Switching to a solid-state drive is the most effective improve you can also make in your PC. These wondrous units velocity up boot occasions, enhance the responsiveness of your applications and video games, and customarily make your laptop really feel quick. However not all solid-state drives are the identical. You’ll be able to spend huge to attain learn and write speeds that attain a complete different degree, or you will discover top-notch SSDs that provide strong efficiency with out breaking the financial institution.
Many SSDs are available in a 2.5-inch kind issue and connect with your PC through the identical SATA port utilized by a conventional onerous drive. However tiny NVMe (Non-Unstable Reminiscence Categorical) “gumstick” SSDs that slot in an M.2 connection on a contemporary motherboard have gotten more and more frequent, together with blazing-fast PCIe 4.0 (and now 5.0) solid-state drives for suitable PCs; you’ll even discover SSDs that sit on a PCIe adapter and slot into your motherboard like a graphics card or sound card. No, selecting the right SSD isn’t so simple as it was once.
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Why you must belief us: It’s in our title, PCWorld. Our reviewers have been testing PC {hardware} for many years. Our storage evaluations are thorough and rigorous, testing the bounds of each product — from efficiency benchmarks to the practicalities of standard use. As PC customers ourselves, we all know what makes a product stand out. Solely the most effective SSDs make this record. For extra about our testing course of, scroll to the underside of this text.
See additionally PCWorld’s information to the most effective exterior drives should you’re strictly on the lookout for a conveyable storage resolution.
Up to date September 9, 2024 See our record of current evaluations under our suggestions to study different drives that didn’t make the reduce. Additionally, our article on why two SSDs are higher than one in your PC is price pondering if you’re making a buying choice.
Samsung 870 EVO – Finest SATA SSD
Execs
- Glorious efficiency, particularly with small file operations
- In contrast to the QVO, lengthy writes don’t decelerate
For those who’re trying so as to add some storage through a conventional 2.5-inch SATA drive quite than a tiny M.2 “gumstick,” Samsung’s spectacular 870 EVO is your finest wager. It’s the quickest SATA SSD we’ve examined, it’s accessible in as much as 4TB of capability, and it’s exceedingly reasonably priced given its velocity. Sufficient mentioned, actually — although Samsung’s killer Magician SSD administration software program and lengthy guarantee interval additionally deserve a shout-out. The EVO collection is a legend amongst SSDs for a purpose.
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Samsung 870 EVO SATA SSD assessment
Essential BX500 – Finest price range SATA SSD
Execs
- Good on a regular basis efficiency
- Low worth per gigabyte
Cons
- Slows drastically when secondary cache runs out
The Samsung 870 EVO affords an intoxicating mix of efficiency and reasonably priced pricing, however if you’d like as a lot capability as potential for as cheaply as potential, contemplate the Essential BX500. You may get its 1TB mannequin for $70.50, nearly $40 lower than the equal EVO, whereas a 2TB model prices simply $125.
The drive additionally is available in exceedingly reasonably priced 240GB and 480GB capacities, however as we mentioned in our assessment: “We advocate this QLC drive within the bigger capacities for many who need good on a regular basis efficiency for a price range worth,” including that “the smaller capacities will possible run into extra slowdowns throughout heavy writes.”
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Essential BX500 SATA SSD (2TB) assessment
Essential P3 – Finest PCIe 3.0 SSD
Execs
- Glorious on a regular basis PCIe 3 efficiency
- Fantastically low worth per GB
Cons
- Very low TBW score
- Non-cached QLC writes are extraordinarily sluggish
Certain, PCIe 4.0 SSDs scream throughout huge file transfers, however should you’re nonetheless utilizing an older system with PCIe 3.0, upgrading to an NVMe SSD nonetheless offers substantial advantages to your PC’s velocity and general responsiveness. Higher but, you don’t want to interrupt the financial institution to take benefit. The Essential P3 is an excellent day by day performer, however it’s accessible for a discount price of simply $45 for a 500GB mannequin or $65 for a 1TB mannequin. Although it doesn’t have top-tier PCIe 4 efficiency and the TBW score is fairly low, the P3 does have wonderful real-world write occasions and except you actually stress the drive you shouldn’t discover a lot of a distinction anyhow.
