Samsung SSD 990 PRO M.2 PCIe NVMe, the best M.2 SSD in 2025?

The Samsung SSD 990 PRO M.2 PCIe NVMe, the highly anticipated successor to the popular 980 Pro, is the fastest SSD on the market. With sequential read and write speeds of up to 7450/6900 MB/s, it outperforms competitors such as the SK hynix Platinum P41 and Western Digital SN850X. It boasts optimized performance thanks to its new Pascal controller and V7 TLC NAND flash memory. Does it have the necessary specifications for desktops, laptops, and the PlayStation 5 (PS5) console?

Samsung SSD 990 PRO M.2 PCIe NVMe, total control and optimized performance

In addition to its exceptional performance, the Samsung 990 Pro offers advanced security features. These include support for TCG Opal encryption, a system that guarantees the protection of sensitive data. The drive’s durability is ensured by a write rate of 600 TB per TB of capacity. Furthermore, the drive is available in several variants. It is available with or without a heat sink and RGB lighting. Indeed, Samsung aims to meet the specific needs of each user. Among other things, the Samsung 990 Pro’s introductory price is attractive, even though there is an additional cost for the variant with a heat sink and RGB lighting. In addition, version 7.2 of the Magician software allows full control of RGB lighting and performance optimization according to user preferences.

Simple design and optimal charging temperatures

The Samsung 990 Pro’s sleek design can be paired with a rear heat sink. The latter will ensure lower load temperatures. The nickel-plated controller, meanwhile, offers better heat dissipation and satisfactory temperature management. This is achieved thanks to the brand’s Dynamic Thermal Protection (DTG). Furthermore, the Pascal chip, manufactured using the manufacturer’s 8nm etching process, provides superior performance. It offers an optimized NAND data path and an intelligent cache algorithm. In addition, Samsung’s 176-layer TLC NAND used here is a true technological feat. With its four-plane design and Cell-on-Periphery (COP) implementation, this SSD offers improved energy efficiency and reduced storage space usage.

Samsung SSD 990 PRO M.2 PCIe NVMe, stable performance

With this model, Samsung introduces an additional barrier to overcome the challenges associated with increasing the number of flash memory layers. In terms of energy efficiency, the Samsung 990 Pro positions itself between the SN850X and Platinum P41 SSDs. It consumes relatively little power in both existing power modes. However, the full power mode remains less efficient than the normal mode. Furthermore, its power consumption remains low in standby mode. Finally, the Samsung 990 Pro’s load temperatures are significantly lower than those of the SN850X. This ensures optimal performance even under demanding conditions.