Quick Answer
For flight simulation, what matters most in an NVMe is capacity, then sustained write speed, then endurance (TBW), not the headline peak read. A 2TB Gen4 drive at ~5,000MB/s with a 1,200TBW rating (about R1,900 to R2,900 currently stocked at Evetech) covers the real demands; Gen5's 12,000MB/s+ peak is rarely the deciding factor.
Ranking The Specs That Matter
Peak read speed gets the marketing, but for real work the order is capacity first, then sustained write speed, then endurance. Capacity stops you juggling installs (2TB is the sweet spot). Sustained writes, not the burst peak, decide how fast big exports and copies finish once the drive's cache fills. Endurance (TBW) matters if you write a lot daily. Gen4 versus Gen5 sits near the bottom of the list for most users, since the felt difference is a second or two. Match these to your workload rather than chasing the biggest number on the box.
NVMe For Flight Simulation
Modern flight sims stream scenery and texture tiles continuously, so a fast NVMe cuts pop-in and stutter as you fly over detailed regions. A 2TB Gen4 at ~5,000MB/s is the practical floor since the installs and scenery packs are enormous; Gen5 gives a marginal edge on streaming. Keep the sim on its own drive with 15% free so texture streaming stays smooth.
FAQ
Is Gen5 NVMe worth it over Gen4 for gaming?
Not really. Games load only a second or two faster on Gen5, and the drives run hotter and cost more. A 2TB Gen4 at ~5,000MB/s is the smart pick for gaming; save Gen5 (12,000MB/s+) for heavy file work.
How much NVMe storage do I actually need?
2TB is the practical sweet spot. Modern games run 80GB to 150GB each, so 1TB fills fast. A 2TB Gen4 (about R1,900 to R2,900 currently stocked at Evetech) holds a healthy library plus the OS.
Do I need a heatsink on my NVMe drive?
For Gen4 a heatsink is nice-to-have; for Gen5 it is essential. M.2 drives throttle past roughly 70C, so a heatsink or a motherboard M.2 cover keeps speeds steady during long transfers.
Compare Gen4 and Gen5 NVMe drives at Evetech by capacity, sustained write speed and TBW endurance to match your real workload.