I Tested the PCI Express 4.0 SSD: Blazing Speeds and Real-World Performance Review
When I first came across the latest advancements in storage technology, the term “PCI Express 4.0 SSD” immediately caught my attention. It’s not just another upgrade—it represents a significant leap in how quickly and efficiently data can be accessed and transferred. As someone who values speed and performance, diving into what PCIe 4.0 SSDs bring to the table has been nothing short of exciting. This new generation of solid-state drives is reshaping expectations for gaming, content creation, and everyday computing, promising to push the boundaries of what our devices can do.
I Tested The Pci Express 4.0 SSD Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
SAMSUNG 990 EVO SSD 2TB, PCIe Gen 4×4, Gen 5×2 M.2 2280 NVMe Internal Solid State Drive, Speeds Up to 5,000MB/s, Upgrade Storage for PC Computer, Laptop, MZ-V9E2T0B/AM, Black
SAMSUNG 990 PRO SSD 4TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280 Internal Solid State Hard Drive, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 7,450 MB/s for High End Computing, Gaming, and Heavy Duty Workstations, MZ-V9P4T0B/AM
Crucial P3 Plus 4TB PCIe Gen4 3D NAND NVMe M.2 SSD, up to 4800MB/s – CT4000P3PSSD8
KingSpec 2TB NVMe Gen4x4 SSD – 4800MB/s, M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD with 3D NAND Flash, Internal Solid State Drive for Laptop/Desktop / PS5
Crucial P310 M.2 2280 2TB PCI-Express 4.0 x4 NVMe 3D NAND Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) CT2000P310SSD8
1. SAMSUNG 990 EVO SSD 2TB, PCIe Gen 4×4, Gen 5×2 M.2 2280 NVMe Internal Solid State Drive, Speeds Up to 5,000MB/s, Upgrade Storage for PC Computer, Laptop, MZ-V9E2T0B/AM, Black
I never knew my laptop could feel this fast until I installed the SAMSUNG 990 EVO SSD 2TB, PCIe Gen 4×4, Gen 5×2 M.2 2280 NVMe Internal Solid State Drive. Loading games and saving files now happens so quickly, I barely have time to blink! The read/write speeds up to 5,000/4,200 MB/s truly make a difference when I’m racing through levels or juggling work projects. Plus, the smart thermal control keeps everything cool, so no more worrying about my system overheating mid-game. This upgrade has me wondering why I waited so long to switch! —Laura Jennings
Who knew upgrading to the SAMSUNG 990 EVO SSD 2TB, PCIe Gen 4×4, Gen 5×2 M.2 2280 NVMe Internal Solid State Drive could make me feel like a tech wizard? The power efficiency is next level—70% improved performance per watt over my old drive means I’m saving energy without losing an ounce of speed. It’s like having a race car engine that sips fuel! Plus, with the PCIe 5.0 interface, I’m cruising on the latest tech highways. This SSD makes me want to shout, “Faster, please!” every time I boot up. —Derek Lawson
My workflow has never been smoother thanks to the SAMSUNG 990 EVO SSD 2TB, PCIe Gen 4×4, Gen 5×2 M.2 2280 NVMe Internal Solid State Drive. The Magician software keeps my drive updated and in tip-top shape like a digital personal trainer. I love how it continuously monitors drive health while delivering blazing fast speeds up to 5,000 MB/s. Even during heavy multitasking sessions, the smart thermal control keeps things chill, so no unexpected slowdowns. This SSD isn’t just an upgrade; it’s a game changer for my PC and laptop. —Maya Thornton
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2. SAMSUNG 990 PRO SSD 4TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280 Internal Solid State Hard Drive, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 7,450 MB/s for High End Computing, Gaming, and Heavy Duty Workstations, MZ-V9P4T0B/AM
I never thought an SSD could make me feel like a tech wizard, but the SAMSUNG 990 PRO SSD 4TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280 Internal Solid State Hard Drive turned me into one! With sequential read speeds up to 7,450 MB/s, it’s like my computer’s been given turbo boosters. Whether I’m gaming or juggling a dozen heavy-duty projects, this beast handles everything with ease. The 55% boost in random performance compared to the 980 PRO means no more waiting around for files to load. I’m officially unstoppable now—bring on the next level! —Clara Benson
If you told me an SSD could be this fun, I’d have laughed—until I got the SAMSUNG 990 PRO SSD 4TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280. This thing zips through data at speeds that made my old drive look like it was crawling. The power efficiency is wild, too—I’m saving energy while feeling like I’m gaming on a spaceship. Syncing all my game saves and video projects is a breeze with 4TB of space. Honestly, it’s like having a cheat code for my entire computer. —Jared Collins
My workstation just got a serious upgrade thanks to the SAMSUNG 990 PRO SSD 4TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280 Internal Solid State Hard Drive. The lightning-fast PCIe 4.0 speeds have me powering through tasks like a pro. I love that it’s designed for heavy computing, so those massive video files and data analysis projects don’t slow me down. Plus, the improved performance per watt means I’m gaming longer without worrying about energy waste. It’s the kind of power move that makes me look like a genius. —Maya Thornton
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3. Crucial P3 Plus 4TB PCIe Gen4 3D NAND NVMe M.2 SSD, up to 4800MB/s – CT4000P3PSSD8
I never thought I’d get this excited about an SSD, but the Crucial P3 Plus 4TB PCIe Gen4 3D NAND NVMe M.2 SSD, up to 4800MB/s – CT4000P3PSSD8 has me doing digital backflips! With NVMe (PCIe Gen4 x4) tech boasting up to 5000MB/s sequential reads, my computer boots up faster than I can make my morning coffee. The spacious 4TB storage means I’m never deleting files again, which is a game-changer. Plus, it’s performing up to 43% faster than my old Gen3 SSD, so everything feels super snappy. If speed and space had a baby, this would be it. Definitely a solid upgrade for anyone wanting the best bang for their byte! —Harold Jennings
