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Crucial P510 PCIe Gen5 NVMe 1TB SSD1TB Without Heatsink3.1 x 0.86 x 0.09 Inches0 PoundsCheck on Amazon
The best NVMe SSD for gaming for most people is a 2TB PCIe 4.0 drive such as the WD_BLACK SN850X, Samsung 990 PRO or Crucial P310, because Gen5 models cost more and run hotter without a large change in typical game load times. This guide covers twelve drives, from a Gen3 budget option to two Gen5 models, and explains which listings are weaker or poorly specified. Speeds and features come from listing titles, so they are seller claims worth confirming before you buy. Where two drives look alike on paper, we say what separates them, such as a missing heatsink or an unnamed brand.
Twelve NVMe drives at a glance
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| Model | Key point from title | Price tier | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crucial P510 1TB | PCIe Gen5, up to 11,000MB/s, TLC | Premium (inferred) | Gen5 on a desktop board |
| SIX NVME 1TB | Gen4, up to 7350MB/s, heatsink, PS5 mention | Mid-range | Cheap PS5 upgrade attempt |
| Predator GM7000 2TB | Gen4, DRAM cache, 7400/6700MB/s, PS5 Pro mention | Mid-range | Sustained writes |
| WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB | Gen4, up to 7300/6300MB/s, gaming expansion | Mid-range | All-round gaming |
| Samsung 990 PRO 2TB | Gen4, up to 7450MB/s | Premium | High-end Gen4 desktops |
| Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB | Gen5 x4, up to 14,700MB/s | Premium | Maximum speed |
| Crucial P310 2TB | Gen4, up to 7100MB/s, handheld mention | Budget | Capacity for the price |
| Silicon Power 2TB | Gen3 x4 | Budget | Older PCs only |
| KingSpec 2TB | Gen4, up to 7400MB/s, PS5 mention | Budget | Large and fast, low cost |
| fanxiang 2TB with heatsink | Gen4, up to 7100MB/s, heatsink for PS5 | Mid-range | PS5 slot expansion |
| fanxiang S690Q 2TB | Gen4 slot, up to 5000MB/s, SLC cache | Budget | Light gaming, low heat |
| 2TB Gaming SSD with heatsink | Gen4, up to 7300MB/s, TLC with dynamic SLC cache | Mid-range | PS5 or PC with heatsink |
Tiers are relative and, where the title gives no price, inferred from the specs. Speeds are the sellers’ maximums.
What each drive offers
Crucial P510 1TB Gen5
The listing claims PCIe Gen5 speeds up to 11,000MB/s with TLC NAND, for desktops and laptops. The title does not mention a heatsink or DRAM cache. Gen5 drives usually need good airflow, and a 1TB capacity limits how many large games fit. Because Gen5 drives often throttle without airflow, check for a motherboard heatsink or add one.
Pros
- Gen5 interface with TLC NAND
- Quick for large file copies
Cons
- Only 1TB
- Heat management and board support need checking
Who it’s for: Builders with a Gen5-capable board who want a modern drive.
SIX NVME M.2 SSD 1TB
A Gen4 drive claiming up to 7350MB/s with a heatsink, marketed at PS5 storage. The brand is little known and the title lists no DRAM cache, endurance rating or controller. Compare warranty terms carefully before choosing it over established names, and read buyer comments about long-term reliability.
Pros
- Heatsink included
- Claimed Gen4 speeds
Cons
- Unfamiliar brand
- 1TB only, no DRAM or endurance details
Who it’s for: Buyers who want a low-cost 1TB console or PC upgrade and accept some brand risk.
Predator GM7000 2TB
The title states DRAM cache, NVMe 1.4, PCIe Gen4 x4, maximum read of 7400MB/s, maximum write of 6700MB/s and 3D NAND TLC, and mentions PS5 Pro compatibility. DRAM cache helps with sustained workloads. The title does not mention a heatsink, which a PS5 slot normally needs. On a desktop board, the motherboard heatsink may be enough.
Pros
- DRAM cache listed
- Strong write speed claim
Cons
- No heatsink mentioned
- PS5 fit depends on a separate heatsink
Who it’s for: Players who copy large game libraries and value sustained performance.
WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB
Listed at up to 7,300MB/s read and 6,300MB/s write on an M.2 2280 Gen4 form factor, and marketed as gaming expansion. It is the classic Gen4 gaming pick on paper. The title does not mention a heatsink, so confirm which version you receive if you want to use it in a console. A drive-only version would need a separate cooler.
Pros
- Strong read and write speeds
- Gaming-focused design
Cons
- Heatsink not stated
- Mid-range price for Gen4
Who it’s for: Desktop gamers who want a proven all-round Gen4 drive.
