Buying Guide
The Best SSDs for Streaming and Recording
From the 9100 PRO 2TB to the MP700 Elite 2TB: five SSDs ranked on rated read speed and rated write speed, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Recording streams writes large files continuously, so write speed and capacity matter. Every pick is 2TB or larger and writes at 6,000MB/s or more, ordered by write speed.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: sequential read, sequential write and interface come from each maker's published specs; nothing here was tested in-house, and a missing sequential read is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Fastest Rated Read Speed
Corsair MP700 PRO XT 2TB
The fastest rated read speed here (14,900MB/s).
Best for: Buyers who put rated read speed first.
Our take Check price for Corsair MP700 PRO XT 2TB (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Kingston FURY Renegade G5 2TB
Rated writes up to 14,000MB/s.
Best for: Buyers who want rated writes up to 14,000MB/s.
Our take Check price for Kingston FURY Renegade G5 2TB (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB
The lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing.
Best for: Keeping the budget tight.
Our take Check price for Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Corsair MP700 Elite 2TB
The top of this price range, adding DirectStorage support.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for Corsair MP700 Elite 2TB (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Crucial T500 2TB
Micron TLC NAND.
Best for: Buyers who want Micron TLC NAND.
Our take Check price for Crucial T500 2TB (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The fastest rated read speed here (14,900MB/s). | Buyers who put rated read speed first. | Check price for Corsair MP700 PRO XT 2TB (opens in a new tab) |
| Rated writes up to 14,000MB/s. | Buyers who want rated writes up to 14,000MB/s. | Check price for Kingston FURY Renegade G5 2TB (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing. | Keeping the budget tight. | Check price for Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding DirectStorage support. | Spending more for the fullest feature set. | Check price for Corsair MP700 Elite 2TB (opens in a new tab) |
| Micron TLC NAND. | Buyers who want Micron TLC NAND. | Check price for Crucial T500 2TB (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Fastest Rated Read Speed1 of 5
Corsair MP700 PRO XT 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The MP700 PRO XT 2TB offers 14,900MB/s reads and 14,500MB/s writes, the fastest Corsair drive here.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated read speed first.
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
On rated read speed it leads this guide at 14,900MB/s, ahead of the 9100 PRO 2TB (14,700MB/s). On rated write speed it leads this guide at 14,500MB/s, ahead of the FURY Renegade G5 (14,000MB/s). It also comes with the highest rated writes among the drives here and DirectStorage support.
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. When we checked, only the 9100 PRO 2TB cost less, and the T500 2TB cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 14,900MB/s
- Sequential write: 14,500MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 5.0 x4
- Capacity: 2TB
Pros
- PCIe 5.0 read speeds up to 14,900MB/s
- The highest rated writes among the drives here
- DirectStorage support
- Fastest rated write speed of the picks (14,500MB/s)
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- Costs more than the 9100 PRO 2TB at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
Kingston FURY Renegade G5 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The FURY Renegade G5 is built around rated writes up to 14,000MB/s.
Best for
- Buyers who want rated writes up to 14,000MB/s.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 14,000MB/s rated write speed and is rated for 2TB. On rated write speed it sits mid-pack at 14,000MB/s: the MP700 PRO XT 2TB offers 14,500MB/s, and the T500 2TB comes in at 7,000MB/s. 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 5, between the cheaper T500 2TB and the pricier MP700 Elite 2TB, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its rated read speed; if that figure matters, the MP700 PRO XT 2TB offers 14,900MB/s.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential write: 14,000MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 5.0 x4
- Capacity: 2TB
Pros
- Rated writes up to 14,000MB/s
- Rated write speed of 14,000MB/s, ahead of the 9100 PRO 2TB
- PCIe 5.0 x4 interface
- 2TB capacity
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- No published rated read speed
- Costs more than the 9100 PRO 2TB at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 5
Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The 9100 PRO doubles PCIe 4.0 speeds at 14,700MB/s reads with DRAM cache.
Best for
- Keeping the budget tight.
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
It helps large file work more than game loading. On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 14,700MB/s: the MP700 PRO XT 2TB offers 14,900MB/s, and the T500 2TB comes in at 7,400MB/s. Its 13,400MB/s rated write speed ranks third of 5 here, behind the MP700 PRO XT 2TB (14,500MB/s) and ahead of the T500 2TB (7,000MB/s).
It also offers 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. 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 cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the MP700 PRO XT 2TB the next step up.
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 MP700 Elite 2TB
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- Rated read speed of 14,700MB/s, behind the MP700 PRO XT 2TB (14,900MB/s)
Premium Pick4 of 5
Corsair MP700 Elite 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The MP700 Elite 2TB is a PCIe 5.0 drive rated for 10,000MB/s reads and 8,500MB/s writes.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
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
On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 10,000MB/s: the MP700 PRO XT 2TB offers 14,900MB/s, and the T500 2TB comes in at 7,400MB/s. It also offers DirectStorage support, high-density 3D TLC NAND and a lower price than the MP700 PRO 2TB. 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. At our last price check it topped the group, with the FURY Renegade G5 the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 10,000MB/s
- Sequential write: 8,500MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 5.0 x4
- Capacity: 2TB
Pros
- DirectStorage support
- High-density 3D TLC NAND
- Lower price than the MP700 PRO 2TB
- Rated read speed of 10,000MB/s, ahead of the T500 2TB
Cons
- Needs a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot to reach its rated speed
- Costs more than the 9100 PRO 2TB at the time of writing
Strong Alternative5 of 5
Crucial T500 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The T500 2TB offers 7,400MB/s reads and 7,000MB/s writes, the fastest rated writes among the 2TB Gen4 drives here.
