Update, 01/12/2023: We’ve reviewed our recommendations and have updated our best budget pick with the Crucial P3.
What to Look for in a Gaming SSD in 2023
There’s nothing more frustrating as a gamer than staring at a loading screen. Games are getting bigger and more graphically impressive, and as a result, they’re taking longer to load. That’s why it’s important to have an SSD, as they can drastically improve boot and load times in addition to making your games feel smoother and more responsive. But with so many options on the market, how do you choose the right one?
The first main factor to consider is storage capacity. Depending on how much space your system still has, you may want to get a higher capacity since a single modern game can take up to over 100GB of storage. Gaming SSDs usually range from 125GB to 4TB, but the price gets relatively more expensive per GB.
However, with games increasing in size, you’ll want to consider getting at least 500GB or 1TB of storage, especially if you plan having multiple games downloaded at once. Opting for a lower-capacity SSD for a boot drive is fine, but you never know when you’ll need the extra space. While you’re thinking about storage, make sure you also choose an SSD that’s compatible with your PC or console.
Next are read and write speeds. The fastest SSDs available are PCIe 4.0 drives with read speeds up to around 7,000 Mb/s and write speeds at 5,000 Mb/s. PCIe SSDs are also known to be much faster than their SATA counterparts.
For longevity, purchasing an SSD with a heat sink is a better option than without one as it helps to dissipate heat better. The cooler your SSD runs, the longer its lifespan will be the more consistent it’ll perform. Having a higher terabytes written rating (TBW) is also important as it’s a measure of how much data can be written to the drive over its lifetime.
Now that you know what to look for in a gaming SSD, let’s take a closer look at the best options available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an SSD or HDD better for gaming?
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Games will generally load faster from an SSD than they would an HDD. That said, aside from load times and streaming data from disk, an SSD isn’t going to improve your gaming experience in any other way.
Is a 256GB SSD enough for gaming?
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256GB is enough for gaming, but with games getting larger all the time, you may quickly run out of space. If you have room to add another drive, starting with 256GB is fine. If your PC only has space for one drive, you may want to choose a larger capacity.
Can I use an external SSD for gaming?
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Yes, you can use an external SSD for gaming. You may not get the same speed that you would with an internal NVMe drive, but the speeds are certainly sufficient for gaming.
How do I install an SSD into my gaming PC?
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Pros
- ✓ Great price for monster performance
- ✓ All components are manufactured in-house
- ✓ Still a great option for PCIe 3.0 users
- ✓ PlayStation 5 compatible
- ✓ Five-year warranty
Cons
- ✗ Maximum storage capacity of 2 TB
- ✗ 2 TB version is expensive
The Samsung 980 Pro is a $230 1TB high-performance SSD that uses the latest PCIe technology that fits into most modern PCs and consoles. It delivers read and write speeds up to 7,000 Mb/s and 5,000 Mb/s respectively.
For a little less than double the price, you can upgrade to 2TB. Depending on the number of applications, programs, or games you want to run at lightning speed, getting the extra storage space might be worth it.
The Samsung 980 Pro uses PCIe Gen 4 technology designed for hardcore and competitive gamers that want more and faster bandwidth while gaming. It’s also ideal to run any demanding application that’s heavy on graphics.
To provide stable and consistent performance, as well as longevity, the 980 Pro offers reliable thermal control using a nickel coating that effectively dissipates heat. The drive’s designed to last, as it has an impressive terabyte written (TBW) rating of 300 TBW at 500GB up to 1,200 TBW at 2TB.
The 980 Pro is also fully compatible with PlayStation 5 and PCIe 3.0 rigs. However, installing the drive in a 3.0 slot will limit the speeds–it’ll still be over 3,000 Mb/s. You can also install Samsung Magician to update firmware and further optimize the drive’s performance and monitor its health.
Best SSD for Gaming Overall
Samsung 980 Pro
This premium gaming SSD is great for competitive gamers who run heavy-duty applications and games.
