9 Best SSDs in 2023 (Fast Solid State Drives)
The best SSD (Solid State Drive) provides you with an instant improvement in performance. Upgrading a mechanical Hard Disk Drive (HDD) to an SSD is a reliable way of boosting your computer’s capacity and speed. Choosing the best SSD can be a bewildering experience. There are lots of factors that determine whether a new SSD will work with your computer.
To make it easier for you, we’ve put together a list of the best SSDs. If you’re not completely sure what you’re looking for, then our buyer’s guide will help. Our top pick is the Samsung 850 EVO SSD 1 TB. It’s quick, reliable, and comes from one of the most respected manufacturers in the business.
Our Top Pick
Samsung 850 EVO SSD 1 TB
Upgrade your computer’s performance with the SSD all-star recommended by experts. Enjoy professional-level performance and industry-defining reliability with up to 600 TBW under a 5-year limited warranty.
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What Is the Best SSD in 2023?
We’ve collected both SATA and PCIe SSDs for you to consider. All the main links are for the 1 TB versions. But you will find links to other sizes in the text as well. Before we look at them in detail, here is a summary of the ones we’ve chosen.
Our Top Pick
SAMSUNG 870 EVO SATA III SSD 1TB 2.5”
SAMSUNG 870 EVO SATA III SSD 1TB 2.5”
- Blazing-fast read/write speeds
- Large 1 TB capacity
- Low power consumption
- Durable and reliable
- 5-year warranty
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Best PCIe 3.
0 SSD
Crucial P3 1TB SSD
Crucial P3 1TB SSD
- High-capacity storage
- Fast speeds up to 3400 MB/s
- Low latency
- Durable and reliable design
- Improved system responsiveness
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Best Software Support
Western Digital Blue SN570 1 TB
Western Digital Blue SN570 1 TB
- Blazing-fast speeds
- Reliable and durable
- 1 TB of storage
- Stylish design
- Easy setup and installation
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Best Shock Resistance
SanDisk SSD PLUS 1TB
SanDisk SSD PLUS 1TB
- High-speed storage solution
- Read speeds up to 560 MBb/s
- Reliable and shock resistant
- 1 TB of storage capacity
- Ideal for everyday computing tasks
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Best Value 2 TB SSD Option
Corsair MP600 PRO LPX 1TB
Corsair MP600 PRO LPX 1TB
- Blazing-fast PCIe 4.
0 NVMe speeds - Low-profile heatsink for improved cooling
- 1 TB of storage capacity for large files
- Stylish design with RGB lighting
- 5-year limited warranty
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Best Cloning Solution
SK hynix Gold P31 SSD 1 TB
SK hynix Gold P31 SSD 1 TB
- 1 TB capacity for large file storage
- Blazing-fast read/write speeds
- Easy to install and setup
- Low power consumption
- Reliable and durable for everyday use
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Best Endurance Rating
Corsair Force Series MP510 SSD 1 TB
Corsair Force Series MP510 SSD 1 TB
- High performance NVMe SSD
- Fastest speeds up to 3,480MB/s
- Capacities up to 4 TB
- Low latency for gaming and streaming
- Reliable and durable
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Best-Looking SSD
Patriot Viper VPR400 SSD 1 TB
Patriot Viper VPR400 SSD 1 TB
- High-speed sequential read/write performance
- Durable aluminum construction for heat dissipation
- Enhanced endurance and reliability
- NVMe PCIe 3.
0 interface for maximum performance - 5-year limited warranty
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Best Value 1 TB SSD
SABRENT Rocket SSD 1 TB
SABRENT Rocket SSD 1 TB
- Fast read/write speeds
- High-capacity storage
- Durable and reliable
- Lightweight and portable
- Compatible with most devices
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Now let’s discuss why we picked these products for our list. Here are all the products in more detail.
1. Samsung 850 EVO SSD 1TB
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| Brand | Samsung |
| HD Interface | SATA III |
| Maximum Sequential Speed (Read/Write) | 560/530 Mb/s |
| Key Features | RAPID mode for increased read/write speed |
| Best For | Anyone looking to upgrade an old mechanical HD |
The Samsung 850 EVO SSD is a high-performing SATA III hard drive.
It has the impressive speeds that go along with its SATA III rating. It also uses RAPID mode. This uses your computer’s processing power to boost drive performance. You have to install Samsung’s software to use this feature.
The 850 EVO scores very highly on tests. It obviously outperforms HDDs. But it’s one of the fastest SSDs you can buy.
