This category holds SSD drives for desktop PCs, laptops, game consoles, servers and disk arrays, from consumer NVMe models to enterprise SAS drives. It suits anyone replacing a slow hard disk, upgrading a workstation or fitting out a server. Brands in our range include Western Digital, Kingston, Transcend, Fujitsu and Lenovo.
How to choose an SSD drive
Interface and compatibility. Check what your device accepts before anything else. Our range includes PCI Express 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 drives as well as SAS. PCIe drives generally work in slots of an older generation at the speed of that slot, but a SAS drive needs a SAS controller, which most desktop PCs do not have. Also confirm the physical format, such as M.2 or 2.5-inch, against your motherboard or laptop.
Capacity. Listed capacities range from 256 GB to 2 TB and 3.84 TB. A 256 GB drive is enough for an operating system and a handful of programs, 2 TB suits a large game library or video projects, and 3.84 TB is the kind of size usually chosen for servers and shared storage.
Read and write speed. Listed read speeds in our range include 2000 MB/s and 6000 MB/s, and write speeds include 1300 MB/s and 5000 MB/s. Fast drives pay off when you copy large files, edit video or load big datasets. For starting Windows and opening everyday programs, the gap between a fast and a very fast drive is much smaller than the figures suggest.
Endurance and memory type. Our drives use 3D TLC or 3D NAND memory, and listed MTBF values include 200000 and 1000000 hours. A higher MTBF and enterprise-class construction matter most in servers that run around the clock. MTBF is a statistical estimate across many drives, not a promise of how long one drive will last.
Intended device. Some drives are listed for servers and workstations, some for PCs and laptops, some for notebooks and game consoles, and one for disk arrays. Match the drive to your device. Server drives are tuned for sustained workloads and may not fit or suit a consumer machine.
SSD brands we carry
- Western Digital: known for its WD Blue, WD Black and WD Red storage lines, covering everyday computing, gaming and network storage.
- Kingston: a major maker of memory modules and flash storage, widely used for upgrading existing PCs and laptops.
- Transcend: long established in flash memory, with memory cards, USB drives and SSDs for computers and embedded devices.
- Fujitsu: a server and workstation manufacturer, so its drives are typically aimed at business systems.
- Lenovo: maker of ThinkPad laptops and ThinkSystem servers, with drives that serve as upgrades and replacements for its own hardware.
- Supermicro: specialises in server and storage platforms, and its drives target data-centre and rack-mounted use.
Also in our range: CoreParts and Patriot Memory.
SSD drives: frequently asked questions
Is an SSD better than a hard drive?
For speed, yes. An SSD has no moving parts, so the system starts faster, programs open sooner and files copy more quickly. It is also quieter and less affected by knocks. Hard drives still offer more space for the money, which is why some people use both.
How much SSD storage do I need?
256 GB covers the operating system and basic programs, but it fills quickly. 2 TB is a comfortable size for a main drive with games, photos and work files. Servers and shared storage often use drives of around 3.84 TB or more.
Can I use a server SSD in a normal PC?
Sometimes, but it is not guaranteed. Server drives often use the SAS interface, which needs a compatible controller that most home PCs lack. Check the interface and the intended device in the product details before buying.
What is the difference between PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 5.0 SSDs?
PCIe 5.0 offers a higher maximum transfer rate than PCIe 4.0, and it needs a motherboard with a PCIe 5.0 slot to reach it. In a PCIe 4.0 slot a PCIe 5.0 drive normally runs at the slower speed. For everyday use, a PCIe 4.0 drive is already fast enough for most people.
