Are you tired of constantly running out of storage space on your PC? Whether you’re a hardcore gamer with a massive library, a creative professional dealing with huge video files, or just someone who loves hoarding digital content, upgrading your storage is a game-changer. And when it comes to speed and capacity, a 4TB SSD (Solid State Drive) is truly where it’s at.
Gone are the days when SSDs were just for your operating system. With 4TB SSDs becoming more accessible, you can now store your entire game collection, massive design projects, or your vast media library with blazing-fast access times. But with so many options out there, how do you find the best 4TB SSD for PC that fits your needs?
Don’t sweat it! We’ve done the heavy lifting for you, diving deep into the market to pick out the top contenders. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll review some of the finest 4TB SSDs available, covering everything from lightning-fast NVMe drives to reliable SATA options and even some robust portable picks. We’ll break down their features, pros, and cons, and give you a peek into what real users are saying. Let’s get your PC ready for a serious upgrade!
Our Top Picks for the Best 4TB SSD for PC
Here’s our curated list of the best 4TB SSDs, designed to boost your PC’s performance and provide ample space.
1. Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD 4TB
The Samsung 990 EVO Plus takes the lead for those seeking cutting-edge performance without breaking the bank. This drive leverages the power of PCIe Gen 4×4, offering sequential read/write speeds that will make huge file transfers feel instantaneous. It’s perfect for gamers and content creators who need to load applications and access large datasets at incredible speeds, all while managing power efficiently thanks to its advanced thermal control. If you’re looking for a top-tier internal SSD for your desktop or laptop, this is definitely a strong contender.
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Key Features:
- Groundbreaking sequential read/write speeds up to 7,250/6,300MB/s
- Enhanced large-file performance with Intelligent TurboWrite 2.0
- Exceptional thermal control via nickel-coated controller for less power consumption
- Optimized for PCIe 4.0 x4 and PCIe 5.0 x2 compatibility
- Magician Software for continuous firmware updates and drive health monitoring
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Pros:
- Blazing-fast speeds for heavy workloads
- Excellent thermal efficiency, preventing overheating
- Future-proof with PCIe 5.0 x2 compatibility
- Reliable Samsung brand quality and software support
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Cons:
- Not as fast as pure PCIe Gen5 drives (which are still very rare in 4TB)
- Might be overkill for basic PC usage
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User Impressions: Users rave about its noticeable speed improvement, especially for gaming and video editing. Many appreciate the Samsung Magician software for keeping the drive optimized. It’s often cited as a fantastic value for a Gen4 drive.
- Call to Action: See it on Amazon here
2. SAMSUNG 870 EVO 4TB 2.5 Inch SATA III Internal SSD
Sometimes, you don’t need the bleeding edge of NVMe. The Samsung 870 EVO 4TB is a classic for a reason: it’s incredibly reliable and maximizes the SATA interface’s potential. This 2.5-inch drive is a workhorse, offering excellent performance for everyday computing, content creation, and even some gaming. It’s a fantastic choice for older systems that don’t support NVMe or for adding a high-capacity, dependable secondary drive to your build. Its broad compatibility with various systems makes it a safe and smart choice.
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Key Features:
- Maximizes SATA interface limit with 560/530 MB/s sequential speeds
- Accelerates write speeds with a larger variable buffer
- Industry-defining reliability with up to 2,400 TBW (Terabytes Written)
- Extensive compatibility with major host systems, motherboards, and NAS devices
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Pros:
- Highly reliable and durable
- Excellent performance for a SATA SSD
- Wide compatibility with older and newer systems
- More affordable than NVMe counterparts for the capacity
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Cons:
- Slower than NVMe SSDs
- Larger 2.5-inch form factor might not fit ultra-compact builds
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User Impressions: Customers consistently praise the 870 EVO for its rock-solid reliability and ease of installation. It’s a go-to for upgrading older PCs or simply adding vast, fast storage without breaking the bank.
- Call to Action: See it on Amazon here
3. Crucial P310 4TB PCIe Gen4 2280 NVMe M.2 SSD
The Crucial P310 offers a solid entry into the world of PCIe Gen4 NVMe at a competitive price point. While not the absolute fastest on this list, it provides a significant upgrade over SATA drives and even some Gen3 NVMe options. What really sets it apart is its impressive power efficiency, which means it sips less power while delivering good performance. This makes it a great choice for laptop users looking to extend battery life or for desktop users who appreciate a cooler, more efficient system.