It is available in a range of sizes from 250 GB up to 4 TB. We recommend the largest you can afford that your computer can handle.
2. Crucial P3 1 TB
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| Brand | Crucial |
| HD Interface | PCIe 3.0 |
| Maximum Sequential Speed (Read/Write) | 3,500/3,000 Mb/s |
| Key Features | Fast, cheap drive with up to 4 TB capacity |
| Best For | Cost-effective computer upgrades |
The Crucial P3 is available in 500 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB, and 4 TB versions.
But the 500 GB doesn’t offer the highest sequential read/write speeds the larger versions do.
But the Crucial P3 is an excellent choice if you want to replace your HDD or older SSD. As capacity doubles, so does the price until you reach the 4 TB drive. Then you start paying a considerable premium for the extra terabytes.
The Crucial P3 is worth looking at as a cost-effective replacement drive for your computer.
3. Western Digital Blue SN570 1 TB
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| Brand | Western Digital |
| HD Interface | PCIe 3.0 |
| Maximum Sequential Speed (Read/Write) | 3,300/1,200 Mb/s |
| Key Features | Upgraded sequential read speeds and software dashboard to monitor SSD performance and health |
| Best For | Good value hardware upgrades with real-time monitoring |
The Western Digital Blue SN570 offers four sizes between 250 GB and 2 TB.
The smallest is by far the least cost-effective. But it is still remarkably cheap for a 250 GB drive. The 1 TB drive and its larger cousin offer about the same price-to-gigabyte value.
Even the 2 TB version is a single-sided chip, so it will fit in the smallest of compatible spaces. The SSD comes with software support and a five-year warranty. It is a tempting consideration. Especially if you’re looking for a good value upgrade from a reputable manufacturer.
4. SanDisk SSD PLUS 1TB
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| Brand | San Disk |
| HD Interface | SATA III |
| Maximum Sequential Speed (Read/Write) | 535/350 Mb/s |
| Key Features | Shock resistant up to 1,500G |
| Best For | Simple replacement of a 2. 5-inch HDD |
The SanDisk SSD PLUS is a simple solution to upgrading an old HDD. It offers plug-and-play swap-out for an existing SATA drive. The 1 TB size and fast speeds will make an incredible difference to an older laptop desktop computer.
It has vibration and shock protection. This makes the SDD’s inherent advantages over mechanical drives even more clear.
You can even buy a cheap SATA external HD enclosure to turn your new SDD into an external drive. It really is remarkable how affordable 1 TB drives are with products like this.
5. Corsair MP600 PRO LPX 1TB
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| Brand | Corsair |
| HD Interface | PCIe 4 |
| Maximum Sequential Speed (Read/Write) | 7,100/6,800 Mb/s |
| Key Features | Works with PS5 as well as other computers |
| Best For | Those looking for extra speed and power |
The Corsair MP600 PRO LPX comes in four sizes.
They start at 500 GB and increase to 1 TB, 2 TB, or 4 TB. Of these, the 2 TB SSD hits the sweet spot of bytes-per-buck. As is often the case, there’s a premium to pay for the biggest version.
One of the talked about features of this SSD is that it was adapted after launch to fit the PS5 games console. That not might be what you run your photo or video editing software on. But it is relevant. It demonstrates that it’s a disk geared to handle the demanding uses of the gaming community.
Other than that, this is one of the more expensive SSDs in our list. But it is also one of the fastest running. And it has the benefit of PCIe 4 connectivity. It’s a good choice if speed is one of your greatest needs.
6. SK hynix Gold P31 SSD 1 TB
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| Brand | SK hynix |
| HD Interface | PCIe 3. 0 |
| Maximum Sequential Speed (Read/Write) | 3,500/3,200 Mb/s |
| Key Features | Five-year warranty and cloning software for ease of installation |
| Best For | Using all day in your laptop without draining the battery |
It’s possible that SK hynix is an unfamiliar brand for you. But their Gold P3 SSD has won multiple awards for its performance. One of the reasons for this is its class-leading energy efficiency. It also has a five-year guarantee.
That energy efficiency is a vital consideration if your SSD is going in a laptop. We don’t hear an SSD working, but it is one of the biggest energy users in a computer.
And there’s good news if you are anxious about replacing your hard drive. SK hynix Easy Kit software helps you clone your old drive before installing the new one. It also helps you monitor the performance of the new drive when it is up and running.
Although it won’t fit a PS5, it’s an attractive proposition for your laptop. It comes in 500 GB, 1 TB and 2 TB versions.
