What is an NVMe SSD?

In today’s fast-paced digital world, speed and efficiency are everything—especially when it comes to data storage. NVMe SSDs represent a major leap forward in storage technology, offering dramatically faster performance compared to traditional hard drives and even older SSDs. Whether you're a gamer, content creator, or IT professional, understanding what NVMe SSDs are and how they work can help you make smarter decisions about upgrading your system.

An NVMe SSD is a type of solid state drive that uses a newer, faster technology called Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) to connect to your computer. Unlike older storage methods that were originally designed for slower, mechanical hard drives, NVMe protocol was built specifically for SSDs. This means it can take full advantage of how SSDs work, accessing data quickly and handling multiple tasks at once.

NVMe SSDs connect through a high-speed link called PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express), which allows it to transfer data at incredibly high speeds much faster than older connections like SATA. The result? Your computer, console, or workstation boots up faster, loads files quicker, and performs better when you're multitasking or running demanding applications.

If your computer takes forever to start up, open files, or run programs, an NVMe SSD can make a huge difference. It’s essentially like upgrading from a bike to a sports car. NVMe SSDs let your computer grab and use data quickly, which means everything from booting up to launching games or editing videos happens quicker and smoother. Switching to NVMe or a faster NVMe SSD is one of the easiest ways to breathe new life into a sluggish system.

SATA SSDs are still solid state drives, but they use an older connection type called SATA, which was originally designed for traditional hard drives with moving parts. As SSDs became faster and more advanced, the SATA connection couldn’t keep up. The drive itself was capable of much more speed, but the technology it was plugged into was holding it back. This is where NVMe comes in.

NVMe SSDs were built for speed from the start, using the faster PCIe connection. This allows them to move data much more quickly, often five to six times faster than SATA SSDs, and handle more tasks at once without slowing down.

From there, NVMe drives kept getting faster. NVMe technology was first introduced during the era of PCIe Gen 3, which means the earliest NVMe SSDs were built to run on PCIe Gen 3 motherboards. This was a big leap forward in speed compared to SATA. Then came Gen 4, which doubled that speed, and now we have Gen 5, which is even faster. Each new generation builds on the last, giving faster data transfer and better overall performance—especially useful for gaming, creative work, and multitasking.

Learn more about SSD standards, interfaces and NVMe form factors.

• Speed: NVMe SSDs offer low latency – the time required by the SSD to fetch the requested data – and exceptional data transfer speeds compared to HDDs and SATA SSDs. This makes them ideal for tasks that require rapid data access, such as booting up the operating system, loading applications, and handling large files.
• Multitasking and parallel processing: NVMe SSDs can handle multiple tasks simultaneously with minimal performance degradation. This is particularly valuable for professionals and enthusiasts who require efficient multitasking.
• Energy efficiency: NVMe SSDs are energy-efficient, which means they consume less power and generate less heat than HDDs. This can extend the battery life of laptops and improve the overall thermal performance of your computer.
• Reliability: NVMe SSDs are generally more reliable and durable than HDDs because they lack moving parts that can wear out or fail over time. This reliability is important for data integrity and system stability.

Everyday users who want a more responsive and faster computing experience will benefit from an NVMe SSD.

Gamers use NVMe SSDs to reduce load times, minimize in-game lag, and improve overall gaming performance. This is especially important in modern games with large, high-resolution textures and fast-paced online multiplayer experiences.

Video editors, photographers, graphic designers and content creators all benefit from NVMe SSDs. Creatives can quickly access and edit large media files, accelerate 3D graphics rendering times, and work more quickly with high-definition videos.

Many professionals in fields like architecture, engineering, and scientific research rely on NVMe SSDs in their workstations to run demanding software and applications and to process complex data analysis and simulation tasks quickly.

Streamers and broadcasters who conduct live streaming or create video content rely on NVMe SSDs to ensure smooth, uninterrupted broadcasts.

The Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) bus is the physical interface that allows for high-speed data transfers between the SSD and the computer's CPU. With each generation of PCIe, these speeds get faster. The latest generation is Gen5, also known as PCIe 5.0.

