My 2TB game drive died about four months ago and my system no longer recognizes it. Replacing it currently seems to cost around $350–$400, so I've been keeping games on my operating-system drive instead. Has there been any indication that NVMe prices will come down soon? If not, are there reliable alternative brands or models that offer around 2TB of storage without costing a fortune?
4 Answers
There’s no reliable sign that prices will fall soon, and storage costs could even get worse as manufacturers prioritize data-center and AI hardware. If you need the space, I’d buy when you find a reasonable deal instead of waiting for a specific future date.
For gaming, you usually don’t need a high-end NVMe drive. Most reputable models will perform similarly for loading games, and there are 2TB options well below $350. The Crucial P310 is one example that has been a decent value recently.
Silicon Power’s UD90 has often been inexpensive and is perfectly usable for a game library, but newer versions reportedly switched from TLC NAND to QLC and changed other components. It can still work, but I’d compare reviews and warranty coverage before buying. The Crucial P310 may be the better buy if the prices are close.
The main concern with the newer UD90 revisions is that the cheaper components make it less attractive than earlier versions, so checking the exact model and current reviews matters.
If you only need extra game storage, consider a smaller or older SSD temporarily rather than waiting indefinitely. A SATA SSD can also work well for games, though used drives are risky because you may get little or no warranty. For a new drive, I’d stick with a known brand and buy during a sale.
I’ve used Silicon Power drives for years without problems, and benchmark results have generally matched their advertised speeds. They’re worth considering when the price is significantly lower.