Best SSD for gaming 2023

Selecting up the finest SSD for gaming gives you snappy entry to your Steam library, whether or not you’re utilizing a desktop rig or a laptop computer. That outdated onerous drive in your machine is perhaps nonetheless whirring away, however making the swap to solid-state will stop gradual load instances and make it easier to meet system necessities for future releases.

 

We’ve examined the finest gaming SSD choices, and our record contains solid-state drives by Western Digital, Samsung, Gigabyte and extra. Our picks cater to these on the lookout for a easy SATA swap and lovers on the lookout for an NVMe M.2 SSD that’ll pair with the best gaming PC construct. So, in case you’re caught for storage selection, this breakdown ought to slim issues down.

Right here are our greatest SSD for gaming picks:

1. Finest SSD for gaming

The finest SSD for gaming is the WD Black SN850X.
Count on to pay  $159.99-$699.99 USD / £153.99-£701.99 GBP.

The WD Black SN850X is the quickest SSD you should buy, making full use of its PCIe 4.0 interface with lightning-fast sequential learn and write speeds of seven,300MB/s and 6,600MB/s, respectively.

This stage of efficiency not solely improves loading instances in video games, however it’s best to discover your gaming PC boots sooner and extra rapidly handles basic duties. You’ll at all times get essentially the most out of the drive whereas enjoying video games too, because of its Sport Mode 2.0 toggle within the included software program.

In the event you’re anxious about potential thermal throttling impacting the WD Black SN850X, you may choose it up with an non-obligatory heatsink for peace of thoughts. Higher nonetheless, the heatsink comes with a splash of RGB too, so it may look cool whereas staying cool.

Execs

• The quickest PCIe 4.0 gaming SSD
• Optionally available RGB heatsink
• Software program ensures most efficiency with Sport Mode 2.0

Cons

• Nice efficiency comes at an ideal price
• Can run a contact sizzling with out a heatsink

2. Finest PCIe 3.0 SSD

The finest PCIe 3.0 SSD is the Samsung 980.
Count on to pay $52.99-$139.99 USD / £44.99-£93.99 GBP.

The Samsung 980 is the right match for anybody seeking to improve their ageing SATA onerous drives or SSDs with one thing a bit nippier. The South Korean tech large’s storage parts have remained among the many most desireable out there for years now, and it’s not onerous to see why.

Utilizing a PCIe 3.0 interface, the Samsung 980 delivers sequential learn and write speeds that can rework any sluggish gaming PC right into a nippy machine. The SSD may be additional enhanced by means of the usage of Samsung Magician software program, making it simple to get essentially the most out of your new drive.

Execs

• Quick PCIe 3.0 speeds
• Sturdy Samsung Magician software program

Cons

• Outperformed by PCIe 4.0 drives
• No DRAM

3. Finest SATA SSD

The finest SATA SSD is the Samsung 870 EVO.
Count on to pay $59.99-$499.99 USD / £37.99-£428.99 GBP.

NVMe SSDs will undoubtedly exchange their SATA bretheren, however there’s nonetheless loads of worth available in drives that use the ageing interface just like the Samsung 870 EVO. Whereas its sequential learn and write speeds could appear paltry within the face of PCIe storage, it’s nonetheless lots quick for many video games and is undeniably sooner than any onerous drive.

In the event you prioritise capability over velocity, then choosing the Samsung 870 EVO could possibly be a sensible play. You may choose it up in sizes that go all the best way as much as 4TB, that means you received’t have to fret about rehoming your Steam library and it prices a lot lower than any M.2 SSD with the identical quantity of house.

Execs

• Nonetheless lots quick for PC video games
• Excessive capability choices

Cons

• Barely lofty price ticket
• A lot slower in comparison with NVMe drives

4. Finest low-cost PCIe 4.0 SSD

The finest low-cost PCIe 4.0 SSD is the Essential P5 Plus.
Count on to pay $84.99-$249.99 USD / £87.99-£257.99 GBP.

PCIe 4.0 SSDs don’t need to break the bank, and Essential’s P5 Plus proves you may choose up a drive with respectable efficiency with out having to stretch your funds.

Not solely does the Essential P5 Plus boast learn speeds as much as 6,600MB/s however its two million hour imply time to failure (MTTF) score means it’s dependable besides. In fact, it additionally comes with a five-year guarantee, simply in case its spectacular endurance score isn’t sufficient to incite confidence.

