Best Gaming Storage for League of Legends

Updated 2026-04-24 · 10 picks tested

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League of Legends may not demand massive storage like Warzone or Final Fantasy XIV, but your drive speed directly impacts load times, map transitions, and overall responsiveness. A slow HDD means you're staring at loading screens while enemies are already in lane. The best gaming storage for League of Legends pairs fast NVMe SSDs with reliable performance so you can focus on climbing, not waiting.

In this guide, we've tested and ranked the top gaming storage solutions that deliver the speed you need without breaking the bank. Whether you're upgrading a budget gaming PC or building a high-end rig, these drives offer the read/write speeds that matter: 7,000+ MB/s for instant map loads, minimal stuttering, and the responsiveness competitive play demands. We'll walk you through what makes a drive gaming-ready and help you pick the right capacity and price point for your setup.

Buyer's guide

When shopping for gaming storage for League of Legends, speed is everything. Look for NVMe M.2 SSDs with PCIe Gen 4 or higher—these deliver 7,000+ MB/s read speeds, cutting load times from 30+ seconds on an HDD down to 5-10 seconds. Capacity matters too: 500GB is the bare minimum (League itself is ~15GB, but you'll want room for other games), while 1TB is the sweet spot for most players. 2TB gives you breathing room if you play multiple titles.

Key specs to compare: sequential read speed (the headline number), write speed, DRAM cache (faster than DRAMless drives), and thermal management. A heatsink isn't always necessary if your motherboard has a built-in M.2 slot cooler, but it helps in tight builds. Check your motherboard's PCIe slot compatibility—most modern boards support Gen 4, but older systems may cap out at Gen 3.

Watch for red flags: drives under 500MB/s (these are SATA SSDs, not NVMe—too slow), no DRAM cache on budget models, and QLC NAND (slower than TLC for sustained writes). Warranty matters too—most quality gaming drives come with 5-year coverage.

For League specifically, you don't need the absolute fastest drive on the market. A 7,000+ MB/s Gen 4 NVMe will feel instant compared to any older storage. Budget players can save $100+ by choosing a 1TB drive over 2TB, and the performance difference in-game is negligible.

The picks

WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB NVMe SSD with Heatsink - M.2 2280, Up to 7,300 MB/s Read speeds, Up to 6,300 MB/s write speeds, Gaming Expansion, High Performance Internal Solid State Drive - WDS200T2XHE
#1 · Best Overall4.8 (15,448)

WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB NVMe SSD with Heatsink - M.2 2280, Up to 7,300 MB/s Read speeds, Up to 6,300 MB/s write speeds, Gaming Expansion, High Performance Internal Solid State Drive - WDS200T2XHE

$429.99

The WD_BLACK SN850X is the fastest, most reliable choice for competitive League players who want zero compromises. You'll load into Summoner's Rift in 6-8 seconds flat, and the 2TB capacity means you won't need to uninstall games to make room. Worth the premium if speed and capacity matter equally.

Pros

  • + 7,300 MB/s read speed and 6,300 MB/s write speed—among the fastest available
  • + Integrated heatsink keeps thermals in check during long gaming sessions
  • + 2TB capacity gives you room for League plus 5-10 other AAA titles
  • + WD Black brand reliability with proven track record in gaming

Cons

  • Premium pricing at $429.99 for 2TB
  • Heatsink adds bulk—verify clearance in tight M.2 slots
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Samsung 990 PRO SSD 1TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280 Internal Solid State Hard Drive, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 7,450 MB/s for High End Computing, Gaming, and Heavy Duty Workstations, MZ-V9P1T0B/AM
#2 · Best Premium 1TB4.8 (12,681)

Samsung 990 PRO SSD 1TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280 Internal Solid State Hard Drive, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 7,450 MB/s for High End Computing, Gaming, and Heavy Duty Workstations, MZ-V9P1T0B/AM

$319.99

The Samsung 990 PRO 1TB delivers the absolute fastest sequential speeds and Samsung's legendary reliability. If you want peak performance without the bulk of a heatsink, this is your drive. The price is high, but the speed advantage is real for competitive play.

Pros

  • + 7,450 MB/s read speed—the fastest in this lineup
  • + Samsung 990 PRO reliability with enterprise-grade performance
  • + 1TB is enough for League plus 4-5 other games without juggling
  • + Excellent thermals without a bulky heatsink

Cons

  • $319.99 is steep for 1TB when budget options exist
  • No heatsink included—relies on motherboard M.2 cooling
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Samsung 990 PRO SSD 2TB NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen4, M.2 2280 Internal Solid State Hard Drive, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 7,450 MB/s for High End Computing, Gaming, and Heavy Duty Workstations, MZ-V9P2T0B/AM
#3 · Best High-Capacity Storage4.8 (12,681)

Samsung 990 PRO SSD 2TB NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen4, M.2 2280 Internal Solid State Hard Drive, Seq. Read Speeds Up to 7,450 MB/s for High End Computing, Gaming, and Heavy Duty Workstations, MZ-V9P2T0B/AM

$594.22

The Samsung 990 PRO 2TB is for players who want maximum capacity without sacrificing speed. You'll never delete a game to make room, and the 7,450 MB/s read speed keeps League loading instant. Best for streamers and content creators who need space for recordings.

