9 Best 4TB NVMe | 12,400MB/s or 14,900MB/s Which Gen5 Wins

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The Crucial T710 is a Gen5 powerhouse delivering sequential read speeds up to 14,900 MB/s and writes up to 13,800 MB/s using Micron’s G9 TLC NAND. In real-world testing with sustained mixed workloads exceeding 600,000 files, one user reported cutting a data pipeline runtime from roughly an hour to just 28 minutes—a testament to its non-throttling performance under pressure.

This drive is optimized for Intel 13th/14th Gen and AMD Ryzen 7000 platforms, and it includes a one-month Adobe Creative Cloud subscription plus Acronis True Image for easy migration. The AES-256-bit hardware encryption with TCG Opal 2.01 support is a welcome security layer for professionals handling sensitive data.

Keep in mind that the T710 requires a compatible Gen5 slot and an aftermarket heatsink—neither is included in the box. While backward compatible with Gen4 slots, you’ll only get Gen4 speeds. The 2,400 TBW endurance rating is solid for a 4TB drive, but if you need even higher write endurance for constant rendering, check the WD_Black SN8100 below.

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The WD_Black SN8100 matches the Crucial T710’s 14,900 MB/s read ceiling but pushes write speeds even higher at 14,000 MB/s for the 4TB model, making it the current speed leader in the 4TB NVMe segment. It leverages Western Digital’s latest TLC 3D CBA NAND and delivers over 2,300,000 random IOPS, which translates to near-instantaneous responsiveness in demanding multitasking scenarios.

Power efficiency is a standout feature—WD claims over 100% more efficiency than their previous Gen4 drive, averaging under 7.5W during operation. Users report that in a Gen5 gaming build with a Ryzen 9 7950X, the SN8100 achieves around 10,500 MB/s in real-world writes and thermals staying cool at roughly 82°F under load, which is excellent for a Gen5 drive.

The drive comes with the Sandisk Dashboard for monitoring health and firmware updates, plus Acronis True Image for data migration. It’s a pure Gen5 drive designed for desktop PCs—laptop compatibility is possible but depends on your system’s thermal headroom. The price reflects its position as a top-tier performer, but for users who live in 8K video or AI model training, the investment is justified.

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The Corsair MP700 PRO offers a different Gen5 proposition with 12,400 MB/s sequential reads and 11,800 MB/s writes, powered by the NVMe 2.0 interface. Users report excellent benchmark scores on Ryzen 9 platforms, with the drive running cool even after months of daily use—a pleasant surprise for a Gen5 drive that doesn’t include a heatsink in the box.

Built with high-density 3D TLC NAND, the MP700 PRO is designed for gamers and creators who want Gen5 speed without paying the absolute top-tier premium. The drive supports Microsoft DirectStorage for compatible games, allowing the GPU to talk directly to the SSD for blistering asset loading. It’s backward compatible with Gen4 slots, making it a future-proof option if you plan to upgrade your motherboard later.

The only notable drawback is the software—Corsair’s SSD Toolbox has been described as bare-bones and outdated compared to Samsung’s Magician or the Sandisk Dashboard. You’ll also need to budget for a quality aftermarket heatsink, as the drive doesn’t include one and Gen5 heat output demands proper cooling to maintain peak speeds.

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The Samsung 990 EVO Plus bridges the Gen4 and Gen5 worlds, supporting both PCIe 4.0 x4 and PCIe 5.0 x2 interfaces for broader compatibility. With sequential reads up to 7,250 MB/s and writes up to 6,300 MB/s, it’s not the fastest Gen5 drive, but its Intelligent TurboWrite 2.0 and HMB technology ensure snappy performance for daily tasks like booting Windows in about 8 seconds or loading Cyberpunk 2077 in roughly 9 seconds.

Samsung’s reputation for reliability is backed by the Magician software, which provides easy firmware updates, drive health monitoring, and encryption management. The nickel-coated controller improves thermal efficiency, and users consistently report low operating temperatures even without an aftermarket heatsink—the motherboard’s built-in M.2 shield is usually sufficient.

This drive is DRAM-less, relying on HMB to borrow system memory for cache management. For most gamers and general users, this is invisible, but if you frequently move huge files (100GB+) in sustained sequential writes, you’ll notice a dip after the SLC cache fills. The price is in the upper mid-range, reflecting the Samsung brand tax, but the long-term reliability and software ecosystem are hard to beat.