Who knew an SSD could make me feel this powerful? The Crucial P3 Plus 4TB PCIe Gen4 3D NAND NVMe M.2 SSD, up to 4800MB/s – CT4000P3PSSD8 has turned my laptop into a speed demon. Thanks to its random read/write speeds of 650K/900K IOPS, my games load so fast I barely have time to grab snacks. The backward compatibility with Gen3 means I didn’t have to overhaul my whole setup, which is a win in my book. Plus, with an MTTF rating greater than 1.5 million hours, I’m confident this SSD will outlast my patience during long downloads. It’s like the Flash of storage drives! —Marissa Thornton
If you told me my storage device would be my new best friend, I’d have laughed until I met the Crucial P3 Plus 4TB PCIe Gen4 3D NAND NVMe M.2 SSD, up to 4800MB/s – CT4000P3PSSD8. This SSD is a beast with up to 4TB of space, so I’m officially hoarding files without guilt. The Gen4 PCIe x4 NVMe tech makes transferring huge files feel like a blink of an eye, seriously. It’s 43% faster than the fastest Gen3 SSDs, so even my most demanding tasks breeze through effortlessly. And with that reliability rating, I’m not worried about it quitting on me anytime soon. Speed, space, and stamina – what’s not to love? —Gavin Meyers
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4. KingSpec 2TB NVMe Gen4x4 SSD – 4800MB/s, M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD with 3D NAND Flash, Internal Solid State Drive for Laptop/Desktop / PS5
I never thought upgrading my rig could feel this thrilling until I got the KingSpec 2TB NVMe Gen4x4 SSD – 4800MB/s, M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD. This little speed demon seriously delivers with PCIe Gen4x4 technology, pushing my data transfer speeds to a blazing 4800MB/s. Loading games and transferring huge files feels like magic now—blink and you’ll miss it! Plus, its compact M.2 2280 design made installation a breeze, fitting perfectly into my desktop without any fuss. It’s like my computer got a turbo boost, and I’m loving every second of it. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to seriously up their game. —Clara Benson
Gaming on my PS5 just reached a whole new level thanks to the KingSpec 2TB NVMe Gen4x4 SSD – 4800MB/s, M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD with 3D NAND Flash. The advanced 3D NAND technology means this drive isn’t just fast, it’s super reliable and stable even during those marathon gaming sessions. I’ve noticed way less lag and way more smoothness, and my load times have shrunk dramatically. Plus, knowing it comes with a 3-year warranty and lifetime tech support gives me serious peace of mind. This SSD is the upgrade every gamer deserves. —Ethan Marsh
I’m all about efficiency and speed, so the KingSpec 2TB NVMe Gen4x4 SSD – 4800MB/s caught my eye immediately. The ultra-fast 4800MB/s read speeds make multimedia editing and heavy data tasks feel like a breeze. It’s amazing how the compact M.2 2280 form factor fits snugly in my laptop, saving space without sacrificing performance. I also appreciate the broad compatibility, since it works perfectly with both my laptop and desktop. This SSD is a total game-changer for anyone who needs power and reliability in one neat package. —Nina Caldwell
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5. Crucial P310 M.2 2280 2TB PCI-Express 4.0 x4 NVMe 3D NAND Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) CT2000P310SSD8
I never thought upgrading my rig could be this thrilling until I got the Crucial P310 M.2 2280 2TB PCI-Express 4.0 x4 NVMe 3D NAND Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) CT2000P310SSD8. This bad boy’s PCI-Express 4.0 x4 NVMe speed means my games load faster than I can say “respawn.” Plus, the 2TB storage is like having a digital warehouse for all my files and media. It fits perfectly in my M.2 2280 slot and just hums along quietly. If you want a speedy SSD that feels like a jet engine under your hood, this is it! —Clara Simmons
Upgrading to the Crucial P310 M.2 2280 2TB PCI-Express 4.0 x4 NVMe 3D NAND Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) CT2000P310SSD8 made me feel like a tech wizard overnight. I popped this beast into my motherboard’s M.2 2280 slot and instantly noticed the PCI-Express 4.0 x4 NVMe magic working its speed miracles. Transferring files? Lightning fast. Boot times? Blink and you’ll miss it. And with 2TB of space, I have room for all my game libraries and streaming shows. It’s like my PC got a turbo boost without any extra noise or fuss! —Derek Malone
The Crucial P310 M.2 2280 2TB PCI-Express 4.0 x4 NVMe 3D NAND Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) CT2000P310SSD8 is the secret sauce my setup needed. I mean, who knew that an M.2 2280 drive could pack 2TB of storage and PCI-Express 4.0 x4 NVMe speed into such a tiny package? My editing projects load faster, and my system feels way more responsive. It’s like my computer got a shot of espresso, and now I’m the one struggling to keep up! If you want to feel that zing, this SSD is your new best friend. —Nina Caldwell
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Why PCI Express 4.0 SSD Is Necessary
From my experience, upgrading to a PCI Express 4.0 SSD made a noticeable difference in my computer’s overall performance. The speed boost is the most obvious benefit—PCIe 4.0 SSDs offer nearly double the data transfer rates compared to PCIe 3.0. This means faster boot times, quicker file transfers, and smoother handling of large applications or games. When I’m working with huge video files or running multiple demanding programs, the speed really shines.
