The difference that matters
| Gen4 NVMe | Gen5 NVMe | |
|---|---|---|
| Peak read | ~7,000 MB/s | 12,000 to 14,500 MB/s |
| Gaming load times | Excellent | Excellent (near-identical) |
| Heat | Low | High, needs cooling |
| Price | Lower | Higher |
| Best for | Gaming, value | Content, file transfers |
Choose Gen4 if / Choose Gen5 if
- Choose Gen4 if you mainly game, want the best value, or run a PS5.
- Choose Gen4 if your motherboard lacks a Gen5 M.2 slot.
- Choose Gen5 if you edit video or move very large files regularly.
- Choose Gen5 if you want maximum future-proof headroom and can cool it.
The verdict
For a gaming build, Gen4 wins on value and loses nothing you can feel. Gen5 is a genuine upgrade only for bandwidth-heavy work. Compare the live prices above: if the Gen5 premium is large, a Gen4 drive plus more capacity is the better buy.