What PCIe Gen 5.0 SSDs Offer Enthusiasts Today
A PCIe Gen 5.0 SSD is a high-speed storage drive that uses the latest PCI Express 5.0 interface to deliver far higher M.2 SSD performance than mainstream PCIe Gen 4.0 models, especially in demanding desktop PCs and high-end gaming builds that can exploit extreme sequential and random throughput for heavy workloads.
For enthusiast builders chasing every last frame and second, PCIe Gen 5.0 drives like the SanDisk Optimus GX Pro 8100 and Samsung 9100 Pro sit at the top of the NVMe benchmark testing charts, while more affordable options such as the Kioxia Exceria Plus G4 act as a bridge between flagship Gen 5.0 and fast Gen 4.0 drives. The bottom line: spend big on 9100 Pro-class hardware only if you move massive files or want the fastest numbers; otherwise, a value-focused Gen 5.0 like the Exceria Plus G4 or a strong Gen 4.0 SSD will feel equally responsive in everyday use.
Specs Face-Off: Kioxia Exceria Plus G4 vs SanDisk Optimus GX Pro 8100
Two PCIe Gen 5.0 SSDs define the enthusiast spectrum: the Kioxia Exceria Plus G4 as a price-conscious high-speed option, and the SanDisk Optimus GX Pro 8100 (also sold as WD_Black SN8100) as an all-out flagship. Both share the same PCIe 5.0 x4 interface and 2TB capacity class, but their priorities differ. The G4 skips DRAM, comes without a bundled heatsink, and focuses on a balance of speed and cost, while the 8100 leans into record-breaking sequential speeds and cooler operation, backed by an optional heatsink model. If you care about raw benchmark leadership, the 8100 wins decisively; if you care about value, the G4 is the smarter buy.
| Spec | Kioxia Exceria Plus G4 2TB | SanDisk Optimus GX Pro 8100 2TB |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 5.0 x4 | PCIe 5.0 x4 |
| Sequential Read | 10,000MB/s (10,420MB/s measured) | 14,900MB/s (14,957MB/s measured) |
| Sequential Write | 8,200MB/s | 14,000MB/s |
| Random Read | 1,300,000 IOPS | 2,300,000 IOPS |
| Random Write | 1,400,000 IOPS | 2,400,000 IOPS |
| DRAM | No | Yes |
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 |
| Endurance (TBW) | 1,200TBW | 1,200TBW |
| Hardware Encryption | Yes | Yes |
| Heatsink Version | No | Yes available |
| Warranty | Five years | Five years |
| Price (2TB) | £210 / $320 (approx. RM1,472) | £396 / $440 (approx. RM2,024) |
The numbers show a clear split. The Optimus GX Pro 8100 delivers far higher sequential throughput, with quoted 14,900MB/s reads and 14,000MB/s writes, and even exceeded its read claim in CrystalDiskMark at 14,957MB/s. By contrast, the Exceria Plus G4 tops out at 10,000MB/s reads (10,420MB/s measured) and 8,200MB/s writes, which still puts it ahead of leading Gen 4.0 SSDs. Thermal behaviour favours the 8100 as well: with a single-sided motherboard heatsink, the 2TB model peaked at only 55°C in testing, far cooler than many earlier Gen 5.0 drives. In price, however, the G4 undercuts the 8100 substantially at £210 / $320 (approx. RM1,472) versus £396 / $440 (approx. RM2,024), so each extra gigabyte per second costs you a steep premium.
Samsung 9100 Pro: Benchmark Star with a Premium Price
Samsung’s 9100 Pro PCIe Gen 5.0 SSD targets the same high-end audience as the Optimus GX Pro 8100, trading on extreme NVMe benchmark testing results and broad device compatibility. Reviewers describe it as “the fastest Consumer NVMe SSD you can buy — but it ain’t cheap,” and note that it delivers the fastest SSD performance they have ever tested, with strong PCMark scores to match. In other words, the 9100 Pro is not only a sequential monster; it is also quick across mixed real-world workloads.
That said, the 9100 Pro shares key caveats with other flagship PCIe Gen 5.0 SSDs. One source calls it a blazingly fast PCIe 5 SSD while questioning its practical benefits, pointing out that gaming gains over slower drives are limited. Another notes that, while competitively priced for a premium SSD, it still carries a high cost compared with mainstream models. Yet it is a versatile option that “will work in just about any device” and pairs its speed with sensible thermals thanks to a single-sided heatsink design that avoids oversized cooling contraptions. If you can find it at a discount, it is nearly as fast as the 8100 and sometimes cheaper, making it worth close monitoring when sales appear.
Who Needs Gen 5.0, and When Gen 4.0 Is Enough
In lab tests, PCIe Gen 5.0 SSDs like the Optimus GX Pro 8100 sit at the ceiling of what the M.2 format can do, making them the quickest SSDs ever benchmarked on test rigs. These high-speed storage drives excel when you move huge files — think multi‑gigabyte video projects or massive game installs — where their towering sequential throughput cuts transfer times. According to one review, “Samsung has released the fastest SSD we have ever tested, and if the fast sequential speeds weren’t enough to persuade you, that fantastic showing in PCMark certainly should.”
However, the shared warning from multiple tests is that you rarely feel this extra speed in day-to-day use. One source notes you would be hard‑pressed to notice a difference in game load times or general system snappiness between a top Gen 5.0 drive and a cheaper NVMe model, underlining the diminishing returns of these flagships at current prices. Gen 4.0 SSDs such as the WD_Black SN850X still deliver excellent game boot times and overall responsiveness, and you can also drop a Gen 5.0 drive into a Gen 4.0 slot, albeit at reduced speed. For most users, a well‑priced Gen 4.0 or mid‑range Gen 5.0 drive is the sweet spot; flagship models make sense only for heavy workstation workloads or status‑chasing builds.
Buy if / Skip if
- Buy the SanDisk Optimus GX Pro 8100 if you want the absolute fastest PCIe Gen 5.0 NVMe benchmark numbers available for a desktop M.2 SSD and are willing to pay a steep premium for bragging‑rights performance.
- Skip the SanDisk Optimus GX Pro 8100 if you mainly care about game load times or everyday responsiveness, because tests show its extra speed over cheaper NVMe drives is hard to notice outside large file transfers.
- Buy the Samsung 9100 Pro if you want a PCIe Gen 5.0 SSD that delivers fastest‑in‑class benchmarks, strong PCMark performance and works in a wide range of devices, and you can stomach its premium pricing.
- Skip the Samsung 9100 Pro if your budget is tight and you would rather avoid paying for a top‑tier SSD when gaming and general‑use gains over mid‑range drives remain modest.
- Buy the Kioxia Exceria Plus G4 if you want PCIe Gen 5.0 speed that outpaces Gen 4.0 drives while keeping costs more reasonable than flagship SanDisk or Samsung models.
- Skip the Kioxia Exceria Plus G4 if you dislike relying on motherboard heatsinks, because this drive runs hot and ships without its own heatsink‑equipped version.
- Buy the best PCIe Gen 4.0 SSDs, such as models like the WD_Black SN850X, if you prioritise value and fast game boot times over chasing the latest interface, as they remain a fantastic choice for most users.
- Skip the highest‑end PCIe Gen 5.0 SSDs altogether if you rarely move huge files and prefer to spend your budget on other components like a faster GPU or CPU, where the performance uplift will be easier to notice.