7. Corsair Force Series MP510
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| Brand | Corsair |
| HD Interface | PCIe 3.0 |
| Maximum Sequential Speed (Read/Write) | 3,480/3,000 Mb/2 |
| Key Features | Exceptional endurance ratings and high speed |
| Best For | Heavy-duty use |
The Corsair Force Series MP510 has won many fans with its impressive performance speeds. These are safely in the higher reaches of the class of SSD. And the Corsair has high ratings for endurance.
The ability to healthily withstand the almost incessant writing and rewriting.
There are currently four sizes available. Rather eccentrically, the smallest is 480 GB. It is joined by 1 TB, 2 TB and 4 TB versions. The 1 and 2 TB versions are the best value per GB. And the 4 TB carries a premium as we have come to expect.
8. Patriot Viper VPR400 SSD 1 TB
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| Brand | Patriot |
| HD Interface | PCIe 4.0 |
| Maximum Sequential Speed (Read/Write) | 4,600/4,400 Mb/s |
| Key Features | Multi-colored heatsink lighting |
| Best For | Style-conscious users with exposed PC interiors |
The Patriot Viper VPR400 is more geared to the gaming community, but it’s still worth considering.
One of its notable features, the RGB lighting, would be invisible in most computers. But the performance will be welcomed by all.
The Patriot makes good use of the capabilities of the PCIe 4.0 interface. Its sequential read/write speeds are excellent. There are two sizes available—512 GB and 1 TB. The cost/capacity ratio is roughly the same for both. So getting the larger one would seem wise if you can afford it.
The Patriot is an interesting choice if you like the look of it.
9. SABRENT Rocket SSD 1 TB
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The Sabrent Rocket 4 SSD offers a great value 1 TB PCIe 4.0 upgrade. There are also 500 GB and 2 TB verions. The 1 TB offers the best byte-for-buck ration by far.
The performance is impressive and you get decent speeds even on an old PCIe 3.
0 interface. When you upgrade your computer, you can take your new, fast SSD with you. Replacing your old HD is also simple. It comes with a free copy of Acronis cloning software.
The Sabrent is also highly rated for endurance. So if you’re a heavy-end user, you should feel confident in the drive’s longevity. It is backed up by a five-year warranty if you register your purchase.
How to Choose the Best SSD
There are many confusing groups of letters and numbers out there in the SSD world. Here are some of the frequent questions you might have.
What’s the Difference Between HDD and SSD?
In technology terms the hard disk drive (HDD) has a long history. The first production HDD was developed by IBM. It was huge—60″ x 68″ x 29″ (152 x 172 x 74 cm). But by modern standards, its memory was not huge. It was 3.75 MB.
But its operating principle was the same as today. A disk (or platter) covered in magnetic material rotates on a spindle. A recording head travels across the platter, changing the polarity of the individual bits of storage.
This is why computers still rely on binary.
The bit can only be positive or negative—1 or 0. In many ways, the mechanics are like a vinyl turntable. Except the head does not touch the platter, and it writes as well as reads.
A Solid State Drive (SSD) is a type of flash memory. It uses floating gate MOSFET to store data on transistors. There are no moving parts, so the risk of mechanical failure is significantly reduced.
There is a theoretical upper limit to the number of times data can be written to flash memory. In reality, most modern SSDs are reliable. Especially if you stick to reputable manufacturers.
What Are the Benefits of Using an SSD?
First of all, SSDs are fast. They outperform any mechanical drive for speed. They also are less susceptible to mechanical damage. That’s because a mechanical drive is spinning a disc at extremely high speed. And it changes its magnetic properties millions of times.
This is fine when everything works well. But a knock or bump that causes the head to touch the disc can be a problem.
It also requires sturdy mechanical parts. With an SSD, there are no moving parts. This reduces the risk of failure.
On the other hand, SSDs are expensive per GB/TB. Apple has deployed one solution to this in their Fusion Drive. This is a merged SDD and mechanical drive. Data are stored to the relevant section based on usage. Frequently used files are on the SSD for faster access. Less used data are stored on the magnetic drive.
If you’re looking to replace the drive on your computer, swapping a magnetic drive for an SSD will give you one of the easiest speed upgrades.
How Do I Know if an SSD Will Fit my Computer?
Research. There’s no shortcut for this. There are so many different manufacturers and configurations. For example, take a single manufacturer like Apple. You will have to research if your iMac or Macbook can even have its hard drive replaced.
