[SOLVED] Choosing SSD for fresh W10 installation and couple games to be placed on

[mightmaster92]

Hello, so i've got few options to choose from here:

1) 250 GB M.2 NVMe Samsung 970 EVO Plus [MZ-V7S250BW] - 61$

2) 250 GB SATA Samsung 860 EVO [MZ-76E250BW] - 51$

3) 500 GB SATA Samsung 860 EVO [MZ-76E500BW] - 72$

I'm currently inclined towards #1, but i'm kinda aware that difference in speed while technically huge, practically doesn't make any difference in most cases.
Is there a chance to throttle #2 and 3 if i bloat my pc with all kinds of staff, i.e. will there be noticeable difference in loading times between freshly installed OS on #2-3 and the one that in moderately heavy use for few years? Like what usually happens with HDDs.

Also an off question, is there any big difference between EVO and PRO Samsung SSDs, aside from price gap?

 

[mightmaster92]

Another question - what's DRAM cache about? From what i've read in some adjacent threads DRAM is power dependant, but faster and far more 'durable'?
Do any of provided options have this? How bad is not having it?

 

[mightmaster92]

Anybody?

 

[USAFRet]

Between 2 & 3, zero difference. Just don't fill them up too much.

For a game system, zero difference between EVO and Pro.

For 970 vs 860...what motherboard is this going on?
But for a game system, little actual difference.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3AMz-xZ2VM

 

[mightmaster92]

Motherboard is ASUS PRIME B350M-K

 

[USAFRet]

OK, that can use the 970 EVO. Your #1.

However...as shown in that linked video, gaming performance difference is minimal.

Personally, I'd go with #3

 

[geofelt]

The PRO versions have longer endurance. A moot point these days and any price premium is not much worth it.
I think I would go for 500gb, regardless.
500gb Intel 665p nvme is particularly well priced.
https://www.newegg.com/intel-660p-series-512gb/p/0D9-002V-003Y7

 

[mightmaster92]

Alright, after some more thought I've settled on 500gb M.2 Samsung 860 EVO [MZ-N6E500BW] - 83$ ... oh, wait, it seems to have same characteristics as #3 but pricier ... um, should I stick to #3 then?

 

[USAFRet]

Alright, after some more thought I've settled on 500gb M.2 Samsung 860 EVO [MZ-N6E500BW] - 83$ ... oh, wait, it seems to have same characteristics as #3 but pricier ... um, should I stick to #3 then?

M.2 or 2.5" format....both SATA III. Same drive, different format. No performance difference.