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Key Features:
- Up to 40% better performance-to-power ratio than previous Gen4 SSDs
- NVMe PCIe Gen4 technology for faster data access
- Standard M.2 2280 form factor
- Designed for efficiency and performance balance
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Pros:
- Excellent power efficiency
- Good performance for a value-oriented Gen4 drive
- Crucial’s reputation for reliable memory and storage
- Cost-effective 4TB NVMe solution
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Cons:
- Not the peak performance for Gen4 drives
- May not be readily available in all regions (check availability)
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User Impressions: Users find the P310 to be a noticeable speed upgrade, especially coming from a SATA drive. Its low power consumption is a frequently highlighted benefit for laptop users.
- Call to Action: See it on Amazon here
4. Samsung 990 PRO SSD 4TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280 Internal SSD
If speed is your ultimate priority, look no further than the Samsung 990 PRO 4TB. This is Samsung’s flagship PCIe 4.0 drive, designed for heavy computing, hardcore gaming, and professional content creation. With near-max PCIe 4.0 speeds, it shaves off loading times and boosts productivity for even the most demanding tasks. The 990 PRO doesn’t just push the limits of speed; it also boasts impressive power efficiency, ensuring you get top performance without excessive power draw.
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Key Features:
- Near-max PCIe 4.0 performance with up to 7450/6900 MB/s read/write speeds
- Over 55% improvement in random performance vs. 980 PRO
- Power efficiency improved by up to 50% over the 980 PRO
- Ideal for gaming, video editing, and data analysis
- Available in capacities up to 4TB
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Pros:
- Among the fastest PCIe Gen4 SSDs available
- Excellent for high-performance applications and gaming
- Great power efficiency for its speed class
- Top-tier Samsung reliability and build quality
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Cons:
- Premium price point
- May require a heatsink for sustained heavy loads (though power efficient)
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User Impressions: Professional users and serious gamers swear by the 990 PRO, citing its unmatched speed and responsiveness. It’s commonly seen as the ultimate upgrade for those who demand the absolute best from their system.
- Call to Action: See it on Amazon here
5. SanDisk 4TB Extreme Portable SSD
Not all the best 4TB SSD for PC options live inside your computer! The SanDisk 4TB Extreme Portable SSD is built for adventurers, photographers, videographers, and anyone who needs to carry massive amounts of data reliably. This rugged external SSD combines NVMe performance with incredible durability – we’re talking up to 3-meter drop protection and IP65 water and dust resistance. Its compact size and carabiner loop make it perfect for on-the-go professionals who can’t afford to lose their valuable files.
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Key Features:
- NVMe solid-state performance with up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds
- Up to 3-meter drop protection and IP65 water and dust resistance
- Handy carabiner loop for security
- Included password protection with 256-bit AES hardware encryption
- SanDisk Memory Zone app for file management
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Pros:
- Extremely durable and rugged design
- Excellent portable speeds for large file transfers
- Compact and lightweight for ultimate portability
- Data security features (encryption)
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Cons:
- External drive, so not suitable for internal PC upgrades
- Speeds are limited by the USB interface compared to internal NVMe
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User Impressions: Users love its go-anywhere ruggedness and surprisingly fast transfer speeds for an external drive. It’s a favorite among drone pilots, videographers, and anyone needing secure, fast off-site storage.
- Call to Action: See it on Amazon here
6. Western Digital 4TB WD Blue SA510 SATA Internal Solid State Drive
The WD Blue SA510 is another excellent SATA SSD option, perfect for giving an older PC a new lease on life or adding a large, cost-effective storage drive to any desktop. While it won’t hit NVMe speeds, its sequential read/write speeds are on par with the best SATA drives, making it a significant upgrade from traditional hard drives. This drive is all about reliable, everyday performance and value, offering a spacious 4TB capacity in a widely compatible 2.5-inch form factor.
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Key Features:
- 4TB storage capacity
- Standard 2.5-inch form factor
- SATA III interface
- Sequential Read Speed (Up To): 560 MB/s
- Sequential Write Speed (Up To): 520 MB/s
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Pros:
- Cost-effective large capacity storage
- Reliable performance for everyday tasks
- Widely compatible with most PCs and laptops
- Significant speed upgrade over traditional HDDs
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Cons:
- Limited by SATA interface speeds
- Not suitable for systems requiring NVMe performance
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User Impressions: Customers frequently use this drive for system upgrades, noting its easy installation and immediate performance boost compared to their old HDDs. It’s often recommended for general-purpose storage and as a gaming drive where ultra-low load times aren’t the absolute priority.
- Call to Action: See it on Amazon here
7. WD_BLACK 4TB SN850X NVMe Internal Gaming SSD Solid State Drive
For the dedicated gamer, the WD_BLACK SN850X 4TB is practically a cheat code. This NVMe internal SSD is purpose-built for gaming, offering ridiculously short load times and insane speeds that will transform your gaming PC. With speeds up to 7,300 MB/s, it’s right up there with the fastest Gen4 drives. Plus, it’s built with Western Digital’s TLC 3D NAND, meaning more room for your entire game library. The optional heatsink version is a big win for maintaining peak performance during those intense, long gaming sessions.
