Solid-state drives have made PCs faster and more responsive, cutting boot times and reducing delays when opening programs, launching games or loading large files. But the fastest SSD is not necessarily the best choice for every user: everyday Windows use and gaming may show little benefit from a premium drive over a more affordable model.

For most people, the guide recommends a 1TB or 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD as a balance of capacity, performance and cost. PCIe 5.0 drives can deliver higher speeds, but are more expensive and are most relevant to demanding workloads and heavy file transfers. A 2.5-inch SATA SSD remains an option for older computers that do not support NVMe.

Among PCIe 4.0 models, the WD Black SN7100 — which is set to be sold as the SanDisk Optimus GX 7100 — is the top pick for general use and gaming. Its host memory buffer design uses system memory rather than onboard DRAM for primary caching, helping keep costs down. The guide also highlights the WD Blue SN5100, now called the SanDisk Optimus 5100, as a budget-oriented PCIe 4.0 choice, while noting that its QLC memory can slow during very long writes.

For PCIe 5.0, the Teamgroup Z540 is the recommended performance option, with the PNY CS2150 presented as a less expensive alternative. Both require a compatible M.2 slot, and the guide cautions that PCIe 5.0’s higher performance may not translate into a noticeable difference for typical users.

The recommendations also cover specialized drives. The SanDisk Optimus GX 7100M is a 2230-format option for handheld gaming devices such as the Steam Deck, while the Seagate Game Drive is recommended for PS5 users. For SATA, the Samsung 870 EVO is the performance pick and the Crucial BX500 the lower-cost choice. The Crucial X9 Pro is the guide’s external SSD selection.

SSD prices have risen amid shortages in NAND storage, so some prices cited in the underlying reviews may no longer be current. The guide also advises avoiding Phison E26-based SSDs in 80Gbps enclosures on Thunderbolt 5 Macs, citing reported problems with that combination.

Sources: PCWorld.