Top-Tier M.2 SSD Choices for Gaming in 2025: My Recommended Storage Upgrades for Lightning-Speed Performance
Welcome to our guide for the best M.2 SSDs for gaming! In this article, we will help you find the perfect storage solution to elevate your gaming experience. Whether you're a budget-conscious gamer or seeking the fastest storage for cutting-edge gaming rigs, we've got you covered.
The M.2 SSD (NVMe) is a popular choice for gamers as it offers impressive speed and reliability compared to other types of drives. Here, we have handpicked seven top M.2 SSDs to help you make an informed decision.
1. Best overall: WD Black SN850
The WD Black SN850 is our pick for the best overall M.2 SSD due to its balance of performance, price, and thermals. This drive comes in various capacities, with our favorites being the 2TB and 1TB models.
- Read speeds: 7000 MB/s
- Write speeds: 5300 MB/s
- Capacities: 256GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB
With 7000 MB/s reading speeds and 5300 MB/s writing speeds, the WD Black SN850 delivers a great all-round gaming SSD experience. It's also known for its excellent heat management, even without a heatsink.
2. Best budget: Silicon Power A80
If you're on a tight budget but still want a speedy M.2 SSD for gaming, the Silicon Power A80 is an excellent option.
- Read speeds: 3400 MB/s
- Write speeds: 3000 MB/s
- Capacities: 120GB, 240GB, 480GB, 960GB, 1TB, 2TB
Despite being budget-friendly, the Silicon Power A80 offers strong performance for its price. It may not match the top-tier M.2 SSDs, but it's still a very capable drive for gamers on a budget.
3. Best high-capacity: Western Digital Black SN770
For gamers who require massive storage for their collections, the Western Digital Black SN770 offers impressive capacities.
- Read speeds: 5800 MB/s
- Write speeds: 5100 MB/s
- Capacities: 1TB, 2TB, 4TB
The Western Digital Black SN770 is a excellent choice for gamers who value high storage capacity. With fantastic performance and a wide range of capacities, it's well worth considering. Keep in mind that it runs hot, so a heatsink is highly recommended for optimal performance.
4. Best PCIe 5.0: Crucial T700
If you're ready to upgrade to the latest PCIe 5.0 technology, the Crucial T700 is an excellent choice.
- Read speeds: 6000 MB/s (sequential)
- Write speeds: 5100 MB/s (sequential)
- Capacities: 500GB, 1TB, 2TB
The Crucial T700 delivers blazing fast speeds with read and write performance of 6000 MB/s and 5100 MB/s respectively. This PCIe 5.0 SSD offers an impressive leap in performance over its PCIe 4.0 counterparts, making it a great choice for gamers seeking the absolute fastest option.
5. Best 4K performance: Samsung 980 Pro
For gamers who focus on 4K resolution games, the Samsung 980 Pro offers impressive 4K performance.
- Read speeds: 6900 MB/s (sequential)
- Write speeds: 5100 MB/s (sequential)
- Capacities: 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB
The Samsung 980 Pro is known for its excellent 4K performance, making it a perfect choice for gamers seeking a top-tier M.2 SSD for the smoothest 4K gaming experience.
6. Best PS5 SSD: Samsung 970 EVO Plus
If you're looking to upgrade your PS5's storage, the Samsung 970 EVO Plus is a solid choice.
- Read speeds: 3500 MB/s
- Write speeds: 2300 MB/s
- Capacities: 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB
The Samsung 970 EVO Plus offers strong performance and compatibility with the PS5, making it a great option for expanding your console's storage.
7. Best for Steam Deck: Sabrent Rocket Q4
For Steam Deck owners, the Sabrent Rocket Q4 is an excellent choice due to its 2230 form factor and high performance.
- Read speeds: 2000 MB/s
- Write speeds: 1650 MB/s
- Capacity: 1TB
The Sabrent Rocket Q4 offers a perfect 1TB solution for Steam Deck owners looking for improved storage and performance. Its 2230 form factor ensures a snug fit in the Deck, making it the perfect companion for portable gaming on the go.
Conclusion
Choosing the perfect M.2 SSD for gaming can be overwhelming with so many options. We hope this guide has helped you find the perfect solution to elevate your gaming experience. Keep in mind that SSD prices are subject to change, so be sure to check current prices when making your purchase. Happy hunting, and happy gaming!
Enrichment Data:
- Overall, the WD Black SN850X remains the best M.2 SSD for gaming, providing a fantastic combination of performance, price, and thermals. Other top-tier M.2 SSDs include the Samsung 980 Pro, Samsung 990 Pro, and the Crucial T700 as PCIe 5.0 options.
- It's important to note that PCIe 5.0 SSDs offer significantly improved performance, but they may come at a higher cost and require a system with PCIe 5.0 support. It's essential to carefully consider your system's compatibility before making a purchase.
- Heatsinks are not necessary for all M.2 SSDs, but they can help maintain optimal performance for drives that tend to run hot. In higher-capacity models especially, a heatsink is recommended.
- The gameplay experience can be significantly enhanced by investing in a M.2 SSD like the WD Black SN850, rated as the best overall for its balance of performance, price, and heat management.
- If budget constraints are a concern, the Silicon Power A80, a budget-friendly M.2 SSD, offers decent performance for games, even without breaking the bank.
- For gamers with large game collections requiring expanded storage, the Western Digital Black SN770, with its impressive capacities, could be a great choice.
- Those seeking the latest technology can upgrade to the Crucial T700, a PCIe 5.0 SSD, offering impressive speeds that make it a top-tier storage solution for gamers.
- For players focusing on 4K resolution games, the Samsung 980 Pro, known for its excellent 4K performance, can offer a smooth gaming experience.
- If upgrading your PS5's storage is on the agenda, consider the Samsung 970 EVO Plus, a suitable option that stands out due to its compatibility and performance.
- Steam Deck users might find the Sabrent Rocket Q4 the ideal choice, due to its perfect 2230 form factor and high performance for a 1TB solution.
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- The choice of M.2 SSDs for gaming varies, with the science behind it playing a crucial role in delivering a seamless gaming experience, much like the research undertaken in a dissertation before making decisions in various fields, including health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise.
