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10 Best SSDs For Gaming PCs 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Western Digital 500GB D30 Game Drive SSD - Portable External Solid State Drive, Compatible with Playstation, Xbox, & PC, Up to 900MB/s - WDBATL5000ABK-WESN

Rating
9.7
Chosen by1,338
Storage Capacity
Read/Write Speeds

Most important from
127 reviews

Storage Capacity
The Western Digital D30 Game Drive SSD is perfect for supplementing storage on next-gen consoles, especially for non-optimized games.
Read/Write Speeds
Performance is top-tier, handling continuous write operations without overheating and maintaining impressive load times.

The Western Digital 500GB D30 Game Drive SSD is a solid choice for gamers looking to expand their storage without compromising on speed. With read speeds of up to 900MB/s, it significantly reduces load times, allowing you to jump into your games quicker. This external SSD is compatible with various platforms like PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, making it a versatile option for different gaming setups.

Its portable design is appealing, and the 2.5-inch form factor means it won’t take up much space. Plus, with the option to expand up to 2TB, you can store a substantial library of games.

On the downside, while the 500GB version is useful, some users may find it limiting given the size of modern games. If you plan to store a large collection, you may want to invest in the larger capacity variant. Additionally, performance can vary based on the host device and usage conditions, which is something to keep in mind if you’re considering it for a high-performance gaming rig.

Rating
9.7
Chosen by1,338
Storage Capacity
Read/Write Speeds

Most important from
127 reviews

Storage Capacity
The Western Digital D30 Game Drive SSD is perfect for supplementing storage on next-gen consoles, especially for non-optimized games.
Read/Write Speeds
Performance is top-tier, handling continuous write operations without overheating and maintaining impressive load times.
#2

SAMSUNG 990 PRO SSD 4TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280 Internal Solid State Hard Drive, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 7,450 MB/s for High End Computing, Gaming, and Heavy Duty Workstations, MZ-V9P4T0B/AM

Rating
9.4
Storage Capacity
Read/Write Speeds

Most important from
12611 reviews

Storage Capacity
It gives roughly 4.1TB worth of storage, so you actually get more than what's advertised, which never happens.
Read/Write Speeds
This drive is ridiculously fast and perfect for anyone looking for top-tier performance for gaming, content creation, or high-end computing.

The SAMSUNG 990 PRO SSD 4TB is a solid choice for gamers and heavy-duty computer users looking for high performance. With impressive read speeds up to 7,450 MB/s and write speeds of 6,900 MB/s, it delivers the speed needed for quick loading times in games and applications. One of its main strengths is its capacity, offering 4TB of storage, which is ideal for gamers who need to store large game libraries, videos, and other data.

Additionally, this SSD features PCIe 4.0 technology, providing a significant performance boost and ensuring compatibility with modern gaming PCs. The endurance rating is also commendable, making it a reliable choice for frequent writes typical in gaming and content creation. However, there are a few aspects to consider. The higher price point may not be suitable for budget-conscious users, especially if they don't require the extreme speeds offered by the 990 PRO. Additionally, while the 4TB capacity is outstanding, users with less demanding storage needs might find smaller, more affordable SSDs sufficient for their gaming setups. Lastly, the 990 PRO's slim M.2 2280 form factor means it's not compatible with all older systems, so checking compatibility beforehand is essential.

Rating
9.4
Storage Capacity
Read/Write Speeds

Most important from
12611 reviews

Storage Capacity
It gives roughly 4.1TB worth of storage, so you actually get more than what's advertised, which never happens.
Read/Write Speeds
This drive is ridiculously fast and perfect for anyone looking for top-tier performance for gaming, content creation, or high-end computing.
#3

SAMSUNG T7 Shield 2TB, Portable SSD, up-to 1050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen2, Rugged,IP65 Water & Dust Resistant, for Photographers, Content Creators and Gaming, Extenal Solid State Drive (MU-PE2T0S/AM), Black

Rating
9.1
Read/Write Speeds

Most important from
14684 reviews

Read/Write Speeds
The Samsung T7 Shield SSD offers incredibly fast read and write speeds, significantly enhancing workflow efficiency.

