I recently watched a video where the host suggested avoiding cheap NVMe drives for a $1600 PC build. I'm curious if this advice applies to lower-end models like the Kingston NV2, Patriot P400 Lite, and most Gen 3 M.2 drives. I don't see a major issue since most games don't seem to require ultra-fast storage speeds, and I think having 3000-4000 MB/s read/write speeds should be sufficient. What are the drawbacks of using these lower-end drives compared to higher-end options?
5 Answers
With low-end drives, especially if you’re considering one as your system drive, be aware that they can slow down significantly after the SLC cache is exhausted. Constant writing can lead to wear and potential data loss, so tread carefully!
I think the main concern with low-end NVMe drives is reliability rather than speed. Typically, cheaper models have lower endurance ratings. I mean, we used to play games just fine on SATA SSDs, so if you have a drive that works, that's great. Just keep an eye on it!
So true! I’ve used SATA SSDs for ages without issues. Just had one Samsung NVMe fail on me out of the blue, though, so it’s a bit of a lottery.
You can definitely find some Gen 3 drives that hold up well, as long as you manage their life cycle properly. For gaming, they should be fine!
Reliability is key here. Some low-end NVMe drives can get really hot without offering any major performance benefits. Most NVMe options are generally okay, but it’s good to check on temps and performance.
It's mainly about finding reputable brands and checking their TBW (terabytes written) ratings. If it's a lesser-known company, I'd be wary. Also, always have backups! You never know when hardware can fail.
I personally steer clear of drives that use QLC technology. They have shorter lifespans and become really slow once their cache fills up. I'd much prefer a Gen 3 TLC NVMe over a Gen 5 QLC any day.
Totally, I have a 2TB QLC drive too, but it's just for storing games, and I haven’t had any problems. But if it were my main drive, I’d be cautious!
Got it, so how would a lower-end TLC NVMe stack up as my only drive?