Pros

  • + 2TB capacity with 7,450 MB/s read speeds—no storage anxiety
  • + Same Samsung 990 PRO performance as the 1TB model
  • + Enough room for League, multiple AAA titles, and streaming footage
  • + Enterprise-grade reliability for long-term durability

Cons

  • $594.22 is the priciest option in this list
  • Overkill for casual League players who only play one or two games
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Crucial P310 1TB SSD, PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 2280, Up to 7,100MB/s, for Laptop, Desktop (PC), & Handheld Gaming Consoles, Includes Acronis Data Recovery Software, Solid State Drive - CT1000P310SSD801
#4 · Best Value4.8 (9,296)

Crucial P310 1TB SSD, PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 2280, Up to 7,100MB/s, for Laptop, Desktop (PC), & Handheld Gaming Consoles, Includes Acronis Data Recovery Software, Solid State Drive - CT1000P310SSD801

$189.99

The Crucial P310 1TB is the best value for competitive League players on a budget. You lose only 300 MB/s compared to the Samsung 990 PRO, but save $130—a difference you'll never feel in-game. The included Acronis software is a nice bonus for backups.

Pros

  • + 7,100 MB/s read speed at just $189.99—excellent price-to-performance ratio
  • + 1TB capacity is perfect for League plus 4-5 other titles
  • + Crucial P310 is proven in gaming and laptop upgrades
  • + Includes Acronis data recovery software

Cons

  • Slightly slower than premium competitors (still fast enough for League)
  • No heatsink, though thermals remain solid
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Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD 1TB, PCIe Gen 4x4, Gen 5x2 M.2 2280, Speeds Up-to 7,150 MB/s, Upgrade Storage for PC/Laptops, HMB Technology and Intelligent Turbowrite 2.0, (MZ-V9S1T0B/AM)
#5 · Best for Laptop Upgrades4.8 (6,366)

Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD 1TB, PCIe Gen 4x4, Gen 5x2 M.2 2280, Speeds Up-to 7,150 MB/s, Upgrade Storage for PC/Laptops, HMB Technology and Intelligent Turbowrite 2.0, (MZ-V9S1T0B/AM)

$249.99

The Samsung 990 EVO Plus is built for laptop gamers and future-ready systems. If you're upgrading a thin gaming laptop, this drive's low profile and dual-gen compatibility make it the smartest choice. Performance is excellent and thermals stay cool in cramped laptop bays.

Pros

  • + 7,150 MB/s read speed works on both PCIe Gen 4 and Gen 5 systems
  • + 1TB capacity is ideal for laptop storage constraints
  • + Samsung 990 EVO Plus is thin and low-profile—fits any M.2 slot
  • + HMB technology and intelligent TurboWrite boost sustained performance

Cons

  • $249.99 is mid-range pricing—not a bargain
  • Gen 5 compatibility is future-proofing you may not need yet
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WD_Black SN7100 1TB NVMe SSD - Gen4 PCIe, M.2 2280, Up to 7,250 MB/s Read Speed, Up to 6,900 MB/s Write Speed, Next Gen TLC 3D NAND, for Laptops, Handheld Gaming Devices - WDS100T4X0E
#6 · Best Budget NVMe4.8 (5,303)

WD_Black SN7100 1TB NVMe SSD - Gen4 PCIe, M.2 2280, Up to 7,250 MB/s Read Speed, Up to 6,900 MB/s Write Speed, Next Gen TLC 3D NAND, for Laptops, Handheld Gaming Devices - WDS100T4X0E

$197.85

The WD_Black SN7100 1TB is the budget NVMe sweet spot. You get WD's gaming pedigree, 7,250 MB/s speeds, and a fair price—just $20 more than the Crucial P310 but with better write performance. Perfect if you want proven reliability without premium pricing.

Pros

  • + 7,250 MB/s read speed and 6,900 MB/s write speed—excellent for $197.85
  • + WD Black SN7100 is trusted by gamers and streamers
  • + 1TB capacity covers League and 4-5 other games
  • + Next-gen TLC 3D NAND for reliability and longevity

Cons

  • No heatsink—you'll need motherboard cooling
  • Slightly less brand recognition than Samsung in gaming circles
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Predator M.2 SSD 2TB GM7000 with DRAM cache NVMe 1.4 2280 PCIe Gen4×4 Ultra high speed (maximum read: 7400MB/s, max write: 6700MB/s) 3D NAND TLC Internal SSD Compatible with PS5 Pro - BL.9BWWR.106
#7 · Best for Sustained Performance4.7 (3,344)

Predator M.2 SSD 2TB GM7000 with DRAM cache NVMe 1.4 2280 PCIe Gen4×4 Ultra high speed (maximum read: 7400MB/s, max write: 6700MB/s) 3D NAND TLC Internal SSD Compatible with PS5 Pro - BL.9BWWR.106

$349.99

The Predator M.2 SSD 2TB delivers balanced speed and capacity at a fair price. The DRAM cache keeps performance consistent during long gaming sessions, and 2TB means you won't juggle games. Acer's gaming focus makes this a solid choice for League plus a full game library.

