I'm building a new PC to upgrade from a decade-old Dell Optiplex. I'm planning to use a WD_BLACK 2TB SN850X, which has some impressive read/write speeds of 7300/6300. Newegg is also offering me a free Kingston NV3 M.2 1TB drive that has read/write speeds of about 6000/5000. Would it be okay to install my OS on the Kingston NV3 and store my games on the WD_BLACK for better performance? I'm just worried about potential issues with lower speeds since I'm not experienced with SSDs, having always used slow HDDs. Any advice would be great, thanks in advance!
3 Answers
In most scenarios, you likely won't see a real difference in performance between the two drives for regular tasks. The numbers you're seeing are for sequential speeds, and OS and games don't load that way. If you keep the NV3 less than 75% full, it should still perform decently. But remember, the SN850X is built for higher endurance and performance, especially under load.
You could actually save a bit by getting a 2TB NVMe drive with similar speeds for the same price as the 1TB SN850X. Look into options like the VP4300 Lite. Just be cautious with QLC drives—they can slow down as they fill up.
Honestly, putting your OS on the 2TB WD_BLACK might be the best move. It'll handle all those read/write operations without breaking a sweat. The Kingston NV3 could be fine for your games, but just be mindful of its durability since it uses QLC NAND flash. For everyday use, you might not notice a huge performance difference, but for long-term health, the SN850X is a safer bet.
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