Samsung 990 Pro NVMe SSD Review: Performance, Speed, and 4TB Upgrade

This in-depth review explores the performance and features of the Samsung 990 Pro NVMe SSD. We'll explore its speed, capabilities, and how it compares to the competition, helping you decide if it's the right choice for your storage needs.

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9/6/20243 min read

Samsung NVMe SSD 980 Pro
Samsung NVMe SSD 980 Pro

Samsung 990 Pro NVMe SSD Review: Performance, Speed, and 4TB Upgrade

Samsung 990P PRO NVMe expanded the lineup with a 4TB version, providing an excellent opportunity to test this new capacity and revisit the 990 Pro in general. A lot has happened since its launch, so let’s dive in and see how it holds up today. We'll touch on some of the issues Samsung has dealt with over the past year and determine whether it's still worth purchasing.

Samsung 990 Pro NVMe SSD Heatsink

Similar to the smaller capacities, the 4TB model is available with or without a heatsink. I have the non-heatsink version, which comes with a very thin heat spreader on top. However, it’s crucial to remember that a proper heatsink is recommended for fast drives like this one.

One particularly interesting feature of this drive is that it’s entirely single-sided, which is rare for 4TB NVMe SSDs. Most models have components on both sides, but this one has everything on just one side. This is especially important for certain laptops that can’t fit dual-sided drives, and it also makes it easier to use with motherboard or third-party heatsinks.

Pro 990 NMVe SSD specification:

In terms of specifications, not much has changed from the previous models. It still offers everything you’d expect from a high-end SSD: it’s a Gen 4 NVMe SSD, it has DRAM cache, uses SLC caching, and comes with a five-year warranty. Samsung continues providing extensive hardware support, including 4TB hardware encryption, which is a great bonus.

The 4TB version does have some advantages over the smaller capacities, such as a larger DRAM cache and a more substantial SLC buffer, which can go up to 442GB, assuming you have plenty of free space on the drive. However, as usual, Samsung doesn’t disclose details about the controller or exact memory specs, but they make it clear that this drive uses TLC memory, not QLC.

Performance of the 990 Pro:

Performance-wise, the 990 Pro continues to impress. Starting with the PCMark 10 Quick Benchmark, which replicates everyday tasks like working with documents, opening photos, and loading games, the 4TB version outperforms the 1TB and 2TB models. Although it falls behind Gen 5 SSDs in this test, it remains the fastest Gen 4 drive.

The full PCMark 10 Switch benchmark shows similar results for more intensive tasks. The 4TB 990 Pro outperforms its smaller siblings and every other Gen 4 drive I’ve tested, though it still lags behind Gen 5 drives.

Even in extreme conditions, such as those simulated in the consistency test, which is relevant for niche use cases that involve heavy, multi-hour workloads, the 990 Pro shines. It remains stable under stress, with the 4TB version performing even better than the 2TB model.

The 3DMark storage benchmark, which focuses on gaming-related tasks like loading and installing games, shows a bit of a drop for the 4TB model compared to its smaller counterparts. It still performs well but ranks lower than the Transcend 250, which generally costs less.

The 4TB 990 Pro remains the fastest Gen 4 drive in sequential read-and-write tests. However, the Gen 4 slot’s limitations become apparent, with all drives in the top tier reaching similar speeds, only surpassed by Gen 5 SSDs.

Samsung NVMe 990 Pro operating temperature:

A crucial consideration for this drive is cooling. While Samsung suggests operating temperatures between 0 and 70 degrees Celsius, without a heatsink, this SSD can easily exceed those temperatures under stress, reaching up to 100 degrees internally. This leads to throttling, which slows down the drive. Therefore, a heatsink is a must for this SSD, whether it’s the version that comes with one or a third-party option, which you can find for around $10.

Conclusion:

Lastly, Samsung’s Magician software remains a strong feature, offering a sleek, modern interface that allows you to monitor drive health, manage data migration, and set up hardware encryption, among other functions.

In conclusion, the 4TB Samsung 990 Pro is an excellent choice for those looking for a high-capacity, high-performance Gen 4 SSD. Whether it’s worth the investment depends on your specific needs, but this drive’s capacity and performance make it a compelling option for heavy workloads or niche use cases.

Samsung NVME heatsinkSamsung NVME heatsink