Best SSDs for Gaming – Top SATA & NVMe SSDs

Be up and around; if you want a speedy gaming PC, pairing a PC with the best gaming SSD is essential as the SSDs are fast, reliable, and sip low power.

Undoubtedly, almost any SSD will be much faster than the hard drives, but all the gaming SSDs are not created equal in both shapes and incorporated core technologies.

Then how could you get the best one?

After thorough research, we have gathered 10 high-end SATA and NVMe SSDs for gaming by considering their speed, durability, warranty duration, and price range to boost your gaming skills.

It doesn’t matter, you need a new drive or searching for one to replace an existing one; we have something exciting for all to fit your needs.

Best Gaming SSDs at a glance

Sr.No.  Best SSDs for Gaming  CapacityForm FactorRead SpeedDimensions (Inches)
01Corsair Force Series MP600 SSD250GB to 4000GBM.2 22804950 MB/s3.1 x 0.9 x 0.6
02Seagate Storage Expansion Card500GB to 2TBXbox Series X or S300 MB/s5.5 x 3 x 2
03Crucial MX500 NAND SATA SSD250GB to 2TBSATA 6.0 Gb/s560 MB/s4.06 x 0.28 x 2.76
04Samsung 970 EVO SSD250GB to 2TB2.5 Inches3400 MB/s0.87 x 3.15 x 0.9
05XPG S40G Internal SSD256GB to 4TBM.2 22803500 MB/s 0.87 x 3.15 x 0.31
06Sabrent Rocket NVMe SSD500GB to 2TBM.2 22805000 MB/s3.13 x 0.95 x 0.9
07WD Black SN750 Internal SSD250GB to 4TBM.2 22803100 MB/s0.87 x 3.15 x 0.08
08SanDisk Ultra 3D SSD250GB to 4TB2.5 Inches560 MB/s0.28 x 3.96 x 2.75
09Samsung 860 EVO SATA SSD250GB to 4TB2.5 Inches550 MB/s3.94 x 2.76 x 0.27 
10Gigabyte Aorus NVMe SSD500GB to 2TBM.2 22801000 GB/s5.12 x 3.15 x 1.18

1. Corsair Force Series MP600

Best SSD for high-end gaming

Corsair Force Series MP600
Features
  • Capacity: 1000GB (Available 240GB to 4000GB)
  • Form Factor: M.2 2280
  • Hardware interface: PCIe X 4
  • Read Speed: 4950 Megabytes Per Second
  • Compatible devices: Desktop, Notebook, Motherboard
  • Dimensions: 3.1 x 0.9 x 0.6 Inches
Reasons to Buy
  • Full-featured software for effective management
  • Impressive performance
  • Incorporated heatsink for efficiency
  • Large write cache with 4K results
  • Maximum bandwidth in incredible design
Reasons to Avoid
  • PCle 4.0 ecosystem is efficient for only AMD
  • A bit pricey

The Corsair Force Series MP600 is proved one of the fastest available SSDs, and it comes in three different capacities of 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB to let you choose what you exactly want. Ahead of the curve, this SSD entails the feature of hardware-accelerated AES 256-bit encryption to preserve your sensitive data from easy access.

It also offers standard support for TRIM SMART data reporting and safe erase through the NVM format command. Moreover, Corsair also provides an SSD toolbox for download with the SSDs to monitor the overprovisioning, health of your drive and clone your data on any new drive.

The MP600 incorporates a massive heat sink, which is removable, so you are free to use your SSD with the built-in heatsink of your motherboard. On the 1TB model, there are four unique NAND emplacements with the two on each side of the PCB. Additionally, two DDR4 DRAM ICs assist the controller as a cache for the table of file mapping.

