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When it comes to building or upgrading a gaming PC, storage speed can make all the difference—faster load times, smoother gameplay, and quicker level transitions are just the beginning. Samsung has long been a trusted name in high-performance SSDs, offering a lineup tailored for gamers who demand speed, reliability, and future-proof technology. But with so many models available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. In this guide, we break down the best Samsung SSDs for gaming, comparing performance, value, and real-world use to help you pick the perfect drive for your setup.
Quick Product Comparison
Our Top 5 Which Samsung Ssd Is Best For Gaming Reviews – Expert Tested & Recommended
1. Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB PCIe 5.0 M.2 SSD for Gaming and High-Performance Computing
The Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB is the ultimate SSD for gamers who want bleeding-edge speed and future-ready performance. With PCIe 5.0 support, it delivers jaw-dropping sequential read/write speeds up to 14,700/13,400 MB/s, making it one of the fastest consumer SSDs on the market today.
Key Features That Stand Out
✓ PCIe 5.0 interface for next-gen bandwidth
✓ Sequential read/write up to 14,700/13,400 MB/s
✓ Random read/write up to 1,850K/2,600K IOPS
✓ Advanced thermal management with nickel-coated controller
✓ 2TB capacity ideal for large game libraries
Why We Recommend It
If you’re building a high-end gaming rig with a compatible motherboard, this SSD is a game-changer. It drastically reduces load times in AAA titles and handles multitasking like streaming while gaming with ease. While it’s pricier than older-gen drives, the performance leap justifies the cost for serious gamers.
Best For
Enthusiast gamers and content creators using PCIe 5.0-ready systems who want the absolute fastest storage available.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Unmatched PCIe 5.0 speeds
- Excellent random performance for gaming and AI workloads
- Robust thermal design prevents throttling
- 2TB offers ample space for modern games
Cons:
- Requires PCIe 5.0 motherboard for full performance
- Higher price per GB compared to PCIe 4.0 options
- May run warm under sustained loads without a heatsink
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “I’ve been building PCs for years, and Samsung has always been my go-to brand for storage. The Samsung SSD 9100 PRO 4TB PCIe 5.0×4 fits right in with the quality I’ve come to expect. From build quality to speed, it doesn’t disappoint. Build Quality: Strong and Durable — The first thing I noticed when I t”
Customer Review: “If you want a serious performance boost, the Samsung 9100 PRO is a beast. I dropped the 4TB version into my laptop, and load times basically disappeared—projects that used to take minutes now open in seconds. The PCIe 5.0 speed is no joke; it easily hits the advertised 14,000+ MB/s read speeds. Runs”
2. Samsung 990 PRO 2TB NVMe M.2 SSD with 7,450MB/s Read Speed for Gaming
The Samsung 990 PRO 2TB strikes a perfect balance between top-tier performance and real-world usability. With blazing 7,450 MB/s read speeds and improved power efficiency over its predecessor, it’s a favorite among gamers and professionals alike.
Key Features That Stand Out
✓ PCIe 4.0 NVMe interface with 7,450/6,900 MB/s read/write
✓ 55% faster random performance than 980 PRO
✓ Smart thermal control with nickel-coated controller
✓ Optimized for gaming, content creation, and multitasking
✓ Available in capacities up to 4TB
Why We Recommend It
This SSD delivers near-maximum PCIe 4.0 performance without the premium cost of PCIe 5.0 drives. It’s incredibly responsive in games, loads large textures instantly, and stays cool even during marathon sessions. It’s our top pick for most gamers building on current-gen platforms.
