M.2 SSD 1TB: the ultimate guide to boosting your PC

1tb nvme ssd 1tb m 2 ssd 1tb ssd m2 nvme

Do you want to give a boost to your gaming PC or laptop? The 1TB M.2 SSD is currently one of the most popular choices. It combines speed, reliability, and an increasingly attractive quality/price ratio. But be careful, with terms like 1TB NVMe SSD, 1TB M.2 SSD, or even 1TB NVMe hard drive, it's easy to get confused. We will break it down so you know exactly what you need.

Author
yuux
Co-founder of DropReference, I'm here to give you the best tips to build the gaming PC of your dreams!

What is a 1TB M.2 SSD?

The M.2 format is a connector standard that has gradually replaced the old 2.5" SATA SSDs.

  • Compact size : ideal for laptops and modern motherboards.
  • Capacity 1 TB : the perfect balance between storage space and price.
  • Versatility : exists in SATA version (slower) and especially in NVMe (ultra-fast thanks to PCIe).

💡 Remember: when you see written m 2 ssd 1tb , most of the time we talk about NVMe , but some models still exist in SATA.

Difference between SSD M.2 SATA and SSD M.2 NVMe

ssd-nvme

Many wonder: " What is the difference between a 1TB M.2 SSD and a 1TB NVMe SSD? ."

The answer is simple:

👉 In short: the SATA is limited by its interface, while the NVMe harnesses the full power of PCIe .

SSD Type Interface Read/Write Speed Recommended Usage
M.2 SATA 1TB SATA III (6 Gb/s) ≈ 550 MB/s Office work, simple storage
M.2 NVMe 1TB PCIe 3.0 / 4.0 / 5.0 From 2000 to 12000 MB/s Gaming, video editing, heavy applications
Swipe to view more

Why choose a 1TB NVMe SSD?

  • 🚀 Extreme speed: your system starts in a few seconds.
  • 🎮 Smooth gaming: loading times decrease significantly.
  • 🖥️ Computer Productivity: 4K video editing, processing large files without lag.
  • 🔒 Locked Reliability: no mechanical parts, so fewer failures than an HDD.
  • 💰 Good compromise: The 1 TB offers enough space for Windows, your games, and apps, without blowing your budget.

The different types of 1TB M.2 NVMe SSDs

When you are looking for a 1TB NVMe SSD, you often come across several variants:

  • PCIe 3.0 → affordable, perfect for standard gaming use.
  • PCIe 4.0 → twice as fast, ideal if your motherboard supports it.
  • PCIe 5.0 → still rare and expensive, reserved for ultra high-end setups.

👉 Example: a Samsung 980 Pro NVMe 1TB (PCIe 4.0) can reach 7000 MB/s, compared to 3500 MB/s for a PCIe 3.0 model.

m2-ssd-1tb-samsung

Comparison of the best 1TB M.2 SSDs

Here is a small comparison of the most popular models in 2025:

And the advantage is that with DropReference you can compare prices directly in real time:

Model Interface Speeds Key Features
Samsung 980 Pro 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe 7000 / 5000 MB/s Reliability + 5-year warranty
WD Black SN850X 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe 7300 / 6300 MB/s Ideal for gaming & PS5
Crucial P3 Plus 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe 5000 / 3600 MB/s Very good value for money
Kingston NV2 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe 3500 / 2100 MB/s Affordable, perfect for PC upgrades
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SSD M.2 1TB vs traditional hard drive

Many still talk about NVMe 1TB SSD In reality, it is not a mechanical hard drive, but an SSD.

Let's compare with a real HDD:

  • 1 TB HDD : 80-120 MB/s, noise, heating, risk of failure.
  • SSD M.2 1 TB : minimum 2000 MB/s, total silence, longer lifespan.

👉 In 2025, buy a HDD for gaming or working doesn't make any sense anymore (except cheap mass storage).

