Best SSD for Gaming in 2026
Lennon Byatt
If you're upgrading your gaming PC in 2026, one of the biggest improvements you can make is installing a fast SSD. Modern games are larger than ever, with many AAA titles exceeding 100GB, making storage speed an important part of your gaming experience.
Whether you're reducing loading times, installing more games or preparing for upcoming releases like GTA 6, choosing the right SSD can dramatically improve your PC's responsiveness.
In this guide, we'll explain the differences between SATA and NVMe SSDs, recommend the best storage capacities, and help you choose the right drive for your gaming setup.
Looking for a new gaming PC? Browse AWD-IT's latest range of Gaming PCs:
How Much Power Does the RTX 5070 Need?
While exact power requirements vary depending on the rest of your system, most gaming PCs with an RTX 5070 will comfortably run on a quality 750W power supply.
Recommended PSU sizes:
| System Configuration | Recommended PSU |
|
Ryzen 5 + RTX 5070
|
750W
|
|
Ryzen 7 + RTX 5070
|
750W
|
|
Intel Core i7 + RTX 5070
|
850W
|
|
Heavy Overclocking
|
850W+
|
Choosing a PSU with some extra headroom helps with future upgrades and keeps the power supply operating more efficiently.
Why an SSD Is Essential for Gaming
Compared to traditional hard drives, SSDs offer significant advantages:
- Faster game loading times
- Quicker Windows boot times
- Faster game updates
- Improved texture streaming
- Reduced loading screens
Many modern games are now designed with SSDs in mind, making them an essential upgrade for any gaming PC.
Compared to traditional hard drives, SSDs offer significant advantages
NVMe vs SATA SSD
NVMe SSD
NVMe drives connect directly to your motherboard using the M.2 slot.
Benefits include:
- Extremely fast read and write speeds
- Ideal for AAA games
- Faster file transfers
- Better future-proofing
For most gamers, an NVMe SSD is the best choice.
SATA SSDs are still much faster than traditional hard drives
SATA SSD
SATA SSDs are still much faster than traditional hard drives.
Advantages include:
- Lower cost
- Excellent for secondary storage
- Easy upgrades for older systems
While they're not as fast as NVMe drives, SATA SSDs remain a good option for expanding your storage.
Browse AWD-IT's range of Solid State Drives:
https://www.awd-it.co.uk/components/solid-state-drives-ssd/corsair-ssd.html
How Much Storage Do You Need?
1TB SSD
Perfect for:
- Casual gamers
- Esports titles
- A handful of AAA games
2TB SSD
The ideal choice for most gamers.
You'll have enough space for:
- GTA 6
- Call of Duty
- Cyberpunk 2077
- Microsoft Flight Simulator
- Steam library
4TB SSD
Recommended if you:
- Install lots of AAA games
- Record gameplay
- Create video content
- Want maximum storage without constantly uninstalling games
The ideal choice for most gamers
Gaming Performance
Pairing an RTX 5070 with the Ryzen 7 7800X3D delivers exceptional gaming performance.
| Game | 1440p Ultra | 4K High |
|
GTA 6 (Predicted)
|
90–120 FPS
|
60–90 FPS
|
|
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
|
180+ FPS
|
120+ FPS
|
|
Fortnite
|
240+ FPS
|
160+ FPS
|
|
EA Sports FC 26
|
100+ FPS
|
75+ FPS
|
|
Cyberpunk 2077
|
250+ FPS
|
180+ FPS
|
Performance will vary depending on graphics settings, drivers and future game updates.
Should You Upgrade Your Existing PC?
If your system includes:
- GTX 1660 Super
- RTX 2060
- Ryzen 5 3600
- 8GB RAM
then upgrading your GPU, RAM and SSD can dramatically improve your gaming experience.
If you're using an older AM4 system, our AM4 vs AM5 guide can help you decide whether to upgrade or move to a new platform:
Best Sim Racing Setup for Beginners: Start With the Essentials
You don’t need a full cockpit immediately. A well‑chosen beginner setup helps you develop skills faster and keeps costs under control.