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Key Features:
- Top-tier performance with speeds up to 7,300 MB/s
- Capacities up to 8TB built with Western Digital TLC 3D NAND
- Optional heatsink version for optimal thermal management
- WD_BLACK Dashboard for monitoring and customizing RGB (heatsink only)
- Game Mode 2.0 with Predictive Loading, Overhead Balancing, and Adaptive Thermal Management
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Pros:
- Exceptional speeds for gaming and heavy workloads
- Optional heatsink is great for sustained performance
- Designed specifically for gamers with performance-boosting features
- High endurance for heavy use
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Cons:
- Premium price point
- RGB customization is only on the heatsink version
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User Impressions: Gamers absolutely adore the SN850X for its speed and reliability. Many report significantly reduced load times in their favorite games and appreciate the peace of mind the heatsink provides.
- Call to Action: See it on Amazon here
8. Crucial P3 Plus 4TB PCIe Gen4 3D NAND NVMe M.2 SSD
The Crucial P3 Plus is an excellent choice if you want to jump into PCIe Gen4 NVMe speeds without breaking the bank. It offers a solid performance upgrade over Gen3 NVMe SSDs, with sequential reads up to 5000MB/s, making it significantly faster than any SATA drive. This 4TB drive provides ample storage for large applications and files, and its robust design with an MTTF (Mean Time To Failure) of over 1.5 million hours ensures long-term reliability. It’s a fantastic middle-ground option for those who need speed and capacity without the premium price tag of the absolute top-tier drives.
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Key Features:
- NVMe (PCIe Gen4 x4) technology with up to 5000MB/s sequential reads
- Random read/write up to 650K/900K IOPS
- Performs up to 43% faster than the fastest Gen3 NVMe SSDs
- Rated at MTTF greater than 1.5 million hours for longevity
- Backward compatibility with Gen3 systems
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Pros:
- Great value for a PCIe Gen4 SSD
- Noticeably faster than Gen3 NVMe and SATA drives
- High endurance and reliability
- Backward compatible for wider system support
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Cons:
- Not the fastest Gen4 drive available
- May experience minor speed drops under extremely heavy, sustained loads without a heatsink
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User Impressions: Users frequently praise the P3 Plus for its fantastic performance-to-price ratio. It’s a popular choice for budget-conscious builders looking for a solid Gen4 upgrade for their primary drive.
- Call to Action: See it on Amazon here
9. Seagate Portable 4TB External Hard Drive HDD – USB 3.0
Alright, let’s address the elephant in the room: this isn’t an SSD. The Seagate Portable 4TB External Hard Drive is an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), meaning it uses spinning platters rather than flash memory. While it won’t offer the lightning-fast speeds of an SSD, it makes this list as a fantastic, budget-friendly alternative for sheer bulk storage. If your primary need is simply to store a massive amount of data – backups, archives, or an extensive media library – and speed isn’t your absolute top priority, this USB 3.0 external HDD delivers unparalleled value per gigabyte. It’s incredibly easy to use, too, with simple plug-and-play functionality for both Windows and Mac.
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Key Features:
- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go
- USB 3.0 interface for fast (for an HDD) transfers
- Works with Windows or Mac computers, plug-and-play simplicity
- No software required for setup
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Pros:
- Extremely cost-effective for 4TB of storage
- Massive capacity for backups and media libraries
- Highly portable and easy to use
- Reliable for long-term cold storage
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Cons:
- Significantly slower than any SSD
- More susceptible to physical shock than SSDs
- Not suitable for running applications or games directly for best performance
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User Impressions: Users consistently praise this drive for its reliability and sheer storage capacity at an unbeatable price. It’s a go-to for anyone who needs to back up a lot of data without breaking the bank.
- Call to Action: See it on Amazon here
10. SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 4TB, USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 External SSD
Rounding out our list of the best 4TB SSD for PC options is the SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD, a true powerhouse for professionals and creators on the move. If you need external storage with internal SSD-like speeds, the T9 is your champion. Utilizing the USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 interface, it delivers incredible sustained read and write speeds of up to 2,000MB/s, making it ideal for editing 4K video directly from the drive or quickly transferring huge project files. Its Dynamic Thermal Guard ensures it stays cool even under heavy loads, and its robust design means it can handle the rigors of portable use.
