M.2 SSD

How to choose an M.2 SSD

An NVMe SSD is the fastest way to speed up your PC — quick boot, apps and file copying.

• Interface. PCIe 4.0 and 5.0 are the fastest; check your motherboard support.
• Capacity. 1 TB is comfortable, 2 TB for games and video.
• Speed. Higher read and write speeds accelerate work and game loading.
• Compatibility. Check the M.2 slot length (usually 2280).

Popular brands

Samsung, Kingston and WD offer fast, reliable NVMe SSDs.

Related categories

See also external SSDs, internal HDDs and RAM.

Frequently asked questions

PCIe 4.0 or 5.0? 4.0 suits most; 5.0 gives maximum speed if your board supports it.

What capacity should I pick? 1 TB for everyday use, 2 TB for games and creative work.