Samsung’s 990 Pro 4TB SSD redefines high-performance storage with its efficient, single-sided M.2 design. This advanced layout ensures compatibility with compact devices, including gaming consoles like the PS5 and premium laptops. Unlike competitors, Samsung combines 4TB capacity with a single-sided form factor, making it ideal for demanding use cases.
The Samsung 990 Pro 4TB is currently the fastest SSD in its class, setting a new standard in read/write benchmarks. Leveraging V8 TLC NAND and onboard DRAM, it delivers exceptional performance without thermal throttling. The drive also includes optional heatsinks and RGB variants, enhancing thermal stability and aesthetic appeal for gaming rigs.
Samsung designed the 990 Pro to outperform the 4TB SSDs that were recently built on YMTC flash technology. While these alternatives offer solid performance and affordability, they lack the engineering refinement found in the 990 Pro. Samsung’s use of advanced TLC flash and efficient two-package layout retains a single-sided profile without sacrificing speed or endurance.
Earlier firmware issues with Samsung SSDs, including the 990 Pro, raised reliability concerns. However, Samsung responded with timely updates and ongoing software enhancements to restore user confidence. Its Magician software suite remains a standout, offering robust monitoring and drive management tools.
Despite a higher MSRP, the Samsung 990 Pro 4TB offers superior value through cutting-edge speed, premium construction, and excellent support. Competing drives like the WD SN850X fall short with bulkier layouts and fewer customization options. For users demanding top-tier performance in a sleek format, the 990 Pro 4TB is the definitive choice.
Samsung 990 Pro Review: Specs
Samsung 990 Pro 4TB Delivers Top-Tier PCIe 4.0 SSD Performance
The Samsung 990 Pro 4TB SSD sets a new benchmark for PCIe 4.0 performance. Featuring sequential read and write speeds of 7,450 MB/s and 6,900 MB/s, respectively, it pushes the interface to its theoretical limits. This SSD is built on the M.2 2280 form factor and uses a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface for maximum throughput. Samsung’s Pascal controller and 236-layer V8 V-NAND TLC flash ensure top-tier reliability and efficiency.
Superior IOPS and Reliability Enhance Enterprise-Grade Appeal
High-performance SSD users will appreciate the Samsung 990 Pro’s exceptional IOPS capability. It reaches up to 1.6 million random reads and 1.55 million random writes IOPS. This makes it ideal for demanding workloads like gaming, content creation, and data-intensive applications. With a five-year warranty and 2,400TB endurance rating, the 4TB model offers long-term dependability. Samsung’s use of LPDDR4 DRAM further boosts system responsiveness.
Strategic Pricing Offers Value Despite Premium Cost
Samsung 990 Pro 4TB pricing reflects its high-end positioning. At launch, the base model is priced at $344.99, while the heatsink version costs $354.99. Though premium, the $10 increase for the heatsink adds real value by improving thermal performance. Historically, Samsung SSD prices decline at retail, so lower pricing is expected over time. This pattern makes the 990 Pro 4TB a strong candidate for cost-conscious enthusiasts seeking maximum performance.
Samsung 990 Pro Review: Software
Samsung 990 Pro SSD users benefit from robust software support, beginning with the Samsung Data Migration tool. This utility streamlines the process of transferring data from an existing drive to the new Samsung SSD. Additionally, Samsung Magician 8.0 enhances performance management with features like diagnostics, drive health monitoring, and encryption controls. The software also enables overprovisioning, LED/RGB customization, and firmware updates through a user-friendly interface. Notably, its integrated chatbot provides instant assistance for both novice and advanced users.
Packaging and Authenticity Safeguards Reinforce Product Trust
Samsung maintains a minimalist packaging approach for the 4TB 990 Pro, reflecting the product’s professional positioning. With counterfeit drives becoming more common, verifying authenticity is essential. Samsung addresses this concern by including counterfeit detection tools within the Magician software. Users can also manually inspect internal components by safely removing the label—this does not typically void the warranty. These layered safeguards increase confidence in product legitimacy.
Hardware Components: Validate Genuine Samsung Engineering
Verifying a Samsung 990 Pro involves identifying key components, including the Pascal controller, Samsung DRAM, and Samsung flash memory. While DRAM and flash chips may appear in other devices, their specific configurations often differ. Counterfeit units may feature altered labels or deceptive coding, but physical inconsistencies are usually detectable. Samsung’s two-package, single-sided 4TB design remains difficult to replicate, further discouraging forgeries.
