SSDs comparison
Compare SSDs — capacity, sequential read/write, interface, endurance (TBW), and warranty.
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How to choose an SSD in 2026
Storage decisions in 2026 split between PCIe 4.0 mainstream NVMe (still the price-performance sweet spot), PCIe 5.0 high-end NVMe (DirectStorage and content creation), and bulk SATA / external storage for archival. The Mars Score weights sequential read/write, random IOPS, endurance (TBW), and warranty.
PCIe 4.0 vs PCIe 5.0
PCIe 4.0 x4 drives like the Samsung 990 PRO and WD Black SN850X top out around 7,400 MB/s sequential read. PCIe 5.0 x4 drives like the Samsung 9100 PRO reach 14,800 MB/s. Most workloads — game loading, app launches, video editing — see modest gains from PCIe 5.0 over PCIe 4.0. DirectStorage 1.2 titles and high-bitrate video work see real benefits.
Random IOPS matters more than peak sequential
The numbers on the box (7,000+ MB/s sequential) are not what you experience day-to-day. 4K random read at QD1 is what determines whether Windows feels snappy. Look at our Mars Labs drive reviews for QD1/QD32 mix charts.
Endurance: TBW per terabyte
Premium 2 TB drives ship with 1,200 TBW (Samsung 990 PRO, WD Black SN850X). Budget drives often ship 600 TBW or less. For a primary OS drive that sees heavy writes (caches, swap, Git), prioritize endurance over peak speed.
DRAM cache vs HMB
DRAM-equipped drives sustain write performance under heavy load; DRAM-less drives use Host Memory Buffer to borrow RAM from the system. HMB drives are fine for casual use, slower for sustained writes.
Heatsink and cooling
PCIe 5.0 drives can hit 80–90°C without active cooling and throttle. Use the motherboard-supplied heatsink or buy a model with built-in heatsink. PCIe 4.0 drives are usually fine without.
Form factor: M.2, U.2, SATA
M.2 2280 NVMe is the default for desktops and laptops. U.2 is workstation/server. SATA SSDs persist as bulk storage at ~$50 per terabyte for cold data.
How vsMars scores SSDs
Each score combines interface, sequential and random performance, TBW, warranty, and DRAM cache per the methodology. See motherboards for M.2 slot topology and gaming PCs for matched builds.