If you’ve been upgrading your PC or laptop recently, chances are you’ve come across NVMe SSDs being marketed as the ultimate storage option. But is NVMe really a necessity for gaming or everyday tasks? Let’s break it down to see if it’s worth the upgrade.
Is NVMe necessary for gaming?
For most gamers, an NVMe drive is not an absolute necessity, but it definitely improves the experience in some ways:
Game Load Times
NVMe SSDs drastically reduce game load times compared to HDDs and are still faster than SATA SSDs. For example, games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Red Dead Redemption 2 can load in seconds instead of minutes on an NVMe drive.Open-World Games
If you play open-world games with massive maps, such as Elden Ring or GTA V, NVMe drives can help prevent stuttering caused by slower asset streaming. Developers are also optimizing newer games to take full advantage of NVMe storage speeds.DirectStorage and the Future
Microsoft’s DirectStorage technology, designed for NVMe SSDs, is starting to roll out in games like Forspoken. This technology bypasses the CPU and sends data directly from the SSD to the GPU, resulting in even faster load times and seamless world streaming. As more games adopt this feature, NVMe will become more important.Verdict: For casual gamers, a SATA SSD is still fine for now, but if you’re building a new system or playing the latest AAA titles, an NVMe drive is a worthy investment.
Best NVMe SSDs to Consider
Here are a few highly recommended NVMe drives across various budgets:
Samsung 990 PRO (on sale 36% off for $160)
One of the fastest and most reliable drives on the market, perfect for gamers and creators. It’s PCIe Gen 4, with read speeds up to 7,450MB/s, making it ideal for high-performance builds.WD Black SN850X (down 15% to just $80!)
A top-tier option with blazing speeds and excellent thermal management. This one is great for gamers looking for the best experience with DirectStorage-ready games.Crucial P5 Plus ($163 not on sale)
A more affordable Gen 4 drive that still delivers fantastic performance with read speeds of up to 6,600MB/s.Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus (down 24% to $209)
Known for high capacity and excellent performance, this drive is great for power users needing up to 8TB of space.Kingston NV2 (down 25% to just $110)
A budget-friendly NVMe drive that offers decent performance for lighter workloads. It’s a great option for upgrading older laptops or desktops without spending too much.
Final Thoughts: Do You Really Need NVMe?
If you’re a gamer looking for faster load times and smoother performance in modern titles, NVMe SSDs are definitely worth considering. For everyday tasks, it’s more about future-proofing than immediate necessity—but if the price is right, why not grab one? Plus, with Black Friday and Cyber Monday just around the corner, you might score an NVMe drive for the same price as a SATA SSD.
What’s your current setup? Are you considering making the jump to NVMe? Let me know—I’d love to hear your thoughts!