Storage Upgrades People Skip: Best Picks

The storage upgrade most people overlook is adding a second internal SSD to an existing desktop PC. It is cheap, takes minutes to install, and gives you a massive speed boost for games and large files without replacing anything. Most builds have empty SATA or M.2 slots, so it is the highest-impact upgrade for the least effort.

What to Look For

When choosing a storage upgrade, focus on these criteria:

Interface: NVMe (PCIe) drives are much faster than SATA SSDs. For most people, a PCIe 3.0 or 4.0 NVMe drive is the sweet spot. SATA SSDs are still fine for budget builds or older systems.
Capacity: 1TB is the practical minimum for a main drive in 2024. 2TB gives comfortable room for games and media. More than that is usually overkill unless you work with huge video files.
Form Factor: M.2 is the standard for NVMe drives. 2.5-inch SATA SSDs are for older systems or extra storage. Check your motherboard manual for available slots.
Endurance: Look at TBW (terabytes written) for longevity. Most consumer drives have plenty for normal use. 600 TBW on a 1TB drive is typical and fine.
Price per GB: This is the real decision-maker. NVMe prices have dropped, so you can get 1TB for under $50. Paying double for a flagship drive rarely makes sense for gaming or everyday use.

1. Second Internal SSD (NVMe M.2)

Strengths: Direct connection to the motherboard, no cables, and speeds up to 7000 MB/s on PCIe 4.0. It is the most cost-effective way to add fast storage.

Trade-offs: Requires an empty M.2 slot. Some older boards only support SATA M.2, which caps speed. Also, M.2 drives can run hot under sustained load; a heatsink helps.

Who it suits: Desktop owners with a free slot, especially gamers and content creators. It is also great for laptops with a second M.2 slot (rare, but check).

2. SATA SSD (2.5-inch)

Strengths: Works with almost any desktop or laptop from the last decade. Uses standard SATA ports and power cables. Very reliable and cheap per GB.

Trade-offs: Max speed is around 550 MB/s, which is about 10x slower than NVMe. For loading games, you will notice a difference, but not a huge one. It is a dead-end for future builds.

Who it suits: People upgrading an old system, or adding bulk storage for media files where speed matters less.

3. External SSD (USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt)

Strengths: Portable, no installation, and works with any computer. Modern USB 3.2 Gen 2 drives hit around 1000 MB/s, which is fine for backups or editing off a drive.

Trade-offs: More expensive per GB than internal drives. Thunderbolt enclosures are pricey and require a compatible port. Also, you have to carry it around and risk losing it.

Who it suits: Laptop users who need extra storage without opening the case, or people who move large files between machines.

4. Network Attached Storage (NAS)

Strengths: Centralized storage accessible from all devices on your network. You can set up RAID for redundancy. Great for backups, media streaming, and sharing files.

Trade-offs: Cost is high (drives + enclosure). Setup requires some networking knowledge. Speed is limited by your network (gigabit is about 125 MB/s).

Who it suits: Households with multiple computers, or professionals who need shared storage and automated backups.

5. USB Flash Drive (as ReadyBoost or Portable Storage)

Strengths: Extremely cheap, portable, and require zero installation. Good for transferring small files or expanding a laptop’s storage for documents.

Trade-offs: Slow (even USB 3.0 is around 150 MB/s), low endurance, and not suitable for running applications. ReadyBoost on Windows is largely obsolete for modern systems with SSDs.

Who it suits: Students or travelers who need a few gigabytes of temporary storage, not a real upgrade.

How to Choose

Start with your budget. If you have $50-100, a 1TB NVMe M.2 drive is the best value. If your system is older and lacks M.2, a SATA SSD is still a huge upgrade over a hard drive.

Consider your use case:

Gaming: Go for NVMe. Load times will drop dramatically. 1TB is enough for about 10-15 modern games.
Video editing: NVMe is essential for 4K timelines. Get 2TB if you work with large files.
Office work: A SATA SSD is fine. You won’t notice the difference.
Backups: An external SSD or NAS is better than an internal drive, because you can disconnect it for safety.

Common trade-offs: Speed vs. capacity, internal vs. external, and price vs. endurance. For most people, a single 1TB NVMe M.2 SSD is the best all-around choice. If you need more space later, add a SATA SSD for bulk storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add an NVMe SSD to any computer?

No. You need an M.2 slot on the motherboard (desktop) or laptop. Check your manual or use a system info tool. If you don’t have one, SATA is your only internal option.

Is NVMe worth it over SATA?

For everyday use, you won’t see a big difference. For gaming and file transfers, yes. NVMe is faster and uses less power. Prices are close, so if your system supports it, go NVMe.

How do I clone my old drive to the new one?

Use free cloning software like Macrium Reflect or Samsung Data Migration (if you buy a Samsung). Connect the new drive via USB adapter, clone, then swap. It takes about 30 minutes.

Will a second SSD slow down my system?

No. Each drive operates independently. Adding a second SSD does not affect the performance of the first one.

What is TBW and why does it matter?

TBW (terabytes written) is the total amount of data you can write to a drive before it may fail. For a 1TB drive, 600 TBW is typical. For most users, that’s years of use. It matters more for heavy video editing or server workloads.

Should I get a used SSD to save money?

It’s risky. SSDs have a limited lifespan, and you don’t know how much life is left. A new budget SSD is cheap enough that used is not worth the risk.

Bottom Line

For most people, the best storage upgrade is a 1TB NVMe M.2 SSD. It is fast, affordable, and easy to install. If your system lacks M.2, get a 2.5-inch SATA SSD. Avoid external drives unless you need portability, and skip NAS unless you have specific multi-device needs. Check your slots, buy from a reputable brand, and you will see a huge improvement in load times and system responsiveness.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

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