What is the lifespan of a 1TB NVMe SSD?

One SSD M.2 NVMe 1TB can last 5 to 10 years, depending on your usage.

  • Most have a endurance between 300 and 600 ToW (Terabytes written).
  • For normal use (gaming, office work), it is largely sufficient.
  • Brands like Samsung, Crucial, WD often offer 5 years of warranty.

Real-time stocks of NvMe SSDs

m2-ssd-1tb

Filters

Intenso M.2 SSD Top 128GB SATA III Green 520/500MB/s

Intenso M.2 SSD Top 128GB SATA III Green 520/500MB/s

10€

(2 Vendors)
Brand: Intenso
Variable quality Limited capacity
Patriot Memory P300 128GB NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen3 x4 Black

Patriot Memory P300 128GB NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen3 x4 Black

15€

(3 Vendors)
Brand: Patriot
Fast and budget-friendly Limited capacity
Patriot Memory P320P128GM28 128GB NVMe PCIe Gen3x4 M.2 2280 Black

Patriot Memory P320P128GM28 128GB NVMe PCIe Gen3x4 M.2 2280 Black

16€

(3 Vendors)
Brand: Patriot
Fast and budget-friendly Limited capacity
Fanxiang S101Q 4TB SATA 2.5in SSD

Fanxiang S101Q 4TB SATA 2.5in SSD

16€

(8 Vendors)
Brand: Crucial
Top brand Fast! Comfortable capacity
GamerKing SSD M.2 2242 SATA III 6Gb/s

GamerKing SSD M.2 2242 SATA III 6Gb/s

17€

(2 Vendors)
Capacity: 125
Variable quality Limited capacity
Transcend TS120GMTS820S 120GB M.2 SATA SSD

Transcend TS120GMTS820S 120GB M.2 SATA SSD

18€

(2 Vendors)
Brand: Transcend
Interesting brand Limited capacity
Transcend TS120GMTS420S 120GB M.2 2242 SATA III

Transcend TS120GMTS420S 120GB M.2 2242 SATA III

18€

(3 Vendors)
Brand: Transcend
Interesting brand Limited capacity
Transcend MTE110S Black/Orange NVMe PCIe Gen3x4 M.2 2280 128GB

Transcend MTE110S Black/Orange NVMe PCIe Gen3x4 M.2 2280 128GB

19€

(3 Vendors)
Brand: Transcend
Interesting brand Fast and budget-friendly Limited capacity
Intenso 3835440 M.2 PCIe Gen3x4 NVMe 250GB

Intenso 3835440 M.2 PCIe Gen3x4 NVMe 250GB

19€

(2 Vendors)
Brand: Intenso
Variable quality Fast and budget-friendly Limited capacity
Silicon Power P34A60 256GB PCIe Gen3x4 M.2 A60

Silicon Power P34A60 256GB PCIe Gen3x4 M.2 A60

21€

(3 Vendors)
Brand: Silicon Power
Interesting brand Fast and budget-friendly Limited capacity
EMTEC Power Pro X300 128GB Multicolor NVMe M.2

EMTEC Power Pro X300 128GB Multicolor NVMe M.2

21€

(4 Vendors)
Brand: Emtec
Variable quality Fast and budget-friendly Limited capacity
Patriot Memory P310 240GB NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen3 x4 Black

Patriot Memory P310 240GB NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen3 x4 Black

22€

(3 Vendors)
Brand: Patriot
Fast and budget-friendly Limited capacity
Patriot Memory P300 256GB NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen3x4

Patriot Memory P300 256GB NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen3x4

23€

(2 Vendors)
Brand: Patriot
Fast and budget-friendly Limited capacity
Transcend MTS420 240GB M.2 2242 SATA 6Gb/s

Transcend MTS420 240GB M.2 2242 SATA 6Gb/s

23€

(5 Vendors)
Brand: Transcend
Interesting brand Limited capacity
Patriot P320 256GB NVMe M.2 2280 Black