Execs

• Tremendous snappy learn/write speeds
• Nice endurance score
• 5-year guarantee

Cons

• Not the quickest drive in its class
• Might be extra energy environment friendly

5. Finest low-cost PCIe 3.0 SSD

The finest low-cost PCIe 3.0 SSD is the WD Blue SN570.
Count on to pay $53.99-$239.99 USD / £37.99-£170.99 GBP.

WD is right here to point out which you can, in truth, have all of it, because the Blue SN570 NVMe SSD boasts as much as 2TB of storage, a stable 900TBW endurance, and respectable learn and write speeds for one the bottom costs you’ll discover.

In fact, it’s not the quickest drive on the market, nevertheless it’s arms down the perfect you may get underneath $100 with out sacrificing capability, velocity, or each. That makes it the right choice for the best gaming PC on a funds.

Execs

• Full x4 PCIe 3 interface
• Beautiful value to efficiency worth
• 900TBW endurance

Cons

6. Finest low-cost SATA SSD

The finest low-cost SATA SSD is the Essential MX500.
Count on to pay $49.99-$349.99 USD / £89.99 -£578.99 GBP.

The MX500 needs to be your go-to in case you’re wanting the most cost effective SSD doable, with out compromising an excessive amount of on high quality. Due to its Micron dad or mum firm, Essential is ready to supply SSDs utilizing its personal high-quality reminiscence for an ideal value.

The MX500 severely undercuts its competitors and whereas it’s not strictly the most cost effective SSD available on the market, it’s essentially the most budget-friendly we are able to suggest as a worthwhile, high quality buy.

Learn the PCGamesN Crucial MX500 review for our full verdict and rating.

Execs

• Aggressive value
• High learn/write efficiency for SATA
• Good endurance

Cons

• Decrease capacities are slower

7. Finest RGB SSD

The finest RGB SSD is the Gigabyte Aorus RGB M.2 NVMe SSD.
Count on to pay $74.99-$119.99 USD / £51.99-£87.99 GBP.

SSDs normally aren’t the flashiest of parts, usually taking a again seat to RGB-clad gadgets like graphics playing cards, the best CPU coolers, and the gaming RAM. However not right this moment, says the Gigabyte Aorus RGB M.2 NVMe SSD.

In the event you don’t need to conceal your M.2 drive underneath a shroud, the Gigabyte Aorus RGB M.2 NVMe SSD is the most recent PC part to be RGB’d, with its strikingly brilliant and customisable heatsink. It’s not too overbearing and might add a little bit of flare to your setup.

Execs

• Finest wanting SSD with RGB
• 5-year guarantee

Cons

• Not as quick as it’s fairly
• Tops out at 512GB

8. Finest M.2 SSD for laptops

The finest M.2 SSD for laptops is the SK Hynix Platinum P41.
Count on to pay $83.99-$169.99 USD / £424.99 GBP.

Even the best gaming laptop advantages from extra storage, and the SK Hynix Platinum P41 SSD is ideal for rising your on-the-go storage with out compromising on spec. That includes an in-house Aries controller, this drive is able to learn speeds as much as 7,000MB/s, that means it’ll run rings round SATA SSDs and lots of NVMe choices.

Regardless of its spectacular speeds, the Platnium P41 options an equally spectacular energy effectivity score, one thing that helps preserve peak efficiency inside a toasty laptop computer setting. Naturally, this additionally means it’ll be kinder to your moveable powerhouse’s battery, which may make it easier to spend much less time gaming subsequent to an influence outlet.

Execs

• Compact type issue
• 5-year guarantee
• Extraordinary 1,200TBW score

Cons

9. Finest exterior SSD for gaming

The best external SSD for gaming is the Corsair EX100U.
Count on to pay from $102.99-$464.99 USD / £114.99-£514.99 GBP.

The opposite SSDs on this record will dwell inside your rig, however in case you’re smart, you’ll additionally hold backup exterior storage on standby. The Corsair EX100U is each small and speedy, making the right storage resolution for whenever you’re on the go.

It’s value noting that the Corasir EX100U makes use of a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 interface, which permits it to supply learn and write speeds sooner lightyears forward of SATA. Nevertheless, don’t fear in case you don’t have a built-in USB-C port in your machine because it comes with a USB-A adapter.

Execs

• 3 times sooner than SATA SSDs
• Compact design
• USB Sort-C connection

Cons

• No mud or water resistance
• No USB-A adaptor
• Included cable is a bit quick