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The Sabrent Rocket 4 delivers competitive Gen4 speeds of 7,450 MB/s read and 6,400 MB/s write, with a slim single-sided M.2 2280 design that fits perfectly in PS5 console slots and slim laptops without clearance issues. Users report that it runs slightly cooler than competing Gen4 drives, often requiring no extra heatsink beyond what the motherboard or PS5 bay provides.

With up to 1,000K/950K random IOPS, the Rocket 4 handles heavy multitasking workloads admirably. Sabrent’s reputation for reliability is reinforced by users deploying it as a read cache in NAS units, where the high TBW rating offers peace of mind for continuous operation. Compatibility extends across Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it a flexible choice for multi-platform users.

The one caveat is that the 64MB DRAM cache is relatively small for a 4TB drive—larger than DRAM-less designs but smaller than what some competitors offer. This means sustained large-file transfers may slow down after extended writes. It’s also a Gen4 drive, so if you’re building a high-end workstation with a Gen5 slot, you’re leaving performance on the table.

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The Teamgroup MP44 strikes a strong balance between price and performance, offering Gen4 speeds up to 7,000 MB/s read and 6,000 MB/s write with an SLC cache for improved sustained performance. Buyers who upgraded from a 1TB drive report being pleasantly surprised by the speed and reliability, calling it a great value proposition in the mid-range segment.

A graphene heat dissipation label is applied to the NAND flash, which works well with a motherboard heatsink to keep temperatures in check. Teamgroup uses recyclable packaging, a nice touch for environmentally conscious builders. The MP44 is suitable for desktops and laptops, and users have deployed them in high-performance servers with no issues.

Performance is not top-tier—you won’t match the Samsung 990 Pro’s random IOPS or the FireCuda 530’s endurance ratings—but for the price, the real-world difference in gaming loads and boot times is negligible for most users. If you’re building a mid-range gaming rig or a content creation workstation on a budget, this is a solid pick.

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The Fanxiang S880E delivers Gen4 speeds up to 7,000 MB/s read and 6,000 MB/s write, making it a strong contender for gamers expanding PS5 storage or building a secondary gaming drive. Users report that it runs smoothly in PS5 consoles, with ample space for a full game library and simple tool-less installation.

Thermal management uses a graphite-coated copper foil layer and an aluminum foil layer on the label, which helps maintain performance under sustained gaming loads. The drive is built with 3D NAND flash from a manufacturer with over 20 years of experience, backed by a 5-year service commitment. In a PCIe 3.0 slot, users still see around 3,000 MB/s sequential throughput—still a massive upgrade over SATA SSDs.

The main downside is that the drive is not compatible with macOS, which limits its use to Windows and PlayStation ecosystems. Some users also noted that while speeds are fast, the sustained write performance after the SLC cache fills is lower than premium DRAM-equipped drives. As a budget-conscious option for pure gaming, it’s hard to beat.

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The Kingston NV3 is a no-frills Gen4 drive offering sequential read speeds up to 6,000 MB/s, designed for users who want a reliable capacity upgrade without paying for peak performance. It uses 3D NAND and a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, delivering a noticeable speed bump over SATA SSDs—boot times drop dramatically, and game loading becomes near-instant.

Power efficiency is a strong point, making it a good candidate for laptops where battery life matters. Users report it runs cool even under moderate load, and the drive’s shock resistance adds durability for portable builds. The NV3 is best suited as a secondary storage drive for games and media rather than an OS boot drive where sustained random write performance matters more.

The main limitation is that the NV3 is a DRAM-less design using HMB, and performance can slow significantly after 5-10 minutes of continuous heavy writes. It’s also a pure Gen4 drive, so if you have a Gen5 slot, you’re not maximizing your motherboard’s potential. For a simple, reliable storage expansion, it gets the job done without fuss.

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The Fikwot FX660 is an entry-level Gen4 drive with read speeds up to 5,000 MB/s and writes up to 4,500 MB/s, using dynamic SLC cache to boost performance. It’s compatible with desktop PCs, laptops, and PS5, and comes with instructions, screws, and a screwdriver for hassle-free installation.

The drive features a graphene heat dissipation sticker to help manage temperatures, and Fikwot includes two intelligent management systems: Auto-Adaptive Temperature Regulation and Power Efficiency Management, which help control power draw and heat output. Users have deployed it successfully in PS5 consoles and as secondary gaming storage, noting it stores large game libraries with room to spare.

The 5,000 MB/s read speed is significantly lower than the 7,000 MB/s drives in the mid-range, meaning large file transfers will take noticeably longer. A user also reported a port incompatibility issue due to a Key E M.2 slot on their motherboard—always double-check your motherboard’s M.2 slot key type before purchase.