Fast, affordable storage for PC and PS5 gamers on a budget.
A 1TB SSD is the entry point for modern gaming storage. While not as spacious as larger drives, it provides enough room for Windows, essential applications, and 8-10 modern games. For budget-conscious gamers or those building a secondary game drive, 1TB hits a sweet spot between affordability and usability.
In 2026, 1TB NVMe SSDs have become remarkably affordable, with quality options available under $100. The key is choosing a drive with the right balance of speed, reliability, and value. This guide covers the best 1TB SSDs for every gaming scenario — from flagship performance to budget builds.
All drives listed below are PS5 compatible (where applicable), tested for gaming workloads, and backed by manufacturer warranties. Prices are updated hourly from Amazon.
The Samsung 990 Pro remains the gold standard for Gen 4 gaming SSDs. With 7,450 MB/s sequential reads and 1,200K random read IOPS, it extracts every bit of performance from PCIe 4.0. Samsung's vertical integration — designing their own controller, NAND, and firmware — delivers unmatched consistency and reliability.
For gaming, the 990 Pro loads titles faster than any other Gen 4 drive. DirectStorage-enabled games benefit from its exceptional random read performance, reducing texture pop-in and enabling smoother asset streaming. The drive runs cooler than competitors thanks to Samsung's power-efficient design, making it ideal for laptops and compact builds.
Why we recommend it: If you want the absolute best Gen 4 performance and trust Samsung's proven track record, the 990 Pro delivers. The 1TB model is perfect for a dedicated game drive alongside existing storage.
The WD_Black SN850X is our top PS5 recommendation thanks to its combination of blazing speed and gaming-focused features. At 7,300 MB/s, it comfortably exceeds Sony's 5,500 MB/s requirement, ensuring game load times match the internal SSD.
WD's Game Mode 2.0 software (available on PC) disables low-power states for reduced latency during gaming sessions. While the real-world impact is subtle, it demonstrates WD's commitment to gaming optimization. The drive is available with an optional heatsink perfectly sized for PS5's expansion slot.
Why we recommend it: The SN850X offers virtually identical performance to the 990 Pro at a competitive price. For PS5 users, the heatsink version provides a plug-and-play solution without hunting for third-party cooling.
The SK Hynix Platinum P41 delivers flagship-tier performance at mid-range pricing. Using SK Hynix's own controller and 176-layer NAND, it achieves 7,000 MB/s reads — just 6% behind the 990 Pro — while costing significantly less. In real-world gaming tests, the difference is imperceptible.
SK Hynix is one of the world's largest memory manufacturers, and the P41 showcases their engineering prowess. The drive runs cool, maintains consistent performance under load, and includes a full DRAM cache for snappy random access. It's the smart choice for gamers who want near-maximum performance without paying the Samsung premium.
Why we recommend it: 95% of the 990 Pro's performance at 60% of the price. For most gamers, this is the sweet spot — fast enough for any game, affordable enough to not break the budget.
At around $70, the WD Black SN770 is the best budget gaming SSD available. Its 5,150 MB/s sequential reads are more than sufficient for gaming — including PS5 — and everyday use. The drive uses a DRAM-less design with HMB (Host Memory Buffer) to keep costs low without sacrificing too much performance.
For budget gaming builds, the SN770 is a no-brainer. Game load times are within 1-2 seconds of flagship drives in real-world testing. The money saved can be redirected toward a better GPU, more RAM, or simply kept in your pocket.
Why we recommend it: Unbeatable value for gamers who prioritize their budget. Fast enough for any current game, PS5 compatible, and backed by WD's reliability.
For enthusiasts with PCIe 5.0 motherboards, the WD_Black SN8100 represents the cutting edge. At 10,000 MB/s sequential reads, it's roughly 35% faster than the best Gen 4 drives. However, real-world gaming benefits remain minimal in 2026 — most games can't saturate Gen 4 bandwidth, let alone Gen 5.
The SN8100 makes sense for future-proofing or professional workloads involving large file transfers. For pure gaming, Gen 4 drives offer better value. Note that PS5 cannot utilize Gen 5 speeds — the console's interface is limited to Gen 4.
Why we recommend it (conditionally): Only for enthusiasts who want maximum specs regardless of diminishing returns. Most gamers should stick with Gen 4.
A 1TB SSD provides approximately 930GB of usable space after formatting. Here's a realistic breakdown:
Windows 11 + drivers: ~40GB
Essential applications: ~20GB
Available for games: ~870GB
Modern game sizes vary dramatically:
Call of Duty (full install): 150-230GB
Final Fantasy XVI: 90GB
Cyberpunk 2077: 70GB
Elden Ring: 50GB
Indie titles: 1-15GB
Bottom line: 1TB holds 8-12 major games comfortably. If you actively manage your library — uninstalling finished games — 1TB works fine. However, if you prefer having your entire collection installed, consider 2TB or larger.
All 1TB Gaming SSDs — Sorted by $/TB
Compare all 1TB NVMe SSDs suitable for gaming. Prices updated hourly from Amazon.
Yes, but with active management. A 1TB SSD holds 8-12 modern games depending on their size. You'll need to uninstall finished games to make room for new ones. For gamers who prefer having their entire library installed, 2TB or 4TB is more practical.
Can I use a 1TB SSD for PS5?
Yes, any NVMe SSD with 5,500+ MB/s speeds works with PS5. All drives in our recommendations exceed this requirement. A heatsink is strongly recommended — either the drive's bundled version or a third-party option (keep total height under 11.25mm).
Does SSD speed affect gaming performance?
Primarily load times. Faster SSDs reduce game load times and fast-travel waits. In-game FPS is unaffected — that's determined by your GPU and CPU. DirectStorage-enabled games may show reduced texture pop-in with faster drives, but the difference between a 5,000 MB/s and 7,000 MB/s drive is minimal in practice.
Should I get Gen 4 or Gen 5 SSD for gaming?
Gen 4 for most gamers. Gen 5 drives cost nearly twice as much and show minimal real-world gaming improvement. Current games can't saturate Gen 4 bandwidth, and PS5 doesn't support Gen 5 speeds. Save your money with Gen 4 — or put the savings toward a larger capacity.