2. Seagate Storage Expansion Card

Best for Xbox Series X and S

Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X- S
Features
  • Capacity: 1TB (Available 500GB to 8TB)
  • Form Factor: Xbox Series X or S
  • Hardware interface: Solid State Drive
  • Read Speed: 300 Megabytes Per Second
  • Compatible devices: Xbox
  • Dimensions: 5.5 x 3 x 2 Inches
Reasons to Buy
  • Compact, durable size
  • No connecting cables are required
  • Compatible with both X and S series of Xbox
  • Easy to install with incredible performance
Reasons to Avoid
  • RGB settings are hard to save for multiple profiles

To get on with the performance, the Xbox series, X or S, enter the market with amazing performance numbers and 500GB to 8TB NVMe SSD storage to meet gamers’ needs. Additionally, the Seagate Storage SSD game pass provides gamers with hundreds of titles to play per month. Surprisingly, Seagate is the only available storage vendor to pair with Xbox to offer extra capacity for its advanced 5th generation console to permit the play of the newest optimal games. While using the expansion card, you wouldn’t encounter any lagging in speed or power.

Ahead of the curve, Seagate Storage SSD allows you to resume simultaneously from the exact point you left off, the same as you can do with internal SSD. This expansion card, which is slightly larger than the USB thumb drive, attaches to a dedicated rear port on both consoles. In addition, it comes with a sliding cover to keep the card safer while traveling.

This expansion card is compatible with the Xbox series and customization options are available as well. After selecting the devices, you will see the card contents like copying the games to the card, installing games, uninstalling any files, formatting or renaming the card, or other such settings.

3. Crucial MX500 NAND SATA Internal SSD

Best SATA SSD for Gaming

Crucial MX500
Features
  • Capacity: 1TB (Available 250GB to 2TB)
  • Form Factor: 2.5 Inches
  • Hardware interface: SATA 6.0 Gb/s
  • Read Speed: 560 Megabytes Per Second
  • Compatible devices: Desktops, Laptops
  • Dimensions: 4.06 x 0.28 x 2.76 Inches
Reasons to Buy
  • Excellent SATA SSD of the year
  • Handy software package
  • Protection against power host failure
  • Variety of capacity options from 250GB to 2TB
  • Super-fast performance with extended endurance
Reasons to Avoid
  • No NVMe option is supported
  • Capacity options above 2TB are not available

To begin with, Crucial MX500 SSD comes with a storage capacity of up to 2TB, with the midway options having different form factors to ensure a great variety. The 2280 M.2 NGFF form factor allows the drive to be compatible with any modern system such as desktop, mobile, or SFF.

Additionally, you don’t need to run any cables; rather, fasten it with the screw to commence operation. Undoubtedly, this is the first internal SSD that uses Micron 64-layers 3D TLC NAND to enable massive data storage in minimal space and better controls due to built-in impressive circuitry.

In this era of technology, when advanced NVMe SSD drives are widely available, why should you prefer SATA? Actually, they are much cheaper and deliver a great performance far higher than HDDs. In addition to the NAND, it also comprises a controller and some DRAM to enable caching.

The Crucial MX500 comes with advanced technology for defects and error management; with the help of various hardware-based combinations, the realization of data parity protection, error correction algorithms, dynamic wear-leveling algorithms, and firmware-based statistics.

For more details, read the Crucial MX500 SSD review.

4. Samsung 970 EVO SSD

Best Gaming SSD for stable performance

SAMSUNG 970 EVO
Features
  • Capacity: 1TB (Available 250GB to 2TB)
  • Form Factor: 2.5 Inches
  • Hardware interface: Solid State Drive
  • Read Speed: 3400 Megabytes Per Second
  • Compatible devices: Devices that accept M.2 2280 PCIe drives
  • Dimensions: 0.87 x 3.15 x 0.9 Inches
Reasons to Buy
  • Dramatically quicker read speed
  • Innovative NAND technology
  • Excellent heat dissipaters
  • Incorporated security encryption
Reasons to Avoid
  • Speed isn’t too fast

To devour through life, Samsung 970 EVO SSD incorporates NVMe and is much faster than a typical SATA drive with a highly swift write speed at an affordable price. It contains efficient NAND flash memory along with the 3D 3-bit MLC in an attractive design. And the cache memory has been updated to LPDDR4 from LPDDR3 in contrast to previous models, and it offers a 25% lower power level that makes this PCIe drive an ideal option for gaming laptops.

