Best SSD for Lenovo Legion 5, Legion 5 Pro, Legion 7
The Lenovo Legion series is a popular lineup of gaming laptops that cater to different budgets and performance requirements. Ranging from the affordable Legion 5 to the more powerful Legion 5 Pro and the high-end Legion 7, these laptops provide an optimal gaming experience for enthusiasts. One essential aspect of enhancing your gaming experience is having a SSD that enables faster boot times, quicker file access times, and generally better performance. In this article, we will explore the best SSD options for Lenovo’s Legion 5, Legion 5 Pro, and Legion 7 gaming laptops.
When selecting an SSD for your Lenovo Legion series gaming laptop, make sure to pay attention to the following factors:
- Compatibility: Ensure that the SSD is compatible with your specific Lenovo Legion laptop model. Check for the supported type of SSD (M.2 NVMe or SATA) and physical dimensions.
- Capacity: Depending on your storage needs and budget, choose an SSD with an adequate storage capacity. Larger capacity SSDs can store more games, files, and applications, while smaller capacity SSDs will require external storage solutions to compensate for limited storage space.
- Performance: The SSD’s read and write speeds will significantly impact your laptop’s overall performance. Faster SSDs can substantially improve game loading times and file transfer times compared to slower SSDs.
Now that you know the main considerations when selecting the best SSD for your Lenovo Legion 5, Legion 5 Pro, Legion 7, here are some of the top choices:
1. WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe Internal Gaming SSD – Check Price at Amazon/B&H Photo Video/Newegg
The WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe Internal Gaming SSD is a top-of-the-line storage solution designed specifically with gamers and high-performance users in mind, currently best SSD for Lenovo Legion series. This solid-state drive (SSD) is not only suitable for gamers but also for performance-oriented photographers, as it is capable of delivering blazing-fast speeds and seamless multitasking capabilities. Available with or without a heatsink, the SN850X offers a range of capacities to cater to individual needs. The optional heatsink ensures optimal temperature management for sustained performance while gaming or working on demanding tasks. The SN850X sports a sleek design with the RGB variant adding a touch of flair to the aesthetic appeal of the drive. The SN850X truly stands out amidst the vast selection of mainstream consumer SSDs due to its impressive specs. TweakTown has deemed this drive as the “eminently TweakTown Elite” in its 2TB version, reflecting its high-quality performance and value. However, it should be noted that it may fall short in terms of 4K random access performance, which might be a slight disappointment for some users. Despite this minor drawback, the Western Digital WD_BLACK SN850X remains an excellent choice for those seeking a PCIe Gen 4 SSD that meets their gaming and high-performance needs. In conclusion, the WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe Internal Gaming SSD is a formidable storage solution that delivers exceptional speed, top-notch performance, and styles to suit various preferences.
Features:
- The WD_BLACK Dashboard monitors your drive’s health, controls your RGB style and can automatically detect games to turn on Game Mode 2.0 (Windows only).
- Predictive Loading, Overhead Balancing, and Adaptive Thermal Management features come to the SN850X to juice up your gaming performance.
- M.2 2280 Form Factor
- PCIe 4.0 x4 Interface
- Up to 7300 MB/s Sequential Read Speed
- Up to 6300 MB/s Sequential Write Speed
- 1.75 Million Hours MTTF
2. Samsung 980 PRO PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 Internal SSD – Check Price at Amazon/B&H Photo Video/Newegg
The Samsung 980 PRO PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 Internal SSD is an innovative and powerful solid-state drive designed to deliver impressive performance improvements over its predecessors. Built on the latest PCIe 4.0 interface technology, this SSD is optimized for users seeking enhanced speed and reliability in their gaming, content creation, and data-intensive tasks. Supporting the NVMe protocol, the 980 PRO offers a compact M.2 2280 form factor that easily fits into most motherboards. Available in various storage capacities, it provides versatility to suit different user requirements. Furthermore, the SSD delivers up to 7,000 MB/s in read speeds and 5,000 MB/s in write speeds, which is substantially faster than Samsung PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSDs and SATA SSDs. This impressive performance is primarily attributed to the usage of PCIe 4.0 technology that debuted in mainstream devices with AMD. In addition to its incredible speed, the 980 PRO comes packed with robust security features and a reliable lifespan. It is designed to handle both consumer and enterprise use cases, making it suitable for a wide range of users. While the SSD lacks SLC caching for peak performance, it more than compensates for it with its overall capabilities. To make the deal even better, the Samsung 980 PRO SSD 1TB package on Amazon includes a 2-month subscription to Adobe CC Photography. This comprehensive suite of creative tools is a great addition for photographers, artists, and content creators alike. In conclusion, the Samsung 980 PRO PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 Internal SSD is a top-tier storage solution that offers remarkable speed, versatility, and reliability. Its compatibility with the latest hardware and performance-focused design make an ideal choice for gamers, content creators, and professionals looking to upgrade their systems.