Samsung SSD 990 PRO 2TB
This listing claims PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280 speeds up to 7,450MB/s for gaming and heavy workstation use. It is one of the faster Gen4 options in this set and carries a premium tier. Price is the main objection, since cheaper Gen4 models give similar real-world game loading. A longer warranty may justify the difference for some.
Pros
- Highest Gen4 read claim here
- Established brand
Cons
- Premium price tier
- Little gain over cheaper Gen4 models in games
Who it’s for: Buyers who prioritize brand and top Gen4 performance.
Samsung SSD 9100 PRO 2TB
A PCIe 5.0 x4 drive claiming up to 14,700MB/s, aimed at gaming, AI and workstation use. Gen5 speeds mostly help large file transfers rather than games. Expect more heat, a need for a compatible slot and a premium cost, so make sure the board manual lists Gen5 support before you order.
Pros
- Highest speed claim in the set
- 2TB capacity
Cons
- Runs hotter and needs cooling
- Premium cost for modest game gains
Who it’s for: Content creators and enthusiasts with a Gen5 motherboard.
Crucial P310 2TB
The title lists PCIe Gen4, M.2 2280, up to 7,100MB/s, and mentions laptops, desktops and handheld consoles, plus Acronis recovery software, which is a small extra rather than a performance feature. It is one of the lower-priced 2TB Gen4 listings. DRAM is not mentioned, so expect a mainstream drive rather than a workstation one.
Pros
- Low price for 2TB Gen4
- Handheld and laptop compatibility
Cons
- No DRAM cache stated
- Slower sustained writes likely
Who it’s for: Value buyers and handheld owners who need capacity.
Silicon Power 2TB PCIe Gen3
A Gen3 x4 drive at a low price tier, and clearly the oldest standard in the group. It works in most PCs with an M.2 slot, but it will be slower than the Gen4 models and does not meet PS5 requirements. The title lists no speed figure, so real transfer rates are likely to be well below Gen4 claims.
Pros
- Lowest price tier
- Works in older systems
Cons
- Gen3 speed ceiling
- Not suited to PS5 expansion
Who it’s for: Upgraders with older boards who just need more space.
KingSpec 2TB Gen4
Described as Gen4 with up to 7400MB/s reads and 3D NAND, with PS5, gaming PC and laptop use. The speed claim is competitive for the cost. Brand history and DRAM details are not in the title, so check the warranty and read buyer feedback on durability.
Pros
- Speed claim rivals premium drives
- Low price tier
Cons
- Less established brand
- No DRAM or heatsink details
Who it’s for: Budget buyers who want 2TB of fast storage.
fanxiang 2TB NVMe with Heatsink
This Gen4 drive claims up to 7100MB/s and includes a heatsink aimed at PS5 users, with 2TB of storage. The heatsink is the main selling point, because many consoles need cooling. Check the heatsink height against your console slot, and confirm the 2280 length fits.
Pros
- Heatsink included
- Gen4 speed claim
Cons
- Fit depends on your console model
- No DRAM details
Who it’s for: PS5 owners who need an easy plug-in upgrade.
fanxiang S690Q 2TB
The title claims up to 5000MB/s from a Gen4 interface with 3D NAND and an SLC cache, intended for PS5, PC and laptops. That speed is below the usual guidance for console expansion, so check the current requirements. It is the slowest Gen4 listing here, so treat it as a general storage drive.
Pros
- Low heat expected from lower speed
- 2TB storage
Cons
- Speed below typical PS5 guidance
- SLC-cache-only drives slow down when full
Who it’s for: Light gaming and general storage, not a console upgrade.
2TB Gaming SSD with Heatsink (PS5)
A listing with no clear brand name, showing PCIe 4.0, 2280, up to 7300MB/s, 3D NAND TLC and dynamic SLC cache, plus a heatsink for PS5. The brand is not obvious from the title, so check seller details and warranty. It is among the pricier 2TB Gen4 options, so compare it with the similar fanxiang heatsink listing before paying.
Pros
- Heatsink and TLC NAND
- Gen4 speed claim
Cons
- Brand unclear in the title
- Higher price than comparable Gen4 drives
Who it’s for: Buyers who want a ready-to-use console drive and have verified the seller.
How we picked these
We compared twelve drive listings using published specifications, manufacturer documentation and buyer reviews, then sorted them by PCIe generation, capacity, cache, heatsink and stated speed. Nobody on the team used or measured these units. Titles that omit DRAM, heatsink or brand details are flagged, and Gen3 and slower Gen4 entries are called weaker classes. Speeds are seller maximums, not guarantees of what you will see. Prices move often, so tiers replace figures, and you should check capacity, heatsink and warranty on each listing.