Many SSDs will be traditional 2.5-inch SATA drives. More modern ones will be either M.2 or PCIe 4.
0. So you’ll have to do your homework. Some PCIe 4.0 drives will work on an older computer with PCIe 3.0 slots. But you won’t get the full speed benefits of the modern interface. Again, research is everything.
Conclusion: The Best SSDs
The difference in speed is the main advantage an SSD has over a mechanical one. The best SSDs have lightning-fast speeds. So much so, that even if you already have an SSD, an upgrade can still bring great benefits. Especially as mammoth sizes like 2 TB and 4 TB are financially viable for many people.
But you don’t always need 4 TB of storage. The Samsung 850 EVO 1 TB will be enough for most people.
Our Top Pick
Samsung 850 EVO SSD 1 TB
Upgrade your computer’s performance with the SSD all-star recommended by experts. Enjoy professional-level performance and industry-defining reliability with up to 600 TBW under a 5-year limited warranty.
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The best solid-state drives for your PC
PCs saw a significant jump in performance when the world began to ditch mechanical HDD (hard disk drives) as the main source of storage and adopted the SSD (solid-state drive).
Having an SSD boosts everything from loading times in games to the boot-up speed of your machine. The popularity of this technology now means that there are plenty of options to choose from, so we’ve tested all the best SSD options to help guide you through.
To give you the full picture of the SSDs available right now, as always with our best lists, we’ve thoroughly tested each device using benchmarks and real-world experiences. Our experts then give you all the key details in our reviews and explain how these results are likely to impact you.
We haven’t had the chance to test out PCIe 5.0 SSDs quite yet, so do keep an eye out for our reviews of those in the near future. PCIe 5.0 is the next generation of storage technology and aims to provide faster read and write speeds.
As well as updating this guide with new SSDs that sport new and exciting technology, there are plenty of interesting options still coming out using the methods available right now. As such, it’s always worth bookmarking this page and checking back as we regularly update this page with the latest SSDs our experts have tested.
Along with our in-depth testing of SSDs, we’ve reviewed a range of PC components to help you kit out your device. For our guides on these, check out best gaming CPUs, best graphics cards and more.
Best SSDs at a glance
- Best overall: PNY XLR8 CS3140 1TB – check price
- Best value: WD Black SN850 1TB – check price
- Best high performance: SK Hynix Platinum P41 – check price
- Best budget M.2: Solidigm P41 Plus – check price
- Best SATA: Samsung 860 Evo – check price
How we test
Learn more about how we test SSDs
When testing an SSD, we use both synthetic benchmark tests, while also determining file transfers via both Steam and Windows explorer. We also factor in the likes of price, design and temperature when reaching a final score.
PNY XLR8 CS3140 1TB
Best overall SSD
Trusted Score
Pros
- Excellent sequential read performance
- Consistent transfer rates
- Leading durability
Cons
- Write speeds are capped on lower capacities
- Gen 5.
0 is pretty much here
The PNY XLR8 CS3140 is currently the best SSD we have reviewed. We thought that it is one of the fastest and most consistent Gen 4.0 SSDs on the market right now, and since it comes in 1TB, 2TB and 4TB variations, there should be a model that’s perfect for almost anyone.
During our testing, we were able to get read and write scores of up to 7500MB/s and 5650MB/s, respectively. While the latter scores are a little lower, we found that this SSD could load up files from Windows Explorer in seconds, so you should have no trouble downloading files or moving larger games or data onto another drive.
Despite the fact that Gen 5.0 SSDs are on the way, we don’t think that investing in the PNY XLR8 CS3140 is a bad move, as it has more than enough power to run today’s games, and we don’t see it becoming obsolete anytime soon. For the price point and the incredibly fast speeds, this is a superb SSD to pick if you’re looking to run games with instant loading times.
Reviewer: Aleksha McLoughlin
Full review: PNY XLR8 CS3140 review
WD Black SN850 1TB
Best value SSD
Trusted Score
Pros
- Great sequential performance
- Frequently discounted in 2022
- Well built
Cons
- Usurped by the WD Black SN850X
- It gets really hot
The WD Black SN850 may not be one of the most affordable SSDs on this list, but we nevertheless think it represents superb value due to its excellent performance. It’s also frequently discounted, with the 1TB variation dropping as low as £118.99.
This SSD is compatible with PCs as well as the PS5 console, and it managed to get read and write scores of up to 7,000MB/s and 5,300MB/s, respectively. File transfer speeds were very impressive, with the 110GB Mortal Kombat 11 transferring over from another Gen 4 SSD at just 1.65GB/s.