All advised, this drive is an excellent alternative for anybody trying to snag a strong on a regular basis SSD at an incredible worth.
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Essential P3 assessment
WD Blue SN5000 – Finest price range PCIe 4.0 SSD
Execs
- Good on a regular basis efficiency
- Very reasonably priced
- Quickest NVMe SSD of any ilk we’ve examined writing 450GB
Cons
- High efficiency requires HMB assist
With PCIe 5.0 drives coming to market, we’re lastly beginning to see firms providing price range PCIe 4.0 NVMe drives at compelling costs. Our earlier choose, the WD Blue SN580 NVMe SSD, has simply been supplanted by WD’s Blue SN5000. At simply $75 for a 1TB mannequin on the time of writing, and with speedy transfers, you gained’t possible discover a higher worth PCIe 4.0 drive.
In our testing, this drive proved to be among the many quickest Host Reminiscence Buffer (HMB) SSDs we’ve examined. And in contrast to the SN580 earlier than it, the SN5000 didn’t falter on the 450GB switch take a look at, however as a substitute tied the report amongst all SSDs.
It can save you a number of extra {dollars} by choosing the Kingston NV3. It’s aggressive with the SN5000 Blue in lots of checks, and even sooner at 450GB writes, however has a much less beneficiant guarantee: three years versus the SN5000’s 5 years.
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WD SN5000 NVMe SSD assessment
Solidigm P44 Professional SSD – Finest PCIe 4.0 SSD
Execs
- Quickest PCIe 4.0 SSD up to now
- DRAM facilitates wonderful random efficiency
- Synergy low-level Home windows driver improves random efficiency additional
Cons
- Inconsistent pricing on internet
The Solidigm P44 Professional is the quickest PCIe 4.0 drive we’ve ever examined bar none. Actually, it completed throughout the prime 5 quickest drives in our checks, and was solely crushed by three next-gen PCIe 5.0 drives. Plus, it turns into even sooner if you set up the Solidigm Home windows driver, which additional improves random efficiency in small learn/writes.
Not solely does the Solidigm P44 Professional present top-notch efficiency, however it additionally comes at a really cheap worth should you store on the proper place — we discovered that pricing varies extensively on-line from retailer to retailer. This is likely one of the finest SSDs in the marketplace, and holds its personal on the prime regardless of stiff competitors from a crowded discipline of different wonderful PCIe 4.0 drives.
Our runner-up for the most effective PCIe 4.0 drive is the WD Black SN850X. It’s a screaming-fast drive, delivering top-tier efficiency. If you will discover it at a aggressive worth to the P44 Professional, you’d be golden shopping for both SSD.
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Solidigm P44 Professional assessment
Teamgroup Z540 – Finest PCIe 5.0 SSD
Execs
- PCIe 5.0
- As much as 4TB in capability (quickly)
- Second-fastest SSD we’ve examined general
As with all PCIe 5.0 SSD, there are vital caveats to keep in mind. For starters, you’ll pay a premium over extraordinarily quick, and in some circumstances even sooner NVMe PCIe 4.0 drives that make use of a bunch reminiscence buffer (HMB) design, as you may see in our assessment of the Solidigm P44 Professional — our choose for finest PCIe 4.0 SSD.
However should you use multi-threaded software program and your system sports activities a thirteenth/14th-gen Intel CPU (which the Phison PS5026-E26-52 controller inside this drive is optimized for), you may be assured of benchmarking-busting efficiency.
Now, in all equity the Z540 isn’t the quickest PCIe 5.0 drive we’ve examined. It traded benchmark wins with our earlier prime choose the Essential T705. However the Teamgroup Z540 has that competitor beat, decisively, on the subject of worth, making it the clear choose for this class.