To offer variety, a capacity range of 250GB to 2TB is provided to suit the needs of almost everyone who want an excellent SSD for gaming in this storage range. Additionally, the added security encryption permits you to keep your data safe.

Overall, 970 Evo SSD proffer low latency, extended bandwidth, 4K & 3D content designing, and considerable power efficiency for technology enthusiasts and top-level gamers. As far as durability is concerned, Samsung 970 EVO SSD has the fastest data transfer speed, ensuring performance and longevity.

Plus, you are provided with Samsung Magician Software to allow seamless data transfer and cloning to make it an excellent SSD management solution for data security and performance optimization with aided automatic firmware updates. In addition, the incorporated Samsung’s Dynamic Thermal Guard robotically judge and maintain the optimum operating temperature to make sure the smooth performance.

For more details, read Samsung 970 EVO SSD review.

5. XPG S40G RGB Internal SSD

Best budget SSD for gamers

XPG S40G SSD
Features
  • Capacity: 512GB (Available 256GB – 4TB)
  • Form Factor: M.2 2280
  • Hardware interface: PCI Express x4
  • Read Speed: 3500 Megabytes Per Second
  • Compatible devices: M.2 2280 PCIe enabled devices
  • Dimensions: 0.87 x 3.15 x 0.31 Inches
Reasons to Buy
  • Added software package
  • LDPC error-correcting technology
  • RGB lighting is perfect for PC builds
  • Best 4K write and sequential read
  • Available in capacities up to 4TB
Reasons to Avoid
  • RGB settings are hard to save for multiple profiles

To saunter through life, XPG S40G is an M.2 internal SSD designed specifically for those looking for amazing performance and stunning design in an affordable price range. It contains an NVMe interface, a DRAM buffer, and SLC caching for an excellent read and write speed. If you are a gamer, overclocker, PC enthusiast, or graphic designer, this SSD is perfect for taking your skills up to the next stage. Additionally, it comes with LDPC error-correcting coding technology to spot and fix any data errors to ensure security and good data integrity. For data security, S40G also incorporates AES 256-bit encryption.

Ahead of the curve, XPG S40G SSD contains RGB lighting on the drive’s either side, and you are allowed to adjust intensities, speed, and different lighting patterns to add something extra to your rig. Furthermore, this drive comes in 256GB, 500GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB versions to meet the demand of almost everyone.

6. Sabrent Rocket NVMe

Best PCIe 4 SSD with decent look

Sabrent Rocket NVMe SSD
Features
  • Capacity: 1TB (Available 500GB to 2TB)
  • Form Factor: M.2 2280
  • Hardware interface: PCI Express x4
  • Read Speed: 5000 Megabytes Per Second
  • Compatible devices: M.2 2280 PCIe drives
  • Dimensions: 3.13 x 0.95 x 0.9 Inches
Reasons to Buy
  • Excellent next-gen performance
  • Excellent endurance and design
  • Compatible software for customization
  • Impressive read and write speed
  • Built-in heatsink for optimal temperature
Reasons to Avoid
  • Write cache fills can reduce the write speed

To begin precisely, Sabrent Rocket NVMe SSD incorporates the PS5016-E16 controller and Toshiba’s 96-layers TLC NAND to ensure exceptionally high read and write speed. All you need to have is a PCle 4 supported motherboard; otherwise, you would encounter a speed drop. Additionally, it comes with 1.7-million-hours MTBF and around 3600 TBW.

To maintain the sturdy performance, a custom heatsink is provided to ensure the extra heat dissipation can interrupt the built-in speed performance. Actually, this heat dissipator is a combination of copper and aluminum, which is easy to install and feels sturdy. To add something innovative to the entire design, a classy little aluminum box is added, which gives a premium feel.