There is a drawback to the heatsink model though, as the drive can get very hot during extended use.
However, since the average person won’t be testing their SSD in this manner, we can’t see this being a huge issue for most people, even if it is something to be aware of.
Overall, if you’re looking to upgrade your setup but don’t want to break the bank, the WD Black SN850 is one of the best options on the market, and since it can be found in 500GB, 1TB, 2TB and 4TB variations, you should be able to find a configuration and price that works best for you.
Reviewer: Aleksha McLoughlin
Full review: WD Black SN850 review
SK Hynix Platinum P41
Best high performance SSD
Trusted Score
Pros
- Pushes the limits of Gen 4.0
- Strong random performance
- High write endurance and durability
Cons
- Less than a month until Gen 5.0 launches
- Premium price tag
- Availability is limited right now
This SSD is a powerhouse and really pushes the limits of what a Gen 4.
0 SSD is capable of. One of the biggest downsides of the SK Hynix Platinum P41 is the premium price, which is a little hard to swallow since the new PCle Gen 5.0 generation is almost on its way, but it might just be worth it if you’re after the best performance.
It comes with a 176-layer NAND flash memory which allows for some of the highest write endurance of any M.2 NVMe form factor drive we’ve tested. The SK Hynix Platinum P41 can achieve up to 7,000MB/s write scores and 6,500MB/s read scores, positioning this drive as one of the strongest performers to date.
And if you’re looking for something to game with, this SSD had near non-existent loading times with titles specifically optimised for Gen 4.0 speeds, with Halo Infinite loading up seriously quickly.
If you’re trying to save money we would recommend you look at the WD Black SN850 or the Solidigm P41 Plus. But if money is no object, this is one of the fastest SSDs currently available, coming in 500GB, 1TB and 2TB variations.
Reviewer: Aleksha McLoughlin
Full review: SK Hynix Platinum P41 review
Solidigm P41 Plus
Best budget M.2 SSD
Trusted Score
Pros
- Competitively priced
- Decent sequential performance
- Solid construction
Cons
- Gen 4.0 about to become outdated
- No hardware encryption
The Solidigm P41 Plus is very affordable, and the cheapest M.2 SSD on this list. This is not an SSD to consider if you are looking for the best speeds on the market, but for the price, we thought that it was able to hold its own where it matters most, in game.
As you may notice, the read and write speeds here are not as impressive as some of the other entries on this list. Testing the 1TB model, the write speeds came out at 4,125MB/s with the read speeds reaching 2,950MB/s. We thought that loading times were light, even in demanding titles, and almost non-existent for older games like Guilty Gear Xrd: Revelator.
For a Gen 4.0 device, this a bargain buy and should pack enough power for a lot of gamers out there. However, it is limited in terms of power and since it’s already overshadowed by its current generation, Gen 5.0 SSDs will definitely blow it out of the water.
If a lower price point is more important to you than performance, this is one of the best SSD options we’ve reviewed, but we would recommend checking out slightly more expensive drives for better long-term value.
Reviewer: Aleksha McLoughlin
Full review: SK Hynix Platinum P41 review
Samsung 860 Evo
Best SATA SSD
Trusted Score
Pros
- Huge choice of capacity
- Well priced
- Good all-round performance
- Excellent endurance
Cons
- Not that much faster than previous drive
The Samsung 860 Evo is capable of squeezing every last drop of performance from its old SATA interface. It’s important to note that anyone with a modern NVMe-compatible computer can benefit from the newer M.
2 SSD standard, like the PNY XLR8 CS3140. However, Samsung’s solution is still perfectly serviceable and will be compatible with older setups that don’t support NVMe drives.
With the older SATA standard limited to 600MB/s speeds, the Samsung 860 Evo sees low read and write scores coming in at 550MB/s and 520MB/s, respectively. This means it’s not a great option for gamers, or anyone who wants speedy boot-up times and quick data transfer speeds.
But it will provide serviceable loading and transfer times for anyone who just wants a PC for basic productivity tasks. It’s also a great affordable pick for those who want plenty of storage space at an affordable price, with a fantastic range of configurations including 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB and 4TB. With so many options you should be able to find a price point and storage option that’s right for you.
Reviewer: David Ludlow
Full review: Samsung 860 Evo review
We also considered…
Samsung 970 Pro 512GB
The Samsung 970 Pro is a new flagship SSD – but is it worth the high price?