Best For
Gamers using PCIe 4.0 systems who want flagship performance without paying for unused PCIe 5.0 bandwidth.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Consistently high speeds across workloads
- Excellent thermal management
- Great value for a high-end PCIe 4.0 drive
- Reliable and durable with strong warranty
Cons:
- Not compatible with PCIe 5.0 speeds
- Slightly more expensive than mid-range SSDs
- Requires motherboard heatsink for sustained peak performance
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “I am using two of these 1TB drives in a custom NAS box I put together running TrueNAS. I have two 12TB HDD drives, two slower SSDs, and two of these great Samsung 1TB NVMe drives. While the majority of my backups are on the mirrored HDD drives, and the TrueNAS boot drives are the SSDs, I use these”
Customer Review: “This SSD is an absolute beast. The Samsung 990 PRO delivers insane read and write speeds — my system boots in seconds and large sessions in Logic load almost instantly. It runs cool, installs easily, and performs flawlessly under heavy workloads. Perfect for music production, gaming, or any creative”
3. Samsung 990 PRO 1TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSD for Gaming and Workstations
The 1TB version of the Samsung 990 PRO brings flagship performance to a more affordable capacity. It’s perfect for gamers who want speed without maxing out their storage budget, offering the same core tech as the larger models.
Key Features That Stand Out
✓ Same 7,450 MB/s read speed as larger 990 PRO models
✓ 40–55% faster random performance than 980 PRO
✓ Up to 50% better performance per watt
✓ Nickel-coated controller for stable temps
✓ Ideal for OS, games, and active projects
Why We Recommend It
You get nearly all the benefits of the 2TB model at a lower price point. It’s fast enough for competitive gaming, quick level loads, and smooth multitasking. While 1TB fills up fast with modern games, it’s a smart entry into high-speed storage.
Best For
Budget-conscious gamers who still want premium SSD performance and plan to add secondary storage later.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent price-to-performance ratio
- Same advanced controller and firmware as higher-capacity models
- Low power consumption
- Reliable and backed by Samsung’s reputation
Cons:
- 1TB may fill quickly with AAA titles
- No DRAM cache upgrade path
- Performance may dip slightly when nearly full
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “I am using two of these 1TB drives in a custom NAS box I put together running TrueNAS. I have two 12TB HDD drives, two slower SSDs, and two of these great Samsung 1TB NVMe drives. While the majority of my backups are on the mirrored HDD drives, and the TrueNAS boot drives are the SSDs, I use these”
Customer Review: “This SSD is an absolute beast. The Samsung 990 PRO delivers insane read and write speeds — my system boots in seconds and large sessions in Logic load almost instantly. It runs cool, installs easily, and performs flawlessly under heavy workloads. Perfect for music production, gaming, or any creative”
4. Samsung 980 PRO 2TB NVMe M.2 SSD with Thermal Control for Gaming
The Samsung 980 PRO 2TB remains a solid choice for gamers, especially those upgrading older systems. It delivers strong PCIe 4.0 performance and includes built-in thermal management to prevent slowdowns.
Key Features That Stand Out
✓ PCIe 4.0 NVMe with up to 7,000 MB/s read speed
✓ Elpsis controller for stable performance
✓ Integrated heat spreader for thermal control
✓ Optimized for gaming and heavy workloads
✓ Backward compatible with PCIe 3.0 systems
Why We Recommend It
While newer drives like the 990 PRO offer better efficiency, the 980 PRO still holds up well in real-world gaming. It’s a great option if you find it on sale or are building on a tighter budget without sacrificing too much speed.
Best For
Gamers upgrading from SATA or PCIe 3.0 SSDs who want a noticeable performance jump without overspending.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Strong sequential and random performance
- Effective thermal design reduces throttling
- Widely compatible with modern motherboards
- Often available at discounted prices
Cons:
- Slower than 990 PRO in sustained workloads
- Higher power draw under load
- Older firmware may lack latest optimizations
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “After upgrading my laptop with the Samsung 980 Pro SSD NVMe, I can confidently say this might be the single best upgrade I’ve ever made to any computer I’ve owned. From the moment I installed this sleek piece of technology, the difference was jaw-dropping. My laptop now boots in seconds – I barely ha”
Customer Review: “This was my first time ordering and buying any type of product online through Amazons website and the process was very easy and simple to do. Plus I enjoyed the experience searching for the specific product I needed in order to increase my overall storage space capacity in my Sony Playstation 5. I w”
5. Samsung 990 PRO 4TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSD for High-End Gaming and Computing
For gamers with massive libraries or those who want a single drive for everything, the Samsung 990 PRO 4TB offers massive capacity without compromising on speed. It’s built for endurance and performance at scale.
