20 Best SSD For Gaming PCs

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Owning a PC fast enough to run all your games smoothly is a blessing. However, you need to invest in an equally fast SSD to make this happen. Traditional hard drives have now become outdated ever since the solid-state drives, or SSDs, were introduced. These super-fast devices are efficient enough to provide you with the best gaming experience. SSD’s are fast enough to prevent lag during gaming activities. So, making the shift to an SSD is a good idea. If you are already using one, there are still plenty of reasons to go for the newer models available. Upgrades are always a good idea, gamers would definitely agree. 

The previously launched SSDs were based on the same SATA interface as hard drives with limited bandwidth for their read/write heads. However, the recent SSDs are based on SATA III. These can easily slide into the ultra-fast PCIe bus. This gives a massive boost to the speed and efficacy of the computer. Moreover, with AMD’s introduction of PCIe 4.0 support on Ryzen 3rd Gen processors, some of the latest 1 TB SSDs are capable of pushing an insane speed of 15,000 MB/s.

So, to let go of the slothful computer systems and embrace an enhanced gaming journey. It’s about time you make the shift to one of the best SSD for gaming available out there. In this guide, we go over all the aspects you need to take into account when purchasing an SSD for your gaming requirements. Moreover, we’ll be going over some of our own recommendations for the best SSDs for laptop and gaming available online. 

Choosing The Right SSD

Picking up the right SSD for your system is important because that way you can understand the kind of performance your system will deliver. When it comes to gaming, your system must have an SSD that is efficient enough to keep the computer running smoothly. That is to say that your game should run without any lags. 

Be sure to do some research since SSD is a pricey investment and you certainly don’t want your decision to go wrong. A lot of people who are new in this department, tend to rush into buying the SSD. And that too without knowing the basic characteristics of their system. This makes it difficult to determine the type of model that would best suit their needs. We have listed a few things below which will, hopefully, help you make the right purchase. 

Operating System

To best understand which SSD would go with your system, firstly you need to see the OS of your PC. Normally, the recent SSDs support Windows 8.1 and 10 and work extremely well when paired with these operating systems. Make sure that you research thoroughly about the SSD you’ve planned to purchase. See if it is compatible with your current OS or not.

Budget

Everyone has different needs when it comes to using a computer. For gaming, of course, the PC must be equipped with an SSD that has enough space and speed to cater perfectly to the gaming specifications. SSDs are more expensive when compared to HDDs. However, they are definitely worth the bucks as they prevent your system from crashing, or even slowing down while you run heavy video games on it. SSDs come in various storage sizes starting from 120GB to 4TB. With 120GB being the cheapest option available.

However, they don’t provide enough room for a seamless video gaming experience. They are generally slower and wear out quickly. There’s the 250GB size available too. This one is just a few bucks costlier than the 120GB one. You need to see how much your wallet allows you to spend. And how much of storage your current gaming activities require. 500 GB SSD is what is considered as the right balance between performance, price, and capacity for most users. Particularly those whose concern is seamless gaming. For even larger gaming libraries, you might want to consider getting hands on a 1 TB SSD. But only if you’re ready to pay a hefty price for it.

Physical Specifications

There are numerous different kinds of solid-state drives available in the market with variations in their form factors and operational qualities with different hardware and software connections. While purchasing a solid-state drive, you need to check whether or not it is compatible with the system you own. Gaming desktop computers that have a medium to the high-level motherboards are capable of incorporating almost every type of modern solid-state drive.

The recently launched sleek and slim laptops, however, have been leaning more towards the gum-stick shaped M.2 form factor. People are always on the lookout for best M.2 SSD for gaming. They are no longer supporting the traditional 2.5-inch drive which was previously common among laptops. So much so that some of the laptop manufacturers have been connecting the motherboard directly to the storage, leaving you no option for upgrade. So, before you consider buying an SSD, make sure to consult your device’s manual to see whatever options are available for an upgrade.