Samsung 970 Evo 500GB
The Samsung 970 Evo is a more affordable SSD – but is it worth the cash saving?
We’ve reviewed
See all reviews
FAQs
What is a SATA?
This is the cheapest type of SSD.
It connects through your motherboard’s SATA ports and is the slowest form of SSD, topping out at about 500-600MB/s. The current version of SATA is SATA III.
What is an M.2?
This is a specific physical SSD format. Confusingly it can use both the SATA or PCIe lanes on your motherboard, but either way it fits into a smaller M.2 slot. M.2 SATA drives are most commonly found on ultra-thin laptops to save space (M.2 is very small) and cost (sometimes only using SATA-speed storage). If you’re buying an M.2 SSD for your desktop, make sure it’s an NVMe drive.
What is an NAND Flash?
Negative AND Logic gates. They’re similar to the chips used in RAM, but they can store data even when there’s no power flowing through them. They form the basis of all SSDs.
You might like…
Trusted Reviews test data
‹
CrystalDiskMark Read speed
Atto read speed
PNY XLR8 CS3140 1TB
6245.11 MB/s
–
WD Black SN850 1TB
–
–
Solidigm P41 Plus
4180.
15 MB/s
–
SK Hynix Platinum P41
–
6549.75 MB/s
Samsung 860 Evo
–
–
›
Comparison specs
‹
UK RRP
USA RRP
EU RRP
CA RRP
AUD RRP
Manufacturer
Storage Capacity
Size (Dimensions)
Weight
ASIN
Release Date
First Reviewed Date
Model Number
Storage Type
Read Speed
Write Speed
WD Black SN850 1TB
£118.99
$129.99
–
–
–
Western Digital
1TB
0.35 x 3.15 x 0.92 INCHES
24 G
B08PHSVW7K
2021
–
–
SSD
7000 MB/s
5300 MB/s
PNY XLR8 CS3140 1TB
£160
$109.99
–
–
–
PNY
1TB
0.87 x 3.15 x 0.16 INCHES
18.1 G
B08TL9CBB9
2021
–
–
SSD
7500 MB/s
8850 MB/s
SK Hynix Platinum P41
£225
$259.99
–
–
–
–
2TB
3.15 x 0.87 x 0.09 INCHES
7 G
B09QVD9V7R
2022
19/09/2022
SK Hynix Platinum P41
SSD
7000 MB/s
6500 MB/s
Solidigm P41 Plus
£87.
99
$89.99
€134.84
CA$127
AU$157.45
–
1TB
0.87 x 3.15 x 0.09 INCHES
5.49 G
B0B983Y4QD
2022
05/09/2022
–
SSD
4125 MB/s
2950 MB/s
›
By Gemma Ryles
Contact via Twitter
Contact via linkedin
Staff Writer
Gemma joined Trusted Reviews as a staff writer after graduating from Leeds Beckett University with a Journalism degree.
She’s worked with national outlets, covering breaking news stories to reviews fo…
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Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Choosing the best SSD for your money (2023)
Today it is difficult to imagine a modern computer without an SSD.
The advantages of flash memory over classic hard drives are clear, whether it’s access time or throughput. But the choice of SSD on the market is very extensive, and in detail the differences are quite significant. And for each scenario, certain SSD models are best suited. Of course, the price also has an effect. We have prepared a guide to help you choose the best SSD in different price segments of the market.
There are several thousand different SSDs on the market today. But which drive should you choose? The most important criterion is usually capacity. In the end, if there is not enough space, then speed does not play a role. On the other hand, what’s the point of paying extra for capacity if you don’t need it? In terms of performance, many modern SSDs rely on the SLC cache system to provide the fastest possible write speeds. The SLC cache needs a certain free space to work, otherwise the controller will write data directly in MLC, TLC or QLC modes, which leads to performance loss, especially in the latter case.
In addition to capacity, consider form factor and interface. Classic 2.5″ SSDs are connected via SATA, they are among the most common SSDs today. M.2 options are an alternative, motherboards usually have several M.2 slots for drives of different lengths. Again, everything is decided by interfaces. In the case M.2 can be used SATA or NVMe, when choosing a drive, consider which interface is supported by the motherboard
We recommend that you read our SSD selection guide. controller, interface, flash type, reliability characteristics, etc. Therefore, inexperienced users can easily get confused in such information.In our guide, we will cover the most important characteristics and differences, talk about current technologies, interfaces and form factors. expert advice
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We’ll start our recommendation with enthusiast drives who are willing to pay any price for the very best SSDs.