The SAMSUNG T7 Shield 2TB Portable SSD is a strong contender for gamers looking for a reliable and fast storage solution. With impressive read speeds of up to 1,050 MB/s and write speeds up to 1,000 MB/s, it significantly boosts game load times and provides quick file transfers for large game files or updates. Its USB 3.2 Gen 2 interface ensures compatibility with a wide range of devices including gaming consoles, PCs, and even mobile devices, making it versatile for various uses.

One of the standout features is its rugged design, offering IP65 water and dust resistance, along with drop protection from heights up to 9.8 feet. This makes the T7 Shield suitable for on-the-go gamers or content creators who need to transport their data without worry. Additionally, with a 2TB capacity, it provides ample space for storing multiple games, media files, and projects.

There are some drawbacks worth noting. Being a portable SSD, while it is great for speed, it may not offer the same long-term endurance as internal SSDs, depending on usage. Also, while it excels in performance, it can be pricier compared to traditional hard drives, which could be a consideration for budget-conscious gamers. Furthermore, although it comes with Samsung's Magician software for optimization and health monitoring, some users may find it unnecessary for basic gaming needs.

Rating
9.1
Read/Write Speeds

Most important from
14684 reviews

Read/Write Speeds
The Samsung T7 Shield SSD offers incredibly fast read and write speeds, significantly enhancing workflow efficiency.

Buying Guide for the Best SSDs For Gaming PCs

When it comes to building or upgrading a gaming PC, choosing the right SSD (Solid State Drive) is crucial for ensuring fast load times, smooth gameplay, and overall system responsiveness. SSDs are much faster than traditional hard drives, and they can significantly improve your gaming experience. Here are some key specifications to consider when selecting an SSD for your gaming PC, along with explanations to help you make an informed decision.
CapacityCapacity refers to the amount of data an SSD can store. This is important because games are becoming increasingly large, often requiring tens of gigabytes of storage space. SSDs typically range from 120GB to several terabytes. For gaming, a minimum of 500GB is recommended to store the operating system, a few games, and other essential software. If you plan to install many games or large applications, consider 1TB or more to ensure you have ample space.
Read/Write SpeedsRead and write speeds indicate how quickly data can be read from or written to the SSD. This is crucial for reducing game load times and improving overall system performance. SSDs are generally much faster than traditional hard drives, but there are variations among SSDs themselves. SATA SSDs typically offer read/write speeds of around 500MB/s, while NVMe SSDs can reach speeds of up to 3500MB/s or more. For gaming, NVMe SSDs are preferred due to their superior performance, but SATA SSDs are still a good option if you're on a tighter budget.
Form FactorThe form factor of an SSD refers to its physical size and shape, which determines compatibility with your PC. The most common form factors are 2.5-inch and M.2. 2.5-inch SSDs are similar in size to traditional hard drives and connect via SATA cables, making them compatible with most desktops and laptops. M.2 SSDs are smaller and connect directly to the motherboard, offering faster speeds and a more compact design. For gaming PCs, M.2 NVMe SSDs are often preferred for their performance and ease of installation, but ensure your motherboard has the necessary slot.
Endurance (TBW)Endurance, measured in Terabytes Written (TBW), indicates how much data can be written to the SSD over its lifespan. This is important for understanding the durability and longevity of the drive. Higher TBW values mean the SSD can handle more data writes before it may start to fail. For gaming, where large files are frequently read and written, an SSD with a higher TBW is beneficial. Look for SSDs with at least 150TBW for moderate use, and higher if you plan on heavy usage or frequent game installations.
InterfaceThe interface of an SSD determines how it connects to your PC and affects its speed. The two main interfaces are SATA and NVMe. SATA SSDs connect via the SATA interface and offer good performance, suitable for most gaming needs. NVMe SSDs connect via the PCIe interface and provide significantly faster speeds, making them ideal for high-performance gaming PCs. If your motherboard supports NVMe, it's worth opting for an NVMe SSD to take advantage of the speed benefits.

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