The Fastest M.2 NVMe SSDs in 2024

 

        Faster storage significantly enhances overall PC performance, from boot times to loading applications and games. However, the level of improvement depends on the type and speed of the SSD. If your motherboard has an NVMecapable M.2 slot, this is the optimal location for your system drive. Here's a breakdown of some of the best M.2 SSDs available, categorized by their interface: 

 

 Top M.2 SSDs by Interface

1. PCIExpress 5.0 (Gen5) 

    Crucial T705 

      Among the fastest Gen5 drives available, suitable for power users and heavy workloads.

      Alternatives from similarly equipped competitors are also worth considering. 

2. PCIExpress 4.0 (Gen4) 

    Samsung 990 PRO 

      Delivers strong overall performance, often competitive with Gen5 SSDs in practical use cases. 

 

Platform Compatibility

Currently, Gen5enabled platforms are limited to: 

·         AMD AM5: Motherboards such as X670 and B650 chipsets. 

·         Intel: Select recent motherboards, including Z790 and newer. 

 

If you're upgrading or building a PC, ensuring compatibility with these faster interfaces can futureproof your system while maximizing storage speed.

A Closer Look at Leading Gen5 & Gen4 M, SSDs

PCIe Interface Comparisons: 

The PCI Express (PCIe) interface dictates how much data your SSD can transfer per second. Here’s a breakdown of its versions, bandwidth, and theoretical performance for M.2 SSDs: 

Current SSD Trends and Recommendations: 

Gen5 SSDs: 

•    These drives are pushing the limits of the PCIe 5.0 interface but remain expensive due to limited competition. 
•    Ideal for professionals and power users with workloads that demand ultrahigh bandwidth. 

 Gen4 SSDs: 

•    Offer excellent value and performance for most users. 
•    While the bandwidth isn't as high as Gen5, the realworld performance gap is minimal for common tasks like gaming and productivity. 

 Gen3 SSDs: 

•    Not recommended for new builds unless cost is the primary concern. 
•    Highend Gen3 SSDs are often more expensive than low/midtier Gen4 SSDs, which provide better value even on Gen3 platforms. 

 

Backward Compatibility: 

 All M.2 NVMe SSDs are backwardcompatible, meaning: 

•    A Gen4 SSD in a Gen3 slot will function, though limited to Gen3 speeds. 
•    This makes Gen4 SSDs a better investment even if your platform doesn’t fully utilize their rated performance. 

Conclusion: 

For most users, Gen4 SSDs strike the best balance between price and performance. However, if you’re building a futureproof system or need cuttingedge speeds, a Gen5 SSD paired with a compatible platform is a worthy consideration.

Best SSDs Sorted by (Gaming) Performance

When it comes to evaluating SSDs, real-world performance often matters more than raw sequential transfer rates. UL’s 3DMark Storage Benchmark is a valuable tool for gauging SSD performance under practical conditions. This benchmark replicates a variety of gaming-related workloads that also apply to broader usage scenarios, such as loading games, installing files, saving progress, moving data, and recording gameplay. By measuring the average bandwidth across these tasks, it provides a more relatable metric than traditional synthetic tests, making it especially relevant for gamers and general users. 

 

While primarily designed with gaming in mind, the 3DMark Storage Benchmark’s diverse workload coverage makes it applicable to general performance assessments. It is important to note, however, that this benchmark isn’t a universal indicator of all usage scenarios. Tasks like enterprise workloads or other specialized applications may require different metrics for accurate evaluation. Nonetheless, for users focused on gaming and common everyday tasks, it remains one of the most insightful tools for identifying the best SSD for their needs.

1. Fastest NVMe M.2 SSD: Crucial T705

Crucial's T705 has taken the crown as the fastest Gen5 SSD, surpassing its predecessor, the T700, alongside competitors like the Sabrent Rocket 5 and MSI Spatium M580. These drives owe their performance leap to the Phison E26 controller paired with Micron's latest high-speed NAND memory chips. With sequential transfer rates peaking at an impressive 14,500 MB/s, these SSDs nearly max out the PCIe 5.0 interface's bandwidth. However, for most users, the difference in performance between these newer models and previous E26-based SSDs, such as the T700, Teamgroup T-Force Z540, and Corsair MP700 Pro, which deliver up to 12,400 MB/s, is negligible in everyday tasks.  

