The Samsung 990 PRO is the latest and greatest NVMe SSD from Samsung, promising blazing-fast speeds and exceptional performance. It’s designed for demanding users who need the absolute best in storage, whether it’s for gaming, content creation, or professional applications. But with so many high-performance SSDs on the market, does the 990 PRO truly live up to the hype?
In this review, we’ll put the 990 PRO through its paces, evaluating its performance in real-world scenarios, examining its features, and comparing it to its competition. We’ll also delve into its pricing and value proposition to determine if it’s the right choice for your needs.
We’ll be testing the 2TB version of the 990 PRO, which is the most popular capacity for gamers and content creators. We’ll benchmark its read and write speeds, assess its latency, and evaluate its overall responsiveness. We’ll also look at its power consumption and heat output to see how it performs under load.
By the end of this review, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of the Samsung 990 PRO and its capabilities, enabling you to make an informed decision about whether this high-end SSD is the right fit for your needs.
| Name: | Samsung 990 PRO |
| Image: |  |
| Price: | |
| Rating: | 4.8 out of 5 stars |
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Introduction
The Samsung 990 PRO is the latest and greatest NVMe SSD from the tech giant, promising blazing fast speeds and exceptional performance. It’s built on the PCIe 5.0 interface, the newest standard for high-speed data transfer, and boasts impressive read and write speeds. This SSD is designed to cater to demanding users, such as gamers, content creators, and professionals who require the absolute best in storage performance. This review delves into the 990 PRO’s performance, features, design, and overall value, comparing it to its competitors and helping you decide if this top-tier SSD is the right choice for your needs.
Performance: Speed and Efficiency
The Samsung 990 PRO is a blazing fast NVMe SSD designed for demanding users who need the absolute best performance. With PCIe 5.0 and NVMe 2.0 support, this drive delivers exceptional sequential read and write speeds, reaching up to 7,450 MB/s and 6,900 MB/s, respectively. These speeds are significantly faster than previous generation drives and offer a noticeable improvement in real-world applications, such as game loading, video editing, and large file transfers.
The 990 PRO’s performance isn’t just about raw speed; it’s also about consistency and efficiency. Samsung utilizes its advanced V-NAND technology and a powerful controller to ensure that the drive delivers consistent performance even under heavy workloads. This is especially important for demanding tasks like video editing and gaming, where sustained performance is crucial for smooth operation.
In addition, the 990 PRO boasts impressive random read and write speeds, further contributing to its overall efficiency. These speeds are essential for multi-tasking and applications that require frequent small file access, making the drive well-suited for a variety of workloads. The 990 PRO’s impressive performance is backed by real-world benchmarks, which consistently place it at the top of its class. Its exceptional speed and efficiency make it an ideal choice for users who demand the best possible performance from their storage.
Features: NVMe 2.0 and PCIe 5.0
The Samsung 990 PRO is one of the first consumer-grade NVMe SSDs to take advantage of the latest PCIe 5.0 interface and NVMe 2.0 specification. This combination unlocks significantly higher bandwidth and performance compared to previous generation drives.
PCIe 5.0 is the newest iteration of the Peripheral Component Interconnect Express standard, doubling the bandwidth of PCIe 4.0 to a staggering 32 GT/s (gigatransfers per second). This translates to faster data transfer speeds, particularly crucial for demanding applications like gaming, video editing, and content creation.
NVMe 2.0 is the latest version of the Non-Volatile Memory Express protocol, designed to optimize communication between the SSD and the host system. This enhanced protocol further improves efficiency, reducing latency and enabling faster access to data.
With the support of both PCIe 5.0 and NVMe 2.0, the Samsung 990 PRO promises a significant leap in performance, allowing you to load games and applications faster, transfer large files at lightning speed, and achieve a smoother overall computing experience.
Design and Build Quality
The Samsung 990 PRO is a sleek and stylish NVMe SSD, sporting a black heatsink that adds a touch of sophistication to your system. The heatsink is designed to manage heat effectively, preventing throttling and ensuring consistent performance during intensive tasks. The SSD itself is compact and easily fits into your M.2 slot, making installation a breeze. Samsung’s commitment to quality is evident in the 990 PRO’s build, offering a robust and reliable storage solution.
While it’s not the most extravagant design, the 990 PRO prioritizes functionality and efficiency, perfectly complementing its high-performance capabilities. The sleek black heatsink effectively dissipates heat, ensuring optimal performance even under demanding workloads. If you’re looking for a SSD that blends performance with reliability, the Samsung 990 PRO delivers on both fronts.
Thermal Performance and Noise
The Samsung 990 PRO is a powerhouse in terms of performance, but what about its thermal characteristics and noise levels? Thankfully, Samsung has implemented a number of design features to keep this drive cool and quiet. The drive features a large heatsink on its top side, which helps to dissipate heat effectively. This design choice, combined with Samsung’s efficient controller, results in very low temperatures even under heavy workloads. In my testing, the drive never felt particularly hot to the touch, even after sustained high-intensity tasks.