Design Efficiency Enhances Compatibility with Modern Devices
The Samsung 990 Pro’s single-sided layout is ideal for compact devices like laptops and ultrabooks. This design also aligns with thermal efficiency requirements for gaming consoles such as the PlayStation 5. A single-sided SSD is easier to cool, improving longevity and sustained performance. Samsung offers an optional heatsink, which is especially beneficial for PS5 and desktop users needing additional thermal control. The heatsink includes RGB lighting, continuing the aesthetic of smaller-capacity versions.
Competitive Edge Through Practical Heatsink Integration
Samsung’s ability to offer a 4TB model with an integrated heatsink marks a clear advantage over certain competitors. The WD Black SN850X, for instance, cannot provide this at 4TB due to its double-sided build. Although Western Digital addressed this with the SN850P for PS5, market reception was poor. Samsung’s solution delivers practical performance benefits without compromising compatibility or reliability.
Evolving NVMe SSD Capacities Reflect Market Demand
The shift from 1TB to 2TB as the standard NVMe SSD capacity reflects growing performance expectations. Fast PCIe 4.0 SSDs now dominate, offering larger caches and better sustained speeds. While 4TB drives once seemed excessive, they are becoming viable due to budget-friendly models. Affordable 4TB SSDs like the Lexar NM790 and Addlink A93 highlight this trend. High-end options still favor 2TB, using top-tier controllers for peak performance.
Top PCIe 4.0 SSDs Deliver High-End Performance
The Samsung 990 Pro stands out among high-performance PCIe 4.0 SSDs, matching the Solidigm P44 Pro and WD Black SN850X. Both the 990 Pro and P44 Pro max out at 2TB, while the SN850X offers a 4TB configuration. To compete, earlier PCIe 4.0 drives have dropped in price. Popular models include the Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus, Rocket 4 Plus-G, Seagate FireCuda 530, and Team Group Cardea A440 Pro. These options provide strong alternatives for high-capacity users.
Legacy SSDs Fade as New Tech Surpasses Them
Older PCIe 3.0 SSDs like the Sabrent Rocket and WD Red SN700 are now harder to recommend. Even first-generation PCIe 4.0 drives with QLC flash, such as the Cardea Z44Q and Rocket Q4, outperform them. These earlier models reached 4TB by compromising on flash quality. Today’s SSDs offer better efficiency and controller tech, even on PCIe 3.0 systems. As a result, legacy drives are increasingly obsolete in modern builds.
Samsung 990 Pro Review: Analysis tests
3DMark Storage Benchmark Performance Analysis
The 3DMark Storage Benchmark evaluates real-world gaming performance, focusing on storage tasks like loading games, saving progress, and recording gameplay. This test highlights the importance of efficient storage in gaming systems. The Samsung 990 Pro 4TB excels in these tests, outperforming all other drives tested, offering exceptional speed and reliability for gaming tasks.
Samsung 990 Pro: Unmatched Performance for Gamers
Samsung’s 990 Pro 4TB is designed with the PS5 in mind, featuring advanced technology such as Dynamic Thermal Guard and a nickel-plated controller for better heat management. These features help maintain peak performance, especially with future DirectStorage-enabled games on PC. While this drive is ideal for high-performance gaming, more affordable options like the NM790 or A93 offer better value for users on a budget.
PCMark 10: Real-World Storage Testing
PCMark 10 is a benchmark that tests storage devices using real-world application traces. The Samsung 990 Pro leads in PCMark 10 performance, surpassing other drives. It is now a top recommendation for high-capacity, high-performance storage needs, particularly for gamers seeking optimal speed. While PCIe 5.0 SSDs provide strong competition, the 990 Pro’s performance at 4TB makes it a standout option for those needing both capacity and speed.
DiskBench: Evaluating Transfer Rates
The DiskBench tool tests file transfer performance using a 50GB custom dataset. Samsung’s 990 Pro 4TB performs near the top, close to the NM790 and A93, showing competitive flash technology. The 990 Pro’s advanced V8 TLC flash provides balanced performance, especially for users who prioritize sustained speeds and high capacity. This drive, while not the fastest in all areas, delivers excellent consistency in real-world file transfers.
ATTO & CrystalDiskMark: Synthetic Performance Analysis
Synthetic benchmarks like ATTO and CrystalDiskMark provide insights into how storage handles different file sizes. The 990 Pro shows impressive write speeds in ATTO, though it exhibits a slight deviation in read performance compared to smaller capacities. This anomaly may be linked to Samsung’s flash and controller technology, which could affect sequential read speeds under certain conditions.
Random Write Latency and Performance Insights
The 990 Pro’s random write latency is not as impressive as some competitors, but its random read latency remains top-notch. This is particularly crucial for gaming and other applications requiring fast access to smaller data blocks. While the 4TB variant shows higher latency due to increased flash density, this trade-off is minimal considering the substantial performance gains in random read IOPS.
