Best 4TB SSD for Gaming in 2026

A 4TB SSD is the ultimate gaming storage solution. With roughly 3.7TB of usable space, you can install 30-40 modern games, your entire Steam library, and still have room to spare. For gamers who refuse to uninstall anything or content creators who need fast access to massive project files, 4TB eliminates storage anxiety entirely.

The 4TB tier has become increasingly accessible in 2026, with flagship NVMe drives available around $300-400. For PS5 owners, 4TB is the maximum expansion capacity Sony supports — making it the definitive choice for console gamers who want everything installed and ready to play.

This guide covers the best 4TB SSDs for gaming across all budgets and use cases. Whether you want the fastest Gen 4 drive, a value-focused option, or cutting-edge Gen 5 performance, we've tested and ranked the top contenders.

Best Overall: Samsung 990 Pro 4TB

The Samsung 990 Pro 4TB represents the pinnacle of Gen 4 gaming storage. With 7,450 MB/s sequential reads, 1,400K random IOPS, and Samsung's legendary reliability, it's the drive to beat at any capacity. The 4TB model arrived later than smaller versions but delivers identical per-TB performance.

Samsung's vertical integration shines at this capacity. The in-house Pascal controller, 236-layer V-NAND, and optimized firmware work together to maintain consistent performance even as the drive fills up. Power efficiency remains class-leading — critical when packing 4TB of high-speed storage into your system.

The 4TB 990 Pro includes 2,400 TBW endurance — enough to write the entire drive contents 600 times over a 5-year warranty period. For a game drive that might see 50-100GB of writes daily, this provides decades of worry-free use.

Why we recommend it: The fastest, most reliable 4TB Gen 4 SSD available. Samsung's reputation and track record justify the premium for users who want the absolute best.

Specs: 7,450 MB/s read, 6,900 MB/s write, 2,400 TBW endurance, LPDDR4 DRAM cache, 5-year warranty, PS5 compatible.

Best for PS5: WD_Black SN850X 4TB

The WD_Black SN850X 4TB is the ultimate PS5 expansion. At 4TB, it's the maximum capacity Sony supports — and likely all the storage you'll ever need for console gaming. Combined with the internal SSD, you'll have nearly 4.7TB total, enough for 40+ major games.

The SN850X 4TB with heatsink is purpose-built for PS5's expansion slot. WD's gaming pedigree and the drive's 7,300 MB/s speeds ensure load times match the internal SSD. Game Mode 2.0 isn't available on PS5, but the drive's raw performance doesn't need software optimization.

For PC gamers, the SN850X 4TB serves as an exceptional primary drive. The massive capacity handles your OS, entire game library, and scratch space for content creation without breaking a sweat.

Why we recommend it: Maximum PS5 expansion capacity with proven gaming performance. The heatsink version is plug-and-play ready.

Specs: 7,300 MB/s read, 6,600 MB/s write, 2,400 TBW endurance, DDR4 DRAM cache, 5-year warranty, PS5 compatible.

Best Value: Crucial T500 4TB

The Crucial T500 4TB delivers flagship performance at mid-range pricing. Using the Phison E25 controller with Micron's 232-layer NAND, it achieves 7,400 MB/s reads — effectively matching the 990 Pro while costing $50-70 less. At 4TB, those savings become significant.

Crucial backs the T500 with the engineering credibility of Micron, one of only three companies worldwide that manufactures NAND flash. The 4TB model includes a full LPDDR4 DRAM cache and 2,400 TBW endurance — matching Samsung's specs at a lower price point.

For gamers who want massive capacity without the flagship tax, the T500 4TB is the obvious choice. Real-world gaming performance is indistinguishable from drives costing 25% more.

Why we recommend it: Same performance tier as the 990 Pro at a meaningfully lower price. The smart choice for value-conscious gamers.

Specs: 7,400 MB/s read, 7,000 MB/s write, 2,400 TBW endurance, LPDDR4 DRAM cache, 5-year warranty, PS5 compatible.

Best Gen 5: WD_Black SN8100 4TB

The WD_Black SN8100 4TB combines massive capacity with PCIe 5.0 speeds. At 10,000 MB/s sequential reads, it's roughly 35% faster than the best Gen 4 drives — though the gaming benefits remain theoretical in 2026.

Gen 5 at 4TB commands a serious premium: the SN8100 4TB costs nearly $1,150 versus $350 for a comparable Gen 4 drive. That's a hard sell for pure gaming, where current titles can't saturate Gen 4 bandwidth. However, for content creators handling 4K/8K video, large game development projects, or users who simply want maximum specs, the SN8100 delivers.

Note that PS5 doesn't support Gen 5 speeds. The SN8100 will work, but you're paying for bandwidth the console can't use. For PS5, stick with Gen 4 drives.

Why we recommend it (conditionally): For enthusiasts with Gen 5 systems and budget to match. Most gamers get far better value from Gen 4 at this capacity.

Specs: 10,000 MB/s read, 8,500 MB/s write, 2,400 TBW endurance, 5-year warranty.

Best Reliability: Seagate FireCuda 530 4TB

The Seagate FireCuda 530 4TB targets users who prioritize endurance above all else. With a massive 5,100 TBW rating — more than double the competition — it's built for sustained heavy use over many years.

Performance matches the flagship tier at 7,300 MB/s sequential reads. The FireCuda 530 uses the Phison E18 controller with 176-layer TLC NAND, delivering consistent speed whether the drive is 10% full or 90% full. Seagate includes a 5-year warranty with Rescue Data Recovery Services.

For gamers who also use their primary drive for content creation, streaming recordings, or other write-heavy workloads, the FireCuda 530's endurance provides peace of mind.

Why we recommend it: Maximum endurance for users with write-intensive workflows. Overkill for pure gaming, but excellent for hybrid use cases.

Specs: 7,300 MB/s read, 6,900 MB/s write, 5,100 TBW endurance, DDR4 DRAM cache, 5-year warranty, PS5 compatible.

Who Needs a 4TB Gaming SSD?

A 4TB SSD makes sense for specific user profiles:

The "Never Uninstall" Gamer

If you hate managing storage and want your entire library ready to play, 4TB provides the freedom to install everything. Modern games average 50-100GB, with some exceeding 200GB. A 4TB drive holds 30-40+ titles without compromise.

PS5 Power Users

PlayStation 5's internal SSD is limited to ~667GB usable. A 4TB expansion (the maximum supported) brings total storage to nearly 4.7TB. For gamers with PS Plus subscriptions downloading monthly games, or those who play multiple live-service titles, this capacity eliminates constant shuffling.

Content Creators

Streamers, YouTubers, and video editors benefit from 4TB of fast NVMe storage. Recording raw gameplay footage, storing editing projects, and maintaining a game library on a single drive simplifies workflows.

Who Should Consider Smaller Drives

If you actively manage your library — uninstalling finished games, keeping only your current rotation — 2TB offers better value. The savings can fund a better GPU, more RAM, or a second drive for bulk storage.