
Samsung
Storage
Samsung 980 Pro 1 TB M.2-2280
Key Features
3D NAND
TurboWrite
AES 256-bit Encryption
MSRP:
$159
Technical Specifications
Manufacturer
Samsung
MSRP
$159
Type
SSD
Form Factor
M.2 2280
Interface
PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe
Capacity
1 TB
Read Speed
7000 MB/s
Write Speed
5000 MB/s
Cache
1024 MB
Nvme
Yes
Pros & Cons
Pros
- SSD technology delivers significant speed improvement over traditional HDDs
- Cutting-edge PCIe 4.0 NVMe provides maximum performance (7K MB/s read)
- Good 1 TB capacity for 13-18 modern games plus applications
- Sweet spot for most gaming and productivity needs
- Flagship performance with 7K+ MB/s speeds for professional workloads
- 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
- Requires M.2-compatible motherboard or laptop
- High-performance drive may require thermal management
- PCIe 4.0 benefits limited on older systems
Community Insights
- Users frequently highlight the 980 Pro’s blazing fast read and write speeds thanks to its PCIe Gen4 interface. It’s often recommended for high-end gaming PCs, video editing rigs, and PlayStation 5 upgrades, with many noting noticeably faster load times and file transfers compared to PCIe Gen3 drives.
- A notable topic in user discussions is the history of firmware issues affecting the 980 Pro, especially in earlier batches—some users reported sudden drive failures or the drive becoming read-only. However, most community members note that Samsung has since released firmware updates that have resolved these reliability problems, and they recommend updating the drive’s firmware immediately after installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Samsung 980 Pro 1TB compatible with PlayStation 5?
Yes, the 980 Pro is fully compatible with the PS5 as long as you use a heatsink, meeting Sony’s requirements for third-party SSD upgrades.
How do I update the firmware on my Samsung 980 Pro?
You can update the firmware using Samsung Magician software on Windows. This tool also allows you to monitor drive health, check remaining lifespan, and optimize performance.
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)
Professional workloads and content creation (7K MB/s)
Compact builds and laptop upgrades (M.2 form factor)
Clean cable management and space-efficient builds
Potential Bottlenecks
Requires M.2 slot support and may limit older system compatibility
High-performance drive may require heatsink for sustained workloads
Overkill Scenarios
Entry-level gaming systems (1 TB)
Basic productivity and web browsing
Office systems with basic file access needs (PCIe 4.0)
Casual web browsing and document editing
Avoid For
Older systems without M.2 slot support (M.2 2280 form factor)
PCHelperAI may earn a commission from purchases made through affiliate links to participating retailers on this site. This compensation does not influence the products shown, pricing, or the order in which prices appear. For more details, please see our full disclosure.