Key Features That Stand Out
✓ Full 7,450/6,900 MB/s read/write speeds at 4TB
✓ High endurance rating (up to 2,400 TBW)
✓ Ideal for gaming, video editing, and large datasets
✓ Consistent performance even when nearly full
✓ Backed by Samsung’s 5-year warranty
Why We Recommend It
If you hate managing multiple drives or constantly uninstalling games, this 4TB beast solves that problem. It delivers the same blazing speeds as smaller models and is perfect for streamers, creators, and hardcore gamers alike.
Best For
Power users who want a single, high-speed drive for their entire gaming and productivity ecosystem.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Massive capacity with top-tier speed
- Excellent longevity and reliability
- No need for secondary storage in most builds
- Great for 4K/8K video and large game installs
Cons:
- Premium price tag
- Overkill for casual gamers
- Requires robust motherboard cooling
Customer Reviews
Customer Review: “I am using two of these 1TB drives in a custom NAS box I put together running TrueNAS. I have two 12TB HDD drives, two slower SSDs, and two of these great Samsung 1TB NVMe drives. While the majority of my backups are on the mirrored HDD drives, and the TrueNAS boot drives are the SSDs, I use these”
Customer Review: “This SSD is an absolute beast. The Samsung 990 PRO delivers insane read and write speeds — my system boots in seconds and large sessions in Logic load almost instantly. It runs cool, installs easily, and performs flawlessly under heavy workloads. Perfect for music production, gaming, or any creative”
Complete Buying Guide for Samsung SSDs for Gaming
Essential Factors We Consider
When picking the best Samsung SSD for gaming, we focus on speed, capacity, compatibility, and value. Sequential read/write speeds matter most for fast game loads, while random IOPS affect responsiveness during gameplay. Always check if your motherboard supports PCIe 4.0 or 5.0—using a PCIe 5.0 drive on a PCIe 3.0 slot limits performance. Also consider thermal design; high-speed SSDs can get hot, so heatsinks or motherboard shields help maintain speed.
Budget Planning
Samsung SSDs range from budget-friendly to premium. The 990 PRO 1TB offers the best value for most gamers, while the 9100 PRO 2TB is for those chasing maximum performance. If you’re on a tight budget, the 980 PRO still delivers excellent results. Plan for at least 1TB—modern games like *Call of Duty* or *Starfield* can take 200GB+ each. For heavy users, 2TB or 4TB is ideal.
Final Thoughts
Your choice depends on your system and needs. If you have a PCIe 5.0 motherboard, go with the 9100 PRO. For most gamers, the 990 PRO (1TB or 2TB) is the sweet spot. Don’t forget to enable NVMe in BIOS and keep firmware updated for optimal performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use a Samsung PCIe 5.0 SSD on a PCIe 4.0 motherboard?
A: Yes, but it will run at PCIe 4.0 speeds. You won’t get the full benefit of PCIe 5.0 bandwidth, so only buy a PCIe 5.0 drive if you plan to upgrade your motherboard soon.
Q: Do I need a heatsink for my Samsung SSD?
A: It’s highly recommended, especially for the 990 PRO and 9100 PRO under heavy loads. Many motherboards include M.2 heatsinks, but aftermarket ones offer better cooling.
Q: Is the Samsung 980 PRO still worth buying in 2024?
A: Absolutely—if you find it at a good price. It’s still faster than most SATA SSDs and performs well in gaming, though the 990 PRO is more efficient.
Q: How much SSD storage do I really need for gaming?
A: We recommend at least 1TB for a comfortable setup. With games exceeding 100GB each, 500GB fills up fast. 2TB is ideal for serious gamers.
Q: Are Samsung SSDs reliable for long-term gaming use?
A: Yes. Samsung is known for high-quality NAND and controllers. Their PRO series includes strong endurance ratings and a 5-year warranty, making them excellent for daily gaming.
Choosing the right Samsung SSD can transform your gaming experience—from near-instant boots to seamless open-world streaming. Whether you’re chasing every frame per second or just want smoother gameplay, there’s a Samsung drive built for you. Ready to upgrade? Click any “Check Price” button above to find the best deal on your new SSD today!
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