Best SSD for gaming in 2022

The seek for the finest SSD for gaming to interchange your onerous drive comes with a level of confusion, given how shortly stable state drives have advanced over the previous a number of years. The acquainted 2.5-inch SATA drive continues to be a viable choice in right now’s gaming PC market, however you’ll wish to go for newer, quicker NVMe storage options for the absolute best efficiency.

Following the discharge of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles, extra PC video games builders suggest you put in their video games on the finest SSD for gaming. In reality, as Microsoft’s DirectStorage API turns into extra extensively used within the newest PC video games, we might even see stable state drives turn out to be an outright requirement.

However, earlier than you rush so as to add the very best SSD for gaming on this record to your purchasing basket, it’s vital to know what your system helps when it comes to slots and expertise. Make positive to examine what your motherboard is able to earlier than forking out on an costly PCIe 4.0 drive that your rig could not be capable of take advantage of out of.

Here are your choices for the very best SSD for gaming:

WD Black SN850

The finest SSD for gaming is the WD Black SN850.

The WD Black SN850 is the quickest SSD you should purchase, making full use of its PCIe 4.0 interface with lightning-fast learn and write speeds of seven,000MB/s and 5,300MB/s, respectively. This stage of efficiency not solely improves loading occasions in video games, however it is best to discover your gaming PC boots quicker and extra shortly handles common duties.

If you’re fearful about potential thermal throttling impacting the WD Black SN850, you possibly can decide it up with an optionally available heatsink for peace of thoughts. Better nonetheless, the heatsink comes with a splash of RGB too so it may look cool whereas staying cool.

Pros

• The quickest PCIe 4.0 gaming SSD
• Optional RGB heatsink

Cons

• Can get hor with no heatsink

Samsung 970 EVO Plus

The finest PCIe 3.0 SSD is the Samsung 970 EVO Plus.

The Samsung 970 EVO Plus 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 with the 970 EVO Plus.

Using a PCIe 3.0 interface, the Samsung 970 EVO Plus delivers sequential learn and write speeds that can rework any sluggish gaming PC right into a nippy machine. The SSD will be additional enhanced by way of using Samsung Magician software program, making it simple to get essentially the most out of your new drive.

Pros

• Fast PCIe 3.0 speeds
• Robust Samsung Magician software program

Cons

• Samsung 970 EVO is typically quicker

Read the PCGamesN Samsung 970 EVO Plus assessment for our full verdict and rating.

Samsung 870 EVO

The finest SATA SSD is the Samsung 870 EVO.

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

If you prioritise capability over pace, then choosing the Samsung 870 EVO might be a wise play. You can decide it up in sizes that go all the way in which as much as 4TB, that means you gained’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 area.

Pros

• Still loads quick for PC video games
• High capability choices

Cons

Crucial P5 Plus

The finest low-cost PCIe 4.0 SSD is the Crucial P5 Plus.

PCIe 4.0 SSDs don’t should break the bank, and Crucial’s P5 Plus proves you possibly can decide up a drive with respectable efficiency with out having to stretch your finances.

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

Pros

• Super snappy learn/write speeds
• Great endurance ranking
• Five-year guarantee

Cons

WD Blue SN550

The finest low-cost PCIe 3.0 SSD is the WD Blue SN550

WD is right here to indicate you can, the truth is, have all of it, because the Blue SN550 NVMe SSD boasts as much as 2TB of storage, a stable 600TBW endurance, and respectable learn and write speeds for one the bottom costs you’ll discover. Of course, it’s not the quickest drive on the market, however it’s palms down the very best you will get beneath $100 with out sacrificing capability, pace, or each. That makes it the right choice for the very best gaming PC on a finances.

Through intelligent engineering, it runs cooler than most at 59°C as a result of the SanDisk 96L TLC NAND flash package deal has been moved additional away from the controller, giving room for every part to flex their muscular tissues with out breaking a sweat.

Pros

• Full x4 PCIe 3 interface
• Stunning value/efficiency
• 600TBW endurance

Cons

• Faster SSDs are falling to an analogous value

Read the PCGamesN WD Blue SN550 assessment for our full verdict and rating.

Crucial MX500

The finest low-cost SATA SSD is the Crucial MX500

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

The MX500 significantly undercuts its competitors and whereas it’s not strictly the most cost effective SSD in the marketplace, it’s essentially the most budget-friendly we will suggest as a worthwhile, high quality buy.

Pros

• Competitive value
• Top learn/write efficiency for SATA
• Good endurance

Cons

• Lower capacities are slower

Read the PCGamesN Crucial MX500 assessment for our full verdict and rating.

XPG Spectrix S40G

The finest RGB SSD is the XPG Spectrix S40G.

SSDs often aren’t the flashiest of parts, usually taking a again seat to RGB-clad gadgets like graphics playing cards, the very best CPU coolers, and the very best gaming RAM. If you don’t need wish to conceal your M.2 drive beneath a shroud, nevertheless, the XPG SPECTRIX S40G is the most recent PC part to be RGB’d, with its strikingly vivid and customisable heatsink.

Underneath the albeit pointless bling, you’re nonetheless getting excellent speeds that mirror our high decide, AES-256-bit encryption to maintain your knowledge safe, and a five-year guarantee, all at a aggressive value.

Pros

• Best trying SSD with RGB
• Five-year guarantee
• 640TBW endurance

Cons

• Saving RGB profiles will be finicky

SK Hynix Gold P31

The finest M.2 SSD for laptops is the SK Hynix Gold P31.

Even the very best gaming laptop computer advantages from extra storage, and SK Hynix’s Gold P31 SSD is ideal for growing your on-the-go storage with out compromising on spec. Featuring an in-house Cephius controller and Hyper-write expertise, this drive is able to learn speeds as much as 3,500MB/s, that means it’ll run rings round SATA SSDs and different finances NVMe choices.

In spite of its spectacular speeds, the Gold P31 includes a 172.2Mbps-per-watt energy effectivity ranking, one thing that helps preserve peak efficiency inside a toasty laptop computer setting. Naturally, this additionally means it’ll be kinder to your transportable powerhouse’s battery, which might make it easier to spend much less time gaming subsequent to an influence outlet.

Pros

• Compact kind issue
• Five-year guarantee
• Extraordinary 1,200TBW ranking

Cons

• No 256-bit AES encryption

SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD

The finest exterior SSD for gaming is the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD.

The different SSDs on this record will reside contained in the your rig, however in case you’re smart, you’ll additionally preserve backup exterior storage on standby. SanDisk’s Extreme Portable SSD boasts an IP55 water and mud resistance ranking, making it a hardy house in your PC gaming assortment and valuable information.

It’s price noting that the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD makes use of USB 3.2 gen, which permits it to supply learn and write speeds quicker than SATA. However, 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.

Pros

• Robust casing
• Faster than SATA
• Compact design

Cons