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Key Features:
- Nonstop sustained read and write speeds up to 2,000MB/s
- Dynamic Thermal Guard to control heat under heavy use
- Extensive compatibility with desktops, cameras, gaming consoles, and iPhone 15 Pro
- Durable and reliable build quality
- Magician Software for optimal performance and health monitoring
- Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video recording
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Pros:
- Extremely fast external SSD
- Excellent thermal management for sustained performance
- Highly versatile and compatible with many devices
- Robust and durable for professional use
- Samsung’s trusted flash memory technology
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Cons:
- Requires a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 port for full speed (many PCs only have Gen 2×1)
- Premium price for an external drive
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User Impressions: Videographers and content creators absolutely adore the T9 for its unparalleled speed and reliability on location. Users note its ability to handle large project files directly from the drive without lag.
- Call to Action: See it on Amazon here
Frequently Asked Questions about 4TB SSDs
Q1: What’s the main difference between NVMe and SATA SSDs?
A: NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) SSDs connect directly to your PC’s PCIe lanes, offering significantly faster speeds (thousands of MB/s) compared to SATA (Serial ATA) SSDs, which connect via the older SATA interface (limited to around 600 MB/s). NVMe drives are ideal for high-performance tasks like gaming, video editing, and heavy data transfer, while SATA drives are great for general use, mass storage, or older systems.
Q2: Why should I choose a 4TB SSD for my PC?
A: A 4TB SSD provides an excellent balance of massive storage capacity and high performance. It allows you to store a large number of games, extensive media libraries, or professional project files without constantly worrying about space. The speed of an SSD means faster boot times, quicker application loading, and snappier overall system responsiveness, even with a huge amount of data.
Q3: Are external 4TB SSDs good for gaming?
A: External 4TB SSDs can be good for gaming, especially for storing older titles or games where ultra-fast loading isn’t critical. However, internal NVMe SSDs will always offer the best performance for modern, demanding games due to their direct connection to the motherboard’s PCIe lanes. Portable SSDs are fantastic for transferring games between PCs or consoles.
Q4: How important is a heatsink for an NVMe SSD?
A: For high-performance NVMe SSDs, especially PCIe Gen4 and Gen5 drives, a heatsink is highly recommended. These drives can generate a lot of heat under sustained heavy loads (like during large file transfers or intense gaming sessions). A heatsink helps dissipate this heat, preventing thermal throttling, which can slow down your drive’s performance.
Q5: What is TBW (Terabytes Written) and why does it matter?
A: TBW stands for Terabytes Written and is a measure of an SSD’s endurance. It indicates the total amount of data that can be written to the drive over its lifetime before its reliability might start to degrade. A higher TBW rating means the drive is expected to last longer under heavy writing workloads. For a 4TB SSD, a high TBW ensures it can handle years of heavy use without issues.
Q6: Can I use a 4TB SSD in my laptop?
A: Yes, many modern laptops support NVMe M.2 SSDs, and some older ones might support 2.5-inch SATA SSDs. Always check your laptop’s specifications or manual to confirm compatibility with the specific form factor (M.2 2280 for NVMe, or 2.5-inch for SATA) and interface (PCIe Gen3/Gen4/Gen5 or SATA III) before purchasing a 4TB SSD.
Q7: What factors affect SSD speed?
A: Several factors influence SSD speed:
* Interface: NVMe (PCIe) is much faster than SATA.
* PCIe Generation: Gen4 is faster than Gen3, and Gen5 is even faster (though rare in 4TB consumer drives yet).
* NAND Type: TLC (Triple-Level Cell) is common and fast, QLC (Quad-Level Cell) is cheaper but can be slower.
* Controller: The SSD’s controller chip plays a huge role in managing data flow.
* DRAM Cache: A dedicated DRAM cache helps improve performance, especially for random reads/writes.
* SLC Cache: Most drives use a small, faster SLC cache which helps boost burst write speeds.
Q8: Is it worth upgrading to a 4TB SSD from a smaller SSD?
A: Absolutely! If you find yourself constantly managing storage, deleting files, or needing more space for games and applications, upgrading to a 4TB SSD offers a significant quality-of-life improvement. You’ll gain vast amounts of space without sacrificing the speed and responsiveness that SSDs provide.
Conclusion
Choosing the best 4TB SSD for PC doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Whether you’re chasing the absolute fastest speeds for intense gaming and content creation with drives like the Samsung 990 PRO or WD_BLACK SN850X, or you need reliable, vast storage for everyday use or older systems with options like the Samsung 870 EVO or WD Blue SA510, there’s a perfect 4TB SSD out there for you.
For those who need rugged, portable storage, the SanDisk Extreme Portable or Samsung T9 Portable SSDs are unbeatable. Remember to consider your specific needs: do you prioritize raw speed, portability, endurance, or budget? By weighing these factors against our detailed reviews, you’re well on your way to a PC upgrade that truly unlocks its full potential. Happy computing!