OPTIMAL PRICE RANGE IS IN USD, ->EXTRAPOLATE<- FOR YOUR OWN CURRENCY AND FOLLOW RECOMMENDED INSTRUCTIONS. recommended tier list instructions: BUY THE CHEAPEST DRIVE AVAILABLE FOR YOU IN THE CATEGORY THAT FITS YOUR USE CASE, BRANDS ARE SORTED ALPHABETICALLY WITHIN EACH TIER, DRIVES ARE SORTED RANDOMLY WITHIN EACH BRAND
DRIVES ARE PCIE 3.0 X4 M.2 NVME 3D TLC NAND+DEDICATED DRAM CACHE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, OR IN 2.5" CATEGORY! EOL NOTE INDICATES DISCONTUNINUITY, LIKELY NOT PRICED COMPETIVELY. IF YOU ARE CONFUSED ABOUT DRAMLESS AND QLC NOTES YOU CAN REFER TO THE WRITE-UPS LOCATED WITHIN THE MAIN GUIDE
If drive is marked with "PCIE 4.0" you need to be on a motherboard/cpu platform with PCIE 4.0 support for all of the drives performance to be available (Drive should still function with PCIE 3.0). If drive is marked with AIC it is an add in card meant to go into PCIE slots
CHEAT SHEETS: show the cheapest available drive in each tier; remember to select correct region. It's recommended to cross reference with the rest of the list in case of error. Thank you to contributor: forgetStyx.
250GB: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/forgetStyx/saved/#view=4snmD3
500GB: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/forgetStyx/saved/#view=bGvTYJ
1TB: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/forgetStyx/saved/#view=M2qcHx
2TB: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/forgetStyx/saved/#view=sPbqRB
4TB: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/forgetStyx/saved/#view=LDC34D
8TB: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/forgetStyx/saved/#view=wVdpBm
THIS LIST IS DESIGNED FOR BASIC REFERENCE, ATTACHED ARE RECOMMENDED CONSUMER SSD REVIEW SOURCES
https://www.tomshardware.com/author/sean-webster
https://www.techpowerup.com/review/?category=SSD
ALSO HIGHLY RECOMMENDED IS THE NEWMAXX SSD SPREADSHEET FOR MORE COMPREHENSIVE COMPONENT INFORMATION[SOME INFO IS OUT OF DATE]
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B27_j9NDPU3cNlj2HKcrfpJKHkOf-Oi1DbuuQva2gT4/edit#gid=0
Tier C: Budget/Entry level NVME drives ESTIMATED PRICE RANGE: [$45-55 500GB] [$80-100 1TB] [$180-200 2TB]
| Name | Controller | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Acer FA100 | Innogrit Shasta+ IG5216 | DRAMLESS+HMB |
| ADATA Swordfish | Realtek RTS5763DL | DRAMLESS+HMB |
| ADATA XPG SX6000 pro | Realtek RTS5763DL | DRAMLESS+HMB |
| Corsair MP400 | Phison E12S | QLC NAND |
| Crucial P1 | Silicon Motion SM2263 | QLC NAND |
| Gigabyte NVME V2 | Phison E13T | DRAMLESS+HMB, |
| HP EX900 pro | Silicon Motion SM2263 | -------------------------------- |
| HP EX900 | Silicon Motion SM2263XT | DRAMLESS+HMB, |
| Inland Platinum | Phison E12S | QLC NAND |
| Intel 660P | Silicon Motion SM2263 | QLC NAND |
| Intel 670P | Silicon Motion SM2265 | QLC NAND |
| Kingston A2000 | Silicon Motion SM2263 | faster after firmware update, best in tier |
| Kioxa Exceria NVME | Phison E12C | -------------------------------- |
| KLevv CRAS C710 | Silicon Motion SM2263XT | DRAMLESS+HMB |
| Lexar NM610 | Silicon Motion SM2263XT | DRAMLESS+HMB |
| Mushkin Helix-L | Silicon Motion SM2263XT | DRAMLESS+HMB |
| Patriot P300 | Silicon Motion SM2263XT OR Phison E13T | DRAMLESS+HMB |
| PNY CS2130 | Phison E12S | QLC NAND |
| Sabrent Rocket-Q | Phison E12S | QLC NAND |
| Silicon power P34A60 | Silicon Motion SM2263XT | DRAMLESS+HMB |
| Team Group MP33 | Silicon Motion SM2263XT OR Phison E13T | DRAMLESS+HMB |
| Team Group Cardea Zero Z330 | Silicon Motion SM2263XT OR Phison E13T | DRAMLESS+HMB |
| WD Blue SN550 | WD in house | DRAMLESS+HMB+EXTENDED SRAM |
| WD Blue SN520 | WD in house | PCIE 3.0 X2, DRAMLESS+EXTENDED SRAM, FOR OEM |
| WD Blue SN500 | WD in house | PCIE 3.0 X2, DRAMLESS+EXTENDED SRAM, FOR OEM |
Tier C: What If I Don't Have an M.2 Slot? -- 2.5" SATA/AHCI drives ESTIMATED PRICE RANGE: [$45-55 500GB] [$80-100 1TB] [$180-200 2TB]
| Name | Controller | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ADATA SU800 Ultimate | Silicon Motion SM2258 | -------------------------------- |
