I'm on the hunt for a reliable NVMe SSD to use primarily for my operating system and other software. I've already got several 2TB SSDs for storage, but they're not the best quality. I've heard from tech reports that prices on certain SSDs are set to rise significantly soon, so I want to find a solid option before that happens. Ideally, I'm interested in SSDs that utilize 3D NAND technology. Does anyone have recommendations?
3 Answers
I've had great luck with the WD SN850X drives. They've been running smoothly for a few years without any issues. Samsung also makes excellent SSDs. Just a heads-up to steer clear of the SK Hynix P41; it has some firmware bugs that can slow it down.
Before you buy, check what your motherboard supports in terms of NVMe speeds (gen 4 or 5). Think about how much storage you typically need; if you're like me and install a lot of large games, you might want a fast drive for your OS and games. Just keep in mind, higher capacity drives often cost quite a bit. Sometimes going for an older generation can save you some cash.
Keep in mind that the difference in game loading times might be minimal. If you're primarily using the SSD for storage rather than intensive applications, you can save some money by not going for the latest tech.
Honestly, most of the NVMe drives out there are fantastic. Unless you're working with high-end applications, you'll likely not notice any speed differences in day-to-day use. So when it comes to buying, just focus on the price per terabyte!
My motherboard is PCle x5, so it can handle all types of SSDs. I’ve tried both SATA and NVMe for gaming and honestly didn’t see a big difference in performance. I’m currently using the SN770 as my main OS drive, but I’m filled up at 400GB already. Looking for a 1TB or 2TB SSD would be perfect, but I don't think I need a 4TB option.