What Gen5 gives you, and what it does not
Gen5 NVMe drives reach 12,000 to 14,500 MB/s, roughly double Gen4 on paper. In games that translates to little: load screens are already short on Gen4, and neither DirectStorage nor the PS5 pushes Gen5 bandwidth. Where Gen5 shines is large sequential file work such as video editing and moving huge project files.
- Worth it if: you edit video, move large files, or want maximum headroom.
- Skip it if: you only game; a Gen4 drive is cheaper, cooler and just as fast in play.
- PS5 owners: Gen5 gives no benefit; buy Gen4 with a heatsink.
The Gen5 options
| Tier | Pick | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Value Gen5 | Crucial T705 | Fast, needs cooling |
| Balanced | WD_BLACK SN8100 | Efficient Gen5 |
| Premium | Samsung 9100 Pro | Top Gen5 performance |
Honest verdict
For gaming, Gen4 is the better buy nine times out of ten. Choose Gen5 only if your workload is genuinely bandwidth-heavy, and budget for the cooling it needs. Compare live prices above before paying the Gen5 premium.