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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFor a gaming-only PC, a good PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD is usually the sensible buy: PCIe 5.0 drives can deliver much higher peak sequential speeds, but that does not translate into proportionally shorter game loads or higher frame rates. Choose Gen 5 when you also move large files or run another workload that benefits from its throughput, or when the price and compatible platform make it an easy upgrade.
What changes between PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 5.0?
PCIe generation describes the potential bandwidth of the connection between the SSD and the rest of the system. A drive’s sequential-read specification is a peak figure for large, continuous data transfers; it is not a prediction of how quickly a particular game will load. Game loading can involve many smaller requests, decompression, CPU and GPU work, and software overhead.
Samsung’s published maximum sequential-read figures illustrate the difference in headline throughput: its PCIe 4.0 990 PRO is rated for up to 7,450 MB/s, while its PCIe 5.0 9100 PRO is rated for up to 14,800 MB/s. These are manufacturer specifications for those models, not typical gaming speeds or a measured comparison of game loads. The roughly twofold difference in these maximums should not be read as games loading twice as fast.
- Samsung’s 2022 990 PRO announcement lists up to 7,450 MB/s sequential read.
- Samsung’s 2025 9100 PRO announcement lists up to 14,800 MB/s sequential read.
Do games load faster on a PCIe 5.0 SSD?
Not reliably enough to choose a drive by generation alone. Independent comparisons find that the advantage varies by game and test. TechSpot’s broad game-loading comparison found occasional small Gen 5 advantages in modern DirectStorage titles, but those wins were rare and small. In TechRadar’s 2025 review, the PCIe 4.0 Samsung 990 PRO beat the PCIe 5.0 9100 PRO in 3DMark’s gaming-focused SSD benchmark. Neither result means that every Gen 4 drive will beat every Gen 5 drive; together, they show why a model’s real-world results matter more than its generation label.
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Samsung also reported that, in its particular Forspoken test, the 990 PRO loaded the map in about one second, compared with four seconds on a SATA SSD and 28 seconds on a hard drive. That vendor-reported comparison demonstrates how much faster modern storage can be than much slower storage in that test. It does not compare PCIe 4.0 against PCIe 5.0, and it should not be generalized to other games or systems.
There is no universal Gen 4-to-Gen 5 game-loading percentage established by these comparisons. If loading or asset streaming is your priority, compare results for the same game, save, patch, and test system wherever possible.
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Does DirectStorage make PCIe 5.0 necessary?
No. DirectStorage is a software and I/O-path technology, not a requirement that a game use a PCIe 5.0 SSD. It can reduce overhead while loading game data and can work with GPU decompression, but the result depends on the game’s implementation, data patterns and compression, system components, and storage drive. The fact that a title supports DirectStorage does not by itself show that Gen 5 will make it materially faster than Gen 4.
Microsoft’s Game Development Kit documentation describes a design goal for DirectStorage: “The main design goal of DirectStorage is to allow a title to sustain 50K IOPS and only use between 5% and 10% of a single CPU core.” This is a stated technology goal, not a benchmark result or guarantee for every game and SSD. Microsoft’s overview explains the design; UL describes its 3DMark DirectStorage feature test as measuring potential benefits on PCIe SSD systems, and PCWorld’s Forspoken testing compared SATA and multiple NVMe drives, including Gen 4 models.
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How should you compare SSD gaming performance?
Look beyond the maximum sequential-read number. Useful evidence depends on what you do with the PC and how the drive behaves under the relevant workload.
| What to compare | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Game loading and asset streaming | Results depend on the title and test path. Prefer comparisons using the same game, save, patch, and system. |
| Sequential throughput | High throughput can help with large transfers and some work tasks, but a vendor maximum does not promise a proportional gain in game loading. |
| Random I/O and latency | Games can request many smaller pieces of data; sequential-read speed alone does not describe every storage task. |
| Sustained performance and temperature | Check thermal behavior and possible throttling, particularly in compact builds or with high-performance drives. |
| Capacity and cost | For a large game library, room for installed games may be more useful than peak bandwidth you rarely use. Check current prices separately. |
| Platform compatibility | A Gen 5 SSD needs a compatible M.2 slot and system to run at its full interface speed. Check the motherboard manual, slot sharing, drive size, and cooling. |
Benchmarks are most useful when they resemble the work you care about. UL’s 3DMark Storage Benchmark models gaming-related activities such as loading a game, saving progress, installing game files, and recording gameplay. PC Gamer’s SSD testing methodology includes sequential and random benchmarks, a large game-file copy, a live Final Fantasy XIV level-load test, and temperature checks. Synthetic throughput is one data point; game tests and thermal context add others.
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Which generation should you buy for gaming?
Choose PCIe 4.0 for a gaming-focused build
A good Gen 4 NVMe drive is a practical default when your main goal is gaming. Prioritize the capacity you need, a competitive current price, compatibility, and credible game-focused results over a higher peak number. The Samsung 990 PRO is one example of a Gen 4 model; its specifications do not make it the only suitable choice.
Choose PCIe 5.0 for mixed workloads or an easy platform fit
Gen 5 is more compelling if you regularly move large files or use other applications that can benefit from high sequential throughput. It can also make sense when your system supports it and the price difference is not important to you. The Samsung 9100 PRO is an example of a Gen 5 drive, but its higher advertised sequential speed is not evidence that it will substantially shorten game loads.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Spacious Design: Measuring 21.1" wide and 12" deep, our lap desk comfortably fits most laptops up to 15.6". Extra room for accessories ensures convenience.
- Enhanced Functionality: Packed with handy features, including a 5x9" precision tracking mouse pad and a built-in phone slot for seamless work or video calls. Plus, enjoy laptop support with the integrated device ledge.
- Cool Comfort: Enjoy a stable surface with our lap desk's dual bolster cushion, designed for comfort and airflow, keeping your lap cool during extended use.
- Durable Surface: Work with confidence on our lap desk's solid surface, featuring a blush pink color, ensuring optimal air circulation to prevent your laptop from overheating.
- On-the-Go Convenience: With an integrated handle and lightweight design (2.14 lbs), our lap desk is portable for travel or moving around the house, offering flexibility in any space.
Check the slot and cooling before buying
- Confirm the M.2 slot: Read the motherboard manual to verify that the slot supports the drive’s PCIe generation and size. Check whether using it shares lanes or disables another slot or port.
- Check cooling and fit: See whether the motherboard has an M.2 heatsink and whether the SSD includes one. Add a compatible heatsink only if the drive or system needs it, and confirm it fits the case and motherboard.
- Compare the right evidence: Use game-specific loading or streaming results, capacity, current price, and temperature behavior—not just sequential-read maximums—to make the final choice.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