Samsung SSD 990 PRO: in the top even without MLC
Samsung SSD 990 PRO (test) can be called a true successor of the popular 970 PRO. Although Samsung has once again opted for TLC memory over MLC, the drive supports a decent SLC cache and is equipped with 7th generation V-NAND memory, so performance is taken to a new level. Samsung SSD 9The 90 PRO delivered record-breaking performance in nearly every test, and also performed well in stressful workloads and everyday scenarios. With read speeds up to 7,450 MB/s, the SSD fully utilizes the potential of the PCIe4 interface and will remain one of the fastest SSDs on the market until the transition to PCIe5. High-end SSDs are currently limited to two terabytes, although a model with double the capacity has already been announced. A 1 TB Samsung SSD 990 PRO drive can be bought from 17.300 ₽, for 2 TB — from 27.400 ₽.
Western Digital WD_Black SN850X is the best PCIe4 SSD for applications
With the WD_Black SN850, Western Digital managed to become the leader in application performance among PCIe4 drives, although many competitors «stepped on their heels.
» With the new version of X, the advantage is even stronger thanks to the state-of-the-art BiCS5 NAND memory produced in-house. The drive is equipped with a beautiful illuminated aluminum cooler, so the SN850X not only delivers great performance, but also looks good. In our tests, the WD_Black SN850X showed convincing serial data performance, also approaching the PCIe4 maximum. A 4 TB drive costs from 57,500 ₽.
High end mass market
Our enthusiast recommendation guarantees high performance but comes at a hefty price tag. For most users, the following category will suit you: you have to sacrifice a little performance here, but the drives are much more attractive. Moreover, the difference in performance with high-end models is unlikely to be noticeable in everyday scenarios.
Crucial P5 Plus – good price/performance ratio
Crucial P5 Plus drives (test) have not typically been the industry leader in performance or features, but Crucial P5 Plus SSDs remain an excellent value for money choice in 2023.
The 1 TB version costs today from 10,600 ₽, for 2 TB you will have to pay from 17,800 ₽, which is noticeably lower than the top models of Samsung or Western Digital. But performance-wise, the trade-offs are much smaller. The Crucial P5 Plus performs well in application tests among today’s NVMe models, as well as low latencies in stress tests. Therefore, we can safely recommend the Crucial P5 Plus.
The only drawback is temperature throttling. Unfortunately, Crucial does not offer a heatsink option, but most motherboards with PCIe4 slots already have such heatsinks, with them the drive will not overheat. I would like to get an option for 4 TB or more, but alas.
Samsung SSD 970 EVO Plus — still recommended, albeit without PCIe4
Although Samsung has already released the 980 and 990 series, 970 EVO Plus (test) still remains in our recommendations. The reason is simple: at the time of release, the line was among the fastest PCIe3 SSDs, and today it is able to withstand competition.
The advantages of the 970 EVO Plus include an attractive price and capacities from 250 GB to 2 TB. The Samsung SSD 970 EVO Plus is equipped with fast TLC NAND memory, a decent amount of dedicated SLC cache and DRAM, so it will be a good basis for a PC at a fair price. A drive in a capacity of 1 TB costs from 9.300 ₽, 2 TB — from 18.000 ₽.
High-capacity drives
Unfortunately, if you need a high capacity of several terabytes, then you can not always find such drives among high-end models. As a rule, many lines offer a maximum of 2 TB. For this reason, we looked at a couple of capacious proposals with still high performance.
Crucial MX500 — Proven Storage Option
Today, the main innovations are usually limited to the NVMe segment, but it is rare to find drives larger than 2 TB there. Therefore, here we recommend the time-tested Crucial MX500 (test), which in a capacity of 4 TB can be bought from 28.
300 ₽. A 2 TB drive costs from 12.900 ₽. Moreover, performance, unlike many capacious drives, will not have to be sacrificed: the Crucial MX500 uses TLC NAND memory and a DRAM cache. That gives a read speed of up to 560 MB / s and a write speed of up to 510 MB / s. Of course, the bottleneck remains the SATA interface, which is inferior to the flagship NVMe models in terms of throughput. But in day-to-day scenarios, the difference is smaller than you might think based on speed figures.
Samsung SSD 870 QVO 8 TB — Worth a look despite QLC
Due to the use of QLC NAND memory, the Samsung SSD 870 QVO is a very interesting alternative to high-end NVMe SSDs. The reason lies in the capacity of 8 TB, which is complemented by 8 GB of DRAM and 78 GB of cache (pseudo) SLC. Therefore, for storing large amounts of data, SSD is perfect. Unless you should carefully study the planned use cases, nevertheless QLC NAND has its own characteristics.
