Buying Guide
The Best SSDs for Streaming and Recording
From the SN7100 2TB to the T500 2TB: five SSDs ranked on rated read speed and rated write speed, with who should skip each one.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
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
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Fastest Rated Write Speed
Corsair MP700 PRO XT 2TBThe fastest rated write speed here (14,500MB/s).
Best for: Buyers who put rated write speed first.
Check price for Corsair MP700 PRO XT 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Kingston FURY Renegade G5 2TBRated writes up to 14,000MB/s.
Best for: Buyers who want rated writes up to 14,000MB/s.
Check price for Kingston FURY Renegade G5 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Crucial T710 2TBMicron TLC NAND.
Best for: Buyers who want Micron TLC NAND.
Check price for Crucial T710 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Crucial T500 2TBMicron TLC NAND at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the SN7100 2TB costs less.
Check price for Crucial T500 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
WD_BLACK SN7100 2TBA lower price than the MP700 PRO XT 2TB and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Getting next-generation TLC NAND for the least money.
Check price for WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Fastest Rated Write Speed1 of 5
Corsair MP700 PRO XT 2TB
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 write speed first.
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
On rated read speed it ties with the T710 2TB at 14,900MB/s. On rated write speed it leads this guide at 14,500MB/s, ahead of the FURY Renegade G5 (14,000MB/s). Like the FURY Renegade G5 and T710 2TB, it has a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface, while the T500 2TB uses a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface.
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 SN7100 2TB cost less, and the FURY Renegade G5 cost more.
Key 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 SN7100 2TB at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
Kingston FURY Renegade G5 2TB
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 SN7100 2TB comes in at 6,900MB/s. It shares a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface with the MP700 PRO XT 2TB and T710 2TB; the SN7100 2TB goes with a PCIe 4.0 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. 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 third of 5, between the cheaper MP700 PRO XT 2TB and the pricier T710 2TB, at the time of writing.
Key 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 T710 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 SN7100 2TB at the time of writing
The catch
The maker doesn't give its rated read speed; if that figure matters, the MP700 PRO XT 2TB offers 14,900MB/s.
Strong Alternative3 of 5
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
- Buyers who want Micron TLC NAND.
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 rated read speed it ties with the MP700 PRO XT 2TB at 14,900MB/s. Its 13,800MB/s rated write speed ranks third of 5 here, behind the MP700 PRO XT 2TB (14,500MB/s) and ahead of the SN7100 2TB (6,900MB/s). Like the MP700 PRO XT 2TB and FURY Renegade G5, it has a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface, while the T500 2TB uses a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface.
It also comes with 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. When we checked, only the FURY Renegade G5 and cheaper picks cost less, and the T500 2TB cost more.
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 SN7100 2TB at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 5
Crucial T500 2TB
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 for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the SN7100 2TB costs less.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the SN7100 2TB, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On rated read speed it sits mid-pack at 7,400MB/s: the MP700 PRO XT 2TB offers 14,900MB/s, and the SN7100 2TB comes in at 7,250MB/s. Its 7,000MB/s rated write speed ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the MP700 PRO XT 2TB (14,500MB/s) and ahead of the SN7100 2TB (6,900MB/s). Like the SN7100 2TB, it has a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, while the FURY Renegade G5 uses 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. At our last price check it topped the group, with the T710 2TB the nearest cheaper option.
Key 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
- Rated read speed of 7,400MB/s, ahead of the SN7100 2TB
- Micron TLC NAND at the highest price in the group
Cons
- Costs more than the SN7100 2TB at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB
The SN7100 2TB offers 7,250MB/s reads and 6,900MB/s writes on TLC NAND.
Best for
- Getting next-generation TLC NAND for the least money.
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
Its 7,250MB/s rated read speed is the slowest in this group; the MP700 PRO XT 2TB leads at 14,900MB/s. It shares a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface with the T500 2TB; the T710 2TB goes with a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface. It also comes with 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. It undercut the MP700 PRO XT 2TB and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
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
- A lower price than the MP700 PRO XT 2TB and the rest when we checked
Cons
- Rated read speed trails the MP700 PRO XT 2TB (14,900MB/s)
The catch
The trade-off is rated read speed; for more, the MP700 PRO XT 2TB offers 14,900MB/s.
