A short intro to the best SSD for gaming
If you’re currently in the midst of building the best possible gaming setup, the time might be right to pick up an SSD to give your setup the best possible foundation. At this point, the prices of SSDs are such that many of them are comparable to standard HDD units. This is impressive, considering the benefits of choosing an SSD over an HDD. The more you compare the two, the easier it becomes to see why many hardcore gamers prefer SSDs over HDDs.
If you consider yourself to be in that boat, then it stands to reason you are very interested in finding the best SSD for gaming. As you will find with some research, there are quite a few SSDs on the market. Keeping in mind what you are looking for, in terms of features, how much you’d like to spend, and other considerations, you can easily find something to give you the results you’re looking for.
If you still don’t know where to begin, relax! We’ve got you covered with the top 3 SSDs for gaming.
1. Samsung 860 Evo 1TB
Samsung is widely considered to be one of the best bets in the world of SSDs. If you want to start with the top of the heap, you should probably start with Samsung. The 860 Evo is an incredible example of what the company brings to the table in this arena. In general, Samsung has one of the best reputations for electronics anywhere in the world. The 860 is in fact a follow-up to Samsung’s 850. Just to give you an idea of how popular the 860 is, the 850 was widely considered to be the best SSD for gamers to be found anywhere. The 860 has drawn raves for improving on what some would call perfection.
You can decide that for yourself, as you learn more about the features and benefits of this SSD.
- Features
One of the first things to note with the 860 Evo is that it utilizes Samsung’s V-NAND technology. This is the heart and soul of not only the features associated with this SSD, but in terms of its efficiency and power, as well. AES 256-bit encryption will give you the most significant degree of encryption support to be found virtually anywhere. The read speeds for this device clocks in at 550MB/s, while the writing speed hits the 520MB/s with ease.
Pros
This is quite frankly as fast as it gets when it comes to SATA. If you want to skip to the fastest, then this is likely the SSD you’ve been looking for. You also get to take advantage of some of the best technology currently offered by Samsung. This is combined brilliantly with the fact that the compatibility of this device to anything else you have is absolutely phenomenal. At the end of the day, there isn’t a single bad thing we can really say about this.
Cons
There aren’t any. If you want speed and performance in a powerhouse package, this SSD is going to be one of your top contenders.
- Pricing
This SSD currently retails for $129.99.
On the review side of things, it shouldn’t surprise you to learn that the 860 Evo has drawn rave reviews from gamers of all shapes and sizes:
“I’ve been waiting for just the right time to pick up an SSD. I heard good things about this one, and I’m really glad I gave it a shot.”
“This has been a perfect companion to my gaming. I can’t recommend this highly enough.”
“Flawless! A+!”
2. WD Black SN750
If your idea of the best SSD for gaming is something designed specifically with gaming in mind, the WD Black SN750 is going to be exactly what you’ve been looking for. Western Digital is another name that many consider being a heavyweight in the world of SSDs. This is far and away from the best current example of what they have to offer.
WD is also a good option for those who want something more affordable than what you would likely have to pay with a brand like Samsung. At the same time, WD has been praised repeatedly in the past for sacrificing very little to keep their costs low. The company has a long reputation for quality, particularly in the realm of HDDs. While they are relative newcomers to SSDs, products like this offer a clear indication that they are worth your consideration. Furthermore, given that the WD Black SN750 has been designed specifically with gamers in mind, it shouldn’t be hard to imagine that the performance behind this device is exceptional from a gamer’s perspective.
Features
Available in a variety of capacities (upwards of 2TB), you can easily find something that will match up to whatever your space requirements may entail. The transfer speeds for this device run to about 3100 MB/s on average, which makes it abundantly clear that this SSD was indeed made for hardcore gamers. A 5-year limited warranty is included, and you can also purchase a thermal heatsink for even greater functionality.
Pros
On the performance side of things, few products can measure up to what WD offers at the price they are highlighting. Even if you have never purchased an SSD before, it should be a snap to get everything up and running in just a few minutes. This is one of the most affordable options that doesn’t come with the downside of losing out on quality. The monitoring software included with this SSD is some of the best we have ever seen. Truly, one of the fastest SSDs to be found anywhere.
Cons
The need to purchase a heatsink may frustrate some. However, the purchase is not mandatory, and the heatsink itself is as affordable as it is useful.
Pricing: Prices for this SSD start at $71.99.
Reviews for the SN750 have been quite positive:
“Wow! An absolute powerhouse! Best SSD I’ve ever purchased!”
“A serious shot in the arm for my gaming!”
• “The perfect SSD edition to my gaming setup.”
3. Crucial MX500 1TB
When it comes to your SATA options, this is a great example of a contender for the best SSD for gaming. The Crucial MX500 1TB is another SSD that was designed with gaming in mind, although it has proven to be popular for a wide variety of uses. The Crucial MX500 has been lauded for hitting all of the requirements one should keep in mind when it comes to shopping for the best SSDs. You want something that delivers on performance. It stands to reason that you also want something that will give you an almost unshakable element of reliability. Finally, you want something that isn’t going to break the bank.
SATA drives are not quite on the same level as NVME drives, in terms of overall performance. However, you should keep in mind that SATA SSDs are ideal for most gaming needs. If you are looking for the fastest and strongest in every single aspect of your gaming setup, an NVME will be worth keeping in mind.
That said, this is indeed one of the best SATA SSDs on the market:
Features: Reading speeds for this SSD can hit upwards of 560 MB/s, in addition to writing speeds of 510 MB/s. You will also want to note that this product utilizes Micron 3D Nand technology, which allows it to meet almost any performance needs. Integrated Power Loss Immunity is another feature that we can’t help but appreciate. If the power suddenly goes off, you have the peace of mind of knowing your work has been saved.
Pros: Setting up and running this SSD is a breeze. You will also find that it is compatible with most of the systems that are currently in use. The 5-year warranty is another example of this product leaving you with a strong peace of mind. Finally, you really can’t beat the price of this SSD, when you take into account how well it delivers on its promises for a wide variety of gaming interests.
Cons: There really aren’t any issues to consider with this product. As long as you understand the differences between SATA drives and NVME drives, you should have a great time.
Pricing: Prices for this SSD start at $39.80.
Reviews for this product have been exceptional:
“This is an incredible SSD, considering the price. I just started gaming again, and this was a perfect accessory.”
“Powerful and cheap! I love it!”
“Easy to use, and it works without any issues.”
Conclusion
Among these contenders, you should be able to find the best SSD for gaming that suits your needs. There are quite a few examples out there, beyond the three that we’ve covered here. In other words, if you don’t find what you want above, there is almost certainly going to be something else that works for you.
However, it is extremely likely that you will find exactly what you are looking for right here. Any of the SSDs listed above can deliver what you need from them in gaming.