How to choose the right SSD for your PC
Is your computer truly delivering its full potential, or could its performance be improved with a better storage choice?
What should you know before buying an SSD to avoid wasting money or storage capacity on your PC?
In many cases, the difference between a computer that runs smoothly and one that feels constrained lies in storage. Although often overlooked, this component can significantly transform the user experience.
Biwin, a company specialized in the manufacturing of memory and storage for computers, outlined the factors that should be considered when selecting an SSD for a modern PC, with the goal of achieving a balance between performance, capacity, and budget.
SSD selection.
As recommended by César Moyano, Regional Sales Director at Biwin:
“Choosing the right SSD for a current computer allows you to maximize your budget, achieve the best possible performance, and ensure you have the necessary capacity for all applications and data. In this sense, it is essential to select the correct generation and the appropriate storage capacity.”
System compatibility.
The starting point is identifying which type of drive the system supports. While older systems typically rely on SATA, most modern PCs are now compatible with M.2 NVMe SSDs based on the PCI Express (PCIe) interface.
To make the right choice, it is necessary to determine which PCIe generation the motherboard supports (PCIe 3, PCIe 4, or PCIe 5). This information can be found in the manufacturer’s manual, on its website, or directly on the hardware itself.
It is also important to verify which NVMe slots correspond to each generation, as these may vary within the same system.
Moyano emphasizes that:
“Once you know the system’s PCIe generation, you must decide whether you want to fully leverage it. PCIe 5 drives, such as the Biwin Black Opal X570 PRO, deliver performance and energy efficiency, but for many users they offer speeds far beyond what they actually need. If you are looking for cutting-edge performance, PCIe 5 is the best option.”
An important aspect is that PCI Express maintains backward compatibility across generations, meaning older SSDs can be installed in newer slots, although performance will be limited to the lowest supported generation in the chain.
Storage capacity.
The next step is defining storage capacity. SSDs typically start at 512 GB, which is sufficient for basic tasks, office work, or light browsing. For gaming, large files, or extensive photo and video libraries, a minimum of 1 TB is recommended.
In terms of capacity:
“Modern SSDs are available in capacities of up to 4 TB, and some even reach 8 TB, offering options for virtually any storage need. Once the drive type and capacity are defined, it is simply a matter of choosing the one that best fits budget and performance requirements.”
External storage.
If the PC is not easy to upgrade or portability is a priority, external SSDs are an alternative. They do not reach the same speeds as internal drives and can be more expensive due to their protective casing, but they offer a practical solution for expanding storage.
PCIe Gen 5 performance.
The expert also highlights that:
“For PCIe Gen 5 systems, sustained performance and responsiveness are just as important as peak data transfer rates. The Biwin Black Opal X570 PRO SSD features a PCIe Gen5×4 interface and NVMe 2.0 protocol, and includes up to 8 GB of dedicated DRAM cache along with up to 2,000K IOPS random read performance, resulting in faster system responsiveness under real-world workloads.”
As a final recommendation, Moyano explains:
“To choose the right SSD, it is necessary to know the system’s PCIe generation, define capacity based on intended use, and select a drive that balances performance, durability, and price.”
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