Quick Answer

For strategy and sim games in South Africa, a Gen 4 NVMe SSD beats Gen 5 for value: a 1TB Samsung 990 Pro (around R1,500) loads big maps at 7,000MB/s, while Gen 5 drives at 12,000MB/s+ cost around R2,800 to R4,000 with little gaming benefit. Spend the difference on RAM, which strategy games use heavily.

Why storage rarely limits strategy games

Strategy and sim titles load large worlds at launch, then run mostly on the CPU and RAM during play. A Gen 4 NVMe handles the loading and autosaves at 7,000MB/s without hesitation. Late-game simulation speed in Total War or Cities: Skylines 2 depends on processor and memory, not the SSD generation, so Gen 4 is the sensible pick.

When Gen 5 makes sense

Gen 5 NVMe (12,000MB/s+) is for video editing and large file transfers, not strategy gaming. Drives run 70C to 90C and need a heatsink, and your board must have a Gen 5 M.2 slot. For a strategy rig, that budget delivers more as extra RAM or a better CPU.

Storage and RAM together

Aim for at least 1TB, since large sims need 80GB to 150GB each, and pair it with 32GB RAM for big late-game saves. A Gen 4 drive with a DRAM cache keeps performance steady as it fills. A second cheaper drive holds mods, replays, and your wider library.

FAQ

Is Gen 5 worth it for sim games?

No. Strategy and sim games run mostly on the CPU and RAM during play, so a Gen 4 drive at 7,000MB/s is plenty. Gen 5 helps editing and transfers, not simulation speed.

Which SSD is best for a strategy rig?

A 1TB Samsung 990 Pro or WD Black SN850X (around R1,500) gives fast loads and a DRAM cache. Pair it with 32GB RAM, which helps large late-game saves more than faster storage.

How much storage do strategy games need?

Aim for at least 1TB, since large sims need 80GB to 150GB each. Add a second drive for mods and replays so your main drive stays free for current titles.

For strategy and sim games at Evetech, choose a 1TB Gen 4 NVMe and put the saved budget into 32GB RAM, which these games use heavily in the late game.