I'm looking for a reliable 1TB NVMe SSD for less than $275 CAD, preferably closer to $200. It will mainly be used for gaming and everyday tasks, so I don't need the absolute fastest drive—just something reasonably quick, dependable, and capable of lasting several years. What models would you recommend?
4 Answers
If this will be your operating-system drive, I’d lean toward a model with TLC NAND rather than QLC for better endurance. Options such as the Patriot P320, Patriot P400 Lite, TeamGroup T-Force G50, Biwin Black Opal NV7400, or Kioxia Exceria fit within the budget. For a secondary game and file drive, QLC models can still be perfectly adequate.
The Kingston NV3 is inexpensive and fast enough for gaming, but its components can vary between production batches. Because of that inconsistent hardware, I’d choose the UD90 or NM790 instead unless the NV3 is significantly cheaper.
The Silicon Power UD90 is a solid budget option around this price. If you can spend roughly $10 more, the WD Black SN7100 would also be worth considering as a faster, higher-end alternative.
The Lexar NM790 is probably the strongest all-around choice in this price range. It offers good performance for gaming and general use, and owners generally report being happy with its reliability. It’s a better pick than simply buying the cheapest available drive.
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