How to choose an SSD
Decide whether the drive is for OS/games or bulk storage, then pick interface, capacity, and endurance—not only peak sequential MB/s.
Start here
Decide role (OS/games vs bulk storage), interface (NVMe vs SATA), capacity, then performance tier. For new PCs, a 1–2 TB NVMe OS drive plus optional SATA/NAS for archives is the usual pattern.
What you'll notice
Fast NVMe improves boot, patch installs, and open-world loading—random I/O matters as much as sequential MB/s. A full drive slows everything; leave 15–20% free on primary volumes.
What to buy
Match PCIe generation to your motherboard M.2 slots. Check DRAM cache and endurance (TBW) if you write large files daily. Clone or clean-install OS; do not assume old SATA cables from 2015 builds fit NVMe.
PCIe 4 vs 5 vs SATA
Gen4 NVMe is the value default for gaming. Gen5 helps large sustained transfers when board and thermals support it. SATA remains fine for bulk libraries when speed is not critical.
Common mistakes
- Buying DRAMless drives for heavy write workloads without understanding cache limits.
- Running OS and games on a nearly full drive.
- Ignoring M.2 slot sharing with SATA lanes on some motherboards.
FAQ
- How much capacity?
- 1 TB minimum for OS + a few AAA games; 2 TB if you hate uninstalling.
Bottom line
Role → interface → capacity → endurance. Compare tiers on RankedSSD, then verify slot compatibility on your board.