The Best PCIe 4.0 SSDs for Gaming
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Remember the days of waiting for games to load? Going between areas and being able to grind your coffee beans, make a coffee, and then burn off that excess energy by going for a run, while you waited for the game to load? Well, those days are over.
Thanks to PCIe 4.0 technology, SSDs can now achieve read speeds of over 7,000MB/s. Not only does this reduce load times in games but also offers developers the chance to cut them out altogether in some games.
PCIe 4.0 SSDs are also perfect for upgrading your PS5. No matter if you are looking for a storage expansion for your PS5 or gaming PC, PCIe 4.0 SSDs are the way to go.
Here are the best PCIe 4.0 SSDs for gaming.
1. Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus
The Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus is a premium internal SSD with read speeds of up to 7,000MB/s and write speeds of up to 6,600MB/s. Thanks to its fast read and write speeds it is the perfect SSD for upgrading your PS5, gaming PC, or gaming laptop.
While the Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus is a PCIe 4.0 SSD, it is also backward compatible, meaning you can use it on your older motherboard. Of course, using the Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus on a PCIe 3.0 motherboard will result in slower speeds, but you can always upgrade your motherboard to achieve full speeds.
Although the Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus is one of the most expensive SSDs on the market, it, unfortunately, isn’t the quickest. It’s not slow at all, but there are faster SSDs on the market that are much more affordable.
2. Samsung 980 Pro
Samsung is a well-known household name, and most people either own or have owned Samsung products. Samsung’s popularity is due to its ability to produce consistently solid and innovative products, and the Samsung 980 Pro is no exception to this rule.
With incredible blazing read speeds of up to 7,000MB/s, it’s hard to find an SSD that will get you into your favorite games quicker. Although, the Samsung 980 Pro is somewhat let down by its slightly slower 5,100MB/s write speeds. But if you’re buying an SSD primarily for gaming, don’t let that put you off, as the additional read speeds make this SSD well worth the money.
The Samsung Magician software makes it easier than ever to perform health checks, run benchmarks, and much more. Ensuring that you are always getting the most out of your new SSD.
3. Crucial P3 Plus
Upgrading your PC can be expensive, but upgrading to a faster SSD doesn’t have to be. The Crucial P3 Plus makes upgrading to faster next-gen storage much more affordable, while still maintaining solid read and write speeds.
While the read and write speeds of the Crucial P3 Plus might not match the speeds of top performers such as the Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus, it still offers a solid 5,000MB/s read speeds and 4,200MB/s write speeds. This results in a solid upgrade and excellent value for money.
The Crucial P3 Plus also has multiple size options, ranging from the smaller, yet even more affordable 500GB SSD to the whopping 4TB option. So, you’ll have plenty of space for even more of your favorite games.
4. WD_BLACK SN850Xa
The WD_BLACK SN850X is a great SSD for both gaming PCs and next-gen consoles. With incredible read and write speeds, you will be loading your favorite PS5 games in no time. Or it’s possible to use Game Mode 2.0 to push your gaming PC even further.
There are several size options available, ranging from 500GB all the way to 4TB. There’s also the option to add a heatsink for even better thermal performance.
Gamers can also utilize the impressive Game Mode 2.0 which uses features such as load prediction to preload game assets for even faster loading times and performance.
5. Seagate FireCuda 530 M.2 SSD with Heatsink
The Seagate FireCuda 530 is a fast and efficient SSD that runs ultra-cool thanks to the built-in heatsink. Of course, a cooler SSD also means better performance as the SSD is able to maintain steady temperatures and reduce thermal throttling.
No matter your requirements, you should be able to find the right Seagate FireCuda 530 SSD for your build. It comes with a choice of sizes ranging from 500GB all the way to 8TB. it’s possible to also save some money and go for the standalone drive without a heatsink, but of course, that might affect the drive’s performance depending on your system’s temperatures.
Thanks to the 7,300MB/s Gen 4 speeds, the Seagate FireCuda 530 is the perfect upgrade for those looking to add a little extra storage to their PS5. With larger storage options, it’s the perfect choice for those looking to install more of their favorite games and enjoy reduced loading times.
6. Kingston FURY Renegade
If you’re looking for a solid performer, the Kingston FURY Renegade boasts impressive speeds. It might be a little more expensive than other options out there, but with such solid performance, it’s a worthwhile investment. With read speeds up to 7,300MB/sand up to 7,000MB/s write speeds, loading screens are about to become a thing of the past.
The Kingston FURY Renegade is highly customizable, with a choice of sizes ranging from 500GB all the way to 4TB as well as an optional heatsink. Thanks to its blazing speeds, it’s also the ideal SSD to upgrade your next-gen console’s storage too.
No matter if this is an upgrade for your gaming desktop, laptop, or console, the Kingston FURY Renegade is one SSD you won’t regret buying.
Q: How Many M.2 Slots Does PS5 Have?
The PS5 comes with a built-in M.2 SSD, but it also has one expansion slot, so you can increase your next-gen console’s storage capabilities.
Most SSDs will state if they are compatible with the PS5 on the manufacturer’s website, so make sure to check before purchasing.
Q: Can I Put an M.2 in Xbox Series X|S?
While you’re able to replace the SSD in the Xbox Series X, the console uses a custom Western Digital SSD, which is much smaller than conventional PCIe 4.0 SSDs.
There is also no internal expansion slot for the Xbox Series X|S. However, there is an external expansion card you’re able to purchase should you need more storage for your games.
