SSD’s are solid state drives Essentially, they can be seen as extra large USB drives (they use the same base technology, which is NAND).
Aside from the storage of data, SSD’s are also sought out to store games! If you want to install your games on a SSD for a faster read speed, having a SSD with a capacity of at least 500GB is the ideal. However, this would also depend on the game you’re playing. Keep in mind that games take up more storage space over time. Updates will also take up extra space. Hence, a 1TB SSD would be great to start off with.
Here are 8 of the best options for a 1TB SSD:
- Corsair MP600 Pro XT
- SanDisk SSD PLUS 1TB Internal SSD
- Samsung 970 EVO Plus
- Kingston Fury Renegade
- Seagate FireCuda 530 Heatsink
- SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD
- Samsung SSD Portable T7
- Samsung 980 Pro with Heatsink
Table of Contents
Why It’s Our Top Pick: The Corsair MP600 Pro XT has a great storage capacity, fast performance, and a built-in heatspreader all in one! It is highlighted for its ability to handle heavy-duty workloads, keeping your data stored securely while running your tasks without a worry!
Features:
The Corsair MP600 Pro XT is powered by a PCIe Gen4 x4 extreme data performance controller, which contributes to a greater read, write, and response rate due to its fully utilised bandwidth. It has a read and write speed up to 7,100/6,800 MB/s, and a random read/write speed (4KB) up to 1M/1.2M IOPS.
With its built-in heatspreader, heat is dispersed and throttling is reduced. This helps to maintain the SSD’s performance despite the workload. For further convenience, the Corsair MP600 Pro XT is able to fit directly into your motherboard without additional cables!
The Corsair MP600 Pro XT are available with models up to 4TB capacity.
Performance:
The Corsair MP600 Pro XT works well with write-heavy workloads. The SSD is kept cool by the heatsink, ensuring that performance won’t be affected. However, the heatsink is considerably bigger in size, so it might be unable to fit under a GPU or add-in card (AIC).
If you’re looking for a SSD card that is from a reputable brand and at an affordable price, SanDisk’s SSD Plus may be an option for you!
Features:
The SanDisk SSD Plus is an efficient SSD that helps to “recharge” your computer’s performance with faster boot-ups, shutdowns and app response times. It boasts steady sequential read speeds up to 545MB/s4 and sequential write speeds up to 350MB/s4. Dashboard status monitoring is also available for you to keep track of the apps you use!
The design of the SanDisk SSD Plus is made to be shock-resistant. This ensures that your data is kept safe and sound even as you’re travelling about or in a rush (Shock resistant (up to 1500G) and vibration resistant (5gRMS, 10 2000 HZ/4.9 gRMS, 7 800 HZ)).
This SSD card has SLC caching, which contributes towards a better write performance. With this feature, it is able to handle PC workloads such as web browsing, email, casual gaming, office productivity and audio/video entertainment.
The SanDisk SSD Plus is available in models from 120GB up to 2TB capacity.
Performance:
Reviewers have commented that the SanDisk SSD Plus has contributed greatly in improving the speed of their PC and reducing the time it takes to boot up. It is able to store large amounts of data simultaneously. It also has an easy set-up process, with its step-by-step instructions and cloning software.
Samsung has several models of SSD cards that have made its name in the market. Samsung’s 970 EVO Plus, an upgrade from its predecessor (Samsung 970 EVO), is one of them!
Features:
The 970 EVO Plus is powered by the latest V-NAND technology and firmware optimization. In other words, this technology maximizes its NVMe bandwidth and contributes to higher power efficiency for your computer! The 970 EVO Plus boasts sequential read/write speeds up to 3,500/3,300 MB/s, which is 53% faster than its predecessor model.
With its advanced nickel-coated controller and heat spreader, you will not have to worry about the EVO Plus heating up! The Dynamic Thermal Guard automatically monitors and maintains optimal operating temperatures. This helps to reduce a lag in performance or your frames from dropping.
The Samsung 970 EVO Plus are available in models from 250 GB up to 2TB capacity.
Performance:
Reviews highlighted that the 970 EVO Plus has successfully outperformed its predecessor model as well as Samsung’s 970 Pro. However, it was pointed out that its sequential write speed is not always maintained – especially under heavier work load.
Kingston is a well-known brand, and many of us may have first heard of it when we bought our pendrives. However, Kingston also has its line of SSDs, and one of the top of their line is the Kingston Fury Renegade!
Features:
The Kingston Fury Renegade is a great option for both the hardware and gaming enthusiast. With its speed up to 7,300/7,000MB/s1 read/write and up to 1,000,000 IOPS1, it is no surprise that this SSD provides both a great write performance and gaming experience!
From gaming to streaming to running your applications, the Kingston Fury Renegade contributes to the response rate of your PC!
This SSD is suitable for those looking for much greater boost in performance for their PC builds and upgrades. It is powered by the latest Gen 4x4 NVMe controller and 3D TLC NAND technology. And gamers, this SSD is also PS5 compatible!
With its slim M.2 form factor and heat spreader, you will not have to worry about this SSD heating up as it was designed for intense usage in gaming rigs, gaming laptops and motherboards.
The Kingston Fury Renegade is available in models from 500GB up to 4TB capacity.
Performance:
Reviews have pointed out that with its heat spreader technology, users do not have to worry about thermal limitations affecting the SSD’s performance.
If you’re looking to expand the storage in your gaming PC or PlayStation 5, the Seagate FireCuda 530 Heatsink SSD is a great choice!
