Is a DRAM-equipped 2TB SSD worth paying extra for gaming?
Asked by
MellowOrbit42
I'm looking for a secondary 2TB SSD mainly for gaming, with a budget of around $300, although local pricing varies because I'm outside the US. I care more about reliable everyday performance and a good lifespan than maximum benchmark speeds. I've heard that SSDs with dedicated DRAM may last longer, so I'm comparing the Lexar NM620 2TB at about $270 with an Acer Predator GM6 M.2 drive at roughly $320. Is the GM6 worth the extra $50, and are there better choices in this price range?
Answers
The best alternative depends heavily on local pricing and availability. If a well-reviewed 2TB Gen 4 model is close in price, it could be worth considering, but don’t pay a large premium purely for gaming load times. A higher-end model such as the WD Black SN850X would be a strong option if it’s available, though it may not be sold in your region.
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You generally don’t need dedicated DRAM for a secondary game drive. Modern NVMe SSDs can use system memory through HMB, and that works well for most gamers. Also, double-check the specifications before assuming either model has dedicated DRAM—the listed drives may not have it. A DRAM model would usually cost more and is more useful for sustained, demanding workloads than ordinary game storage.
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For gaming, the cheaper drive should be perfectly adequate. Gen 3, Gen 4, and even faster NVMe drives often have nearly identical game loading times because the rest of the system can be the bottleneck. The difference may show up in benchmarks, but it usually isn’t noticeable during normal play. Gaming also doesn’t write enough data for endurance to be a major concern, so you’re more likely to replace the drive because 2TB no longer feels sufficient than because it wears out.
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MellowOrbit42: That makes sense. I’ll probably go with the less expensive option.
QuietMaple7: The main benefit of faster SSDs is for workloads such as transferring very large files or editing media. Those gains are much less relevant for game storage.