The Sabrent Rocket NVMe comes with M.2 2280 form factor and is available in three different capacities 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB. Price-wise this SSD is exceptionally in medium-range; no other SSD can compete it in performance. Additionally, it triggers thermal monitoring, TRIM, and the NVMe command to wipe the data safely. Plus, this SSD has end-to-end protection to keep the data safe and power management support to ensure excellent efficiency.

7. WD Black SN750 NVMe

Fastest Gaming SSD you can buy

WD Black SN750 NVMe SSD
Features
  • Capacity: 250GB (Available 250GB to 4TB)
  • Form Factor: M.2 2280
  • Hardware interface: Solid State Drive
  • Read Speed: 3100 Megabytes Per Second
  • Compatible devices: PC
  • Dimensions: 0.87 x 3.15 x 0.08 Inches
Reasons to Buy
  • Predictable, consistent performance
  • Sustained high write speed
  • Low cost per gigabyte
  • Excellent performance for PC gaming
  • Multiple capacity options
Reasons to Avoid
  • Power consumption is quite high
  • Read performance isn’t too efficient

Saunter through SSDs life; Western Digital SN750 SSD is the fastest drive in the market due to its updated SSD dashboard, new brand image, and performance booster firmware that add a lot to the existing hardware configurations to let it extract as much performance as possible. Additionally, it delivers 3470 MB/s read, and 3000 MB/s write speed which is quite excellent for professional gamers and enhanced power and thermal efficiency to provide a slight premium feel while operating.

Digging deep, WD Black SN750 uses a custom NVMe controller and 64L 3D NAND like many good reputed SSDs are using these days. This SSD offers military-like styling for the devices and hence booming gaming market to an upper extent. To ensure great variety, this SSD is available in three storage ranges from 250GB to 4TB to best suit gamers’ needs. The WD has added a novel gaming mode to disable the low power modes via firmware hooks to reduce latency, increasing performance. Additionally, it allows you to access free Acronis True Image download for real cloning of your stored data to transfer it to any new drive.

For more information, read WD Black SN750 Review.

8. SanDisk Ultra-3D

The Most Reliable SSD

SanDisk Ultra 3D NAND SSD
Features
  • Capacity: 250GB (Available 250GB to 4TB)
  • Form Factor: 2.5 Inches
  • Hardware interface: SATA 6.0 Gb/s
  • Read Speed: 560 Megabytes Per Second
  • Compatible devices: 2.5″ 7mm SATA drives supported devices
  • Dimensions: 0.28 x 3.96 x 2.75 Inches
Reasons to Buy
  • Handy software for customization
  • Perfect for gaming and graphics
  • Fast sequential read and write speed
  • Multiple capacity options
  • 3D NAND to ensure longevity and less power consumption
Reasons to Avoid
  • TLC consistency has some issues
  • Not extremely fast

The SanDisk Ultra-3D SSD uses NAND technology and nCache 2.0 and comes with vibration and shock resistance for improved reliability. Additionally, the company provides a dashboard that lets you manage real-time visibility to give you information about the drive’s performance at each stage. It incorporates tools for disk analysis, cloning software, and alerts for the firmware’s new updates to keep you up to mark all the time.

It has 560MB/s read and 530 MB/s sequential write speed, varying with the capacity difference. Actually, it comes in a range of 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB to provide everyone exactly what they need.

The SanDisk Ultra 3D comes with 2.5 inches form factor in a refined and smooth black metal shell with black, red, and white color schemes to impart a classy decent look. To increase the lifespan of this SSD, the incorporated aluminum case is carved to resist any kinds of accidental shocks to maintain efficient data integrity and security.