Features
- Sequential reads of up to 7000 MB/s and sequential writes of up to 5000 MB/s with a PCIe 4.0 interface which is 2x faster than PCIe 3.0 and 12x faster than Samsung SATA SSDs.
- Intelligent TurboWrite 2.0 maximizes PCIe 4.0 write performance with enlarged TurboWrite regions
- The Samsung 980 PRO provides an endurance rating of up to 600TB
- A nickel-coated controller and a heat spreader label help the 980 PRO effectively dissipate the heat
- Samsung Dynamic Thermal Guard technology maintains the 980 PRO’s temperature at optimal level
- Power efficiency (performance/watt) is improved by up to 65% vs. the 970 EVO Plus
- The 980 PRO comes in a compact M.2 2280 form factor and is backward compatible with PCIe 3.0
3. Samsung 970 EVO Plus M.2 Internal SSD – Check Price at Amazon/B&H Photo Video/Newegg
The Samsung 970 EVO Plus M.2 Internal SSD is a notable step up from its predecessor, the original 970 EVO, offering improved performance across all capacities and metrics. This powerful SSD easily stands out as an excellent choice for installation in a gaming rig, video editing workstation, and other high-performance computing scenarios. The EVO Plus series is backed by a solid five-year warranty, or the TBW (Terabytes Written) value, whichever one comes first, ensuring users have peace of mind as they rely these high-capacity SSDs. The 970 EVO Plus is not just fast, but also quite affordable for an NVMe drive. As an M.2 drive, it utilizes the NVMe protocol, enabling faster data transfer and lower latency compared to traditional SATA-based SSDs. The 2TB version, in particular, comes with all the fantastic features and benefits of its smaller counterparts, providing ample storage capacity for those who require more space for high-resolution content, games, or applications. With the introduction of the 970 EVO Plus, Samsung has refined the exceptional performance and power efficiency that users have come to expect from their SSD line. These drives are able to handle demanding workloads, ensuring smooth and reliable operation in even the most challenging environments. In summary, the Samsung 970 EVO Plus M.2 Internal SSD offers top-notch performance, impressive capacity options, and a reasonable price point, making it a highly recommended choice for upgrading your computing experience. Furthermore, the five-year warranty ensures long-term reliability and support, allowing users to maximize the potential of their systems without worrying about storage limitations.
Features:
- ALWAYS EVOLVING SSD: Faster than the 970 EVO, the 970 EVO Plus is powered by the latest V-NAND technology and firmware optimization; It maximizes the potential of NVMe bandwidth for unbeatable computing; Comes in capacities of up to 2TB, with reliability of up to 1,200 TBW.
- LEVEL UP PERFORMANCE: The 970 EVO Plus reaches sequential read/write speeds up to 3,500/3,300 MB/s,* up to 53%** faster than the 970 EVO; Powered by the latest V-NAND technology—which brings greater NAND performance and higher power efficiency
- DESIGN FLEXIBILITY: The 970 EVO Plus fits up to 2TB onto the compact M.2 (2280) form factor, greatly expanding storage capacity and saving space for other components; Samsung’s innovative technology empowers you with the capacity to do more and accomplish more
- EXCEPTIONAL ENDURANCE: Get up to 1,200 TBW*** with a 5-year limited warranty**** for lasting performance; The 970 EVO Plus provides exceptional endurance powered by the latest V-NAND technology and Samsung’s reputation for quality
- UNPARALLELED RELIABILITY: Samsung’s advanced nickel-coated controller and heat spreader on the 970 EVO Plus enable superior heat dissipation; The Dynamic Thermal Guard automatically monitors and maintains optimal operating temperatures to minimize performance drops
- SAMSUNG MAGICIAN: Keep an eye on your drive with software that provides a suite of user-friendly tools that help you keep your drive up to date, monitor drive health and speed, and even boost performance
4. Samsung 980 PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 Internal SSD – Check Price at Amazon/B&H Photo Video/Newegg
The Samsung 980 PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 Internal SSD is an efficient and competitively priced storage solution targeted at everyday PC users and gamers. With this SSD, Samsung aims to maintain its reputation for producing reliable and high-performance SSDs. The Samsung 980 is an NVMe drive rated for PCIe 3.0 x4, boasting peak sequential read speeds of up to 3.5 GB/s for the 1TB drive, showcasing impressive speed and performance. One of the key features of the Samsung 980 is its DRAM-less design, which reduces the overall cost of the SSD while still providing solid performance. It employs the use of the company’s fastest flash yet, the V6 V-NAND. Moreover, this SSD comes packed with a large, fast-recovering dynamic SLC cache and an attractive design. Other noteworthy features include AES 256-bit hardware encryption, a software package, and a 5-year warranty with Pro-like endurance. Despite its many advantages, the Samsung 980 has one notable drawback: slow write speeds after the SLC cache fills up. However, the SSD’s performance, efficiency, and affordability still make it a great choice for those looking for a PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD. In conclusion, the Samsung 980 PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 Internal SSD stands out as a solid mid-tier option for both new and returning fans of Samsung’s SSDs. While it may not stand out among the ever-growing list of competitors, it certainly offers a reliable and cost-effective choice for users seeking high-performing storage solutions.