Features:
For the gaming enthusiast, Seagate’s FireCuda 530 with heat sink is the first SSD of its line to be certified compatible for the PS5's M.2 storage expansion slot.
This model of the FireCuda 530 has an anodized aluminium body and micropore surface, which helps to dissipate the heat created from intense usage of the SSD. With its cooling features, this ensures that the SSD’s performance and efficiency will not be affected.
It has a transfer speed up to 7,300 MB/s, which contributes to apps running smoothly, faster video rendering and exporting rate, and greater response rate for gaming or intense workloads! The FireCuda 530 is built with a Seagate-validated E18 controller and the 3D TLC NAND technology, contributing to its speed and durability.
The FireCuda 530 is available in models up to 8TB capacity.
Performance:
Though the FireCuda 530 with heatsink’s 4TB model is definitely pricey, the 1TB and 2TB are reasonably priced and will provide sufficient extra storage. Reviews have commented that this SSD has a high endurance and a consistent write performance.
If you’re looking for a SanDisk SSD, but this time, one that is Macbook compatible – the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD may be the option you’re looking for! Its version 2 is nearly twice as fast in performance in comparison to its predecessor model (version 1).
Features:
The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is a SSD suitable for those who are prioritising having an extremely fast portable drive, and those who want to keep an offline backup of their files and data. This SSD can also be used as an extra storage for games.
The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD has 1050MB/s2 read and 1000MB/s2 write speeds, which keeps up with you as you work! This SSD card is also suitable for photographers on the go! Its durability will keep your mind at ease while travelling, this SSD has a two-meter drop protection and a IP55 water and dust resistant rating.
Your content can be kept locked and safe with its password protection feature and 256‐bit AES hardware encryption.
The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD has models available up to 4TB capacity.
Performance:
The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD has a compact and portable design. This SSD has been recommended for design professionals who need a storage that can handle editing high resolution photos and videos on the go!
Samsung is a renown brand for its different tech products. For its line of SSD, Samsung initially made waves with its SSD T5. Samsung’s SSD Portable T7 was introduced, in the hopes it will live up to its name.
Features:
Samsung’s Portable SSD T7 is highlighted for its fast speeds and capacity to store and transfer large files. With its PCIe NVMe technology, the Samsung SSD Portable T7 has sequential read/write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s.
For security purposes, your data and files can be protected by a AES 256-bit encrypted password. Physically, it is also protected by a 2 meter drop protection.
You won’t have to worry about your SSD overheating or slowing down, as the T7’s ePCM technology and Dynamic Thermal Guard helps to maintain the SSD at an optimal temperature without affecting its performance.
It is portable, like its name, as it is pocket-sized and it can fit into the palm of your hand.
Samsung’s T7 SSD is compatible with your PC, Mac, Android devices, and gaming consoles.
The T7 comes embedded with a software that helps you to set up a password and get firmware updates for PCs and Macs. For greater access, the mobile app can be downloaded on Android smartphones and tablets.
The Samsung Portable T7 SSD has models available up to 2TB capacity. There is also a pricier model available (Touch T7 SSD), and its main difference is the added fingerprint sensor on top of the SSD. Hence, it depends on whether you need that added security feature!
Performance:
If the transfer of files between multiple devices and having them done at a quick pace is your priority, reviewers have highlighted the Samsung T7 SSD for these very reasons. The setup process is made simple, as the SSD can be recognised by several types of devices.
As the PS5 does not have a (built-in) heatsink for the M.2 drive, this is where getting an SSD with a heatsink comes in! Samsung’s 980 Pro with Heatsink may be an option for you!
Features:
The Samsung 980 Pro with Heatsink will reduce loading times. With a PCIe 4.0 NVMe interface, it has 2x the data transfer rate of PCIe 3.0 while remaining compatible with PCIe 3.0. The integrated heatsink helps to disperse the heat from intense usage. This helps to maintain its performance speed, power efficiency, and preventing overheating while gaming. The 980 Pro with Heatsink uses Samsung's own nickel-coated high-end controller to deliver effective thermal control of the NAND chip. With the added heatsink, play confidently without worries of sudden performance drops from overheating. For PS5 users, the Samsung 980 PRO heatsink is a great drive to expand and speed up the console.
It has a read speed up to 7,000 MB/s. This helps to maintain a high-performance bandwidth even through heavy-duty applications in gaming, graphics, data analytics, and more.
Its slim size and optimized power efficiency are also ideal for building high-performance PC computing and gaming systems.
With the Samsung Magician software, you will have access to a range of optimization tools that helps you to monitor drive health, optimize performance, protect valuable data, and receive software updates.
Performance:
The data speed and heatsink of this model meets the requirements extending the PS5 storage. Users have commented that transferring games from the onboard storage was done without much hassle. The games load fast and the gameplay was stable. Larger games can be moved to the SSD, instead of taking up the space of your hard drive. The installation process is simple, as the drive can be instantly recognised by your device.
Is it good to have a 1TB SSD?
Having a 1TB SSD is suitable if:
- If you like taking a lot of photos and videos and you want to store them on your PC or laptop, then getting a large capacity SSD such as 1TB or more would be best. This would accommodate for the amount of space storing these files will take.
- If you like to play games regularly, 500GB will soon become too little. Hence, starting with a 1TB SSD would be better to allow space for game updates!
- If you edit photos and/or videos, an SSD with a large storage capacity will make your workflow smoother! There must be sufficient storage for your graphic design programs, project files, and backup files. Having at least 1TB of storage would be safest. A higher capacity SSD can be considered if you edit a lot and require a lot of storage space. This works for other media files as well such as audio/music recordings.