The Samsung 990 Pro stands out as one of the best SSDs available, boasting exceptional speed, especially for large file transfers. While its price point is relatively high, Samsung justifies the cost with features rarely seen in competing brands. This review focuses on the Samsung 990 Pro 2TB with heatsink, exploring its performance and suitability for various applications.
While the 990 Pro with heatsink delivers impressive speed, the added cost might not be justifiable for everyone. Though ideal for expanding PlayStation 5 storage, a less expensive drive could offer similar gaming performance. However, the 990 Pro’s true strength lies in non-gaming applications, where its speed truly shines. For a comprehensive understanding of SSD performance across different uses, consult our SSD buying guide.
Pricing and Specifications
| Feature | 1TB | 2TB | 4TB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sequential R/W | Up to 7,450/6,900 MB/s | Up to 7,450/6,900 MB/s | Up to 7,450/6,900 MB/s |
| Random R/W | Up to 1.2M/1.55M IOPS | Up to 1.4M/1.55M IOPS | Up to 1.6M/1.55M IOPS |
| Cache | 1GB LPDDR4 | 2GB LPDDR4 | 4GB LPDDR4 |
| Memory | Samsung V-NAND 3-bit TLC | Samsung V-NAND 3-bit TLC | Samsung V-NAND 3-bit TLC |
| Interface | PCIe Gen 4.0 x4 | PCIe Gen 4.0 x4 | PCIe Gen 4.0 x4 |
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 |
| Max Power | 7.8W | 8.5W | 8.6W |
| Dimensions | 80.15 x 25 x 8.88mm | 80.15 x 25 x 8.88mm | 80.15 x 25 x 8.88mm |
| Price | $130 | $180 | $330 |
Samsung’s dominance in the NVMe SSD market is well-deserved. The 990 Pro leverages its PCIe 4.0 x4 interface, achieving sequential read speeds up to 7,450MB/s, placing it among the fastest PCIe 4.0 SSDs currently available.
Unlike competitors, Samsung utilizes its own NAND and controller, ensuring consistent performance and mitigating potential supply chain issues that can lead to component swaps and reduced speeds. The inclusion of DDR4 cache further enhances the drive’s performance.
The pricing strategy of the 990 Pro, particularly the heatsink model, warrants discussion. The included heatsink, while beneficial for PS5 compatibility, increases the price. Opting for the 990 Pro without a heatsink can save $10 for the 2TB model and $30 for the 4TB version. Alternatives like the WD Black SN850X offer comparable speeds at a lower cost, albeit without a heatsink. Given that most modern motherboards provide integrated SSD heatsinks, the 990 Pro’s heatsink may be redundant and could interfere with other components. This makes it better suited for applications like the PS5 or heatsink-less mini PCs like the Minisforum AtomMan G7 Ti.
Software and Features
Samsung Magician Software
Samsung Magician software complements the 990 Pro’s hardware, offering valuable features beyond basic drive management. It provides comprehensive drive health statistics, benchmarking tools, and diagnostics. Crucially, it allows performance customization, including TRIM enabling, sleep prevention for optimal performance, and over-provisioning options to extend drive lifespan. Additional features include encryption, data migration, and a secure erase function for irreversible data removal.
Performance
CrystalDiskMark Results
CrystalDiskMark benchmarks confirm the 990 Pro’s impressive speeds, exceeding advertised figures for both sequential reads and writes. This near-maximum utilization of the PCIe 4.0 x4 interface bandwidth highlights its performance potential. However, real-world application performance is more nuanced.
| Test | Samsung 990 Pro 2TB w/ Heatsink | WD Blue SN5000 4TB | Samsung 990 Pro 1TB |
|---|---|---|---|
| AJA Video Systems R/W | 6,090 / 5,994 MB/s | 4,353 / 4,589 MB/s | 6,040 / 5,921 MB/s |
| PCMark 10 | 3,677 | 3,523 | 3,811 |
| 3DMark | 3,372 | 3,621 | 3,650 |
| Final Fantasy XIV (sec) | 7.59 | 7.11 | 7.24 |
In large file transfers, the 990 Pro demonstrates a significant advantage. While minor variations exist between the 1TB and 2TB models, the difference isn’t substantial.
Surprisingly, the 990 Pro 2TB with heatsink lagged behind in gaming benchmarks. Both the SN5000 and the standard 990 Pro performed better in 3DMark and Final Fantasy XIV Dawntrail. Though the difference is marginal and unlikely to be noticeable in real-world gameplay, it is worth noting.
Should You Buy the Samsung 990 Pro?
Samsung 990 Pro Installed
The Samsung 990 Pro undoubtedly delivers top-tier SSD performance. However, the heatsink model might not be the optimal choice for PS5 users. The heatsink adds cost, and most PCs offer integrated cooling solutions, making the heatsink-free version a more cost-effective option for PC builds. Furthermore, the PS5’s architecture doesn’t fully leverage the 990 Pro’s exceptional speed, making less expensive alternatives like the SN5000 viable contenders for gaming.
The 990 Pro’s strength lies in large file transfers, where its sustained speed offers a clear advantage. For this use case, the premium price is justified.