$119.99 $209.99 Save 43%
Best Budget SSD for Gaming: Crucial P3
Pros
- ✓ Great performance considering the price
- ✓ Good read and write speeds for PCIe 3.0
- ✓ Excellent cost per GB
- ✓ Five-year warranty
Cons
- ✗ Slower than PCIe 4.0 options
- ✗ Low TBW rating
If you’re looking for a speed upgrade, but you’re on a budget, you might consider going with a PCIe Gen 3 drive instead of the more recent Gen 4. The Crucial P3 is an excellent budget pick, starting at less than $50 for 500GB, and it comes from a brand with an excellent reputation.
The 1TB version costs you slightly more at around $65, or you can increase to 2TB at just under $125. There is also a 4TB version, but this isn’t the most cost-effective option at over $300. Unlike the previous generation, there is no difference in write speeds between capacities.
While you won’t get the same speeds you would with the latest version of NVMe, the Crucial P3 still offers decent performance with sequential read speeds up to 3,500MB/s. Write speeds are only slightly slower at 3,000MB/s.
Assuming you’re upgrading from another NVMe drive, you may not notice much difference in speed. That said, if you’re upgrading from a hard drive setup or even SATA drives, you’ll definitely notice the difference in speed.
Regarding longevity, Crucial claims a TBW rating of 440 TBW for the 2TB model. This may be lower than some other options, but Crucial does offer a five-year warranty, which means the company stands behind the P3.
If you’re looking for a bigger upgrade and want a PCIe 4.0 version, the Crucial P3 Plus offers faster read and write speeds.
Best Budget SSD for Gaming
Crucial P3
While they rely on older PCIe 3.0 technology, Crucial’s P3 SSDs offer excellent performance for that generation, and they cost far less than you’d expect given the performance.
Pros
- ✓ Handles the toughest workloads
- ✓ Offers top-tier read and write speeds
- ✓ Stays cool for consistent performance
Cons
- ✗ On the pricer side
- ✗ May not fit in some motherboards
- ✗ PCIe 3.0 users can find a cheaper alternative
Looking for a heavy-duty M.2 SSD that can handle the most strenuous tasks? The XPG GAMMIX S70 costs $150 for 1TB, and it offers some of the fastest read and write speeds on the market—up to 7,400 Mb/s and 6,800 Mb/s respectively.
Overall, this SSD is designed for the most demanding gamers, and it’s one of the best options for those who overclock their PCs. It can handle the toughest workloads while maintaining the best performance possible.
This is thanks to the latest PCIe Gen 4 interface and 3D NAND Flash technology—combined with dynamic SLC caching and DRAM cache. Drives with DRAM cache are typically faster than drives without it.
Even when the SSD’s under full load, it’ll remain cooler as it has a heat spreader design that increases airflow. This not only increases its lifespan but also provides you with a consistent gaming experience without throttling.
The S70 is compatible with PCIe 3.0 expansion slots, but it only provides maximum read and write speeds of 3,400 Mb/s and 3,000 Mb/s respectively. It’s also compatible with NVMe 1.4 and the PlayStation 5, though there is a better option for the console.
Best M.2 SSD for Gaming
XPG GAMMIX S70
A powerful SSD that can handle the most demanding tasks, including heavy-duty gaming on the highest graphics.
Pros
- ✓ Purchase up to 4 TB of storage
- ✓ Heavy-duty heat sink
- ✓ High TWB ratings
- ✓ Five-year warranty
Cons
- ✗ Pretty expensive
- ✗ 1 TB and 2 TB have the same TWB rating
Corsair’s MP600 PRO XT is one of the few gaming SSDs that you can purchase for up to 4TB of storage. It is pricey, but this SSD delivers serious read and write speeds up to 7,100 Mb/s and 6,800 Mb/s respectively.
The MP600 PRO XT is a powerful PCIe Gen 4 gaming SSD that effectively combines performance and endurance using high-density 3D TLC NAND. This is in addition to the aluminum heat spreader that disperses heat and reduces throttling. It also integrates a liquid-cooling option that sets it apart from other options.