How are you going to argue with the Z540’s $143, $247, and $470 asking costs for 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB, respectively, in contrast with the T705’s $155, $280, and $515 costs, when efficiency is so shut? That’s the type of financial savings that pushes a close-second winner into the lead, in our ebook.
That being mentioned, keep watch over these costs, as a result of they’re at all times altering, and right this moment’s various choose might simply change into tomorrow’s finest purchase. Equally, Corsair’s MP700 Professional SE affords very aggressive efficiency that would make it a tasty possibility if its costs are to return down.
Backside line: PCIe 5.0 buyers have heaps to select from!
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Teamgroup Z540 PCIe 5 NVMe SSD assessment
Essential P310 (2230) – Finest SSD for Steam Deck
Execs
- Quickest 2230 SSD we’ve examined
- Out there with as much as 2TB of capability
For those who’re trying to improve the storage in your Steam Deck, you may’t simply go along with any of the most effective SSDs accessible to PCs — you want a 2230 module, that means one which measures 22mm vast, by 30mm lengthy.
Fortunately there are a minimum of a number of good choices to select from, such because the the WD Black SN770M and Corsair MP600 Core Mini, and our favourite, the Essential P310.
Why are we a fan of the P310? As a result of it’s the quickest 2230 SSD we’ve examined, and by a quite massive margin.
It bested our earlier choose — the aforementioned WD Black SN770M — in each benchmark save for the 450GB switch, the place it misplaced steam on the 85 % mark after working out of secondary cache. However massive transfers are uncommon for many customers.
The P310 is a bit more dear than the SN770M, too, however not by far more than $10 for each the 1TB and 2TB choices.
If optimum velocity is what you’re after, and also you don’t foresee repeatedly transferring massive quantities of knowledge, the P310 is the ticket.
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Essential P310 NVMe SSD (2230) assessment
Seagate Recreation Drive SSD – Finest SSD for PS5
Execs
- Excellent general efficiency
- Glorious 4K efficiency
- Low-profile heatsink
- Twice the TBW score of the competitors
Cons
- A bit dear
- No 4TB mannequin
The Seagate Recreation Drive PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD was made particularly for next-gen consoles—the PS5 particularly. And it doesn’t disappoint. As an alternative of HMB, it options DRAM for main caching duties, which is virtually important for Sony’s console system. That is vital as a result of the PS5 doesn’t assist HMB, so a drive corresponding to this with DRAM cache is a should. The drive is available in 1TB and 2TB fashions, which implies you’ll have loads of house to retailer all your video games must you want it.
Whereas the Seagate Recreation Drive is optimized for a PS5, it’s no slouch as a daily SSD both. In our velocity checks it did remarkably nicely, incomes the spot because the second-fastest PCIe 4.0 SSD with random ops that we’ve ever examined. Seagate additionally offers a beneficiant five-year guarantee with the drive and it has an astounding 1,275TBW score—greater than double the trade norm. The drive is a bit dear, however the particular optimizations for PS5 implies that console house owners can relaxation straightforward realizing that their cash goes to good use with the Seagate Recreation Drive.
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Seagate Recreation Drive PS5 NVMe SSD assessment
Essential X9 Professional – Finest exterior SSD
Execs
- Tremendous small kind issue
- Nice 10Gbps efficiency
- Good-looking design
Cons
- Not the least costly 10Gbps SSD accessible
With nice on a regular basis efficiency and an reasonably priced worth, the Essential X9 Professional is our favourite exterior SSD. This svelte magnificence gives you switch charges of 10Gbps and is available in 1TB, 2TB, or 4TB capacities with cheap costs for every. In our testing we discovered that the X9 Professional carried out admirably towards the opposite 10Gbps competitors. It particularly excelled within the real-world 48GB switch take a look at and the 450GB write time take a look at the place it smoked different related 10Gbps drives we’ve examined.
