SSD types and speeds
Sequential speed is the figure printed on the box, and you notice it when copying large files. For booting the system, opening programs or loading games, the difference between a PCIe 3.0 and a PCIe 5.0 NVMe drive is much smaller than the numbers suggest.
| Type | Sequential speed | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5-inch SATA | up to ~550 MB/s | Older PCs and laptops | Needs a 2.5-inch bay or SATA cable |
| NVMe PCIe 3.0 | up to ~3,500 MB/s | Computers from 2017 to 2020 | The M.2 slot must support NVMe |
| NVMe PCIe 4.0 | up to ~7,400 MB/s | General use, gaming and PS5 | Heatsink recommended in a PS5 |
| NVMe PCIe 5.0 | up to ~14,000 MB/s | Video editing and workstations | Heat, power draw and price |
How much speed you really need
For general use and gaming, a good PCIe 4.0 drive is the sweet spot: a PCIe 5.0 drive costs more, runs hotter and only pays off when copying huge files. If your computer only supports PCIe 3.0, a 4.0 SSD will still work, at 3.0 speed, and it will be ready for your next upgrade.
M.2, NVMe and SATA are not the same thing
M.2 is the physical format, a small card that usually measures 22 × 80 mm (2280), and that slot can take either NVMe or SATA SSDs. Some laptops and older motherboards only support M.2 SATA, so check the manual before you buy.
2.5-inch SATA SSDs are shaped like a laptop hard drive and connect with a SATA cable. They are the best upgrade for an old computer with a mechanical hard drive: the change is dramatic even though their top speed is lower.
TLC, QLC and DRAM cache
SSDs with TLC memory hold their speed better during long writes and usually have a higher TBW rating. QLC drives are cheaper per terabyte, but once their SLC cache fills up, write speed can drop below that of a SATA SSD; they are fine for storing games or files, less so for video editing.
A DRAM cache helps with heavy, sustained workloads. DRAM-less models that use HMB, a slice of system memory, are perfectly good for home use and gaming, and they often use less power, which is useful in laptops.
TBW: endurance
TBW tells you how many terabytes the SSD can write within its warranty. A 1 TB TLC model usually offers 600 TBW and a 2 TB model 1,200 TBW. A home user writes between 10 and 50 GB a day, so wearing one out is very difficult.
TBW matters more if the SSD works as a NAS cache, in database servers or for continuous video recording. In those cases look for models with high TBW or ones designed specifically for NAS use.
Capacity
With 500 GB you will soon run out of space if you install games, which now take 50 to 150 GB each. 1 TB is the sensible minimum for a general-purpose PC and 2 TB usually has the best price per gigabyte.
Always leave at least 10-20% free: a nearly full SSD writes more slowly and wears a little faster.
PS5, laptops and external SSDs
The PS5 accepts M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs from 250 GB to 8 TB; Sony recommends 5,500 MB/s or faster and a heatsink, which many models already include. In laptops, check the available thickness and choose a single-sided SSD if space is tight.
If you want a fast portable drive, a 10 Gbps USB enclosure (USB 3.2 Gen 2) with an NVMe SSD reaches about 1,000 MB/s, and USB4 or Thunderbolt enclosures go considerably faster. To move your system to the new SSD, use the free cloning tool from the SSD manufacturer if it offers one.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an SSD last?
Longer than most people need: a 1 TB SSD rated at 600 TBW can handle 50 GB of writes a day for more than 30 years. Work out your own case with the SSD lifespan calculator.
Is a PCIe 5.0 SSD worth it?
Only if you work with very large video files and your motherboard supports it. In games and everyday use the difference from a good PCIe 4.0 drive is barely noticeable.
Can I put an SSD in an old laptop?
Yes, and it is usually the most noticeable upgrade you can make: swapping the hard drive for a SATA SSD makes it boot and open programs several times faster.
Is an SSD good for keeping backups for years?
For long-term archiving without plugging it in, a hard drive or several copies is a better choice: an SSD left unpowered for years can lose data. For everyday use, an SSD is more reliable than a mechanical drive.