When reading data, the speed and latency are at the TLC level, but the write speed without the SLC cache is low. However, in the same games, the load of reading prevails, as well as when storing an archive of photographs, for example. So if you don’t write terabytes of data on a regular basis, the Samsung SSD 870 QVO is a good fit. Still, 8 TB is not often seen. You can buy an 8 TB SSD from 51.200 ₽, a 4 TB option costs from 25.900 ₽, for 2 TB — from 11.400 ₽.
TOP 5 SSDs for gamers: from budget to flagship
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Published: November 11, 2022
Requirements for gaming PCs are constantly increasing. Storage is a separate item.
Modern games weigh a lot, up to 150 GB, so installing an SSD less than 512 GB does not make sense.
Why you should install an SSD
Classic hard drives are rapidly disappearing from the turnkey market. They can only be seen in older PCs or office models. On the contrary, solid fuel drives provide incredibly fast read and write speeds.
Thanks to this, fast loading of games is carried out and a comfortable FPS is maintained.
Even more interesting is the NVMe SSD. Such drives come in M.2 format and are connected to the motherboard. They have even higher performance and speed. The top ones are NVMe SSDs with PCIe 4.0 interface. However, they are still represented by a much smaller number than 3.0 / 3.1 and can only be connected to a limited number of motherboards.
TOP-5 SSD
The range of SSD drives is constantly growing, and the price is falling. There are new models with even more improved features and capabilities. Consider the five most relevant options that will help you comfortably launch various toys.
Crucial BX500 1TB
2.5-inch SATA SSD drives are gradually losing their relevance. However, many still have old computers that have good performance. The Crucial BX500 1TB is an inexpensive solid fuel drive. Of course, it is inferior to models with a PCI-Express interface, but hard drives are significantly superior.
Moreover, in absolutely all respects, it is, perhaps, the best solution from first-tier brands.
If you wish, you can save some money by buying a 480 GB Crucial BX500. If there are no restrictions on the budget, then the Samsung 870 Evo. One of the best SATA SSD, reliable, fast, high quality.
Crucial P2 CT1000P2SSD8 1TB
A pragmatic option for those who are faced with a difficult choice, a high-speed 500 GB SSD or 1 TB SSD. It should be borne in mind here that in most toys, superspeed is not required at all. The base values are enough to play comfortably. However, it quickly becomes clear after several installed toys that there is practically no free space left. Crucial P2 is an inexpensive drive that does not have a DRAM buffer, but the speed performance is up to the mark. A good option for an inexpensive gaming computer.
Samsung 970 Evo Plus 1TB
It’s safe to say that Samsung 970 Evo Plus is one of the best PCI-Express 3.0 drives.
During testing showed excellent results. The main disadvantage is the price, it is quite high. For this money, you can purchase a drive with a PCI-Express 4.0 interface. Although it will be inferior in certain aspects to the Samsung 970 Evo Plus, it will be much more preferable in home-gaming mode.
AData Gammix S5 AGAMMIXS5-1TT-C 1 TB
In this case, even the name suggests that we have a game drive. Although the declared speed parameters are not impressive, in practice, the SSD is significantly ahead of various alternative solutions. An additional plus is the presence of a radiator. With normal airflow, even minimal overheating is excluded, so the high speed will not sag. AData Gammix S5 did not immediately receive a heatsink. The first batch was not very successful, when overheating, not only performance fell, but the PC was also completely rebooted. The company immediately reacted and added a radiator.
WD Black SN850 WDS100T1X0E 1TB
Western Digital is famous for its hard drives.
In this direction, it has achieved tremendous success, and even now such products are a priority for many users. The advent of solid-state drives did not take the company by surprise. Instantly, production was reoriented to advanced solutions. At the moment, WD Black SN850 is one of the most productive SSDs on the market. The characteristics are really impressive, as are the results shown during testing. However, it should be borne in mind that the price is quite high, and such high speed qualities are completely irrelevant for most users.
Conclusion
Presented SSDs are ideal for gaming. Naturally, other options with decent performance are available on the market. This allows everyone to choose the device of their choice. We immediately advise you to abandon Chinese SSD drives without any model names provided by unknown manufacturers. The price is attractive, but the quality is beyond any criticism. In most cases, the characteristics are significantly overestimated.