Best for
- Buyers who want Micron TLC NAND.
Skip if
- Skip it if rated read speed matters most to you; the MP700 PRO XT 2TB offers 14,900MB/s.
Why we like it
On rated read speed it trails the group at 7,400MB/s, while the MP700 PRO XT 2TB offers 14,900MB/s. Its 7,000MB/s rated write speed is the slowest in this group; the MP700 PRO XT 2TB leads at 14,500MB/s. No other pick in this guide offers a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface; compare the 9100 PRO 2TB, which has a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface.
It also offers Micron TLC NAND and 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. When we checked, only the MP700 PRO XT 2TB and cheaper picks cost less, and the FURY Renegade G5 cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- Sequential read: 7,400MB/s
- Sequential write: 7,000MB/s
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- Capacity: 2TB
Pros
- Micron TLC NAND
- Acronis data migration bundle
- PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, the only one here
Cons
- Rated read speed trails the MP700 PRO XT 2TB (14,900MB/s)
- Costs more than the 9100 PRO 2TB at the time of writing
How We Chose These SSDs for Streaming and Recording
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up five drives on rated read speed, rated write speed, interface and capacity from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the MP700 PRO XT 2TB to the T500 2TB, state rated write speed, interface and capacity and share 2TB capacity.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The FURY Renegade G5 gives no rated read speed.
- Price range
- From the 9100 PRO 2TB to the MP700 Elite 2TB, all sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in an SSD for Streaming and Recording
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much rated write speed you need
Here rated write speed runs from 7,000MB/s on the T500 2TB to 14,500MB/s on the MP700 PRO XT 2TB. The MP700 PRO XT 2TB is the pick for rated write speed.
Rated read speed
Here rated read speed runs from 7,400MB/s on the T500 2TB to 14,900MB/s on the MP700 PRO XT 2TB. The 9100 PRO 2TB comes second for less money. No figure for the FURY Renegade G5.
What to check at home
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.
Features beyond the spec table
The 9100 PRO 2TB: in-house controller, DRAM and NAND. The MP700 Elite 2TB: high-density 3D TLC NAND. The T500 2TB: an Acronis data migration bundle.
Budget
All 5 sat in one tier when we checked, from the 9100 PRO 2TB at the low end to the MP700 Elite 2TB at the top, so decide on features first.
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.
How to Choose an SSD for Streaming and Recording
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put rated read speed first | MP700 PRO XT 2TB | The fastest rated read speed here (14,900MB/s) |
| Buyers who want rated writes up to 14,000MB/s | FURY Renegade G5 | Rated writes up to 14,000MB/s |
| Keeping the budget tight | 9100 PRO 2TB | The lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | MP700 Elite 2TB | The top of this price range, adding DirectStorage support |
| Buyers who want Micron TLC NAND | T500 2TB | Micron TLC NAND |
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Key specs side by side
The MP700 PRO XT 2TB leads on rated write speed at 14,500MB/s, ahead of the FURY Renegade G5 at 14,000MB/s. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Drive | Sequential read | Sequential write | Interface | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MP700 PRO XT 2TB | 14,900MB/s | 14,500MB/s | PCIe 5.0 x4 | 2TB |
| FURY Renegade G5 | Not listed | 14,000MB/s | PCIe 5.0 x4 | 2TB |
| 9100 PRO 2TB | 14,700MB/s | 13,400MB/s | PCIe 5.0 x4 | 2TB |
| MP700 Elite 2TB | 10,000MB/s | 8,500MB/s | PCIe 5.0 x4 | 2TB |
| T500 2TB | 7,400MB/s | 7,000MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 2TB |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the MP700 PRO XT 2TB ahead of the FURY Renegade G5 on rated write speed?
The MP700 PRO XT 2TB leads at 14,500MB/s, with the FURY Renegade G5 at 14,000MB/s. The T500 2TB is at the other end of this group with 7,000MB/s.
Which has the fastest rated read speed: the MP700 PRO XT 2TB or the 9100 PRO 2TB?
The MP700 PRO XT 2TB leads at 14,900MB/s, with the 9100 PRO 2TB at 14,700MB/s. The T500 2TB is at the other end of this group with 7,400MB/s. The FURY Renegade G5 doesn't state a figure, so it sits outside this comparison.
Is the MP700 Elite 2TB worth paying more than the 9100 PRO 2TB?
On the figures both makers state, it adds little. It does not win everywhere: the 9100 PRO 2TB still leads on rated write speed (13,400MB/s) and rated read speed (14,700MB/s). The 9100 PRO 2TB was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if a feature outside the spec sheet matters to you.
What makes the MP700 PRO XT 2TB the Fastest Rated Read Speed?
It earns the label for the fastest rated read speed here (14,900MB/s). It suits anyone who put rated read speed first.
Do the MP700 PRO XT 2TB and the T500 2TB differ on interface?
The MP700 PRO XT 2TB, the FURY Renegade G5, the 9100 PRO 2TB and the MP700 Elite 2TB use PCIe 5.0 x4; the T500 2TB uses PCIe 4.0 x4.
What should I check before buying the FURY Renegade G5?
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. In this guide it ranks second of 5.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the MP700 PRO XT 2TB, chosen for the fastest rated read speed here (14,900MB/s). Look at the FURY Renegade G5 for rated writes up to 14,000MB/s, the 9100 PRO 2TB for the lowest price among these SSDs at the time of writing and the MP700 Elite 2TB for the top of this price range, adding DirectStorage support if those matter more to you.
Record to a separate drive from the game.