SSDs in 2026: choosing wisely as prices rise
SSDs in 2026: Smart Buying as Prices Rise
If you follow the storage market, you've likely noticed it: SSD prices have been climbing for several months. The NAND memory shortage is driving up prices across the entire range, from small entry-level SSDs to high-end Gen5 models. Rather than succumbing to these increases, here's how to make informed purchasing choices in 2026.
Why Prices Are Rising
The main cause is sustained pressure on the supply of NAND chips, the memory that makes up SSDs. When supply doesn't meet demand, prices mechanically rise, and consumer storage is one of the first segments affected.
To give you an idea, some popular models have seen their prices almost double in a year. An entry-level 1TB NVMe SSD that cost around €80 at the end of 2024 is now trading closer to €160, and a high-performance 2TB model can exceed €300. These levels change week by week, hence the importance of comparing at the time of purchase.
Gen4 or Gen5: Where to Put Your Money
The temptation to aim for the fastest on paper is strong. In practice, for gaming and office use, a good PCIe Gen4 SSD remains the best compromise in 2026. The announced Gen5 speeds are impressive, but they are mainly noticeable under very specific loads (heavy video editing, transfers of very large files), not in games.
Specifically, for the vast majority of gamers:
- Gen4 NVMe: excellent speed/price ratio, fast loading times, ideal as a system drive.
- Gen5 NVMe: reserved for intensive creative uses, with an extra cost that is rarely justified for gaming.
- SATA: still relevant as a high-capacity secondary storage drive.
What Capacity to Aim For
With games often weighing 80 to 150 GB, capacity becomes a real criterion. Buying too small forces you to buy again later, often at a less favorable price.
| Capacity | For Whom |
|---|---|
| 500 GB | Small budget, a few games at a time, requires active management |
| 1 TB | The right balance for most gaming setups |
| 2 TB | Large game library, content creation, lasting comfort |
Our Tips for Paying the Right Price
In a tight market, a few simple reflexes prevent you from paying too much. Monitor flash sales at specialized retailers like LDLC, Materiel.net, or Top Achat, as well as on Amazon. Always compare the price per gigabyte rather than the displayed price, as a higher capacity is sometimes better positioned.
Finally, beware of unknown models that are far too cheap: for storage, reliability and endurance count as much as speed. A Gen4 from a recognized brand is better than an obscure Gen5.
What about DSGate?
Our PCs are assembled in France on demand, which allows us to choose an SSD adapted to your budget and usage at the time of assembly, rather than imposing a fixed reference. If you are unsure about the capacity or generation to prioritize for your future configuration, browse our gaming configurations and we will adjust the storage according to your needs.