| Crucial MX500 | Silicon Motion SM2258 | -------------------------------- |
| HP S700 Pro | Silicon Motion SM2258 | -------------------------------- |
| KLEVV NEO N610 | Silicon Motion SM2258 | -------------------------------- |
| Lexar NS200 | Silicon Motion SM2258 | -------------------------------- |
| PNY CS2311 | Phison S12 | -------------------------------- |
| Samsung 860 Evo | Samsung MJX | EOL |
| Samsung 860 Pro | Samsung MJX | 2 BIT MLC NAND, EOL |
| Samsung 870 Evo | Samsung MKX | -------------------------------- |
| Sandisk Ultra 3D | Marvell 88SS1074 | -------------------------------- |
| Seagate Barracuda 120 | Phison S12 | -------------------------------- |
| Seagate Firecuda 120 | Phison S12 | -------------------------------- |
| Seagate Ironwolf 125 | Phison S12 | BARRACUDA WITH MORE OP SPACE HIGHER ENDURANCE |
| SK Hynix S31 Gold | SK Hynix Quartz | -------------------------------- |
| Team Group L5 Lite 3D | Silicon Motion SM2258 | -------------------------------- |
| Team Group T-Force Vulcan | Silicon Motion SM2258 | -------------------------------- |
| Team Group T-Force Delta RGB | Silicon Motion SM2258 | -------------------------------- |
| Transcend SSD230S | Silicon Motion SM2258 | -------------------------------- |
| WD Blue 3D | Marvell 88SS1074 | -------------------------------- |
| WD Red 3D | Marvell 88SS1074 | WD BLUE 3D WITH MORE OP SPACE HIGHER ENDURANCE |
For intensive consumer workstation/productivity applications, recommendable for gamers if close in price to budget drives.
| Name | Controller | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Acer Predator GM3500 | Silicon Motion SM2262EN | -------------------------------- |
| ADATA XPG SX8200 PRO | Silicon Motion SM2262 | -------------------------------- |
| ADATA XPG SX8600 PRO | Silicon Motion SM2262EN | -------------------------------- |
| Addlink S70 | Phison E12 | -------------------------------- |
| Corsair MP510 | Phison E12 | -------------------------------- |
| Crucial P5 | Micron in house | -------------------------------- |
| HP EX920 | Silicon Motion SM2262 | -------------------------------- |
| HP EX950 | Silicon Motion SM2262EN | -------------------------------- |
| Inland Premium | Phison E12 | NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH QLC SATA VARIANT |
| Intel 760P | Silicon Motion SM2262 | EOL |
| Kingston KC2000 | Silicon Motion SM2262EN | -------------------------------- |
| Kingston KC2500 | Silicon Motion SM2262EN | -------------------------------- |
| Kioxia Exceria Plus G2 | Phison E12S | -------------------------------- |
| Lexar NM620 | Innogrit Shasta+ IG5216 | DRAMLESS+HMB |
| MSI Spatium M390 | Phison E15T | DRAMLESS+HMB |
| Mushkin Pilot-E | Silicon Motion SM2262EN | -------------------------------- |
| Neo Forza NFP075 | Phison E12S | -------------------------------- |
| Patriot Viper VPN100 | Phison E12 | -------------------------------- |
| Patriot Viper VPR100 | Phison E12 | -------------------------------- |
| Sabrent Rocket | Phison E12 | -------------------------------- |
| Samsung 970 Evo | Samsung Phoenix | EOL |
| Samsung 980 | Samsung Pablo | DRAMLESS+HMB |
| Silicon Power P34A80 | Maxio MAP1001 OR Silicon Motion SM2262 | -------------------------------- |
| Silicon Power XD80 | Maxio MAP1001 OR Phison E12S | -------------------------------- |
| Team MP34 | Phison E12 | -------------------------------- |
| Team Group Cardea Z340 | Phison E12S | -------------------------------- |
| Seagate Barracuda 510 | Phison E12 | -------------------------------- |
| Seagate Firecuda 510 | Phison E12 | -------------------------------- |
| Transcend 220s | Silicon Motion SM2262EN | -------------------------------- |
| WD black SN750 | WD in house | -------------------------------- |
| WD black SN750-SE | Phison E19T | PCIE 4.0, DRAMLESS+HMB |
| WD Blue SN570 | WD in house | DRAMLESS+HMB |
| WD black SN730 | WD in house | SN750 FOR OEM |
| Zadak Spark RGB | Phison E12 | -------------------------------- |
For high intensivity workstation/productivity applications, acceptable for HEDT/Pro-sumer applications. Also works as an excuse to spend money.