9. Samsung 860 EVO SATA III SSD

Best mid-range gaming SSD

Samsung 860 EVO SSD
Features
  • Capacity: 1TB (Available 250GB to 4TB)
  • Form Factor: 2.5 Inches
  • Hardware interface: SATA 6.0 Gb/ss
  • Read Speed: 550 Megabytes Per Second
  • Compatible devices: MAC, Windows
  • Dimensions: 3.94 x 2.76 x 0.27 Inches
Reasons to Buy
  • Fastest available M.2 SSD
  • Heatsink included
  • Fastest file transfer rate
  • Excellent speed performance for small files
Reasons to Avoid
  • SATA 3 protocol can limit extended potential

Grounded in fact, Samsung 860 EVO SATA SSD offers quadruple endurance with noticeably faster speed and great value. This SSD is powered by 64-layer V-NAND technology; the vertical flash cells stacking in a 3D manner provide great density and speed. In addition, it uses an MJX SATA controller coupled with 2GB of LPDDR4 DRAM for improved power and speed efficiency. All the built-in features impart the sequential write speed of 520 MB/s and read speed of 560 MB/s to make sure fast data processing.

Inching forward, Samsung 860 EVO is built to proffer an unequaled endurance of 1200 TBW, which is more than excellent for gamers. Interestingly, this SSD offers single file or file folder transfer in just seconds. In addition, the incorporated MJX controller supports low-power DDR4 memory, which is a new integrated memory controller and enables less power consumption, cooler processing, and decreased manufacturing costs.

For more information, read Samsung 860 EVO Review.

10. GIGABYTE AORUS NVMe Gen4

The best SSD of all the time

GIGABYTE AORUS NVMe Gen4 SSD
Features
  • Capacity: 1TB (Available 500GB to 2TB)
  • Form Factor: M.2 2280
  • Hardware interface: Solid State Drive, PCI Express x8, PCIe x 4
  • Read Speed: 1000 GB/s
  • Compatible devices: PC
  • Dimensions: 5.12 x 3.15 x 1.18 Inches
Reasons to Buy
  • Fastest M.2 SSD
  • Heatsink included
  • Fastest file transfer rate
  • Different capacity options
  • Excellent speed performance
Reasons to Avoid
  • No screwdriver for small screws
  • Speed isn’t compatible with the average PC

To begin with, Gigabyte Aorus NVMe SSD is a well-designed M.2 drive and looks classy due to the dual-sided copper-based heatsink. It features Phison PS5016-E16 controlled fixed on a 28nm manufacturing technology.

Additionally, it has a PCIe 4 x 4 interface, DDR4 DRAM cache, and eight NAND channels with 32 CE targets to provide you with the best of both worlds. Moreover, it comes with significant computer power for processing ECC when coming across 3D TLC NAND flash.

To dig deep, Gigabyte Aorus NVMe SSD supports LDPC error correction, NVMe 1.3 protocol, over provision, wear leveling, pyrite support, and ideal copper-based heat dissipators to cool down the NAND chips and controller. This SSD is available in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacities with a sequential write speed of 2500 MB/s to provide excellence.

Did you know Gigabyte Aorus NVMe SSD is also one of the Best M.2 NVMe SSDs?

Criteria for Choosing an SSD for Gaming?

To get good mileage out of your gaming PC, the compatible best gaming SSD must have a responsive and speedy operation. Believe it or not, choosing the top-notch gaming SSD isn’t a piece of cake; you need all possible information regarding their functions and compatibilities. To serve you with the best of both worlds, we have summarized some essential features which must be there in your SSD, have a look to pick the excellent.

SATA or NVMe PCle-based SSD?

The SATA legacy interface was previously designed to allow comparatively low bandwidth drives, like mechanical HDDs and CD-ROM drives to connect with our computers. With the improvements in SSDs speed over the period of years, they started becoming efficient for the SATA III interface with the maximum sequential write and read speed of about 550-600 MB/s. This results in the creation of a novel interface called NVMe.

To be on clear ground, NVMe is the modern interface that is created basically for highly efficient solid-state drives, scaled on PCIe standard. This interface is also used for network cards, graphics cards, and other such add-in cards. The incorporated higher bandwidth is excellent in removing the interface bottleneck, which tends to permit high-end SSDs to grab lower access time and higher speeds. Previously, the PCIe 3.0 in SSDs was widely employed for gaming, which is now being replaced by much faster PCIe 4.0 drives.

