Pick the Right SSD for A System: Form Factor, Capacity, and Speed

Determining the right SSD capacity depends on the demands of gaming, workstation needs, budget limitations, and long-term storage requirements.

Hardware by Katmin on Sep 06, 2025

Storage can often be a tricky topic, especially when trying to figure out which SSD is the best fit for a system. With so many options available, it can be difficult to know what to look for depending on the use case.

Factors like form factor, storage capacity, PCIe generation, DRAM cache, memory type, cooling, and reliability all play a role in making the right choice.

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Form Factor

The first thing you need to determine is which form factor you require. If you have a modern desktop PC, a laptop that is a couple of years old, or a PlayStation 5, you would generally look for a 2280 M.2 NVMe SSD. The 2280 part literally means it is 22mm wide and 80mm long.

This is pretty much the default form factor for a modern consumer SSD, and in most cases, you'll be looking at this type of drive.

If you're upgrading a smaller device, such as a gaming handheld, mini PC, or extremely thin laptop, you may need a smaller SSD, like a 2230 or 2242. These simply mean 22mm wide and 30mm or 42mm long. For very old systems, you might be limited to 2.5-inch SATA SSDs.

These were the main types of SSDs until several years ago. While development has stalled, they are still much better than mechanical hard drives if you're trying to keep an older system running.

Many other rare form factors exist, but most are not relevant for consumers. The best way to know which type you need is to check the specification sheet of your motherboard, laptop, or other device.

How Much Storage Do You Need?

Next, you need to figure out how much space you need. The trick is to determine how much data you plan to store. If your current system already has enough storage and you're building a new PC, then you likely don't need much more than what you already have.

If you're running out of space, you probably know exactly how much more capacity you need.

There's no single answer for everyone since it depends on what you use your PC for. As a general rule, 1TB SSDs are a great place to start. They tend to be faster than smaller SSDs and offer a better price-per-GB ratio.

At around $50–$60 for a simple 1TB SSD, they are usually worth it. A 500GB model will only be about $15–$20 cheaper, so if you're on a tight budget, that's still fine for light use.

For gaming, 2TB is a much better choice because games keep getting larger, and you'll fill a 1TB SSD quickly. 2TB SSDs also tend to offer the best price-per-GB ratio today.

If your budget allows, 4TB SSDs are excellent for high-end gaming or workstations, while 8TB options are great for massive game libraries—though very expensive.

Pick the Right, SSD for A System, Form Factor, Capacity, and Speed, NoobFeed

PCIe Generations

When it comes to M.2 NVMe SSDs, you also need to consider PCIe generations, typically Gen3, Gen4, or Gen5. Gen5 is the newest and fastest, but it is backward and forward compatible with slots.

For example, a Gen3 SSD will work in a Gen5 slot, and a Gen5 SSD will work in a Gen3 slot, though the lower generation will limit speeds.

If your device supports Gen4 SSDs, like most recent motherboards and the PlayStation 5, it's best to choose Gen4 since they cost nearly the same as Gen3 now.

Gen5 drives, on the other hand, are still expensive and rarely worth it unless you're building a high-end system with no budget limit or you know that you'll benefit from maximum SSD performance, such as for video editing.

DRAM Cache

A DRAM cache used to be a clear indicator of whether an SSD was high-end or low-end. It acts as a small, fast buffer to help performance. High-end drives nearly always included it, while budget drives did not.

However, modern drives can use system memory more efficiently, especially with faster DDR5 systems, so sometimes a DRAM-less drive can outperform older DRAM-equipped SSDs.

Because of this, you shouldn't base your decision solely on whether an SSD has a DRAM cache. Instead, check reviews and benchmarks.

As a general rule, for heavy workloads like video editing or storage-intensive applications, you should go with a drive that has DRAM cache. For gaming and lighter use cases, it isn't as important.

Memory Type: TLC vs QLC

Most modern SSDs use either TLC (triple-level cell) or QLC (quad-level cell) memory. TLC stores 3bits per cell, while QLC stores 4bits per cell. More bits per cell generally means lower performance and reliability, but also lower cost.

TLC SSDs are usually better, while QLC models should only be considered if they're significantly cheaper. Still, newer QLC drives can outperform older TLC models, and reliability continues to improve every year.

If you're buying for a high-end system or heavy workloads, TLC is the way to go. Otherwise, QLC can still be a good budget-friendly option.

Pick the Right, SSD for A System, Form Factor, Capacity, and Speed, NoobFeed

Cooling

Cooling is simpler. Always try to use a heatsink when possible. Cooling helps SSDs maintain performance and longevity. You don't need oversized heatsinks—basic ones are more than enough.

Most motherboards now come with heatsinks that work well. If yours doesn't and your SSD didn't include one, you can easily buy a low-cost heatsink online. For devices with limited space, such as the PlayStation 5, you'll need to check compatibility carefully.

The general rule is: if there's room, always cool your SSD.

Endurance and Reliability

Endurance and reliability are harder to measure since no test can predict which drive will last the longest. One good sign is warranty length. Most SSDs offer 5 years, while 2–3 year warranties suggest less trust from the manufacturer.

You can also look at endurance ratings, often listed as TBW (terabytes written). Around 600 TBW per 1 TB of capacity is a good minimum. Most drives will exceed their rated endurance, but failures can still happen earlier.

The best advice here is to stick with reputable brands and models with good reviews.

Always Make Backups

Failures are inevitable with every SSD you purchase. For this reason, you should always make a good backup of your data. Don't depend on a single SSD to protect everything.

Final Thoughts

These are the processes we go through when picking SSDs for our systems. You can select the best SSD for your needs by considering the form factor, choosing the right capacity, selecting the suitable PCIe generation, taking into account the type of memory and DRAM cache, adding the necessary cooling, and evaluating endurance.

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