Patriot P320 256GB NVMe M.2 2280 Black

24€

(4 Vendors)
Brand: Patriot
Fast and budget-friendly Limited capacity
PHIXERO P3000 256GB NVMe M.2 PCIe 3.0 1800MB/s Black

PHIXERO P3000 256GB NVMe M.2 PCIe 3.0 1800MB/s Black

25€

(2 Vendors)
Capacity: 250
Variable quality Fast! Limited capacity
PNY CS1030 250GB NVMe M.2 Black

PNY CS1030 250GB NVMe M.2 Black

25€

(5 Vendors)
Brand: PNY
Good brand Fast and budget-friendly Limited capacity
Lexar NM620 256GB M.2 PCIe Gen3x4 NVMe 3500/1300 MB/s

Lexar NM620 256GB M.2 PCIe Gen3x4 NVMe 3500/1300 MB/s

25€

(3 Vendors)
Brand: Lexar
Good brand Fast and budget-friendly Limited capacity
Lexar NM620 Black 256 GB NVMe

Lexar NM620 Black 256 GB NVMe

25€

(1 Vendors)
Brand: Lexar
Good brand Fast and budget-friendly Limited capacity
Transcend TS256GMTE110S 256GB NVMe M.2 PCIe 3.0 Silver

Transcend TS256GMTE110S 256GB NVMe M.2 PCIe 3.0 Silver

25€

(5 Vendors)
Brand: Transcend
Interesting brand Fast and budget-friendly Limited capacity
Gigabyte G440E250G M.2 250GB NVMe PCIe 4.0

Gigabyte G440E250G M.2 250GB NVMe PCIe 4.0

26€

(1 Vendors)
Brand: Gigabyte
Interesting brand Fast! Limited capacity
Transcend TS128GMTS830S Black 128GB M.2 2280

Transcend TS128GMTS830S Black 128GB M.2 2280

27€

(2 Vendors)
Brand: Transcend
Interesting brand Limited capacity
Emtec X250 M.2 128GB SATA III

Emtec X250 M.2 128GB SATA III

27€

(3 Vendors)
Brand: Emtec
Variable quality Limited capacity
Transcend MTS820 240 GB AES-256 3D NAND

Transcend MTS820 240 GB AES-256 3D NAND

28€

(3 Vendors)
Brand: Transcend
Interesting brand Limited capacity
Intenso TOP SSD 512GB M.2 2280 Green

Intenso TOP SSD 512GB M.2 2280 Green

28€

(5 Vendors)
Brand: Intenso
Variable quality Minimum gaming capacity

How much does a 1TB M.2 SSD cost in 2025?

  • Entry-level : 40–50 € (Kingston NV2, Crucial P3).
  • Mid-range : 60–80 € (Samsung 970 Evo Plus, WD SN770).
  • High-end : 100–150 € (Samsung 980 Pro, WD SN850X).
  • PCIe 5.0 : often over 200 €.

👉 Prices regularly drop, so checking a price comparison tool is essential.

Our tips for choosing your 1TB M.2 SSD

  • Check if your motherboard is compatible PCIe 4.0 before buying.
  • If you play on PS5, prioritize the models validated by Sony (SN850X, 980 Pro).
  • For a laptop, pay attention to the size (2280, 2242...).
  • Do not neglect the manufacturer's warranty (3 to 5 years minimum).

FAQ on M.2 1TB SSDs

🔹 What is the difference between a 1TB M.2 SSD and a 1TB NVMe SSD?

An M.2 describes the format, NVMe describes the fast interface via PCIe.

🔹 Is a 1TB M.2 SSD compatible with all motherboards?

Only if your motherboard has an M.2 slot. Otherwise, you will need a PCIe adapter.

🔹 Is it useful to get a PCIe 5.0 SSD today?

Not necessarily, current games and apps do not yet exploit this speed.