Samsung 9100 Pro and 990 Pro SSDs

The short answer

This drive is ideal for users who want the latest PCIe 4.0 performance without sacrificing reliability or capacity. It offers sequential read speeds of 7450 MB/s and sequential write speeds of 6900 MB/s, making it one of the fastest drives in its class. The 1200 TBW (total bytes written) endurance rating ensures it can handle heavy workloads over time, which is especially important for gamers, content creators, and professionals who rely on fast storage. The 2 TB capacity is also a major plus for users who need space for large files, games, or video editing projects. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly alternative, the Crucial T500 is worth considering, especially if you don’t need the Samsung brand name or additional features that come with it.

The heatsink helps maintain lower temperatures during extended use, which can be beneficial for systems that run intensive applications or games for long periods. The SN850X also includes WD’s Game Mode 2.0, a feature designed to optimize performance during gaming sessions. However, its sequential write speed of 6600 MB/s is lower than both the Samsung 990 Pro and the Crucial T500, which might be a drawback for users who need the fastest possible write speeds. The SN850X is a good choice if you’re looking for a drive that’s optimized for gaming and has better thermal management, but it’s not the best option if you’re focused on raw speed and value.

If you’re using a system that supports PCIe 4.0, all three drives are excellent choices. However, the Samsung 990 Pro is the best option for users who want the fastest performance and the latest technology. The Crucial T500 is a strong contender for those looking for a more affordable alternative with slightly better write speeds, while the WD Black SN850X is ideal for gamers who need better thermal management and game-optimized features. Each of these drives has its own strengths, and the best choice will depend on your specific needs, budget, and system requirements.

Top picks

• Samsung 990 Pro 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD — £149.99
• Crucial T500 2TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD — £129.99
• WD Black SN850X 2TB NVMe SSD with Heatsink — £159.99

How we chose

The Samsung 990 Pro 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD is the top pick for users who want the latest PCIe 4.0 performance without sacrificing reliability or capacity. It offers sequential read speeds of 7450 MB/s and sequential write speeds of 6900 MB/s, making it one of the fastest drives in its class. The 1200 TBW (total bytes written) endurance rating ensures it can handle heavy workloads over time, which is especially important for gamers, content creators, and professionals who rely on fast storage. The 2 TB capacity is also a major plus for users who need space for large files, games, or video editing projects. However, the 990 Pro is not the cheapest option on the market — it’s about £20 more than the Crucial T500 2TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD, which offers similar performance with a slightly better write speed of 7000 MB/s for the same price. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly alternative, the Crucial T500 is worth considering, especially if you don’t need the Samsung brand name or additional features that come with it. For users who prioritize cooling and thermal management, the WD Black SN850X 2TB NVMe SSD with Heatsink is another solid option, even though it’s slightly more expensive at £159.99. The heatsink helps maintain lower temperatures during extended use, which can be beneficial for systems that run intensive applications or games for long periods. The SN850X also includes WD’s Game Mode 2.0, a feature designed to optimize performance during gaming sessions. However, its sequential write speed of 6600 MB/s is lower than both the Samsung 990 Pro and the Crucial T500, which might be a drawback for users who need the fastest possible write speeds. The SN850X is a good choice if you’re looking for a drive that’s optimized for gaming and has better thermal management, but it’s not the best option if you’re focused on raw speed and value. If you’re using a system that supports PCIe 4.0, all three drives are excellent choices. However, the Samsung 990 Pro is the best option for users who want the fastest performance and the latest technology. The Crucial T500 is a strong contender for those looking for a more affordable alternative with slightly better write speeds, while the WD Black SN850X is ideal for gamers who need better thermal management and game-optimized features. Each of these drives has its own strengths, and the best choice will depend on your specific needs, budget, and system requirements.