One key consideration with these early Gen5 SSDs is the need for proper cooling. Without an effective heat spreader or heatsink, these drives are prone to thermal throttling, which can limit their performance. As Gen5 SSD technology matures, future iterations are likely to offer enhanced performance, improved efficiency, and more competitive pricing. For now, though, the Crucial T705 and its rivals remain the pinnacle of consumer storage for Gen5-enabled systems.

2. Seagate FireCuda 540

The Seagate FireCuda 540 is a standout addition to the Gen5 SSD lineup, utilizing the same Phison E26 controller as its competitors. Paired with 232-layer TLC NAND (except for the Crucial T700), it operates at an impressive 1,600 MT/s. This configuration allows the 2 TB model to achieve sequential read/write speeds of 10,000 MB/s, while the 1 TB version reaches slightly reduced speeds of 9,500 MB/s (read) and 8,500 MB/s (write). 

What differentiates the FireCuda 540 is Seagate's proprietary firmware and its exceptional endurance ratings. The 2 TB variant boasts a robust 2,000 TBW (terabytes written), with the 1 TB model offering a respectable 1,000 TBW. Comparable Phison E26-based Gen5 SSDs with similar NAND and nearly identical performance include the Aorus Gen5 10000, SSTC Tiger Shark, Inland TD510 (Micro Center), Corsair MP700, and Adata Legend 970.

3. TeamGroup T-Force GE Pro

The Gen5 SSD market sees little differentiation, as most models rely on the same Phison E26 controller. However, TeamGroup’s T-Force GE PRO, introduced in mid-2024, breaks the mold with an innovative approach. It uses an Innogrit IG5666 controller paired with 232-layer NAND from YMTC (Yangtze Memory Technologies), offering a fresh alternative to the standard E26-based options.

In terms of performance, the T-Force GE PRO delivers impressive sequential speeds of 14,000 MB/s (read) and 11,800 MB/s (write) for its 2 TB and 4 TB models, placing it near the top of the leaderboard. Despite this, it trails behind its Phison E26-powered rivals in gaming and productivity benchmarks, making it a unique but slightly less competitive choice for those specific workloads.

4. Samsung 990 PRO

Samsung has long been a dominant force in the SSD market, though in recent years, competitors have narrowed the gap. With the 990 PRO, Samsung has made a strong comeback, reclaiming its position in key benchmarks that reflect real-world performance. While its sequential transfer rates, like those of its rivals, are limited by the PCIe Gen4 bandwidth, the 990 PRO shines in random performance, achieving up to 1.4M/1.55M IOPS read/write.

The drive leverages Samsung’s proprietary Pascal controller, 176-layer NAND, and LPDDR4 DRAM cache, combining proven components to deliver top-tier performance as of mid-2024. Although Samsung has released the newer 990 EVO with Gen5 compatibility, it lags behind the 990 PRO in speed, positioning the latter as the brand's standout option for those prioritizing efficiency and performance.

5. Crucial T500

A surprising new contender in the high-performance SSD space is the Crucial T500, which utilizes the Phison E25 controller. What sets it apart is the fact that the E25 only has four NAND channels, a setup typically seen in lower-end SSDs, as most premium drives use eight channels. Despite this, the T500 has managed to outperform several Gen4 drives, largely due to its use of 232-layer NAND from Micron, which boosts its performance in key benchmarks.

The T500 also includes an LPDDR4 DRAM buffer, giving it an advantage in various workloads. This is in contrast to other DRAM-less drives like the Teamgroup MP44, which has also impressed in performance tests. The combination of efficient NAND technology and the DRAM buffer allows the T500 to stand out, making it an unexpected but strong performer in the Gen4 market.

6. SK Hynix Platinum P41

SK Hynix, the world’s second-largest memory chip manufacturer, has recently started selling consumer products under its own brand name, and the Platinum P41 is a standout product in their lineup. Released in May 2022, the Platinum P41 features an entirely in-house design, utilizing SK Hynix’s 176-layer TLC NAND chips and their proprietary Aries controller. The SSD is also equipped with an SK Hynix LPDDR4 DRAM cache, which contributes to its strong overall performance.

In terms of raw numbers, the Platinum P41 delivers impressive sequential speeds of up to 7,000 MB/s for read and 6,500 MB/s for write. It also shines in random performance, achieving up to 1.4 million IOPS for reads and 1.3 million IOPS for writes. Most importantly, the Platinum P41 excels in real-world performance benchmarks like 3DMark and PCM10, showing its value for day-to-day usage. The only downside is its limited availability, especially in regions like the US and Europe, which has kept it from being as widely accessible as some competitors.