Essential additionally has an X10 Professional mannequin on supply that provides you 20Gbps switch speeds, however you’ll pay fairly a bit extra for that further velocity. Regardless, we expect that the X9 Professional will serve the common consumer completely nice with wonderful all-around efficiency and a less expensive worth level. You’ll be able to’t ask far more from a 10Gbps USD exterior SSD than what the Essential X9 Professional provides you.
For a lot of extra exterior SSD suggestions, see our roundup of the most effective exterior drives.
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Essential X9 Professional assessment
Our newest exterior drive evaluations
- Kingston NV3: This PCIe 4.0 SSD is proof that DRAM-less drives, that means those who use a Host Reminiscence Buffer (HMB) as cache, can supply aggressive efficiency, whereas additionally saving the patron some cash. We simply want it had a extra beneficiant guarantee.
- Adata 970 Professional: Avid gamers will love the heatsink and general design of this PCIe 5.0 SSD. However it did flip in some middling single-queue efficiency benchmarks, making it a troublesome promote towards the most effective of this ilk.
- Sabrent Rocket Nano 2242: That includes a smaller kind issue (22mm x 42mm), this good-performing drive was tailored for Lenovo’s Legion Go and Thinkpads — however it will also be utilized in a regular slot as nicely.
NVMe SSD setup: What it’s essential know
Pay attention to what NVMe drives ship before you purchase in. Customary SATA SSDs already supercharge boot occasions and loading occasions for PCs, and for a complete lot cheaper. You’ll get probably the most use from NVMe drives, be it in a M.2 kind issue just like the Samsung 980 Professional or a PCIe drive, should you routinely switch information, particularly in massive quantities. For those who don’t try this, NVMe drives aren’t definitely worth the worth premium.
For those who determine to purchase an NVMe SSD, make certain your PC can deal with it. This can be a comparatively new know-how, so that you’ll solely have the ability to discover M.2-connection motherboards from the previous few years. Suppose AMD Ryzen and mainstream Intel chips from the Sixth-generation period onward, for probably the most half. NVMe SSDs that had been mounted on PCIe adapters had been standard within the know-how’s early years, earlier than M.2 adoption unfold, however they’re rarer now. Be sure you’re truly ready to make use of an NVMe SSD before you purchase one, and remember that you just’ll want 4 PCIe lanes accessible with a purpose to use it to its full potential. You’ll want a more moderen Ryzen 3000- or 5000-series CPU, or an Intel Eleventh- or Twelfth-gen CPU, to run a PCIe 4.0 SSD to its full potential. PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs will work in a PCIe 3.0 laptop, however at slower PCIe 3.0 speeds.

The Samsung 960 Professional NVMe SSD in an M.2 slot.
The Samsung 960 Professional NVMe SSD in an M.2 slot.
The Samsung 960 Professional NVMe SSD in an M.2 slot.
To get probably the most out of an NVMe drive, you wish to run your working system on it, so it’s essential to have a system that acknowledges the drive and might boot from it. PCs bought through the previous yr or two should not have any drawback booting from an NVMe drive, however assist for that may be iffy in older motherboards. Do a Google seek for your motherboard and see if it helps booting from NVMe. You could want to put in a BIOS replace in your board. In case your {hardware} can’t boot from an NVMe SSD, your machine ought to nonetheless have the ability to use it as a secondary drive.
What to search for in an SSD
Capability and worth are vital, after all, and a protracted guarantee can alleviate fears of untimely information dying. Most SSD producers supply a three-year guarantee, and a few nicer fashions are assured for 5 years. However in contrast to the olden days of SSDs, fashionable drives gained’t put on out with regular client utilization, as Tech Report examined and proved years in the past with a grueling endurance take a look at.
The largest factor to be careful for is the know-how used to attach the SSD to your PC. We go into deeper particulars and shopping for recommendation in our information on which kind of SSD you should purchase.