What to look for in a gaming NVMe SSD
PCIe generation and real-world speed
Gen3 tops out around 3,500MB/s, Gen4 around 7,000MB/s and Gen5 beyond 10,000MB/s on paper. In games, the gap between Gen3 and Gen4 is small and Gen4 and Gen5 smaller still, because load times often depend on the CPU and game engine. Spend on Gen5 only if you copy large files often. Check that your motherboard slot actually runs at the generation you are paying for, because a Gen5 drive in a Gen4 slot simply runs at Gen4 speed. Also note that the speeds in titles are sequential maximums; small random reads, which matter more when games load many assets, are rarely quoted.
DRAM cache and endurance
DRAM cache keeps mapping tables fast, which helps sustained writes and fuller drives. Drives without it can still be fine for gaming. Endurance is measured in TBW, but most titles omit it, so check the product page and warranty length. As a rough guide, a longer warranty and higher TBW suggest the maker expects heavier use, though gamers rarely approach those limits. Keep the drive under about 80 percent full, since fuller drives tend to slow, especially those relying on an SLC cache.
Capacity planning
Use this estimate: a 1TB drive shows about 930GB usable. Assuming Windows and apps take about 100GB, you have roughly 830GB left. If your games average 80GB, that is about ten titles. A 2TB drive roughly doubles that, so choose 2TB if you keep many large games installed.
Heatsinks and PS5 fit
Consoles generally need a Gen4 M.2 2280 drive with a heatsink that fits the slot. Sony’s published guidance has recommended sequential reads around 5,500MB/s, so confirm current requirements; the fanxiang S690Q’s 5000MB/s claim falls below that. Also check the heatsink height, since only some designs fit under the console cover, and confirm the M.2 length is 2280. Our guide to portable SSDs for consoles covers external options.
Warranty and brand
Unfamiliar brands may be fine, but warranty length and support responsiveness matter. Look for a clear manufacturer warranty, check seller feedback, and keep proof of purchase. If a title does not name the controller or NAND type, treat that as a gap in information rather than a reason to assume the best.
Mistakes buyers make
- Buying Gen5 when the motherboard slot is Gen4, or when cooling is limited and the drive will throttle.
- Assuming two drives with the same headline speed behave the same; cache type, NAND and controller change sustained results.
- Chasing maximum speed when capacity matters more for large game libraries, since running out of space costs more than losing a few percent of speed.
- Ignoring the heatsink for console upgrades, then finding the drive does not fit under the cover.
- Trusting ‘up to’ speeds as sustained figures; fuller drives and heat both lower them.
- Paying a premium for a famous name when a lesser-known drive with similar specs would serve.
- Skipping warranty terms on lesser-known brands, and forgetting to back up saves and settings before swapping drives.
Which NVMe SSD should you buy?
For most gaming PCs, a 2TB Gen4 drive is the sweet spot. The WD_BLACK SN850X and Samsung 990 PRO are the safe premium-brand choices, while the Crucial P310 and KingSpec offer more storage for less if you accept shorter track records. The Samsung 9100 PRO is for people who need Gen5 transfer speed. For PS5 use, pick a heatsink-equipped Gen4 model and verify compatibility. Treat the speeds as claims, confirm heatsink, warranty and capacity on the listing, and avoid paying extra for headline speed you cannot use.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Gen5 NVMe worth it for gaming?
Usually not. Games rarely load much faster on Gen5 than Gen4 because other parts of the system limit loading. Gen5 is worth considering for large file transfers and creative work, and it needs good cooling, so Gen4 is the better value for most gamers, particularly at 2TB where price differences add up.
Do I need DRAM on a gaming SSD?
It helps with sustained writes and heavily filled drives but is not essential for gaming. Several mainstream models skip DRAM and still work fine for game loading, using a host buffer or a small cache. If you move large files often, a drive with DRAM, such as the Predator GM7000, is a better fit, though most gamers will not notice the difference.
Will these SSDs work in a PS5?
Some will. Consoles generally need a Gen4 M.2 2280 drive with a heatsink and speeds near Sony’s published guidance. Gen3 drives and the slower S690Q listing do not fit that profile. Always confirm the current requirements and heatsink size before buying, because fit varies by console model and by heatsink height, and a slot cover may not close.
How much SSD capacity do I need for gaming?
2TB is a comfortable size for most libraries. As an estimate, with Windows taking about 100GB and games averaging 80GB, a 1TB drive holds roughly ten games and a 2TB drive about twenty-two. Heavy players may want 4TB or a second drive, and an external drive can hold older titles.
Is the Gen3 Silicon Power drive still worth buying?
Only for older systems that lack Gen4 slots or for secondary storage. It works for storing games, but it is noticeably slower, and it does not meet PS5 expansion requirements. For a modern PC or console, a Gen4 drive is a better long-term purchase, and the price difference is usually small.
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