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
Swipe to view more

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

Fanxiang S101Q 4TB SATA 2.5in SSD

Fanxiang S101Q 4TB SATA 2.5in SSD

23€

(11 Vendors)
Brand: Crucial
Top brand Fast! Comfortable capacity
Samsung 990 EVO Plus M.2 NVMe 2TB

Samsung 990 EVO Plus M.2 NVMe 2TB

126€

(12 Vendors)
3 (1)
Interface: PCIe 4.0
Top brand Fast! Comfortable capacity
Crucial P3 Plus 1TB NVMe M.2

Crucial P3 Plus 1TB NVMe M.2

82€

(7 Vendors)
4 (3)
Brand: Crucial
Top brand Fast! Good capacity
Samsung 990 EVO Plus M.2 NVMe 1TB Black

Samsung 990 EVO Plus M.2 NVMe 1TB Black

73€

(12 Vendors)
4 (2)
Brand: Samsung
Top brand Fast! Good capacity
MSI SPATIUM M470 PRO 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2

MSI SPATIUM M470 PRO 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2

65€

(7 Vendors)
4 (1)
Brand: MSI
Interesting brand Fast! Good capacity
Samsung 990 PRO M.2 NVMe 1TB Black

Samsung 990 PRO M.2 NVMe 1TB Black

105€

(13 Vendors)
4 (1)
Brand: Samsung
Top brand Fast! Good capacity
Crucial P510 2TB NVMe PCIe Gen5 Black

Crucial P510 2TB NVMe PCIe Gen5 Black

160€

(3 Vendors)
4 (1)
Brand: Crucial
Top brand Super fast! Comfortable capacity
Kingston NV3 1TB NVMe PCIe Gen4x4 Blue

Kingston NV3 1TB NVMe PCIe Gen4x4 Blue

69€

(8 Vendors)
2 (1)
Brand: Kingston
Good brand Fast! Good capacity
Samsung 990 PRO 2TB NVMe M.2 Black

Samsung 990 PRO 2TB NVMe M.2 Black

162€

(17 Vendors)
4 (1)
Brand: Samsung
Top brand Fast! Comfortable capacity
PNY CS1030 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen3 Black

PNY CS1030 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen3 Black

57€

(10 Vendors)
2 (1)
Brand: PNY
Good brand Fast and budget-friendly Good capacity
Crucial P510 1TB PCIe 5.0 NVMe M.2

Crucial P510 1TB PCIe 5.0 NVMe M.2

90€

(3 Vendors)
4 (1)
Brand: Crucial
Top brand Super fast! Good capacity
KIOXIA EXCERIA PLUS G3 2TB NVMe M.2 Black

KIOXIA EXCERIA PLUS G3 2TB NVMe M.2 Black

113€

(6 Vendors)
3 (1)
Brand: Kioxia
Good brand Fast! Comfortable capacity
Crucial P510 2TB PCIe 5.0 NVMe M.2 Black

Crucial P510 2TB PCIe 5.0 NVMe M.2 Black

166€

(2 Vendors)
4 (1)
Brand: Crucial
Top brand Super fast! Comfortable capacity
Samsung 9100 PRO 1TB PCIe 5.0 Black

Samsung 9100 PRO 1TB PCIe 5.0 Black

152€

(18 Vendors)
3 (1)
Brand: Samsung
Top brand Super fast! Good capacity
Crucial CT2000P3PSSD801 P3 Plus 2TB M.2 NVMe Gen4

Crucial CT2000P3PSSD801 P3 Plus 2TB M.2 NVMe Gen4

162€

(1 Vendors)
2 (1)
Brand: Crucial
Top brand Fast! Comfortable capacity
Crucial P310 1TB NVMe Gen4 SSD M.2 2280

Crucial P310 1TB NVMe Gen4 SSD M.2 2280

74€

(8 Vendors)
3.5 (2)
Brand: Crucial
Top brand Fast! Good capacity
KIOXIA EXCERIA PLUS G3 1TB M.2 NVMe Black

KIOXIA EXCERIA PLUS G3 1TB M.2 NVMe Black

70€

(10 Vendors)
3 (1)
Brand: Kioxia
Good brand Fast! Good capacity
PNY CS1030 500GB NVMe Black

PNY CS1030 500GB NVMe Black

35€

(9 Vendors)
Brand: PNY
Good brand Fast and budget-friendly Minimum gaming capacity
Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB NVMe M.2 Black

Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB NVMe M.2 Black

226€

(16 Vendors)
3 (1)
Brand: Samsung
Top brand Super fast! Comfortable capacity
Crucial E100 Black 1TB NVMe Gen4

Crucial E100 Black 1TB NVMe Gen4

62€

(3 Vendors)
Brand: Crucial
Top brand Fast! Good capacity
Crucial P310 2TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 Black

Crucial P310 2TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 Black

120€

(3 Vendors)
Brand: Crucial
Top brand Fast! Comfortable capacity
Crucial E100 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen4

Crucial E100 1TB M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen4

59€

(8 Vendors)
Brand: Crucial
Top brand Fast! Good capacity
Crucial P3 Plus 2TB NVMe M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0

Crucial P3 Plus 2TB NVMe M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0

117€

(6 Vendors)
2 (1)
Brand: Crucial
Top brand Fast! Comfortable capacity
MSI SPATIUM M37 Black 1TB NVMe PCIe Gen3 M.2 2280

MSI SPATIUM M37 Black 1TB NVMe PCIe Gen3 M.2 2280

64€

(5 Vendors)
Brand: MSI
Interesting brand Fast and budget-friendly Good capacity
Samsung 990 EVO Plus 4TB NVMe M.2 Black

Samsung 990 EVO Plus 4TB NVMe M.2 Black

256€

(15 Vendors)
3.5 (2)
Brand: Samsung
Top brand Fast! Comfortable 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.