<ul data-eligibleForWebStory="true">Upgrading to the best SSDs can significantly improve computer performance, offering faster boot times and file loading speed.Choosing the right SSD involves considering factors like PCIe Gen, SATA, NVMe, and balancing speed, capacity, and price.SATA SSDs are cost-effective and easy to install, suitable for older PC builds, while NVMe SSDs offer higher speeds but require compatible hardware.M.2 SSDs come in SATA or PCIe connection types, with Gen3 models offering speeds up to 3,000MB/s and Gen4 providing even faster performance.Avoid overspending on Gen5 SSDs as few applications can utilize their speeds effectively, and they may have heat-related issues.Consider factors like drive size compatibility and performance benchmarks rather than just focusing on theoretical speeds when selecting an SSD.For external SSDs, connections like USB 3.2 Gen 2 or Thunderbolt are crucial, along with features like water/dust proofing and hardware encryption.Upgrading console storage, particularly for Xbox Series X|S and PS5, involves specific recommendations such as Seagate and Western Digital models.Choosing the right SSD size depends on your storage needs, with 1TB being a good starting point, especially for gamers with large game libraries.While SSDs are generally faster and more efficient, HDDs can be a budget-friendly option for maximum storage capacity.The size of an SSD does not directly correlate with speed; read/write speeds listed in the specs provide a better indicator of performance.