| Name | Controller | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ADATA XPG Atom 50 | Innogrit IG5220 RainierQX | PCIE 4.0, DRAMLESS+HMB |
| ADATA XPG Gammix S50 lite | Silicon Motion SM2267 | PCIE 4.0 |
| ADATA XPG Gammix S50 | Phison E16 | PCIE 4.0 |
| Corsair MP600 | Phison E16 | PCIE 4.0 |
| Gigabyte Aorus Gen 4 | Phison E16 | PCIE 4.0 |
| Inland Performance | Phison E16 | PCIE 4.0 |
| SK Hynix P31 Gold | SK Hynix Cepheus | -------------------------------- |
| SK Hynix P31 Platinum | SK Hynix Cepheus | doesnt actually exist |
| Sabrent Rocket 4.0 | Phison E16 | PCIE 4.0 |
| Samsung 970 Evo Plus | Samsung Phoenix OR Elpis | -------------------------------- |
| Samsung 970 Pro | Samsung Phoenix | 2 BIT MLC NAND, EOL |
| Seagate Firecuda 520 | Phison E16 | PCIE 4.0 |
| Silicon Power US70 | Phison E16 | PCIE 4.0 |
| MSI Spatium M470 | Phison E16 | PCIE 4.0 |
| WD black SN770 | WD in house | PCIE 4.0, DRAMLESS+HMB |
| Name | Controller | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Acer Predator GM7000 | Innogrit Rainier IG5236 | PCIE 4.0 |
| ADATA XPG Gammix S70 | Innogrit Rainier IG5236 | PCIE 4.0, UNREMOVEABLE HEATSINK |
| ADATA XPG Gammix S70 Blade | Innogrit Rainier IG5236 | PCIE 4.0 |
| Addlink S95 | Phison E18 | PCIE 4.0 |
| Corsair MP600 Pro | Phison E18 | PCIE 4.0 |
| Corsair MP600 Pro XT | Phison E18 | PCIE 4.0 |
| Corsair MP600 Pro LPX | Phison E18 | PCIE 4.0 |
| Crucial P5 plus | Micron in house | PCIE 4.0 |
| Gigabyte Aorus Gen4 7000s | Phison E18 | PCIE 4.0 |
| Inland Performance Plus | Phison E18 | PCIE 4.0 |
| Intel Optane 905P | Intel SLM58 | AIC, 3DXPOINT, EOL, EXCUSED FROM TIER PEAK SPEED REQUIREMENTS |
| Intel Optane P5800x | Intel S LNBF | U.2, PCIE 4.0, 3DXPOINT, ENTERPRISE |
| Kingston KC3000 | Phison E18 | PCIE 4.0 |
| Mushkin Gamma | Phison E18 | PCIE 4.0 |
| Neo Forza NFP455 | Innogrit Rainier IG5236 | PCIE 4.0 |
| Plexor M10P | Innogrit Rainier IG5236 | PCIE 4.0 |
| Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus | Phison E18 | PCIE 4.0 |
| Samsung 980 Pro | Samsung Elpis | PCIE 4.0 |
| Samsung PM9A1 | Samsung Elpis | PCIE 4.0, FOR OEM |
| Seagate FireCuda 530 | Phison E18 | PCIE 4.0 |
| SK Hynix P41 Platinum | SK Hynix ACNS075 Aries | -------------------------------- |
| MSI Spatium M480 | Phison E18 | PCIE 4.0 |
| Team Group T-Force Cardea A440 | Phison E18 | PCIE 4.0 |
| Team Group T-Force Cardea A440 Pro | Phison E18 | PCIE 4.0 |
| WD black AN1500 | (multiple) WD in house + RAID controller | AIC, PCIE 3.0 X8, 2x SN730s in raid 0 |
| WD Black SN850 | WD in house | PCIE 4.0 |
METHODOLOGY DOCUMENT CAN BE FOUND HERE: https://github.com/windshields/stoRAGE-consumer-SSD-buying-guide/blob/main/SSD%20tier%20list%20methedology%20sheet.md
OUR DISCORD: https://discord.gg/CvKjxyGaph
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