Other Important Factors To Consider

Before you buy an SDD think of the perfect size which you think would suit you the best. There are SSDs with as tiny as 40 grams of size available which are great in mobility. This way you can carry around your games wherever you go. However, if you don’t require a portable SSD then you won’t have to worry much about the size.

20 Best SSD’s For Gaming PC’s

The gaming world has been always on the cusp of using cutting edge technology, be it extremely fast processors and GPUs, or high-end I/O devices. One of these cutting-edge devices is the storage drives that have evolved over the years. The latest technology that is the flash memory storage drives also known as Solid-State drives are highly efficient at running heavy games seamlessly. Here are some devices that you should consider as you hunt for the best SSD for your gaming PC.

The first on the list is the Crucial MX500 due to its affordability and durable nature that appeals to all types of users. The 500 GB SSD variant sets you back just 80$, making it a bargain. It provides you this affordability without any compromise on the quality and blistering speeds that are expected of solid-state drives.

The Crucial MX500 provides sequential read/write speeds of up to 560/510MB/s. Its performance concerning all file type is a random speed of 95k/90k.  Although these speeds refer to an older technology i.e. the SATA III, it still provides reliability and efficient performance for all uses. It may be 4 to 5 times slower than NVMe bases SSDs, but this SATA 2.5-inch drive is the most affordable and compatible with your daily use systems.

This compatibility puts this SSD among some of the best high-performing SSDs available for gaming. This efficiency is further assisted by Micron 3D NAND technology, which provides an extra boost along with the 256-bit hardware-based encryption. The brand Crucial itself is a renowned one in the storage device arena.

It may lack the NVMe briskness but a well-known band and host of other features make it the perfect starting step for moving to SSD storage for your system. It will be compatible with almost any system and will require not any extra requirements.

Moving away from the SATA devices and into the superfast NVMe enabled devices, the best budget device in this category is the Intel 660p NVME M.2. Although this option falls under the intermediate range in terms of speeds; it sure does provide the most economical 1TB SSD option in the market.

This affordability in the 1 TB SSD variant is due to a strategy by Intel. They have captured this niche by providing a compromise in speed and affordability. This is where you can get the best of both worlds without breaking the bank. At $115 it is the best bargain you can get for an NVMe device.

Moreover, Intel makes the quad-level-cells flash memory storage available for everyone at a meager price. This alone makes it one of the best SSD for gaming and that too, at an affordable cost. This solid-state drive offers read/write speeds of up to 1800MB/s, which is a considerable lead over the SATA SSDs.

Based on an M.2 form factor, this SSD is compatible with every system that accepts the M.2 2280 PCIe drives with 256-bit encryption. Its superiority over the TLC-based storage packs more data compared to the same size devices. This makes it one of the best SSD for gaming.

Perhaps the undisputed king of read/write speeds, the Samsung 970 EVO Plus 500 GB SSD provides the best performance for an SSD. Although it is on the higher side in terms of the price, it more than makes up for it by providing unmatched speed, longevity, and futuristic technology. With tech gadgets, the redundancy of older technology is a major setback, but this device will serve its buyer well for at least a few more years without becoming irrelevant.

The 970 EVO Plus provides a warranty of 5 years with 1200TBW (Terabytes Written). This exceptional number of writes is due to the latest V NAND technology by Samsung. With the Dynamic Thermal Guard on the device, it automatically monitors and dissipates any extra heat to ensure top performance.

Equipped with the Samsung Magician software, you can easily monitor your drive from the operating system. User-friendly software makes this monitoring task a breeze. Advancements in the NVMe technology allow this high-performing device to pack more data in less space. Data-transfer speeds are further enhanced by features such as Intelligent TurboWrite, an optimized firmware, and the reputed Pheonix Controller. 

The Samsung 970 EVO Plus is the best SSD for gaming in the 500GB SSD variant. It provides unmatched read/write speeds of 3500/2700MB/s and coupled with Samsung’s innovative and reliable firmware, it will be a worthwhile investment.

