Crucial 1TB SSD PCIe 5.0 NVMe M.2

The Crucial T705 is the fastest consumer SSD we've tested, with 13,600 MB/s reads and top-tier random performance. It runs hot and costs a premium, but if you have a Gen5 slot and need maximum speed, it's worth it. Everyone else should save money and get a good Gen4 drive.

The numbers are silly fast. 13,600 MB/s sequential reads and 10,200 MB/s writes are basically best-in-class. Random performance is just as impressive at 1,400K read IOPS and 1,750K write IOPS, which lands it near the top of our database. The 232-layer Micron TLC NAND and DRAM cache keep things snappy under load. The one thing to watch is heat. The included heatsink does its job, but you'll want decent airflow in your case. Without it, sustained writes can throttle. For gaming and heavy creative work, this drive absolutely flies.

Against the Western Digital Black SN850X, the T705 is clearly faster on paper, but the SN850X is a Gen4 drive that costs less and runs cooler. The Samsung 9100 PRO is the closest Gen5 competitor, and it's a real fight. The T705 edges it out in raw sequential speed, but Samsung's drive tends to run a bit cooler and has better software support. The Kingston Fury Renegade is a great Gen4 value pick that gets you most of the way there for less money. If you want the absolute fastest drive and don't mind paying for it, the T705 wins. If you want 90% of the performance for 60% of the price, look at Gen4 options.

This drive is not cheap. US prices range from USD 250 to USD 335 depending on where you look, and the best deal we found is at Newegg. In Europe, you're looking at EUR 272 to EUR 315. For that money, you get the fastest consumer SSD on the market right now. But here's the thing: most people won't notice the difference between this and a good Gen4 drive in daily use. If you're a gamer or a creative pro who actually pushes big files around, the premium makes sense. If you just want faster boot times, save your cash and get a solid Gen4 drive instead.

The Crucial T705 is a 1TB PCIe 5.0 drive that hits 13,600 MB/s reads and 10,200 MB/s writes. That puts it at the top of the charts for speed, and our database backs that up. It's built for people who want the fastest possible storage right now, not a budget pick.

It comes with a chunky aluminum and copper heatsink, which is good because Gen5 drives run hot. There's also a version without the heatsink if your motherboard already has one. Either way, this is a drive that means business.

Skip this if you don't have a PCIe 5.0 motherboard. You'll pay a premium for speed you can't use. Also skip it if you're on a budget or just want a snappy boot drive. A good Gen4 drive like the SN850X or Fury Renegade will feel nearly identical in everyday use and cost significantly less. And if you need lots of storage, 1TB is tight. You can get a 2TB Gen4 drive for around the same price as this 1TB Gen5.

Buy this if you have a Gen5 motherboard and you actually need the speed. Video editors, 3D artists, and people who move massive files around will love it. Gamers will see faster load times, but the difference from a good Gen4 drive is smaller than the marketing suggests. If you're building a top-tier workstation and want zero compromises, this is the drive to get.