Quick Answer
For MMO and live-service games in South Africa, a Gen 4 NVMe SSD is the better buy than Gen 5: a 1TB Samsung 990 EVO Plus or WD Black SN850X (around R1,500) loads big hubs fast at 7,000MB/s and has space for ever-growing libraries. Gen 5 drives at 12,000MB/s+ cost around R2,800 to R4,000 with no online-play benefit.
What storage does for MMOs
MMOs like Final Fantasy XIV (80GB), World of Warcraft (120GB), and Throne and Liberty (~120GB) keep growing, so capacity and fast patching matter. A Gen 4 NVMe speeds launches, hub loading, and the frequent large updates these games push. During actual play, network conditions and servers decide how the session feels, not the SSD generation.
When Gen 5 is justified
Gen 5 NVMe (12,000MB/s+) suits creative work and large transfers, not online play. Drives like the Samsung 9100 Pro run 70C to 90C and need a heatsink. For an MMO build, the money is better spent on a larger drive or more RAM, since online performance is rarely storage-limited.
Capacity is the real concern
With several large MMOs installed, storage fills fast, so aim for 2TB if you keep many games. DirectStorage helps asset loading in newer titles. A 1TB Gen 4 drive with a DRAM cache like the Samsung 990 EVO Plus is the value sweet spot, with a second drive for your wider library.
FAQ
Does Gen 5 improve MMO performance?
No. Online play depends on network and servers, not the SSD generation. A Gen 4 drive at 7,000MB/s speeds launches and patching, which is where storage matters for MMOs.
How much storage do MMOs need?
Large MMOs run 80GB to 120GB each (FFXIV ~80GB, WoW ~120GB), so aim for 1TB minimum and 2TB if you keep several installed. These games also grow with every update.
Which SSD is best for live-service games?
A 1TB Samsung 990 EVO Plus or WD Black SN850X (around R1,500) gives fast loading, a DRAM cache, and good value. Add a second drive if you keep multiple large MMOs installed.
For MMO and live-service games at Evetech, choose a 1TB or 2TB Gen 4 NVMe like the Samsung 990 EVO Plus; capacity matters more than chasing Gen 5 speed for online play.