1. Steering Wheel and Pedals (Top Priority)
Your wheel and pedals are the most important part of any sim racing rig. Force feedback allows you to feel grip changes, kerbs, and steering resistance—crucial for learning car control.
Beginner tip: Focus on force feedback quality rather than raw power.
Your wheel and pedals are the most important part of any sim racing rig. Force feedback allows you to feel grip changes, kerbs, and steering resistance—crucial for learning car control.
Creators in attendance
Stacked lineup
Experience zones
Arcades · Sim rigs · PCs
Tech on display
Latest gen builds
Verdict
Showroom certified
Pick Your Tier
We've named each tier after a tournament stage, because let's be honest, that's exactly the kind of thing we'd do. Find your budget and dive in.
Group Stage
Round of 32
Quarter Final
World Cup Final
Does an SSD Increase FPS?
Not directly.
An SSD won't increase your frame rate, but it can:
- Reduce loading times
- Improve open-world asset streaming
- Reduce stuttering in some games
- Make Windows feel much faster
To increase FPS, you'll benefit more from upgrading your graphics card or processor.
Read our guide:
Best Graphics Card for 1440p Gaming
https://www.awd-it.co.uk/gaming-news/best-graphics-card-for-1440p-gaming-2026.html
To increase FPS, you'll benefit more from upgrading your graphics card or processor
Recommended Power Supply
When upgrading your graphics card, don't forget to check your power supply.
Recommended wattages:
|
GPU
|
Recommended PSU
|
|
RX 9060 XT
|
650W
|
|
RTX 5070
|
750W
|
|
RX 9070 XT
|
750W-850W
|
|
RTX 5080
|
850W
|
|
RTX 5090
|
1000W+
|
Choose a high-quality 80 Plus Gold certified power supply from a trusted manufacturer for the best stability.
Best SSD for GTA 6
Although Rockstar hasn't confirmed the official PC requirements, a fast NVMe SSD is expected to provide the best experience.
We recommend:
- PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD
- At least 1TB capacity
- 2TB if GTA 6 will be your primary game
Read our full guide:
GTA 6 PC System Requirements (Predicted)
https://www.awd-it.co.uk/gaming-news/gta-6-pc-system-requirements-predicted.html
Fast storage works best alongside modern hardware
Choosing the Right CPU and RAM
Fast storage works best alongside modern hardware.
Recommended components include:
- Ryzen 7 7800X3D
- Ryzen 5 9600X
- Ryzen 7 5700X3D
- 32GB DDR5 RAM
Need help choosing memory?
Read:
How Much RAM Do You Need for Gaming?
https://www.awd-it.co.uk/gaming-news/How-Much-RAM-Do-You-Need-for-Gaming.html
Browse AWD-IT's Memory range:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NVMe worth it over SATA?
Yes. For gaming PCs built in 2026, NVMe SSDs provide the best overall performance and are the recommended option.
Is 1TB enough?
For many gamers, yes. However, if you regularly play several AAA games, 2TB offers much more flexibility.
Can I install games on a SATA SSD?
Absolutely. Games run well from SATA SSDs, although loading times are generally longer than on NVMe drives.
Final Verdict
A quality NVMe SSD is one of the best upgrades you can make to your gaming PC.
Whether you're preparing for GTA 6, upgrading your current system or building a brand-new PC, a fast SSD will improve loading times, system responsiveness and your overall gaming experience.
For most gamers, a 2TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD offers the perfect balance of speed, storage capacity and long-term value.
If you're planning your next upgrade, browse AWD-IT's range of Gaming PCs, Solid State Drives, Memory, Processors, and Graphics Cards to build a system that's ready for the latest games.
Related Guides
- Best Gaming PC Under £1000 UK
- Best Graphics Card for 1440p Gaming
- Best CPU for RTX 5070
- Best PSU for RTX 5070
- GTA 6 PC System Requirements (Predicted)
- How Much RAM Do You Need for Gaming?
- AM4 vs AM5