4. WD Black Internal Gaming SSD

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Next in line to the speed king 970 EVO Plus is Western Digital’s flagship SSD. With read/write speeds reaching the 3430/2600MB/s threshold; it slightly lags behind the EVO Plus but provides almost the same performance at reduced rates. This gives prospective buyers more options to shop in the market.

Good news for gamers is the WD Black SSD Dashboard, which turns on gaming mode and improves the gaming experience manifold. The sleek and modern design helps the device to act as a complimenting device to any system by saving space for other components such as a heatsink.

With the latest in 64-layer 3D NAND technology, the SSD pushes the limits of NVMe technology and provides high speeds with variability in capacities. It is available as a 500 GB SSD as well as variants including the 1 TB, and 2 TB ones. It comes with a 5-year warranty, providing greater peace of mind to the user.

Western Digital is a renowned entity when it comes to storage devices. The WD Black SN750 helps build this legacy by WD of providing top of the line storage products. It is one of the best SSD for gaming as it combines speed, reliability, and flexibility that ensure gamers can enjoy their games to the maximum.

ADATA may not be the household name in the market when it comes to storage devices, but the SX8200 NAND NVMe M.2 is a device to be lauded. Most of the devices in this list are of 500 GB SSD variants, but this 1TB SSD provides all the qualities of top draw gaming SSDs, and that too at a reasonable price.

With read/write speeds up to 3200/1700MB/s, the ADATA device keeps tabs with the top performers of the SSD world. It falls just shy of the top performer EVO 970 Plus, but it can boast greater affordability. Combine this with SLC Caching and DRAM buffer which helps the system accelerate the sequential and random read/write speeds so that the system is not over compromised, and hence providing unmatched performance to run intense applications.

This LDPC (Low-density parity check) enabled device corrects and fixes a great deal of data errors, thereby increasing the durability of the device and performing accurate data transfers. All these features are a haven for serious gamers and can easily fulfill their gaming requirements. This makes the ADATA SX82000 NAND SSD which is built on the latest 64 layer NAND technology, one of the best SSDs for gaming.

A highly affordable option, this SSD is a great upgrade for your gaming PC. This SSD is compatible with Windows 10 and 8.1. Unlike a lot of other names on this list, Addlink is a relatively new player in the SSD market and not quite as popular as say, Toshiba or Samsung. However, this SSD has everything to offer that a gaming PC could ask for. The SSD is engineered with RAID engine and low-density parity-check. Moreover, this SSD has a remarkable storage capacity of around 512GB NVMe. Additionally, the SSD relies on 3D Nand technology that offers a read writes speed of 3400 MB/s and 2000 MB/s, respectively.

Barracuda SSD is a phenomenal choice for gaming PCs and laptops. With lightning-fast read-write speed, this particular SSD can improve your PC performance tremendously. Moreover, the read-write speeds at 3400/2400MB/s make it a remarkable option at such an affordable price. The good thing about this particular SSD is that it improves the battery life of your PC, letting you play your game for hours on end without having to worry about the battery running out. Additionally, the SSD comes with an M.2 2280 form factor. Consequently, it is an ideal buy for ultra-thin laptops. Not to mention the 5-year warranty that it comes with. 

The Corsair Force SSD is another great option for gaming PCs. With a read-speed of 4950 megabytes/ second, your gaming PC would see significant improvements in performance. Moreover, with a remarkable storage capacity of 500 GB, this SSD is a highly attractive option particularly given the affordable price-tag. Additionally, the SSD also features an M. 2 2280 form factor. Overall, this SSD is a high-end option for an affordable rate that your gaming PC could definitely benefit from. 

Another relatively unknown name on this list, but it’s worth mentioning here for a lot of reasons. Firstly, this SSD offers exceptional read-write speeds of 5000/4400MB per second. However, do note that the overall performance of the SSD depends on which storage capacity you end up purchasing. There are, in fact, two options: 1TB and 2TB. You can select one based on your storage needs. Secondly, the SSS is compatible with M.2 2280, PCIe 4.0 Gen 4 with NVMe 1.3, PCIe 4×4 motherboard. Lastly, the SSD also comes with a limited 5-year warranty. 