How We Chose These SSDs for Streaming and Recording
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 five drives on rated read speed, rated write speed, interface and capacity from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and rated read speed is missing for at least one pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the MP700 PRO XT 2TB to the SN7100 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 SN7100 2TB to the T500 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 6,900MB/s on the SN7100 2TB to 14,500MB/s on the MP700 PRO XT 2TB, an 110% spread. Start with the MP700 PRO XT 2TB if rated write speed decides it.
Rated read speed
The MP700 PRO XT 2TB tops rated read speed at 14,900MB/s and the SN7100 2TB sits lowest at 7,250MB/s; 2 picks share the top figure. The MP700 PRO XT 2TB is the pick for rated read speed. The FURY Renegade G5 gives no rated read speed figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
An M.2 SSD going into a motherboard slot Features beyond the spec table
The T710 2TB: a five-year warranty. The T500 2TB: an Acronis data migration bundle. The SN7100 2TB: the highest rated writes among the 2TB Gen4 drives here.
Budget
Price does little to separate these 5: the SN7100 2TB through the T500 2TB all landed in the $250 to $500 tier, which leaves rated write speed to decide it.
The M.2 slot and standoff on a motherboard Match the pick to your priority
Buyers who put rated write speed first: the MP700 PRO XT 2TB. Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the SN7100 2TB costs less: the T500 2TB. Getting next-generation TLC NAND for the least money: the SN7100 2TB.
How to Choose an SSD for Streaming and Recording
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put rated write speed first | MP700 PRO XT 2TB | The fastest rated write speed here (14,500MB/s) |
| Buyers who want rated writes up to 14,000MB/s | FURY Renegade G5 | Rated writes up to 14,000MB/s |
| Buyers who want Micron TLC NAND | T710 2TB | Micron TLC NAND |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the SN7100 2TB costs less | T500 2TB | Micron TLC NAND at the highest price in the group |
| Getting next-generation TLC NAND for the least money | SN7100 2TB | A lower price than the MP700 PRO XT 2TB and the rest when we checked |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
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" marks rated read speed where the FURY Renegade G5 leaves the 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 |
| T710 2TB | 14,900MB/s | 13,800MB/s | PCIe 5.0 x4 | 2TB |
| T500 2TB | 7,400MB/s | 7,000MB/s | PCIe 4.0 x4 | 2TB |
| SN7100 2TB | 7,250MB/s | 6,900MB/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 tops rated write speed at 14,500MB/s; the FURY Renegade G5 follows at 14,000MB/s, 4% apart. The SN7100 2TB closes the ranking at 6,900MB/s.
Is the T500 2TB worth paying more than the SN7100 2TB?
The spec sheets show rated write speed (7,000MB/s against 6,900MB/s) and rated read speed (7,400MB/s against 7,250MB/s) in its favour. Both sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, so the gains in rated write speed and rated read speed cost little extra by tier.
What makes the MP700 PRO XT 2TB the Fastest Rated Write Speed?
It earns the label for the fastest rated write speed here (14,500MB/s). The FURY Renegade G5 is next on rated write speed at 14,000MB/s, so this pick's 14,500MB/s is 4% further out. It makes sense for anyone who puts rated write speed first.
Do the MP700 PRO XT 2TB and the T500 2TB differ on interface?
The MP700 PRO XT 2TB, the FURY Renegade G5 and the T710 2TB use PCIe 5.0 x4; the T500 2TB and the SN7100 2TB use PCIe 4.0 x4.
Beyond the specs, what sets the MP700 PRO XT 2TB and the FURY Renegade G5 apart?
The MP700 PRO XT 2TB: the highest rated writes among the drives here. The FURY Renegade G5: rated writes up to 14,000MB/s. The T710 2TB: Micron TLC NAND.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the MP700 PRO XT 2TB, chosen for the fastest rated write speed here (14,500MB/s). Look at the FURY Renegade G5 for rated writes up to 14,000MB/s, the T710 2TB for Micron TLC NAND and the T500 2TB for Micron TLC NAND at the highest price in the group if those matter more to you.
Record to a separate drive from the game.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best 2TB NVMe SSDs for Gaming
- Related guideThe Best SSDs for a PC Build
- 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: motherboardsMotherboard Chipsets Explained
- Similar guideThe Best 4TB SSDs for a Large Game Library
- 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
View all articles