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For a gaming PC or a general-purpose desktop, a PCIe 4.0 NVMe drive is the best value in storage right now. Game load times are already so short on Gen4 that moving to Gen5 rarely changes what you feel. Gen5 drives also cost more, run hotter and often need chunky heatsinks. We cover the difference in PCIe 4.0 vs 5.0: do you need Gen5?
But "Gen4" covers everything from premium drives with DRAM caches and fast TLC flash to bargain drives that slow down sharply once their cache fills. We sorted the best-known Gen4 drives by what they're good for, using each drive's published specs and its reputation in independent reviews. We don't publish invented benchmark scores. For deep performance testing, see outlets like Tom's Hardware and TechPowerUp's SSD database.
DRAM vs DRAM-less: does it matter?
A DRAM cache is a small amount of fast memory on the SSD that holds the "map" of where your data lives. Drives with DRAM handle heavy, mixed workloads more consistently.
DRAM-less drives use a slice of your system RAM instead, through a feature called Host Memory Buffer (HMB). Modern DRAM-less Gen4 controllers are excellent, and for gaming, web browsing and everyday apps most people can't tell the difference. The gap shows up in sustained heavy work: big file copies, video editing scratch disks, large databases or VMs.
Rule of thumb: a DRAM-less Gen4 drive is a great game drive or secondary drive. A drive with DRAM is worth it for your main boot drive if you do heavy creative or development work.
The best Gen4 NVMe SSDs
| Pick | Role | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| WD_Black SN850X | Best overall | $$ | Boot drives and heavy workloads where consistency matters |
| Samsung 990 Pro | Best premium alternative | $$ | Samsung fans who want a high-end Gen4 drive with strong software |
| Samsung 990 EVO Plus | Best mid-range | $$ | Gamers and everyday users who want a trusted name without flagship pricing |
| SK hynix Platinum P41 | Best for efficiency | $$ | Laptops and quiet builds that still want flagship-class speed |
| Lexar NM790 | Best value | $ | Big game libraries on a budget |
| Kingston KC3000 | Best for creators | $$ | Heavy file work, editing scratch disks and developer workloads |
1. WD_Black SN850X
$$Best for: Boot drives and heavy workloads where consistency matters
The SN850X is one of the fastest Gen4 drives, with a DRAM cache and a long-standing reputation for consistent performance and reliability. It comes in versions with and without a heatsink (the heatsink model is a PS5 favorite) and in a wide range of capacities. If you want one drive that does everything well, this is it.
What we like
- Top-tier Gen4 speed with DRAM cache
- Consistent under sustained workloads
- Heatsink version for PS5 and bare-slot boards
Watch out for
- Costs more than DRAM-less value drives
- Heatsink version is bulky for some laptops and SFF builds
2. Samsung 990 Pro
$$Best for: Samsung fans who want a high-end Gen4 drive with strong software
Samsung's flagship Gen4 drive pairs a DRAM cache with fast TLC flash and Samsung's excellent Magician software, which handles firmware updates, health monitoring and data migration. Early firmware had a widely reported health-reporting issue that Samsung fixed with an update, so run Magician and update firmware when you install it.
What we like
- High-end performance with DRAM
- Samsung Magician for firmware, health and migration
- Heatsink option available
Watch out for
- Update firmware on arrival
- Often priced above the SN850X
3. Samsung 990 EVO Plus
$$Best for: Gamers and everyday users who want a trusted name without flagship pricing
The 990 EVO Plus is a DRAM-less drive that uses Host Memory Buffer and works as a Gen4 x4 or Gen5 x2 drive. That hybrid design is useful in some laptops and boards. It performs well for gaming and everyday work, runs cool and gets Samsung's Magician software. For heavy sustained writes, a DRAM drive is better.
What we like
- Excellent everyday performance
- Runs cool. Great for laptops
- Samsung Magician support
Watch out for
- DRAM-less, so less consistent in heavy writes
- Not the cheapest DRAM-less option
4. SK hynix Platinum P41
$$Best for: Laptops and quiet builds that still want flagship-class speed
The Platinum P41 earned a strong reputation for pairing high Gen4 performance with impressive power efficiency, thanks to SK hynix's in-house controller and flash. It has a DRAM cache. Availability has varied over time. When it's in stock at a sensible price, it's one of the best all-rounders.