Features:
- M.2 2280 Form Factor
- PCIe 3.0 x4 / NVMe 1.4 Interface
- Sequential Reads up to 3500 MB/s
- Sequential Writes up to 3000 MB/s
- Up to 600TB TBW (Total Bytes Written)
- Samsung V-NAND 3-Bit MLC NAND
- Pablo Controller
- AES 256-Bit Encryption
- TCG/Opal 2.0, MS eDrive Encryption
5. Samsung 870 EVO SATA III 2.5″ Internal SSD – Check Price at Amazon/B&H Photo Video
The Samsung 870 EVO SATA III 2.5″ Internal SSD is an exceptional storage solution that offers significant improvements over its predecessor, the 860 EVO. Emphasizing its 2.5-inch form factor, the 870 EVO stands out as an excellent choice for users seeking optimal SATA SSD performance. With the discontinuation of its mSATA version, the M.2 SATA remains a noteworthy competitor in the market. Featuring a SATA 6Gbps interface, the Samsung 870 EVO provides users with fast and efficient data transfer speeds. The SSD utilizes Samsung’s V-NAND 3-bit MLC (TLC) storage memory, while the Samsung MKX Controller ensures reliable and consistent performance for various computing needs. As a result, the SSD 870 EVO delivers impressive 4K random read and write operations that almost transcend the limitations of a SATA SSD. However, it is worth noting that while the Samsung 870 EVO is undeniably a fantastic SATA SSD, its value proposition may be challenged by the more advanced PCIe SSDs that have emerged in recent times. This argument is especially relevant when considering the budget constraints of consumers who are eager to of their investments in technology. In conclusion, the Samsung 870 EVO SATA III 2.5″ Internal SSD stands as a top-of-the-line storage device that offers peak SATA SSD performance, making it suitable for anyone seeking to upgrade or build a new system with SATA storage. However, customers should weigh the benefits of this exceptional SATA SSD against the increasingly popular and faster PCIe SSDs before making their final decision.
Features:
- 2.5″ Form Factor
- SATA III 6 Gb/s Interface
- 2GB LPDDR4 Cache
- Up to 560 MB/s Sequential Read Speed
- Up to 530 MB/s Sequential Write Speed
- Samsung MKX Controller
- MLC V-NAND Technology
- MTBF Rating: 1.5 Million Hours
6. Crucial BX500 SATA III 2.5″ Internal SSD – Check Price at Amazon/B&H Photo Video
The Crucial BX500 SATA III 2.5″ Internal SSD is an affordable and value-oriented storage option for those looking to upgrade from a traditional hard drive. As the market for SSDs has become competitive with excess flash and new technologies like QLC, it’s now possible to find 500GB of storage for under $70 and 1TB for under $100. The BX500 offers a classic 2.5-inch SATAIII form factor, with read speeds of up to 550MB/s and write speeds of 490MB/s, making it ideally suited for upgrading your existing system. Despite its low cost, the Crucial BX500 offers strong sequential burst performance and supporting software. However, the SSD’s low endurance, lower than average application performance, and low sustained write performance set it behind most current-generation SSD options in the market. It is important to note that the performance of the BX500 significantly slows down once the secondary cache runs out. Ideal for price-conscious buyers in need of 2.5-inch SATA drives, the BX500 performs competently but does not stand out in a crowded market. There are better options available for just a few dollars more, including Crucial’s own MX500, which makes the BX500 challenging to recommend as a top choice. In conclusion, the Crucial BX500 SATA III 2.5″ Internal SSD is indeed an option for an affordable and basic upgrade from a hard disk drive. However, with better options in close price proximity and with some performance drawbacks, it is a drive that may not cater to the needs of all users.
Features:
- 2.5″ / 7mm Form Factor
- SATA III 6 Gb/s Interface
- Up to 540 MB/s Sequential Read Speed
- Up to 500 MB/s Sequential Write Speed
- Micron 3D NAND Technology