The top picks

The Samsung 990 Pro 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD is the top pick for users who want the latest PCIe 4.0 performance without sacrificing reliability or capacity. It offers sequential read speeds of 7450 MB/s and sequential write speeds of 6900 MB/s, making it one of the fastest drives in its class. The 1200 TBW (total bytes written) endurance rating ensures it can handle heavy workloads over time, which is especially important for gamers, content creators, and professionals who rely on fast storage. The 2 TB capacity is also a major plus for users who need space for large files, games, or video editing projects. However, the 990 Pro is not the cheapest option on the market — it’s about £20 more than the Crucial T500 2TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD, which offers similar performance with a slightly better write speed of 7000 MB/s for the same price.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly alternative, the Crucial T500 is worth considering, especially if you don’t need the Samsung brand name or additional features that come with it. The Crucial T500 2TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD is the best-value 2 TB Gen4 drive, offering sequential read speeds of 7400 MB/s and sequential write speeds of 7000 MB/s. It matches the 990 Pro in endurance with a 1200 TBW rating and has the same 2 TB capacity. The Crucial T500 is a strong contender for users who prioritize value and performance, and it’s a good option for those who don’t need the Samsung brand name or extra features.

For users who prioritize cooling and thermal management, the WD Black SN850X 2TB NVMe SSD with Heatsink is another solid option, even though it’s slightly more expensive at £159.99. The heatsink helps maintain lower temperatures during extended use, which can be beneficial for systems that run intensive applications or games for long periods. The SN850X also includes WD’s Game Mode 2.0, a feature designed to optimize performance during gaming sessions. However, its sequential write speed of 6600 MB/s is lower than both the Samsung 990 Pro and the Crucial T500, which might be a drawback for users who need the fastest possible write speeds. The SN850X is a good choice if you’re looking for a drive that’s optimized for gaming and has better thermal management, but it’s not the best option if you’re focused on raw speed and value.

Each of these drives has its own strengths, and the best choice will depend on your specific needs, budget, and system requirements. The Samsung 990 Pro is the best option for users who want the fastest performance and the latest technology. The Crucial T500 is a strong contender for those looking for a more affordable alternative with slightly better write speeds, while the WD Black SN850X is ideal for gamers who need better thermal management and game-optimized features.

The verdict

The Samsung 990 Pro 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD is the best option for users who want the fastest performance and the latest technology. With sequential read speeds of 7450 MB/s and sequential write speeds of 6900 MB/s, it’s among the fastest drives in its class. Its 1200 TBW endurance rating ensures it can handle heavy workloads over time, making it ideal for gamers, content creators, and professionals who need reliable and fast storage. The 2 TB capacity is also a major plus for users who need space for large files, games, or video editing projects. However, it’s not the cheapest option on the market — it’s about £20 more than the Crucial T500 2TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD, which offers similar performance with a slightly better write speed of 7000 MB/s for the same price. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly alternative, the Crucial T500 is worth considering, especially if you don’t need the Samsung brand name or additional features that come with it.

The Crucial T500 2TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD is the best-value 2 TB Gen4 drive, offering sequential read speeds of 7400 MB/s and sequential write speeds of 7000 MB/s. It matches the 990 Pro in endurance with a 1200 TBW rating and has the same 2 TB capacity. The Crucial T500 is a strong contender for users who prioritize value and performance, and it’s a good option for those who don’t need the Samsung brand name or extra features. However, it lacks some of the advanced features found in the Samsung 990 Pro, such as the latest controller and firmware optimizations, which may be important for users who want the most up-to-date technology.

For users who prioritize cooling and thermal management, the WD Black SN850X 2TB NVMe SSD with Heatsink is another solid option, even though it’s slightly more expensive at £159.99. The heatsink helps maintain lower temperatures during extended use, which can be beneficial for systems that run intensive applications or games for long periods. The SN850X also includes WD’s Game Mode 2.0, a feature designed to optimize performance during gaming sessions. However, its sequential write speed of 6600 MB/s is lower than both the Samsung 990 Pro and the Crucial T500, which might be a drawback for users who need the fastest possible write speeds. The SN850X is a good choice if you’re looking for a drive that’s optimized for gaming and has better thermal management, but it’s not the best option if you’re focused on raw speed and value.

Each of these drives has its own strengths, and the best choice will depend on your specific needs, budget, and system requirements. The Samsung 990 Pro is the best option for users who want the fastest performance and the latest technology. The Crucial T500 is a strong contender for those looking for a more affordable alternative with slightly better write speeds, while the WD Black SN850X is ideal for gamers who need better thermal management and game-optimized features. If you’re looking for the best balance of performance, reliability, and value, the Crucial T500 is a strong option. If you’re willing to pay a bit more for the latest technology and the fastest performance, the Samsung 990 Pro is the way to go. And if you’re a gamer who needs better thermal management and game-optimized features, the WD Black SN850X is a solid choice.

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