What we like
- Flagship-class Gen4 speed
- Excellent power efficiency
- DRAM cache
Watch out for
- Availability comes and goes
- No heatsink version from SK hynix
5. Lexar NM790
$Best for: Big game libraries on a budget
The NM790 is a DRAM-less Gen4 drive that performs well above its price class, with a modern controller, high burst speeds and good efficiency. It's widely recommended for game libraries and budget boot drives, and its 4TB version is one of the more affordable ways to get serious capacity.
What we like
- Strong speed for a DRAM-less drive
- Good value per terabyte at 2–4TB
- Efficient and cool
Watch out for
- Less consistent than DRAM drives under sustained writes
- Software tools are basic
6. Kingston KC3000
$$Best for: Heavy file work, editing scratch disks and developer workloads
Kingston's KC3000 is a DRAM-equipped Gen4 drive built for heavy workloads, with high rated endurance, a low-profile graphene heat spreader and a good track record. It's a sensible choice if your drive takes a lot of big writes. The Kingston Fury Renegade is a closely related gaming-branded sibling.
What we like
- DRAM cache for sustained workloads
- High rated endurance
- Slim heat spreader fits most boards and laptops
Watch out for
- Pricier than DRAM-less alternatives
- Speed advantage is invisible for pure gaming
TLC vs QLC flash
TLC flash stores three bits per cell and QLC stores four. QLC is cheaper per terabyte but slower once the drive's SLC cache fills during a big write, and it has lower rated endurance. For a game library that you mostly read from, QLC is fine. For a drive that takes lots of big writes (video capture, editing, frequent large downloads), choose TLC.
A drive's speed on the box describes its burst speed. What happens after the cache fills (the "post-cache" write speed) varies enormously between drives and isn't always published, which is why independent reviews are worth checking for heavy-write use.
Endurance, warranty and heat
- Endurance (TBW): terabytes written, the maker's rated write lifetime. Even modest ratings are far more than typical gamers write in five years. It matters mostly for heavy-write workloads.
- Warranty: five years is standard on quality drives. Be wary of no-name drives with vague warranty terms.
- Heat: Gen4 drives run warm under sustained load but usually stay within limits under a motherboard's M.2 heatsink. If your board doesn't have one, or you're installing in a PS5, buy a version with a heatsink or add an inexpensive one.
Which capacity to buy
2TB is the sweet spot for a gaming boot drive. Modern AAA games are huge, and Windows plus apps take their share. 1TB is fine for a budget build or as a boot-only drive with a separate game drive. 4TB makes sense for big libraries or content creators. SSDs also perform best, and last longest, when they're not filled to the brim, so leave some free space.
Installing and migrating
Installing an M.2 drive takes about five minutes. Our M.2 installation guide walks through it. If you're upgrading your current boot drive, see how to clone your boot drive to a new SSD so you don't have to reinstall Windows. PS5 owners should also read our best SSDs for PS5 and PS5 Pro.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Gen4 SSD fast enough for gaming in 2026?
Yes. Game load times on Gen4 are already very short, and moving to Gen5 rarely makes a noticeable difference. Gen4 is the better value for most gamers.
Do I need a DRAM cache on my SSD?
For gaming and everyday use, a good DRAM-less drive with Host Memory Buffer is fine. For heavy sustained writes, such as video editing or large file work, a drive with DRAM is more consistent.
Can I use a Gen4 SSD in a Gen3 motherboard?
Yes. It will work at Gen3 speeds. It's still worth buying Gen4 if the price is similar, because you'll get full speed when you upgrade the board.
Does an NVMe SSD need a heatsink?
Most Gen4 drives are fine under a motherboard's M.2 heatsink. If your slot doesn't have one, or you're installing in a PS5, use a drive with a heatsink or add one.
Is QLC flash bad?
Not for reading. QLC is fine for game libraries and storage. It's slower once its cache fills during large writes and has lower rated endurance, so TLC is better for heavy-write workloads.