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Short on time? Our top pick is SanDisk Optimus GX 7100 SSD, Lexar NM790 with Heatsink takes Best for PS5, while Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB takes Best Samsung Value Pick.
- Best Overall SanDisk Optimus GX 7100 SSD Check price
- Best for PS5 Lexar NM790 with Heatsink Check price
- Best Samsung Value Pick Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB Check price
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The best budget PCIe 4 SSD gives you nearly all the speed of a flagship Gen4 drive for a fraction of the price. PCIe 4.0 is the sweet spot for gaming in 2026: it is fast enough for DirectStorage-era PC games, it is what the PS5's M.2 slot uses, and prices have dropped far below PCIe 5.0.
We compared popular 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe drives on Amazon by sequential speed, NAND type, warranty, software, and whether they meet Sony's PS5 requirements. Scores are our editorial scores out of 10, not Amazon customer ratings, and prices change often, so check the current price before you buy.
Best Budget PCIe 4 SSDs of 2026 at a Glance
| Award | Drive | Read / Write | PS5 Ready? | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | SanDisk Optimus GX 7100 SSD | 7,250 / 6,900MB/s | Yes, add a heatsink | 9.1/10 |
| Best for PS5 | Lexar NM790 with Heatsink | 7,400 / 6,500MB/s | Yes, heatsink included | 9.0/10 |
| Best Samsung Value Pick | Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB | 7,150 / 6,300MB/s | Yes, add a heatsink | 8.8/10 |
| Best Premium-Budget Pick | Samsung 990 PRO 1TB SSD | 7,450 / 6,900MB/s | Yes, add a heatsink | 8.7/10 |
| Best Budget Gen4 with Long Warranty | SanDisk Optimus 5100 SSD | Up to 7,100MB/s read | Yes, add a heatsink | 8.5/10 |
| Lowest-Priced Gen4 Pick | Kingston NV3 1TB NVMe SSD | 6,000 / 4,000MB/s | Yes, add a heatsink | 8.3/10 |
SanDisk Optimus GX 7100 1TB NVMe SSD (PCIe 4.0, M.2 2280)
Near top-of-class PCIe 4.0 speed on 8th generation TLC NAND, at a lower price than Samsung's Gen4 drives in our check.
Lexar NM790 1TB NVMe SSD with Heatsink (PCIe 4.0, M.2 2280)
A fast Gen4 drive that ships with a heatsink attached, so it meets Sony's PS5 speed recommendation and cooling requirement out of the box.
Samsung SSD 990 EVO Plus 1TB (PCIe 4.0 x4 / 5.0 x2, M.2 2280)
Samsung reliability and Magician software at a mid-budget price, with PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 support and Intelligent TurboWrite 2.0.
Samsung SSD 990 PRO 1TB (PCIe 4.0, M.2 2280)
Samsung's flagship Gen4 drive, now close in price to the 990 EVO Plus. Top sequential and random speeds, with a heatsink version available for PS5.
SanDisk Optimus 5100 1TB NVMe SSD (PCIe 4.0, M.2 2280)
A power-efficient PCIe 4.0 drive with reads up to 7,100MB/s and a 5-year limited warranty, built on QLC NAND to keep costs down.
Kingston NV3 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe SSD (PCIe 4.0)
The lowest-priced Gen4 drive here, still fast enough to clear Sony's 5,500MB/s PS5 recommendation, with a 5-year limited warranty.
In-Depth Reviews
1. SanDisk Optimus GX 7100: The Best Budget PCIe 4 SSD Overall
The SanDisk Optimus GX 7100 delivers sequential reads up to 7,250MB/s and writes up to 6,900MB/s on the 1TB and 2TB models, very close to the fastest PCIe 4.0 drives. It uses SanDisk's 8th generation BiCS TLC 3D NAND and integrated nCache technology.
SanDisk includes its Dashboard app with a Game Mode and Acronis True Image for migration, and the drive is available up to 4TB. In our October 2026 check it cost less than Samsung's Gen4 drives. Add a heatsink if it is going into a PS5.
2. Lexar NM790 with Heatsink: Best for PS5
Sony requires a heat-dissipation mechanism on any M.2 SSD in a PS5. The Lexar NM790 with Heatsink ships with one attached, and its reads up to 7,400MB/s comfortably exceed Sony's 5,500MB/s recommendation.
The 1TB model is rated for 1,000TBW and uses Host Memory Buffer 3.0. The heatsink adds height, so this version is meant for desktops and the PS5, not thin laptops; Lexar also sells the NM790 without a heatsink.
3. Samsung 990 EVO Plus: Best Samsung Value Pick
The Samsung 990 EVO Plus reaches up to 7,150MB/s reads and 6,300MB/s writes and supports both PCIe 4.0 x4 and PCIe 5.0 x2 connections. Samsung's Intelligent TurboWrite 2.0 helps with large file transfers, and a nickel-coated controller aids thermal control.
