Storage SSD
SSDs are the fastest and most reliable way to expand storage or upgrade an older device. Whether for gaming, work or boosting system responsiveness, choosing the right SSD makes a massive difference.
This page explains the main SSD types, what the key specs mean in real life and when it makes sense to upgrade, so you can match the drive to your laptop, desktop or portable setup.
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SSDs come in different speeds, sizes and form factors. The best choice depends on whether you are upgrading an older machine, building a new PC or expanding storage for gaming, creative work or large files.
NVMe SSDs deliver the highest speeds when your system supports them, while SATA SSDs are more affordable and compatible with many older devices. External SSDs are ideal when you need fast, portable storage you can carry between machines.
- Form factor: NVMe (M.2) for maximum speed, 2.5" SATA for broader compatibility.
- Read/write speed: higher speeds reduce loading times and make apps and projects feel more responsive.
- Capacity: 500 GB–1 TB suits everyday use; 2 TB+ is better for heavy gaming, editing or large libraries.
- Endurance (TBW): a higher TBW rating means the drive can handle more data written over its lifetime.
- Interface: PCIe Gen 3, Gen 4 or Gen 5 depending on what your motherboard supports.
SSD choices by use case
Different SSDs shine in different roles. A fast NVMe system drive can transform how quickly your operating system and apps respond, while a large secondary SSD can hold games, projects and media without slowing you down.
It helps to think about the main job for the drive: boot and everyday work, gaming, professional editing or portable storage you can plug into multiple devices.
- Fast boot and system SSDs to speed up everyday work and app launches.
- Gaming-focused NVMe drives to cut loading times in large modern titles.
- SATA SSDs that breathe new life into older laptops and desktops.
- Portable SSDs for photographers, videographers and people moving large files.
- Budget-friendly SSDs that still feel much faster than mechanical hard drives.
When is it time to upgrade your SSD?
SSD performance can slow down as drives fill up, and storage needs keep growing as apps, games and media get larger. If your device feels sluggish or you are frequently running out of space, an upgrade can make a big difference.
Newer NVMe drives offer dramatically higher speeds and better efficiency compared to older SATA models, especially for large file transfers and demanding workloads.
- Slow boot times or long loading screens in apps and games.
- Storage constantly close to full, forcing you to delete files often.
- Using an older SATA SSD while your device supports faster NVMe drives.
- Video editing, 3D work or gaming that would benefit from higher sustained speeds.
- Health or SMART warnings from drive monitoring tools.
Storage SSD – common questions
These answers cover the basics of SSD types, performance, lifespan and how to think about capacity and upgrades.
Is NVMe better than SATA?
In most cases, yes. NVMe SSDs offer much higher read and write speeds, which helps with boot times, game loading and heavy creative workloads. SATA SSDs are slower, but still much faster than hard drives and remain useful for older systems.
How much storage do I need?
Around 500 GB can be enough for light use. 1 TB is a comfortable size for gaming and everyday work, while 2 TB or more is better if you handle large projects, media libraries or multiple modern games at once.
Do SSDs wear out?
All SSDs have a limited write lifespan, but most modern drives last many years under normal use. The TBW (terabytes written) rating shows how much data the drive is designed to handle over its lifetime.
Is an external SSD good for backups?
Yes. External SSDs are fast, shock-resistant and ideal for backing up important files, storing large projects or moving data between computers and consoles.