SSD Gen 5 & SSD PCIe 5 – The new generation of ultra-fast storage

A SSD Gen 5 is simply an NVMe SSD that uses the interface PCI Express 5.0 .

Each generation of PCIe doubles the available bandwidth:

👉 Specifically, a SSD PCIe 5 can reach 12 to 14 GB/s in sequential read, compared to 7 GB/s for a good PCIe 4.0 SSD.

It's almost double, and it changes quite a few things for certain uses.

So yes, the numbers are nice, but what is it really for?

• Blazing read/write speed → up to 14 GB/s, you copy a 100 GB file in a few seconds.
• Reduced loading times in games that leverage DirectStorage.
• Ideal for creation : 8K video editing, 3D rendering, large Unreal Engine projects, AI, etc.
• Preparation for the future : even if today, many games do not yet exploit all this speed, it will be standard within 2–3 years.

⚠️ Small downside: these SSD heat up a lot , and some models come with a massive heatsink or even a mini fan. So, plan for a well-ventilated case.

Before opting for a PCIe 5 SSD, check two things:

Motherboard compatible PCIe 5.0:

• AMD: chipsets X670, B650 (AM5).
• Intel: chipsets Z690, Z790 (12th, 13th, 14th gen).
• The M.2 ports must be wired in PCIe 5.0.

Compatible Processor:

• AMD Ryzen 7000 and 9000.
• Intel Alder Lake, Raptor Lake, and Meteor Lake.

Cooling :

• Essential to avoid throttling. If your PCIe 5 SSD heats up too much, it will automatically lower its speeds.

To give you a concrete idea, here is a quick comparison:

👉 If you want the very best, the PCIe 5 is unbeatable But for a classic gamer, a good PCIe 4 SSD remains largely sufficient.

Today, the brands that dominate the market are:

• Corsair MP700 Pro → 12 400 MB/s, large heatsink.
• Crucial T700 → 12,400 MB/s, excellent performance/price ratio.

Honestly, it depends on your usage:

• Are you a gamer? → Not essential today. A good Gen 4 SSD is still sufficient.
• Do you do video editing/3D/AI? → There, the PCIe 5 changes the game.

• Do you want a future-proof PC? → Yes, go for it, especially if you upgrade an AM5/Intel 13th-14th gen config.

Do all games benefit from a PCIe 5 SSD?

No, only those optimized for DirectStorage (Microsoft). But the trend will accelerate.

2. Does a PCIe 5 SSD heat up a lot?

Yes, some reach over 80°C without adequate cooling. Prefer a model with a heatsink.

3. Does a PCIe 5 SSD work on a PCIe 4 motherboard?

Yes, but it will be limited to the speed of PCIe 4.0.

4. What capacity to choose for a PCIe 5 SSD?

The best performance/price ratio is often on the 2TB models, but 1TB is already very fast.