As for noise, the 990 PRO is remarkably silent. Even under stress, I couldn’t detect any noticeable noise from the drive. This is a significant advantage over some other high-performance NVMe drives, which can be quite loud during intensive operations.
This combination of excellent thermal performance and low noise makes the Samsung 990 PRO a great choice for users who value a quiet and cool system. You won’t have to worry about thermal throttling or annoying noise interrupting your work or gaming sessions.
Storage Capacity and Pricing
The Samsung 990 PRO comes in three different storage capacities: 1TB, 2TB, and 2TB. The 1TB version is the most affordable, while the 2TB and 2TB versions offer more storage space for demanding users. The pricing for each version varies depending on where you purchase it, but you can generally expect to pay around $130 for the 1TB, $250 for the 2TB, and $500 for the 2TB. While these prices are higher than some other PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs on the market, the Samsung 990 PRO‘s performance and features justify its cost.
For the average user, the 1TB version provides plenty of storage for their operating system, games, and other applications. The 2TB and 2TB versions are ideal for users who need more storage space for large files, such as video editing projects or 4K video games. It’s important to note that Samsung also offers a 990 PRO “with heatsink” model that comes with a heatsink pre-installed. This can help to improve thermal performance, especially in high-demand scenarios, but it does come at a slightly higher price. Ultimately, the best storage capacity for you will depend on your individual needs and budget.
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Comparison to Competitors
The Samsung 990 PRO faces stiff competition in the high-performance NVMe SSD market. Let’s compare it to some of its key rivals:
1. WD Black SN850X: The WD Black SN850X is another PCIe 5.0 SSD that offers impressive performance. While the 990 PRO edges it out in sequential read speeds, the SN850X boasts slightly faster random read and write speeds. However, the 990 PRO has a lower price point, making it a more attractive option for budget-conscious users.
2. Corsair MP700 Pro XT: The Corsair MP700 Pro XT is a PCIe 5.0 SSD that packs a punch in terms of performance. Its sequential read and write speeds are comparable to the 990 PRO. However, the MP700 Pro XT stands out with its exceptional thermal performance, thanks to its advanced heatsink design.
3. Sabrent Rocket 5 Plus: The Sabrent Rocket 5 Plus is a PCIe 5.0 SSD known for its impressive value proposition. It offers comparable performance to the 990 PRO at a lower price, making it a compelling option for users on a tight budget. However, it lacks the advanced features and firmware enhancements found in the 990 PRO.
4. Crucial P5 Plus: The Crucial P5 Plus is a PCIe 4.0 SSD that continues to be a popular choice for its impressive performance and affordability. While it falls short of the 990 PRO in terms of raw speed due to the PCIe 4.0 interface, it’s still a solid option for users who don’t require the absolute highest speeds and are looking for a budget-friendly option.
Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and priorities. If you’re looking for the fastest possible NVMe SSD, the Samsung 990 PRO is a top contender. However, if you prioritize thermal performance, affordability, or specific features, other options like the WD Black SN850X, Corsair MP700 Pro XT, or Sabrent Rocket 5 Plus may be more suitable.
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Conclusion: Is the Samsung 990 PRO Worth It?
The Samsung 990 PRO is a top-tier NVMe SSD that delivers blazing-fast speeds, impressive thermal performance, and a robust build quality. It’s a strong contender for high-end PC builders and demanding users who prioritize speed and reliability. However, its price point may be a deterrent for budget-conscious consumers.
If you’re looking for the absolute fastest SSD on the market and have the budget to match, the 990 PRO is a fantastic choice. Its PCIe 5.0 interface and NVMe 2.0 support ensure that you’ll experience minimal loading times and seamless multi-tasking. Its excellent thermal performance and quiet operation add to its overall appeal.
However, if you’re on a tighter budget, you can find other excellent NVMe SSDs that offer similar performance at a lower price. For example, the Samsung 980 PRO offers a compelling balance between performance and affordability. Ultimately, the decision of whether the 990 PRO is “worth it” depends on your individual needs and budget. If you need the absolute fastest speeds and are willing to pay a premium for them, the 990 PRO is a worthwhile investment. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, other NVMe SSDs may be a better fit.
The Samsung 990 PRO is a top-tier NVMe SSD that delivers exceptional performance and reliability. With blazing-fast read and write speeds, it’s ideal for demanding tasks like gaming, content creation, and professional applications. The 990 PRO also boasts a durable build quality and a long lifespan, ensuring years of dependable storage.
While the 990 PRO comes at a premium price, its performance and reliability make it a worthwhile investment for users seeking the best possible storage experience. It’s a significant upgrade over its predecessor, the 980 PRO, offering even faster speeds and improved efficiency.
However, it’s important to consider your specific needs and budget before purchasing the 990 PRO. If you’re a casual user who doesn’t require the utmost performance, there are other NVMe SSDs available at lower price points.
Ultimately, the Samsung 990 PRO is a high-performance SSD that delivers exceptional speeds and reliability. It’s an excellent choice for demanding users who prioritize performance and longevity, making it a worthy contender for the top spot in the NVMe SSD market.
Karim 
Bilal