low-power design | NV3 1TB 2230 | Kingston's Gen 4x4 NVMe in a low-power design |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the ON1000T 1TB costs less | NV3 2TB 2230 | Kingston's Gen 4x4 NVMe in a low-power design at the highest price in the group |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the NV3 1TB 2230 | ON1000T 1TB | Undercutting the NV3 1TB 2230 on price when we checked |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Optimus GX 7100M leads on rated read speed at 7,250MB/s, ahead of the P310 2TB 2230 at 7,100MB/s. "Not listed" marks rated write speed where the NV3 1TB 2230 and the NV3 2TB 2230 leave the figure out.
| Drive | Sequential read | Sequential write | Interface | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optimus GX 7100M | 7,250MB/s | 6,900MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230) | 1TB |
| P310 2TB 2230 | 7,100MB/s | 6,000MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230) | 2TB |
| NV3 1TB 2230 | 6,000MB/s | Not listed | PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230) | 1TB |
| NV3 2TB 2230 | 6,000MB/s | Not listed | PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230) | 2TB |
| ON1000T 1TB | 5,200MB/s | 4,800MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 (M.2 2230) | 1TB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The ON1000T 1TB was the lowest-priced pick ($150 to $250) and the NV3 2TB 2230 the highest ($250 to $500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Drives |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | ON1000T 1TB, NV3 1TB 2230, Optimus GX 7100M |
| About $250 to $500 | P310 2TB 2230, NV3 2TB 2230 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the fastest rated read speed: the Optimus GX 7100M or the P310 2TB 2230?
The Optimus GX 7100M tops rated read speed at 7,250MB/s; the P310 2TB 2230 follows at 7,100MB/s, 2% apart. The ON1000T 1TB closes the ranking at 5,200MB/s.
Is the Optimus GX 7100M ahead of the P310 2TB 2230 on rated write speed?
The Optimus GX 7100M leads at 6,900MB/s, with the P310 2TB 2230 at 6,000MB/s. The ON1000T 1TB is at the other end of this group with 4,800MB/s. The NV3 1TB 2230 and the NV3 2TB 2230 don't state a rated write speed figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.
What does the NV3 2TB 2230 add over the ON1000T 1TB?
What it brings is rated read speed (6,000MB/s against 5,200MB/s). On our last price check the ON1000T 1TB was in the $150 to $250 tier and the NV3 2TB 2230 in the $250 to $500 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if rated read speed decides your purchase.
Why is the Optimus GX 7100M our Fastest Rated Read Speed pick?
It earns the label for the fastest rated read speed here (7,250MB/s). On rated read speed it leads the P310 2TB 2230, 7,250MB/s against 7,100MB/s, a 2% margin. It suits anyone who puts rated read speed first.
Do the Optimus GX 7100M and the P310 2TB 2230 differ on capacity?
The Optimus GX 7100M, the NV3 1TB 2230 and the ON1000T 1TB use 1TB; the P310 2TB 2230 and the NV3 2TB 2230 use 2TB.
What extras do the Optimus GX 7100M and the P310 2TB 2230 include?
The Optimus GX 7100M: 8th-generation BiCS TLC NAND. The P310 2TB 2230: an M.2 2230 size for the Steam Deck and ROG Ally. The NV3 1TB 2230: Kingston's Gen 4x4 NVMe in a low-power design.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Optimus GX 7100M, chosen for the fastest rated read speed here (7,250MB/s). Look at the P310 2TB 2230 for an M.2 2230 size for the Steam Deck and ROG Ally, the NV3 1TB 2230 for Kingston's Gen 4x4 NVMe in a low-power design and the NV3 2TB 2230 for Kingston's Gen 4x4 NVMe in a low-power design at the highest price in the group if those matter more to you.
Check whether you own the original ROG Ally or the ROG Ally X before ordering; the X ships with a longer 2280 slot and takes different drives.