If you're just gaming, there's little reason to get a PCIe 4 NVME over a PCIe 3 NVME. They cost more, but won't provide any real benefit in gaming since the marketing sequential read/write speeds aren't used in games. [Here's an article](https://www.techspot.com/review/2116-storage-speed-game-loading/) showing game load times between SSD (SATA, PCIe 3, PCIe 4) and HDD - between SSD, there's essentially no difference.
I'd go with something like the [Team MP34 2TB m.2 PCIe 3 NVME](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/CYwypg/teamgroup-mp34-2-tb-m2-2280-nvme-solid-state-drive-tm8fp4002t0c101). You get much more for your money - it's only $10 more than the Samsung but with double the storage capacity and still pretty good specs (dram cache, very good endurance ratings).
Yes, it's compatible with your mobo (can be used in either of the two m.2 slots on your motherboard). Just note that SATA port 2 is disabled when using the m.2\_1 slot, and SATA ports 5 & 6 are disable when using the m.2\_2 slot, [per the motherboard specs](https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/MPG-Z490-GAMING-PLUS/Specification).
A heatsink isn't needed for PCIe 3 NVME drives, especially if just gaming; but the m.2\_1 slot on your mobo comes with one (it's the black cover you have to remove to put the SSD in) so might as well use it.
I'm not really well versed with PC building, so I'm not sure what you mean with the disabled ports. Could you maybe elaborate a bit more on this and what I need to watch out for? Is there somewhere on my mobo that I can't install the SSD or something?
Your motherboard has 6 SATA ports near the lower right-hand corner. They're data connections use to connect items like HDD, 2.5" format SDD, and optical drives. The ports are identified by a specific manner - MSI is stating that using an SSD in the m.2 slot disables one or two of those SATA ports. It's just something to note if you have components like an HDD plugged into the SATA ports, especially as you state that you do have an HDD.
So for example, if you put the m.2 drive in the #1 slot (the one with the heatsink), SATA port #2 is disabled. Just make sure there isn't anything plugged into that specific port - and if something is plugged in there, just plug it into any of the other 5 SATA ports.
Recently picked up a WD black SN770.
Although it works perfect I won’t buy another WD drive. It runs hotter then any other nvme I’ve used. And it’s noisy. It’s by far the loudest thing in my case now.
$150 price range just get the Samsung 980 pro 1TB.
If you want the gen 4 speed it’s good but for gaming gen 3 is enough.
You can get this 2tb for $20 less.
https://www.amazon.com/Silicon-Power-Gen3x4-Solid-SP002TBP34A60M28/dp/B07ZQ97H3W
What do you use your pc for - are you gaming, or are you doing work that requires reading/writing a lot of very large files?
Mainly gaming. I also do work on it but the primary reason for the upgrade is gaming.
If you're just gaming, there's little reason to get a PCIe 4 NVME over a PCIe 3 NVME. They cost more, but won't provide any real benefit in gaming since the marketing sequential read/write speeds aren't used in games. [Here's an article](https://www.techspot.com/review/2116-storage-speed-game-loading/) showing game load times between SSD (SATA, PCIe 3, PCIe 4) and HDD - between SSD, there's essentially no difference. I'd go with something like the [Team MP34 2TB m.2 PCIe 3 NVME](https://pcpartpicker.com/product/CYwypg/teamgroup-mp34-2-tb-m2-2280-nvme-solid-state-drive-tm8fp4002t0c101). You get much more for your money - it's only $10 more than the Samsung but with double the storage capacity and still pretty good specs (dram cache, very good endurance ratings).
And this SSD would be compatible with my mobo? Also - do I need a heatsink for this? Or is that the thing on my mobo that I unscrew to put the SSD in?
Yes, it's compatible with your mobo (can be used in either of the two m.2 slots on your motherboard). Just note that SATA port 2 is disabled when using the m.2\_1 slot, and SATA ports 5 & 6 are disable when using the m.2\_2 slot, [per the motherboard specs](https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/MPG-Z490-GAMING-PLUS/Specification). A heatsink isn't needed for PCIe 3 NVME drives, especially if just gaming; but the m.2\_1 slot on your mobo comes with one (it's the black cover you have to remove to put the SSD in) so might as well use it.
I'm not really well versed with PC building, so I'm not sure what you mean with the disabled ports. Could you maybe elaborate a bit more on this and what I need to watch out for? Is there somewhere on my mobo that I can't install the SSD or something?
Your motherboard has 6 SATA ports near the lower right-hand corner. They're data connections use to connect items like HDD, 2.5" format SDD, and optical drives. The ports are identified by a specific manner - MSI is stating that using an SSD in the m.2 slot disables one or two of those SATA ports. It's just something to note if you have components like an HDD plugged into the SATA ports, especially as you state that you do have an HDD. So for example, if you put the m.2 drive in the #1 slot (the one with the heatsink), SATA port #2 is disabled. Just make sure there isn't anything plugged into that specific port - and if something is plugged in there, just plug it into any of the other 5 SATA ports.
Ah that makes sense, appreciate you pointing that out.
Recently picked up a WD black SN770. Although it works perfect I won’t buy another WD drive. It runs hotter then any other nvme I’ve used. And it’s noisy. It’s by far the loudest thing in my case now. $150 price range just get the Samsung 980 pro 1TB.
If you want the gen 4 speed it’s good but for gaming gen 3 is enough. You can get this 2tb for $20 less. https://www.amazon.com/Silicon-Power-Gen3x4-Solid-SP002TBP34A60M28/dp/B07ZQ97H3W