Best SSDs for Gaming in 2025
The gaming landscape in 2025 demands lightning-fast storage solutions to keep up with massive game installations and texture streaming. We’ve tested the latest PCIe 5.0 SSDs to find the best options for gamers.
What to Look for in a Gaming SSD
When choosing an SSD for gaming, several key factors come into play:
- Sequential Read/Write Speeds: Affects game loading times and texture streaming
- Random 4K Performance: Important for game asset loading
- Durability (TBW Rating): How long the drive will last
- Price per GB: Value for money
- Heat Management: Crucial for maintaining peak performance
Top Picks for 2025
1. WD Black SN950X Pro (2TB)
- PCIe 5.0 x4
- Sequential Read: Up to 12,400 MB/s
- Sequential Write: Up to 11,800 MB/s
- Perfect for: High-end gaming rigs
- Price: Premium, but worth it for enthusiasts
2. Samsung 990 PRO Plus (1TB)
- PCIe 5.0 x4
- Sequential Read: Up to 11,800 MB/s
- Sequential Write: Up to 11,200 MB/s
- Perfect for: Balanced performance and value
- Excellent thermal management
3. Crucial P6 Elite (2TB)
- PCIe 5.0 x4
- Sequential Read: Up to 11,600 MB/s
- Sequential Write: Up to 10,800 MB/s
- Perfect for: Budget-conscious gamers
- Great price-to-performance ratio
Real-World Gaming Performance
In our testing across popular games:
-
Cyberpunk 2077
- Level Load: 2.8 seconds (WD Black)
- Level Load: 3.1 seconds (Samsung)
- Level Load: 3.3 seconds (Crucial)
-
Star Citizen
- Initial Load: 15.2 seconds (WD Black)
- Initial Load: 16.0 seconds (Samsung)
- Initial Load: 16.5 seconds (Crucial)
Temperature Management
All tested drives performed well under sustained loads:
- WD Black: Peak temp 65°C with heatsink
- Samsung: Peak temp 63°C with heatsink
- Crucial: Peak temp 68°C with heatsink
Value Proposition
- WD Black SN950X Pro: £0.20 per GB
- Samsung 990 PRO Plus: £0.18 per GB
- Crucial P6 Elite: £0.15 per GB
Recommendation
For most gamers, the Samsung 990 PRO Plus offers the best balance of performance and value. The WD Black is the absolute performance king if budget isn’t a concern, while the Crucial P6 Elite is perfect for those wanting great gaming performance without breaking the bank.
Remember to factor in proper cooling - all these drives benefit significantly from a good motherboard heatsink or aftermarket cooling solution.