In gaming, the performance of an SSD is more significantly impacted by random 4K read speeds rather than the sequential speeds prominently advertised, such as the 7400 MB/s figure on the box. While enthusiasts often gravitate towards high-end options like Samsung's 990 Pro or WD's Black series, most gamers would find comparable performance in mid-range SSDs, especially when loading games that consist of multiple small assets.
Modern SSDs, whether high-end or mid-range, usually exhibit similar random 4K read speeds, which are crucial for tasks like gaming and multitasking. For instance, both the Samsung 990 Pro and WD Black SN770 can provide nearly identical performance in real-world scenarios, showing minimal differences in load times for demanding games such as Cyberpunk 2077 or Starfield.
Choosing a mid-range SSD can also offer advantages like better thermal management. High-performance drives tend to generate more heat, often necessitating additional cooling solutions to avoid thermal throttling, an issue less prevalent in mid-range alternatives. Ultimately, the incremental benefits of pro-level drives often do not justify their higher price for the average gamer.