Modern games can exceed 100GB and load massive open worlds in real time. An NVMe SSD reduces load times by 60-80% compared to a hard drive, and DirectStorage on Windows 11 enables GPU decompression directly from NVMe storage.
Best Gaming SSDs
| SSD | Read Speed | Capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung 990 Pro 2TB | 7,450 MB/s | 2TB | ~£120 |
| WD Black SN850X 2TB | 7,300 MB/s | 2TB | ~£110 |
Gen 4 vs Gen 5
PCIe Gen 5 SSDs offer 14,000+ MB/s theoretical speeds but current games don’t benefit over Gen 4. Gen 4 NVMe offers the best price-to-performance for gaming in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will an SSD increase FPS?
SSDs don’t directly improve FPS, but they dramatically reduce load times and eliminate texture pop-in.
Separate drive for games?
Having a dedicated game drive helps with organisation but no performance advantage over a single large NVMe.
Recommended NVMe SSD Upgrades
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How we verify this guide
We cross-reference compatibility figures against manufacturer specifications where available, official service manuals, and the standards that govern fit — memory type and speed (DDR4 / DDR5 / LPDDR5), maximum supported capacity and slot count, SSD form factor and interface (M.2 2280, NVMe PCIe vs SATA, keying), and charger wattage and connector (USB-C Power Delivery, GaN). We’re explicit about soldered or non-upgradeable parts, prioritise primary sources over retailer listings, and re-verify the data on a regular cycle. More on our method →