The drive leverages NVMe Protocol 1.4 to provide maximum bandwidth. Combined with the heavy-duty heat sink, the MP600 PRO XT is one of the best 4.0 SSDs for those who value consistent and fast speeds. The 1TB and 2TB versions have a 700 TBW rating, but it jumps to an astonishing 3,000 TBW at 4TB.
Upgrading to 2TB isn’t too expensive, while upgrading to 4TB is a hefty $800. If you’re looking to go full out on storage, you can get the MP400 version that offers a massive 8TB of storage. With more storage, you can store many years worth of games and data on a high-performance drive.
Best PCIe 4.0 SSD for Gaming
Corsair MP600 PRO XT
Although expensive, the MP600 PRO XT does an excellent job at keeping cool while delivering consistently high speeds.
$107.99 $209.99 Save 49%
Pros
- ✓ Recommended heat sink by Sony is available
- ✓ Sleek and slim design
- ✓ RGB customization with WD software
- ✓ Five-year warranty
Cons
- ✗ Gets hot after long hours of gaming
- ✗ Slower write speeds outside 1 TB version
- ✗ On the expensive side
Boost your PlayStation 5 with this M.2 gaming drive. The WD_BLACK SN850 costs $230 for 1TB, and it’ll provide your console with incredible read and write speeds up to 7000 Mb/s and 5,300 Mb/s respectively.
For $150, you can downsize to 500GB or upgrade to 2TB for $450. It’s important to note that at 2TB, the write speed is decreased to 5,100 Mb/s, and it’s decreased even further at 500GB to 4,100 Mb/s. So, if you want the best performance, stick with 1TB!
The drive also tends to get pretty hot after extended use, so we recommend getting the heat sink version that’s available for all capacities. It will be a little more expensive but it’ll prolong the SSD’s lifespan and reduce throttling, which is ideal for consistent performance. You’re also given a long five-year warranty upon purchase in case the SSD gives out.
Combining PCIe Gen 4 technology and TLC 3D NAND flash memory, the SSD’s optimized for competitive gaming and even doubles the bandwidth limit of PCIe 3.0 drives. It offers a large and dynamic SLC cache and has a 300 TBW rating at 500GB, 600 TBW at 1TB, and 1,200 TBW at 2TB. Finally, you can install Western Digital Dashboard to update, analyze, clean, customize, and optimize the drive.
Best SSD for PS5
WD_BLACK SN850
Boost your PlayStation 5 by upgrading to this high-performance SSD with high read and write speeds.
Pros
- ✓ Fast USB interface speed
- ✓ Reliable portability
- ✓ Comes with USB-C to USB-A cable
- ✓ Five-year warranty
Cons
- ✗ Slightly bulky
- ✗ No AES 256-bit encryption
At 1TB for $250, WD_BLACK P50 Game Drive is one of the best external SSDs for gaming, delivering read and write speeds up to 2,000 Mb/s. It’s a USB-3.2 Gen 2 x2 SSD that’s compatible with PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Mac.
The smaller 500GB size costs $140, and you can upgrade to 2TB for $350 or 4TB for $560. The read and write speeds remain the same for all capacities, so you can choose one based on how much storage you need.
The P50 offers decent speed for an external SSD, but it’s still slower than your average PCIe 3.0 drive. However, you’ll still have no problem booting up your system and quickly hopping into the action of your favorite games or transferring files. It’ll be a dramatic upgrade over your standard portable drive or USB flash drive.
The simple plug-and-play design makes it easy to get started, and the included USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB-A cables gives you more compatibility with other devices. The Gen 2 x2 interface’s designed to work with the latest hardware, and it’ll last for many years.
For optimized speed and long-term use, the P50 features an impressive 20 GB/s USB interface speed, protected by a shock-resistant and forged aluminum cover casing for reliable portability. The drive’s capable of delivering twice the bandwidth of other external gaming SSDs, making it ideal for gamers who strive for the best performance possible.
Best External SSD for Gaming
WD_BLACK P50 Game Drive
For an external SSD, the P50 delivers decent speeds that easily stump your average HDD or USB stick.
$199.99 $249.99 Save 20%
