Samsung
Storage
Samsung 970 Evo Plus 1 TB M.2-2280
Key Features
3D NAND
TurboWrite
AES 256-bit Encryption
MSRP:
$129
Technical Specifications
Manufacturer
Samsung
MSRP
$129
Type
SSD
Form Factor
M.2 2280
Interface
PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe
Capacity
1 TB
Read Speed
3500 MB/s
Write Speed
3300 MB/s
Cache
1024 MB
Nvme
Yes
Pros & Cons
Pros
- SSD technology delivers significant speed improvement over traditional HDDs
- NVMe interface provides excellent performance for daily use (3K MB/s read)
- Good 1 TB capacity for 13-18 modern games plus applications
- Sweet spot for most gaming and productivity needs
- Mainstream performance provides good daily performance (3K MB/s)
- M.2 form factor eliminates cables and saves space
- Perfect for compact builds and laptop upgrades
- Samsung leader in SSD technology with excellent software suite
Cons
- PCIe 3.0 interface may not fully utilize modern system capabilities
- Requires M.2-compatible motherboard or laptop
Community Insights
- Users frequently praise the 970 Evo Plus for its outstanding performance in both read and write speeds, which makes it highly recommended for gaming, content creation, and as a boot drive. Many consider it one of the most reliable and consistent NVMe SSDs in its price range.
- A common discussion point is the potential for the drive to heat up under sustained heavy workloads (such as large file transfers or benchmarks), leading to thermal throttling. Many users suggest adding a heatsink or ensuring good motherboard airflow, especially in compact cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Samsung 970 Evo Plus compatible with my motherboard?
The 970 Evo Plus uses the M.2 2280 form factor and NVMe PCIe Gen 3.0 x4 interface. It is compatible with most modern motherboards that have an M.2 slot supporting PCIe NVMe SSDs. Always check your motherboard’s specifications to confirm compatibility.
Does the Samsung 970 Evo Plus come with cloning or migration software?
Yes, Samsung provides the Samsung Data Migration and Samsung Magician software for cloning existing drives, managing firmware updates, and monitoring drive health, which many users find helpful during installations and upgrades.
Performance Guide & Use Cases
Best For
Primary storage for gaming systems (1 TB)
All-in-one storage solution (13-18 modern games)
Fast boot times and application loading (NVMe)
Mainstream gaming and general use (3K MB/s)
Compact builds and laptop upgrades (M.2 form factor)
Clean cable management and space-efficient builds
Potential Bottlenecks
PCIe 3.0 interface may bottleneck on newer systems with PCIe 4.0+ support (PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe)
Requires M.2 slot support and may limit older system compatibility
Overkill Scenarios
Entry-level gaming systems (1 TB)
Basic productivity and web browsing
Legacy system upgrades
Basic file storage and archival needs
Avoid For
Latest generation builds with PCIe 4.0+ requirements (PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe interface)
Older systems without M.2 slot support (M.2 2280 form factor)
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