Ultimate SSD Guide for 2025 - Don't buy the WRONG Storage! #creators

Summary

This video offers a comprehensive guide to choosing the best SSDs in 2024, tailored for creators, gamers, and PC users. It breaks down SSD generations, real-world performance versus marketing claims, and the importance of random read/write speeds over sequential benchmarks. The host explains compatibility with motherboard slots, cooling requirements, form factors, capacity, and durability, while recommending the best drives for system, project, and cache use. Key tips include avoiding small SSDs, checking TBW for longevity, and not removing stickers. Overall, it helps viewers make informed, cost-effective decisions for both everyday use and high-performance creative workloads.

Takeaways

• 💾 NVMe SSDs are significantly faster than SATA SSDs and traditional hard drives, with Gen 3 up to 3,500 MB/s, Gen 4 ~7,000 MB/s, and Gen 5 ~15,000 MB/s sequential speeds.
• 🖥️ Motherboard compatibility matters: slots are backwards compatible but not forwards, so a Gen 5 drive in a Gen 3 slot will be limited to Gen 3 speeds.
• 💸 For most users, Gen 4 SSDs offer the best balance of performance and affordability; Gen 5 drives are often unnecessary for everyday use.
• ❄️ Cooling is essential for Gen 5 SSDs, especially if the motherboard lacks dual-sided heatsinks; Gen 4 SSDs generally do not require extra cooling.
• 📏 M.2 SSDs have standard width (22 mm), with lengths varying: 2230 (compact), 2280 (common), and 22110 (longer, specialized).
• ⚡ Sequential read/write speeds on marketing materials are often misleading; real-world performance is best judged with random read/write and full system benchmarks.
• 🛠️ DRAM cache improves performance for heavy workloads and project drives; drives without DRAM cache (using host memory buffer) are still sufficient for OS and smaller files.
• 📊 Recommended SSDs for creators: Samsung 990 Evo Plus/Pro and Solid MP44 Pro for system drives; Koshal T705 (Gen 5) or Kingston KC3000 (Gen 4) for project drives.
• 📦 Higher-capacity SSDs increase durability: TBW (terabytes written) scales with size, helping maintain lifespan for heavy workloads.
• 🚫 Common buying mistakes include not checking motherboard specs, choosing drives that are too small, and removing SSD stickers or heat covers which may reduce cooling efficiency and void warranty.
• 💰 Sweet spot for most users is 1–2 TB drives; smaller drives (<1 TB) have poor price-per-GB ratios and are generally not cost-effective.
• 📝 For 8 TB drives, options like WD SN850x, Lexar NM790, and Sabr Rocket provide high capacity; choose based on workload intensity and price, with DRAM cache preferred for heavy use.

Q & A

What are the main differences between SATA SSDs and NVMe SSDs in terms of speed?

SATA SSDs are limited to around 600 MB/s, while NVMe SSDs are much faster. Gen 3 NVMe drives reach about 3,500 MB/s, Gen 4 around 7,000 MB/s, and Gen 5 up to 15,000 MB/s sequential read/write speeds.

Why are Gen 5 SSDs often considered unnecessary for most users?

Although Gen 5 drives are faster on paper, the real-world performance gains for most tasks are minimal. They are significantly more expensive, and many users will not notice a difference compared to Gen 4 drives.

How does SSD generation compatibility work with motherboards?

Motherboard M.2 slots are backwards compatible but not forwards compatible. A Gen 5 drive in a Gen 3 slot will only achieve Gen 3 speeds, whereas a Gen 3 drive in a Gen 5 slot will also run at Gen 3 speeds.

When is additional cooling necessary for SSDs?

Gen 5 SSDs usually require extra cooling unless the motherboard provides dual-sided heatsinks and good airflow. Gen 4 drives generally do not need additional cooling if the motherboard has sufficient heat dissipation.

What do the numbers in M.2 SSD sizes (e.g., 2280) represent?

The first two digits (22) indicate the width in millimeters, and the remaining digits indicate the length. For example, 2280 is 22 mm wide and 80 mm long. Common sizes include 2280 and 2230, with 22110 being longer and less common.

Why are sequential read/write speeds often misleading when choosing an SSD?

Sequential speeds are rarely achieved in real-world use, as file transfers are often bottlenecked by the source or destination storage, and most tasks rely on random read/write performance, which better reflects actual usage.

What are the recommended SSDs for a system drive and why?

For system drives, high-quality Gen 4 SSDs like the Samsung 990 Evo Plus or Solid MP44 Pro are recommended because they offer excellent random read/write performance and good value for money, which is critical for OS and program operations.

How does DRAM cache impact SSD performance for creators?

DRAM cache significantly improves write and read performance for large project files, such as videos or 3D models. SSDs with DRAM cache are ideal for project drives where consistent high-speed performance is needed.

What mistakes should be avoided when buying an M.2 SSD?

Common mistakes include: not checking the motherboard manual for bandwidth limitations, buying too small a capacity which is cost-inefficient, and removing the SSD sticker or cover which can reduce cooling efficiency and void the warranty.

How is SSD durability measured and why does capacity affect it?

Durability is measured in TBW (Terabytes Written). Standard is 600 TBW per 1 TB SSD over five years. Larger capacity SSDs have proportionally higher TBW, which effectively extends the lifespan of the drive.

What are the best high-capacity SSD options for heavy workloads?

For 8 TB SSDs, recommended options include WD SN850X (with DRAM cache), Lexar NM790 (without DRAM cache for lighter use), and Sabr Rocket (best performance with DRAM cache). They provide durability and speed for demanding tasks.

Why might buying a smaller SSD (e.g., 256–512 GB) be a poor investment?

Smaller SSDs have a higher price per gigabyte, making them less cost-effective. The 1 TB or 2 TB drives are generally the sweet spot for balancing price and storage capacity.