Samsung
Storage
Samsung 990 Pro 1 TB M.2-2280
Key Features
3D NAND
TurboWrite
AES 256-bit Encryption
MSRP:
$100
Technical Specifications
Manufacturer
Samsung
MSRP
$100
Type
SSD
Form Factor
M.2 2280
Interface
PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe
Capacity
1 TB
Read Speed
7450 MB/s
Write Speed
6900 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 990 Pro’s outstanding sequential and random read/write speeds, often calling it one of the fastest PCIe Gen4 SSDs available. There’s widespread praise for its real-world responsiveness in gaming, productivity, and content creation, with many reporting noticeably faster load times and file transfers compared to previous Samsung SSDs and competitors.
- A common topic is the drive’s tendency to run hot under sustained heavy workloads. Many users discuss the importance of using the heatsink version or ensuring good airflow, especially in compact PC cases or PlayStation 5 installations, to avoid thermal throttling and maintain peak performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Samsung 990 Pro 1TB compatible with PlayStation 5?
Yes, the 990 Pro 1TB is compatible with the PS5 as long as it is installed with a heatsink (either the built-in version or a third-party one), meeting Sony’s requirements for M.2 SSD upgrades.
How do I update the firmware on the Samsung 990 Pro?
You can update the firmware through Samsung Magician software on Windows, which also provides tools for drive monitoring, health checks, and performance optimization. Users recommend keeping the firmware up to date for best reliability and 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)
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