When comparing both, SATA-based SSDs are a bit cheaper the NVMe based., but the difference in price range is not so significant. SATA’S theoretical efficiency limit is around 600 MB/s, the PCIe 3.0 has 4000 MB/s, while the PCIe 4.0 SSDs come with the doubled figures of almost 8000 MB/s. In this respect, NVMe SSDs are much excelled than SATA-based SSDs in terms of speed and performance. In the real world, the advanced, most speedy Generation-4 drives are about 7000 MB/s, double the previously existing generations that stayed at 3500 MB/s.

Understanding Storage VS Performance

The performance of SSDs can be seen in their read and write speeds. Basically, the reads are linked to the data being fetched from the storage to the processor for further use, while writes mean the data is being sent from processor to storage to keep it safe to be accessed later. Overall, reading data is far more common than writing, so read speeds are often higher than write speeds. Before embarking on efficient read or write speed, you need to know the following terms in detail.

Sequential Read or Write Speed: On the clear ground, to judge the performance, sequential read/write speed is the most widely used scale, which actually belongs to data transfer in the form of large blocks, for instance, the copy-pasting of large files to any desk. To measure it, we mostly use numbers in megabytes per second. Generally, sequential data is quite easy to read and write than random data.

Random Read or Write Speed: To get on with the drive, the Random Read/Write speeds use data placed on the drive in the form of random blocks, which usually require more time to process than sequential blocks. Practically, the games or other such small files generally read or write files that are not placed in any sequence and are regarded as the most common type of data usage. This speed category is most commonly measured in IOPS, a short form of Input and Output Operations Per Second.

SSD Form Factors

To get on with the best SSDs, different form factors differ entirely in terms of their specification, and they depict how your drive would connect and communicate with the motherboard.

  • 2.5 Inches: Widely, the SSDs with 2.5 Inches generally resemble 2.5 Inches mechanical drives. The traditionally sold consumer drives incorporated SATA-III-based protocol, which needs separate data and power cables. Whilst, NVMe is taking charge of advanced consumer SSDs.
  • M.2: Grounded in fact, the M.2 drives are sculptured in thin, small rectangular shapes, and they are compatible with M.2 specified slots on your motherboard. Additionally, these types process via NVMe transfer protocol, using SATA on previously existing models. But it would be best if you were careful as they can’t be efficient with incompatible sockets.

As far as the location is concerned, they are placed under the thermal shelters or at the backside of Mini-ITX containing motherboards. Above all, if you opt for M.2 form factor, take in count your motherboards’ documentations first.

  • AIC: Saunter through life, AIC based SSDs can link to the PCIe specified slot on your motherboard for data and power. To directly communicate with the given system, they usually use PCIe lanes, such as NVMe M.2 based SSDs. Before grabbing any AIC based SSD, make sure that the targeted system contains M.2 slot.
  • Some other Form Factors: Besides the above general form factors, some other factors like U.2 SSDs containing NVMe. Such form factors are usually used in the servers or professional server environments in addition to building games.

Final Verdict

Grounded in fact, the best SSDs for gaming are selling like hotcakes as a real performance booster for any professional gamer. Unquestionably, having the best Gaming SSD for your gaming PC or laptop is as important as having the best gaming processor. But it would be best if you were sure about the best and worst gaming SSDs, as the cheaper models can slow down the processing speed. Anyway, to offer you almost all the benefits, our reviewed items would take place in your heart due to their built-in excellent features. Decide upon one model and enjoy perfect gaming!

Photo of author

Mathew Bradford

Hey! Mathew Bradford Here, A proud member of GamingExpert Team. I love playing games with new gaming gadgets. Our team is here to help you find the best gaming products, reviews of videos games and to help you decide which one is best for your. You can contact me if you need further assistance.