You also get Samsung Magician for firmware updates and health checks. It costs more than the SanDisk and Lexar picks, so choose it if you value the Samsung ecosystem.
4. Samsung 990 PRO: Best Premium-Budget Pick
The Samsung 990 PRO is Samsung's flagship PCIe 4.0 drive, with sequential reads up to 7,450MB/s, writes up to 6,900MB/s and random performance up to 1,400K/1,550K IOPS. In our check, the 1TB model cost only slightly more than the 990 EVO Plus.
Samsung highlights faster loads for PS5 and DirectStorage PC games, and a 990 PRO version with a heatsink is available for consoles and desktops. It is the most expensive drive here.
5. SanDisk Optimus 5100: Best Budget Gen4 with Long Warranty
The SanDisk Optimus 5100 reads at up to 7,100MB/s on the 1TB and 2TB models and comes with a 5-year limited warranty. Its power-efficient design suits laptops.
It uses QLC NAND, which keeps the price down but is less durable than TLC under heavy, constant writes. For gaming that is rarely a problem, but the faster TLC-based GX 7100 cost only slightly more in our check.
6. Kingston NV3: Lowest-Priced Gen4 Pick
If budget is the priority, the Kingston NV3 was the lowest-priced Gen4 drive in our check. Reads up to 6,000MB/s still exceed Sony's 5,500MB/s PS5 recommendation, though writes top out at 4,000MB/s.
Kingston backs it with a 5-year limited warranty and Acronis cloning software. Add a heatsink for PS5 use.
How to Choose the Best Budget PCIe 4 SSD
Speed: What Really Matters
Most Gen4 drives here read at 6,000 to 7,450MB/s. In games the difference between them is small; load times depend more on the game than on a few hundred MB/s. Random performance and consistent speed matter more than the headline number.
TLC vs QLC NAND
TLC NAND, used by the SanDisk GX 7100, generally handles heavy writing better than QLC, used by the SanDisk Optimus 5100. For gaming and everyday use, both are fine.
PS5 Requirements
Sony's PS5 M.2 SSD guide lists a PCIe Gen4 x4 interface, recommends 5,500MB/s or faster sequential reads, and requires a heat-dissipation mechanism such as a heatsink. Every drive here meets the speed recommendation; only the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink includes a heatsink in this version.
Laptop vs Desktop
Laptops need slim drives without bulky heatsinks. Desktops often include an M.2 heatsink on the motherboard. Handhelds need the shorter 2230 size; see our best budget M.2 SSD guide.
Gen4 or Gen5?
PCIe 5.0 drives are faster on paper but cost more and need a Gen5 slot. For most gamers, Gen4 is the better value; if you have a Gen5 desktop, see our best budget PCIe 5 SSD guide.
Quick Setup Tips
- Check slot speed: confirm your laptop or motherboard has a PCIe 4.0 M.2 slot; a Gen4 drive in a Gen3 slot runs at Gen3 speed
- Use the motherboard heatsink: on desktops, install the drive under the included M.2 heatsink if there is one
- PS5 install: update the PS5 system software first, then fit the drive with a heatsink as Sony describes
- Update firmware: use Samsung Magician, SanDisk Dashboard or your drive maker's tool
- Clone your old drive: use Acronis or the maker's migration tool to avoid reinstalling
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best budget PCIe 4 SSD in 2026?
The SanDisk Optimus GX 7100 is our top pick for its 7,250MB/s reads, TLC NAND and lower price than Samsung's Gen4 drives. For a PS5, the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink is the easiest choice.
Which budget PCIe 4 SSD works with PS5?
Sony recommends a PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 SSD with 5,500MB/s or faster reads and requires a heatsink. All six drives meet the speed guidance; the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink includes the heatsink.
Is PCIe 4.0 fast enough for gaming?
Yes. PCIe 4.0 SSDs load games very quickly, and the gap to PCIe 5.0 in real games is small.
Will a PCIe 4.0 SSD work in a PCIe 3.0 laptop?
Yes, it will run at PCIe 3.0 speed. You can move it to a newer PC later and get full speed.
Do I need DRAM on a PCIe 4 SSD?
Not for gaming. Drives using Host Memory Buffer, like the Lexar NM790, perform well in games and use less power.
The Bottom Line
The SanDisk Optimus GX 7100 is the best budget PCIe 4 SSD for most gamers in 2026. Choose the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink for a plug-in PS5 upgrade, the Samsung 990 EVO Plus or Samsung 990 PRO if you prefer Samsung, the SanDisk Optimus 5100 for a long warranty, or the Kingston NV3 for the lowest price.