PCIe Gen 3 came out in 2011 with a transfer rate of 8GT/s. Generation 3 SSDs represent a significant leap forward in storage technology, with faster speeds and improved efficiency compared to their predecessors.  

These storage devices are great for entry-level computing. Users can see significant performance improvements when upgrading to a Gen 3 NVMe SSD from HDD or SATA.  However, their performance is limited compared to more recent generations. 

We would recommend a Gen 3 SSD for everyday users who prioritize affordability and seek a noticeable performance boost for their daily computing tasks such as web browsing, document editing, and email management. These SSDs offer a cost-effective solution for providing faster boot times and application loading speeds for those who don’t need intensive data processing or gaming capabilities. This sentence included "device" three times, so I simplified.

Released in 2017, PCIe 4.0 SSDs doubled the transfer speeds supported by Gen 3 with 16GT/s. 

Gen 4 SSDs are currently the most popular and prevalent on the market and are typically used for high-performance computing and mid-range gaming. We would recommend a Gen 4 SSD for users who demand high performance and are engaged in tasks that require lightning-fast data transfer speeds and responsiveness such as gaming, content creation, and data analysis. Photo editors using software like Photoshop benefit from quick access to high-resolution images, while gamers enjoy faster loading times and smoother gameplay experiences. 

Additionally, professionals working with virtual machines or conducting data analysis tasks experience enhanced productivity and efficiency with Gen 4 SSDs, thanks to accelerated data access and improved system performance. Overall, Gen 4 SSDs elevate computing experiences across various industries and applications, delivering impressive speed and reliability for demanding workloads.

Released in 2023, NVMe Gen5 SSDs are the latest iteration of the PCIe data transfer interface standard, offering bandwidth capabilities of 32GT/s. 

Gen 5 SSDs are typically used for high-performance gaming, professional photo or video editing, and industry workstation use. We recommend them for users who require the absolute pinnacle of storage performance and are willing to invest in cutting-edge hardware. Gen 5 SSDs offer even faster data transfer rates, reduced latency, and enhanced scalability compared to Gen 4 SSDs, making them suitable for demanding workloads industries such as video editing, 3D rendering, and scientific computing.  

We also recommend Gen 5 to esports players who need their SSDs to respond as fast as their reflexes. Our Crucial ambassador, professional gamer Emiliano Flores, uses the Crucial T705 in his all-white gaming setup to make sure he has the fastest rig available. Other NVMe gaming SSDs include the Crucial T500, P5 Plus, P3 Plus, P3, and the P310 2230.

Although Gen 5 SSDs represent the forefront of storage technology, they are best suited for users with advanced computing needs who require the highest levels of speed, reliability, and efficiency in their storage solution.

When choosing a new-to-you storage technology, an important question is “how long will it last?” 

For anyone using their SSD for heavy writing tasks, endurance as it relates to NAND technology can be important to consider, but keep in mind, for the vast majority of users, SSDs will last at least until they are replaced for other reasons (such as buying a new computer or upgrading for performance or capacity needs). 

For those who want to know the differences in NAND technology, here are some details.

Though NAND technology started with SLC (single-level cell), it quickly advanced to MLC (multi-level cell), which refers to the number of bits stored per cell: One for SLC, and two for MLC. Commercial SSDs are no longer manufactured with SLC or MLC NAND. While the endurance of SLC and MLC NAND is higher, the cost made it inaccessible to most users. To make SSDs affordable for more buyers, manufacturers developed TLC and QLC NAND.

Modern commercial SSDs are built on TLC NAND (three bits per cell) or QLC NAND (four bits per cell). They are both more affordable options when compared to SLC or MLC SSDs. QLC drives are generally more affordable than TLC. 

So, if given a choice, what’s the best choice for you?

In an apples-to-apples comparison, TLC drives will always have better endurance. However, since most users will never exhaust the endurance of a QLC drive, that makes them an attractive option for anyone with an eye to balancing price and performance. If you have write-intensive workloads or want the most advanced tech available, even at a premium cost, TLC is for you. If you use your SSD for everyday tasks and prioritize budget-friendly options, QLC is the right choice.