Which M.2 Drive Should I Choose for Gaming?
Asked by
PixelProwler42
I'm looking to get an M.2 drive, either 1TB or 2TB, but I don't need one that's extremely fast, so I'm avoiding the pricier models like the 990 Pro. I want a budget-friendly option that still provides good performance for gaming. I'm concerned about not losing out on any 'free' performance because of a slower drive. Any suggestions?
Answers
For gaming, you won’t lose out on performance with most modern drives. A SATA drive is slower for everyday use, but in gaming, the bottleneck is typically elsewhere. I suggest you check out some budget-friendly options from trusted brands like Crucial or Samsung.
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If gaming is your main focus, the WD Blue is a solid choice. You won't notice much difference between Gen 3 and Gen 5 in most games, so save your bucks with a quality mid-range option.
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Prices can vary, but a decent 2TB SSD usually lands between $95-110. Just make sure it’s from a reputable brand! Also, check out price comparison sites like PCPartPicker for the best deals.
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Generally, a faster drive isn't going to impact gaming performance much. If you're looking for good value, any Gen 4.0 drive should do just fine. The budget considerations are key though!
GamerGuru88: You could go even cheaper and grab a Gen 3 drive which works well too. Honestly, gamers can sometimes get too caught up in the details of SSD speeds. The difference in performance for gaming is pretty minor.
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Some solid recommendations I’ve heard include the Crucial P3 Plus and the SN850X. They offer great performance without breaking the bank, and they’ve been reliable in my systems.
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BudgetBuilder12: That’s true! I’ve seen little difference in load times switching from SATA to NVMe, so unless you're doing heavy file transfers, a good Gen 3 or even entry-level Gen 4 drive should serve you well.