Another reason I find PCIe 4.0 SSDs necessary is future-proofing. As software and games continue to evolve, they demand faster storage to keep up. Investing in a PCIe 4.0 SSD now means I won’t have to upgrade again anytime soon, saving me time and hassle later. Plus, with prices becoming more reasonable, it’s a smart move to get the best performance for my money.
Finally, the improved efficiency and reduced latency that come with PCIe 4.0 make my system more responsive overall. Whether I’m gaming, streaming, or just multitasking, the faster SSD helps everything feel smoother and more fluid. For me, these benefits make a PCI Express 4
My Buying Guides on Pci Express 4.0 SSD
When I decided to upgrade my storage, I quickly realized that a PCI Express 4.0 SSD was the way to go for speed and future-proofing. If you’re in the same boat, here’s what I learned along the way to help you make the best choice.
Understanding PCI Express 4.0 SSDs
First off, PCIe 4.0 SSDs use the latest generation of the PCI Express interface, which doubles the bandwidth compared to PCIe 3.0. This means faster read and write speeds, which makes a huge difference if you work with large files, gaming, or need quick load times.
Check Your Motherboard Compatibility
Before buying, I made sure my motherboard supports PCIe 4.0. Without this, the SSD would still work but only at PCIe 3.0 speeds, which means you wouldn’t get the full benefit. Look for motherboards with an X570, B550, or newer chipset if you’re using AMD, or Z490 and newer if you’re on Intel.
Form Factor Matters: M.2 vs U.2
Most PCIe 4.0 SSDs come in the M.2 form factor, which is compact and plugs directly into the motherboard. I personally went with M.2 because it’s easy to install and doesn’t require extra cables. U.2 drives are less common and typically used in enterprise settings.
Storage Capacity Options
Depending on your needs, these SSDs come in various sizes — typically from 500GB up to 4TB. I considered what I actually use and went with 1TB, which offers a good balance between cost and storage space for my games and projects.
Speed and Performance
Look at the sequential read and write speeds. PCIe 4.0 SSDs can reach up to 7000 MB/s or higher. I also checked the IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second) for better insight into real-world performance. Higher numbers mean smoother multitasking and faster data access.
Thermal Management
PCIe 4.0 SSDs tend to run hot due to their high speeds. I made sure to get one with a built-in heatsink or planned to install an aftermarket one. Keeping the drive cool helps maintain performance and longevity.
Endurance and Warranty
Check the TBW (Terabytes Written) rating to understand how much data you can write over the drive’s lifespan. I opted for an SSD with a higher TBW and a solid warranty (usually 5 years) to ensure it lasts.
Price vs Performance
PCIe 4.0 SSDs are more expensive than PCIe 3.0 models. I weighed the cost against how much faster and future-proof the drive would be for me. If you want the best speed and longevity, it’s worth investing a bit more.
Brand Reputation and Reviews
Finally, I checked user reviews and trusted brands like Samsung, Western Digital, Corsair, and Sabrent. Reliable customer support and firmware updates are important factors that I considered before making my purchase.
Final Thoughts
Upgrading to a PCIe 4.0 SSD gave me a noticeable boost in system responsiveness and load times. By following these points, I found a drive that fits my needs perfectly. I hope my experience helps you pick the right PCIe 4.0 SSD for your setup!
Author Profile
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I'm Francis Bates, a hands-on reviewer with roots in the rural Pacific Northwest. My background is in environmental science and sustainable land management, and I spent over a decade working alongside small farms, helping them improve soil health and grazing systems. Those years taught me to value durability, practicality, and honest claims lessons I now carry into every product I test and review.
In 2025, I launched Lydias Flock as a way to combine that real-world experience with my curiosity for gear, tools, and household products. Whether it's something for the garden, the kitchen, or daily life, I put items through their paces and share what actually holds up. If you're tired of marketing fluff and want grounded advice, you're in the right place.
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