A beautiful gaming cover design, this SSD is specifically designed for gaming PCs. This SSD by Archgon comes with a 480GB storage capacity. Moreover, it offers super-fast transfer speeds with a rate of about 500MB/s. Another great feature of this SSD is that it is compatible with diverse devices and operating systems including Windows/Mac, and Android. The SSD also comes with a 24-month limited warranty. 

This SSD has a read-write speed of 3450/2500MB/s. FireCuda’s SSD perfect for pro-level gaming PCs. It offers smooth streaming and allows your PC to perform exceptionally fast, thereby allowing you to enjoy your game without any lags. The ultra-slim M.2 2280 form factor is ideal for heavy-duty gaming PCs and can easily sustain abuse. Moreover, this SSD comes with a 5-year limited warranty that you get upon purchase. 

Sarbrent’s SSD comes in various different storage capacities that you can choose from, starting from 1TB and going all the way up to 512 GB. Furthermore, the SSD comes with M.2 PCIe Gen3 x 4 Interface and support for SMART and Trim commands. Additionally, this particular SSD also comes with a free cloning software that you can use. 

Although most gamers would be satisfied with an average-performing SSD, the benefits of a high performing SSD are hard to ignore. This particular SSD by Samsung is one of the most high-performing SSDs you can afford on a budget. Overall, the SSD has a fast read-write speed and will last you a long-time. 

With a 500GB storage capacity, this particular SSD offers 550MB/s and 520MB/s read-write speeds. This SSD is compatible with almost all operating systems including Windows, Linux, and macOS. Moreover, the Samsung EVO SSD also comes with a 5-year limited warranty. Overall, this SSD will significantly improve any gaming PC’s performance tremendously. 

This SSD by Intel offers a storage capacity of 480GB. And while this option may be a little too expensive, the remarkable performance it ensures is worth the price. Moreover, the SSD has high endurance. It is also compatible with servers and arrays that accept 2.5″ 15mm PCIe.

More than just a beautiful design, this SSD offers a 560 MB/s read-write speed, which is 4 times faster than traditional HDD. The SSD features a mixed-lighting effect which can synchronize with your motherboard. Moreover, the SSD comes in diverse storage capacities including 1TB, 250GB, and 500GB. 

If you are looking to upgrade your gaming PC with a premium SSD, this one is a good choice by all accounts. Not only does this SSD have topi-tier speed, but it also features the cutting-edge 3D NAND technology. The read-write speeds are remarkable with 560MB/s and 525MB/s respectively. You can purchase with SSD and enjoy a 5-year warranty that comes with the package. 

18. Kingston A400 SSD

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Kingston is a huge name when it comes to computer technology products and this particular SSD is a great affordable option for PC users who play games extensively. The SSD comes in diverse storage capacities including 120GB, 240GB, 480GB, 960GB, and 1.92TB. Moreover, this SSD comes at a very affordable price range that most gaming PC users would be able to afford easily. 

19. WD Blue SN550 SSD

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Your gaming PC’s performance can be improved significantly with this particular SSD because this is an NVMe SSD. With three standard storage capacity options including 250GB, 500GB, and 1TB, Western Digital Blue is 4 times faster than SATA SSDs. Overall, this particular SSD is a great option for gaming PC users. 

Another Western Digital SSD on our list. This SSD comes in diverse storage capacities. Moreover, it offers great read-write speeds that gaming PC users can enjoy. While we wouldn’t compare it to some of the high-end pro-level SSD’s on this list in terms of its speed, it still holds its ground as a good option for gaming PCs. Additionally, the SSD comes with a 3-year warranty that users can enjoy. 

Making the right choice while getting an SSD is important as it is not a small investment to make. Hopefully, this guide will make it easier for you to pick the right product. From considering the price to the form factor, and from the operating system running on your system to the storage and size, the best SSDs for gaming come in plenty of options to best suit your requirements. The right SSD is destined to provide you with an ever-smooth gaming experience and make every penny worth it.