Gen4 vs Gen5 SSD: is Gen5 worth it?
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Gen5 SSDs are roughly twice as fast as Gen4 on paper, but the real-world gain for gaming and everyday use is small, and Gen5 drives cost more and run hotter. For almost everyone a good Gen4 drive is the value pick. For the PS5 specifically, Gen5 brings no benefit because the console bay runs at Gen4 speed.
Gen4 vs Gen5 SSD at a glance
| PCIe Gen4 | PCIe Gen5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Peak sequential | ~7,000-7,500 MB/s | ~10,000-14,500 MB/s |
| Real-world gaming | Excellent | Marginally better, rarely noticeable |
| Price per TB (2026) | Lower, the value tier | Notably higher |
| Heat / cooling | Runs cool, small heatsink | Runs hot, large heatsink or fan |
| PS5 compatibility | Full speed | Runs at Gen4 speed (no gain) |
| Best use | Almost everyone | Pros moving very large files |
Which should you buy?
Choose Gen4 if
- You want the best value; Gen4 is cheaper per terabyte and plenty fast.
- You are buying for a PS5 (the bay runs at Gen4 speed anyway).
- You prefer a cooler-running drive with a simple heatsink.
Choose Gen5 if
- You regularly move very large files (8K video, huge datasets).
- You have a Gen5 slot and want maximum sequential throughput.
- You can accommodate the extra heat with strong cooling.
Why Gen5 rarely pays off
Games and applications issue mostly small, random reads, and both Gen4 and Gen5 handle those almost identically. The headline Gen5 numbers come from large sequential transfers that most users seldom perform, so the premium buys speed you will not feel day to day.
Gen5 also runs hot enough to need a large heatsink or active cooling, which adds cost and clearance concerns. On Amazon.com the price gap is clear in the live table below; for most builds the Gen4 tier is the smarter buy.
Buying storage in the US
Prices on this page reflect Amazon.com in US dollars. The deepest storage discounts land around Black Friday and Cyber Monday in late November, with Prime Day in July a strong second; outside those windows, day-to-day prices move little during the 2026 shortage.
Returns and warranty are simplest when the listing is sold by Amazon.com or an authorised US seller. For a single critical drive, prefer that over a third-party reseller so the manufacturer warranty applies cleanly.
Live prices right now
See all NVMe SSDs ranked by price per TB ->
Frequently asked questions
Is a Gen5 SSD worth it?
For most users, no. The real-world gain over Gen4 is small for gaming and general use, while Gen5 costs more and runs hotter. Professionals moving very large files benefit most; everyone else is better served by a good Gen4 drive.
Is Gen5 worth it for the PS5?
No. The PS5 expansion bay operates at Gen4 speed, so a Gen5 drive runs below its rating with no benefit. Buy a quality Gen4 drive with a heatsink instead.
Do Gen5 SSDs need extra cooling?
Usually yes. They run hot and often ship with large heatsinks or small fans. Factor cooling and case clearance into the decision, especially in compact builds.
Will Gen5 make my games load faster?
Barely. Game load times are dominated by small random reads and CPU decompression, not peak sequential speed, so Gen5 offers little over Gen4 in practice.
Is Gen4 still good in 2026?
Yes. Gen4 remains the sweet spot for value and performance for gaming, content creation and general use, and it runs cooler than Gen5. It is the right default for most buyers.
Last updated: 2026-10-31 12:02:04 UTC. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date indicated on Amazon.com and are subject to change. Any price displayed at the time of purchase will apply. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED AS IS AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.