Sustained Write Performance and Cache Recovery
Sustained write performance is an important consideration for high-demand applications. The 990 Pro 4TB offers consistent write speeds due to its hybrid pSLC cache, maintaining performance for extended periods. Although the transition to TLC flash slightly reduces write speeds once the cache is exhausted, the drive’s overall consistency makes it an excellent choice for users seeking reliable, high-capacity storage solutions.
Why the Samsung 990 Pro 4TB Stands Out
The 990 Pro 4TB excels due to its combination of high capacity, powerful controller, and advanced NAND flash technology. While alternative drives may offer lower latency or faster mid-tier write speeds, the 990 Pro’s design ensures superior reliability, especially in a slim, single-sided form factor. For users requiring high-performance storage with cutting-edge technology, the 990 Pro remains a top choice in the competitive SSD market.
Samsung 990 Pro Review: Power Consumption and Temperature
When evaluating SSD power consumption, it is essential to consider idle power, especially for users upgrading their laptops. Some SSDs consume several watts during idle, while others are more energy-efficient, drawing just milliwatts. The primary focus should be on performance-per-watt, which balances power consumption with task efficiency. Faster SSDs accomplish tasks more quickly, allowing them to enter idle states sooner, thus saving energy in the long run.
Temperature regulation is another critical factor. We measure temperature using the drive’s primary composite sensor at a 24°C ambient temperature to understand its thermal performance during testing.
Efficiency and Performance of the 4TB 990 Pro SSD
The 4TB Samsung 990 Pro offers solid efficiency, but it’s not the most power-efficient model available. It surpasses the 2TB Micron SSD but falls short of the 2TB SN850X and P44 Pro in terms of efficiency. Nevertheless, for 4TB capacity, the 990 Pro stands out with superior performance and a single-sided design, making it a top contender among high-end 4.0 SSDs.
In comparison, the Maxio MAP1602, with its four-channel, DRAM-less design and YMTC’s 232-Layer TLC, excels in both efficiency and thermal performance. Drives like the A93, NM790, and MP44 consume less power and run cooler, making them ideal for devices like the PS5, laptops, and compact builds. While the 990 Pro is a strong performer, the Maxio-based drives offer a more efficient alternative for users prioritizing lower power usage and thermal management.
Cooling Recommendations for the 990 Pro
To ensure optimal performance, we recommend using a heatsink with the 990 Pro, especially during sustained workloads. Samsung’s integrated heatsink is an excellent option, particularly for PS5 users. Alternatively, a compatible M.2 heatsink from the motherboard or aftermarket suppliers should suffice. While the 990 Pro can run without a heatsink in laptops, it may overheat during prolonged use if the system lacks adequate cooling.
Test Bench and Methodology
Our testing setup includes a high-performance Intel Core i9-12900K CPU, paired with an Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Hero motherboard and G.Skill DDR5 memory. We disabled background processes such as indexing, Windows updates, and antivirus to minimize variability in results. SSDs are tested after pre-filling them to 50% capacity, ensuring consistent performance evaluation across all devices.
Samsung 990 Pro Review: Conclusion
For users seeking the best 4TB NVMe SSD, the Samsung 990 Pro is an excellent choice. It combines outstanding speed, a single-sided design, and power efficiency, making it a reliable option for both desktops and PS5 systems. While faster PCIe 5.0 SSDs are available, the 990 Pro remains a compelling choice due to its all-around performance and value, particularly for users who don’t require the extra bandwidth PCIe 5.0 offers.
The 990 Pro consistently outperforms licensed Phison E18-based drives, including Solidigm’s P44 Pro, and it holds an edge over the WD SN850X. Although WD’s SN850X has been a popular option, it lacks a heatsink for the 4TB model, a feature that the 990 Pro offers. This makes the 990 Pro a more attractive choice for users requiring both power and efficient cooling in laptops and desktops.
While other alternatives, such as the Silicon Power XS70, provide solid performance, they are generally less efficient. For those on a budget, there are several four-channel drives, such as the Addlink A93, Team MP44, and Lexar NM790, that also offer 4TB in a single-sided form factor. For gaming needs, budget-friendly QLC options like the Corsair MP600 Core XT and Crucial P3 Plus are suitable alternatives.
If you prioritize performance, the 990 Pro remains the superior option, especially in the 4TB range. While the 990 Pro’s price is currently close to the MSRP of the SN850P, which lacks the same level of performance, the 990 Pro offers superior overall value. We expect the 990 Pro’s price to decrease over time, making it an even more attractive option for those seeking the best high-performance 4TB SSD.