- SATA: This refers to each the connection sort and the switch protocol, which is used to attach most 2.5-inch and three.5-inch onerous drives and SSDs to your PC. SATA III speeds can hit roughly 600MBps, and most—however not all—fashionable drives max it out. (Extra on that within the subsequent part.)
- PCIe: This interface faucets into 4 of your laptop’s PCIe lanes to blow away SATA speeds, to the tune of almost 4GBps over PCIe gen 3. These kind of face-melting speeds pair properly with supercharged NVMe drives. Each the PCIe lanes in your motherboard and the M.2 slot in your motherboard may be wired to assist the PCIe interface, and you should buy adapters that mean you can slot “gumstick” M.2 drives right into a PCIe lane. PCIe 4.0 drives are considerably sooner, however require an AMD Ryzen 3000-series or Intel Core Eleventh-gen (or newer) processor, together with a suitable PCIe 4.0 motherboard.
- NVMe: Non-Unstable Reminiscence Categorical know-how takes benefit of PCIe’s bountiful bandwidth to create blisteringly quick SSDs that blow SATA-based drives out of the water. Take a look at PCWorld’s “All the things it’s essential learn about NVMe” for a nitty-gritty deep-dive.
- M.2: That is the place issues get difficult. Many individuals assume M.2 drives all use NVMe know-how and PCIe speeds, however that’s not true. M.2 is only a kind issue. Certain, most M.2 SSDs use NVMe, however some nonetheless stick with SATA. Do your homework. Many fashionable Ultrabooks depend on M.2 for storage.
- U.2 and mSATA: You might also stumble throughout mSATA and U.2 SSDs, however each motherboard assist and product availability are uncommon for these codecs. Some older Ultrabooks included mSATA earlier than M.2 grew to become standard, and drives are nonetheless accessible should you want them.
Velocity issues, after all, however as we mentioned most fashionable SSDs saturate the SATA III interface. Not all of them, although.
SSDs vs. onerous drives
Do you want an SSD? “Want” is a robust phrase, however we heartily advocate that everybody improve to an SSD. Strong-state drive speeds blow even the quickest mechanical onerous drives out of the water. Merely swapping out the onerous drive in your outdated laptop computer or desktop for an SSD could make it really feel like a complete new system—and a blazing-fast one at that. Shopping for an SSD is definitely the most effective improve you can also make for a pc.
SSDs price extra per gigabyte than mechanical onerous drives, although, and thus aren’t usually accessible in ultra-high capacities. If you would like velocity and cupboard space, you should buy an SSD with restricted house and use it as your boot drive, then arrange a conventional onerous drive as secondary storage in your PC. Place your applications in your boot drive, stash your media and different recordsdata on the onerous drive, and also you’re able to have your cake and eat it too.
How we take a look at SSDs
Drive checks presently make the most of Home windows 11 (22H2) 64-bit working on an X790 (PCIe 5.0) motherboard/i5-12400 CPU combo with two Kingston Fury 32GB DDR5 modules (64GB of reminiscence whole). Intel built-in graphics are used. The 48GB switch checks make the most of an ImDisk RAM disk taking over 58GB of the 64GB whole reminiscence. The 450GB file is transferred from a Samsung 990 Professional 2TB, which additionally comprises the working system.
Every take a look at is carried out on a newly formatted and TRIM’d drive so the outcomes are optimum. Be aware that as any drive fills up, efficiency will lower on account of much less NAND for secondary caching, and different elements.
The efficiency numbers proven apply solely to the drive we had been shipped in addition to the capability examined. SSD efficiency can differ by capability on account of extra or fewer chips to learn/write throughout and the quantity of NAND accessible for secondary caching (writing TLC/QLC as SLC). Distributors additionally sometimes swap parts. For those who ever discover a big discrepancy between the efficiency you expertise and that which we report (methods being roughly equal), by all means—tell us.