Pros

  • + 7,400 MB/s read and 6,700 MB/s write with DRAM cache for consistent speed
  • + 2TB capacity is generous for the $349.99 price
  • + Acer Predator gaming heritage ensures optimized performance
  • + 3D NAND TLC provides reliability for years of gaming

Cons

  • DRAM cache adds cost compared to DRAMless competitors
  • Slightly less popular than WD or Samsung in reviews
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acer Predator GM7 2TB SSD: M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4 x4 NVMe 2.0, Read Speed Up to 7400 MB/s, Internal PC Solid State Drive for Laptop, Desktop and PS5 - BL.9BWWR.119
#8 · Best for PS5 & PC4.8 (1,366)

acer Predator GM7 2TB SSD: M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4 x4 NVMe 2.0, Read Speed Up to 7400 MB/s, Internal PC Solid State Drive for Laptop, Desktop and PS5 - BL.9BWWR.119

$339.99

The Acer Predator GM7 2TB is ideal if you game on both PS5 and PC. You get one drive that works seamlessly on both systems, eliminating the need for separate storage upgrades. For League on PC plus PS5 gaming, this is the most practical choice.

Pros

  • + 7,400 MB/s read speed works on both PS5 and PC
  • + 2TB capacity fills PS5's expanded storage perfectly
  • + Acer Predator GM7 is PS5-certified and tested
  • + Solid price at $339.99 for dual-system compatibility

Cons

  • PS5-specific features don't matter if you only play on PC
  • Slightly slower write speed than some competitors
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SIX NVME M.2 SSD PCIe 4.0-1TB m.2 2280 ssd, Read UP to 7350MB/s 1TB for Gaming PS5 Memory Storage Expansion with Heatsink, Internal Solid State Hard Drive PCIe gen 4x4 Nvme for Laptop Desktop pc
#9 · Best Budget 1TB4.6 (455)

SIX NVME M.2 SSD PCIe 4.0-1TB m.2 2280 ssd, Read UP to 7350MB/s 1TB for Gaming PS5 Memory Storage Expansion with Heatsink, Internal Solid State Hard Drive PCIe gen 4x4 Nvme for Laptop Desktop pc

$169.99

The SIX NVME 1TB is the cheapest way to get 7,350 MB/s speeds with a heatsink included. You're betting on a newer brand, but the specs are solid and the price is hard to beat. Best for budget gamers who want fast storage without premium branding.

Pros

  • + 7,350 MB/s read speed at just $169.99—lowest price for this speed tier
  • + 1TB capacity handles League and several other games
  • + Includes heatsink for thermal management
  • + SIX brand is emerging in gaming storage with competitive pricing

Cons

  • Lower review count (455 reviews) means less long-term data
  • Brand recognition lags behind WD, Samsung, and Crucial
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Gigastone Game Turbo SSD 512GB (2-Pack) Up to 550MB/s with SLC Caching Gaming/PC/Desktop/Laptop Upgrade SSD 5-Year Warranty 2.5" SATA Internal Disk Solid State Drives 2.5 inches SATA 3.0 Disk
#10 · Best for Ultra-Budget Builds4.6 (375)

Gigastone Game Turbo SSD 512GB (2-Pack) Up to 550MB/s with SLC Caching Gaming/PC/Desktop/Laptop Upgrade SSD 5-Year Warranty 2.5" SATA Internal Disk Solid State Drives 2.5 inches SATA 3.0 Disk

$199.99

The Gigastone Game Turbo 512GB 2-pack is only worth it if your PC lacks an M.2 slot or you need a second drive for backups. For League, 550 MB/s will still load the game in 15-20 seconds—acceptable but not competitive. Skip this if your motherboard supports NVMe.

Pros

  • + 550 MB/s speed is adequate for League's modest storage demands
  • + 2-pack gives you 1TB total for just $199.99—excellent value
  • + SATA SSDs are compatible with older PCs that lack M.2 slots
  • + 5-year warranty shows Gigastone's confidence

Cons

  • 550 MB/s is 13x slower than NVMe drives—noticeable load time difference
  • 2.5-inch SATA form factor is outdated; most new builds use M.2
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Frequently Asked Questions

Final word

For League of Legends gaming storage, the WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB is the best overall choice—it delivers 7,300 MB/s speeds, 2TB capacity, and proven reliability. If you're budget-conscious, the Crucial P310 1TB offers 7,100 MB/s at half the price. For maximum capacity without compromise, the Samsung 990 PRO 2TB is the fastest drive available.

The key takeaway: any PCIe Gen 4 NVMe drive at 7,000+ MB/s will feel instant for League compared to older storage. Don't overspend on drives slower than 7,000 MB/s, and avoid SATA SSDs unless your motherboard lacks M.2 slots. Pick your capacity based on your game library size, grab a 1TB or 2TB NVMe, and enjoy sub-10-second load times into Summoner's Rift.

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