Question Suggestions for an m.2 drive of at least 1tb?

[axlrose]

I have a 960 evo 500gb and it's full. I want to add a second m.2 drive in the second slot on the motherboard. I would like a 970 evo plus, but they are spendy for the 1tb yet. That's what I'd buy today if I had to make a purchase right now. I'm wondering if you have other ideas I should consider. It will most likely be used almost completely for games.

Thanks for your expertise.

 

[Barty1884]

Game storage? Or a single drive that will be mostly filled with games (+OS)?

for most users, I'd recommend looking to the 1TB Intel 660p:

PCPartPicker Part List

Storage: Intel - 660p Series 1.02 TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $89.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-07-12 18:46 EDT-0400

About 40% the cost of a 970 EVO Plus, and in the average users daily use, you'd be hard pressed to notice any difference.

 

[USAFRet]

I have a 960 evo 500gb and it's full. I want to add a second m.2 drive in the second slot on the motherboard. I would like a 970 evo plus, but they are spendy for the 1tb yet. That's what I'd buy today if I had to make a purchase right now. I'm wondering if you have other ideas I should consider. It will most likely be used almost completely for games.

Thanks for your expertise.

What motherboard?
Can it utilize an NVMe drive in that second m.2 port?

As above, an Intel 660p for a secondary drive is good.

 

[axlrose]

Game storage? Or a single drive that will be mostly filled with games (+OS)?

for most users, I'd recommend looking to the 1TB Intel 660p:

PCPartPicker Part List

Storage: Intel - 660p Series 1.02 TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $89.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-07-12 18:46 EDT-0400

About 40% the cost of a 970 EVO Plus, and in the average users daily use, you'd be hard pressed to notice any difference.

I would like to add a second drive that will likely just hold my games on steam.

 

[Barty1884]

Provided you have an M.2 slot that accepts NVME, the 660p would be a great drive for you.

 

[axlrose]

https://us.msi.com/Motherboard/Z170A-MPOWER-GAMING-TITANIUM.html

I'd like NVME, but it sounds like for my purposes it's not real important. I know prime days are coming up, so I'm trying to stay open to options on good deals. $220 is making me pause still. Under $100, if it does what I need, would not make me pause.

 

[Barty1884]

It's compatible, yes. I see no reason not to opt for the 660p. Even with a good sale, the Samsung drive will come nowhere close in price.
Yes, the Samsung drive is "faster", but in your use case of bulk game storage, it would be a total waste of money to buy that over the 660p, even if it went on sale for $150 (which won't happen).

 

[USAFRet]

Both your M.2 ports will support an NVMe drive.

The Intel 660p at under $100 for 1TB is an obvious choice for a secondary game drive.
As a secondary drive in that use, I defy anyone to tell the difference between that and a 970 EVO in a blind test.