7. Western Digital WD Black SN850X

Launched in 2020, the original WD Black SN850 set the standard for consumer M.2 SSD speeds and remains one of the fastest options on the market. In 2022, the SN850 was updated with new, higher-density 112-layer BiCS 5 NAND memory chips, resulting in notable improvements in random read/write performance. Specifically, the 2 TB version saw its random read/write IOPS increase from 1 million/720K to 1.2 million/1.1 million IOPS, making it even more competitive.

These enhancements make the SN850X a top contender in real-world benchmarks, especially in tests like PC Mark 10 and 3DMark’s SSD gaming test, where it consistently ranks among the best. Like many high-performance SSDs, the 2 TB and 4 TB capacities of the SN850X tend to perform the best due to the increased parallelism, giving them an edge over smaller capacities. In comparison to the Samsung 990 Pro, the SN850X is highly competitive, offering solid performance in both sequential and random tasks.

8. Kingston Fury Renegade

Kingston’s Fury Renegade is an enhanced version of the KC3000, built around the same Phison E18 controller and 176-layer Micron TLC NAND that helped propel Seagate’s FireCuda 530 to the top of performance charts. The Fury Renegade is slightly faster than the KC3000 and outperforms the FireCuda 530 in several benchmarks, positioning it as a strong competitor to Samsung's 990 PRO. This makes the Fury Renegade a compelling option for anyone building a PCIe Gen4-compatible system. However, it’s worth noting that the performance difference between the Fury Renegade and the KC3000 is marginal, so the upgrade may not be significant unless you are seeking the highest possible performance.

Another important consideration is that, similar to the FireCuda 530, the best performance from the Fury Renegade is seen in the 2TB and 4TB models. Smaller capacities may not achieve the same level of performance due to the differences in parallelism and NAND chip configuration, so opting for these larger models will provide the best results.

9. Seagate FireCuda 530

Like the Kingston Fury Renegade and KC3000, the Seagate FireCuda 530 is powered by the Phison E18 controller paired with Micron’s advanced 176-layer Flash memory, a combination that has made these drives stand out in the high-performance SSD market. In its 2TB and 4TB versions, the FireCuda 530 reaches an impressive sequential write throughput of 6,900 MB/s, outperforming the 1TB model, which maxes out at 6,000 MB/s. One of the key selling points of the FireCuda 530, however, is its exceptional endurance. Even the smallest 500GB version offers a remarkable 640 TBW (terabytes written), which is higher than what is typically seen from its 1TB counterparts from brands like Samsung and WD. This high endurance rating makes the FireCuda 530 a particularly compelling choice for users who need reliability and durability in demanding workloads, such as content creators and gamers.

10. Corsair MP600 Pro XT

The Corsair MP600 Pro XT is another solid choice in the high-performance SSD space, utilizing the second-generation Phison E18 controller, much like the Kingston Fury Renegade and Seagate FireCuda 530. It delivers performance similar to its competitors, with the best results coming from the 2TB and 4TB models. While it offers excellent sequential read/write speeds, its endurance ratings are slightly lower than those of the KC3000 and FireCuda 530. For example, the 1TB model is rated for 700 TBW (terabytes written), while the 2TB version offers 1,400 TBW, and the 4TB version comes with a rating of 3,000 TBW. A notable advantage of the MP600 Pro XT is its inclusion of a large heat spreader, which helps to minimize throttling during sustained, intensive workloads, ensuring stable performance under heavy use.

Best GEn3 M.2 SSDs: Samsung 970 Pro & EVO Plus

The Samsung 970 EVO Plus remains one of the top performers in the PCIe 3.0 segment, offering excellent general-purpose performance. While it may not claim the top spot in every benchmark, its reliability and value for money make it a standout choice. Using TLC NAND, it provides near-identical performance to the higher-end 970 PRO, which utilizes MLC chips, but at a much more affordable price. The 970 EVO Plus has been rigorously tested and proven over time, maintaining a strong reputation for reliability. For users looking for a solid, high-performing PCIe Gen 3 SSD without the premium cost of MLC-based options, the 970 EVO Plus remains an excellent choice.