In recent years, SSDs have become an indispensable component for most computers. Although SSD prices increased last year, gamers have not been frustrated and still pursue high performance. Currently, the SSD product that represents high performance is the M.2 SSD, which supports PCIe NVMe protocol. Gamers often choose SSDs as high-performance system drives or to expand the storage space of their laptops. Today, we recommend three NVMe M.2 SSD products on the market.
Samsung 960 PRO
The Samsung 960 PRO is the most outstanding SSD in terms of performance. As Samsung’s flagship M.2 SSD product, it offers a maximum storage capacity of up to 2TB. This product uses Samsung’s advanced 48-layer V-NAND architecture, achieving next-generation performance in a compact M.2 form factor. The 512GB version has a sequential read speed of up to 3500MB/s and a sequential write speed of up to 2100MB/s. The maximum 4K random read speed of this SSD reaches 330K IOPS, and the maximum 4K random write speed also reaches 330K IOPS. Currently, the 960 PRO 512GB version is priced at approximately CNY 2399 (around $364).
Samsung PM961
The Samsung PM961 is the most cost-effective SSD. If you think the 960 PRO is too expensive, you might consider the PM961. The SSD has a capacity of 256GB, which can be expanded up to 512GB. Its sequential read speed reaches up to 2800MB/s, and its sequential write speed can reach up to 1400MB/s. The maximum 4K random read speed of this SSD is 330K IOPS, and the maximum 4K random write speed is 150K IOPS. Its biggest advantage is its high-cost performance. The 256GB version is priced around CNY 600 ($91), and its 512GB version is priced around CNY 1000 ($152). However, since the PM961 is an OEM product, it does not come with an official warranty.
Intel 760P
The Intel 760P is a high-performance SSD launched for the mainstream market, offering a high cost-performance advantage. Its 256GB version has a sequential read speed of up to 3210MB/s and a sequential write speed of up to 1315MB/s. The SSD’s maximum 4K random read speed reaches 205K IOPS, and the maximum 4K random write speed reaches 265K IOPS. Currently, the 256GB version is priced below $106 and comes with a five-year warranty provided by Intel.