Samsung Electronics, a world leader in advanced memory technology, today announced the release of SSD 990 EVO — the newest addition to the company’s lineup of consumer SSDs — which delivers powerful performance with better energy efficiency. Designed to enhance everyday computing experiences like gaming, work and video/photo editing, the NVMe SSD is expected to be an ideal solution for a diverse range of users.

“Samsung has been leveraging its advanced memory technologies for optimized SSD solutions, and for our latest consumer product, we’ve combined both innovation and practicality to enhance the computing experiences for users,” said Hangu Sohn, Vice President of Memory Brand Product Biz Team at Samsung Electronics. “The 990 EVO balances performance, power efficiency and reliability, making it a versatile choice for the latest interface that is suitable for a variety of everyday tasks, including gaming, business workflow and creative endeavors.”

Enhanced Performance

The 990 EVO offers enhanced performance of up to 43% compared to the previous model, 970 EVO Plus. Sequential read speeds come up to 5,000 megabytes-per-second (MB/s) and write speeds up to 4,200 MB/s. Random read and write speeds also get a boost with up to 700K input/output operations per second (IOPS) and 800K IOPS, respectively.

By using Host Memory Buffer (HMB) technology to directly link to the host processor’s DRAM, the SSD can achieve optimized performance even with a DRAM-less design. Users upgrading from previous mainstream SSDs will experience significantly faster loading speeds for games and swift access to large files.

Improved Power Efficiency and Smart Thermal Solution

The Samsung 990 EVO improved power efficiency of up to 70% when compared to the 970 EVO Plus, allowing users extended usage on PCs without the constant concern for battery life. It also supports Modern Standby,¹ which enables an instant on/off function with uninterrupted internet connectivity and seamless notification reception, even in low-power states.

The 990 EVO’s heat spreader label effectively regulates the thermal condition of the NAND chip, allowing operations to consistently run at their highest levels without compromising drive integrity.

A Versatile SSD for Current and Future Computing

The 990 EVO is a versatile SSD created to meet current computing needs and in anticipation of future requirements. Users can experience seamless multitasking with a single SSD that caters to the demands of everyday such as gaming, business and creative workflow.

Supporting both PCIe 4.0 x4 and PCIe 5.0 x2 interfaces, the 990 EVO fits the needs for today’s PCs supporting PCIe 4.0 M.2 slots while it also offers compatibility along with thermal control and power savings for PCIe 5.0 interfaces in upcoming applications.

The 990 EVO comes in 1 terabyte (TB) and 2TB capacity options.

Samsung Magician Software Support

Samsung Magician software presents a suite of optimization tools for enhanced functionality for all Samsung SSDs, including the 990 EVO. Users can streamline the data migration process for SSD upgrades effortlessly and securely. In addition, Samsung Magician protects valuable data, monitors drive health and notifies timely firmware updates.

Currently available to consumers worldwide, the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for 990 EVO is $124.99 for the 1TB model and $209.99 for the 2TB model. For more information — including warranty details — please visit samsung.com/SSD or semiconductor.samsung.com/internal-ssd/.

Samsung SSD 990 EVO Specifications

¹ For detailed information about Modern Standby, please visit the Microsoft website (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/device-experiences/part-selection#ssd-storage).
² The NVM Express® design mark is a registered trademark of NVM Express, Inc.
³ 1GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes by IDEMA. A certain portion of capacity may be used for system file and maintenance use, so the actual capacity may differ from what is indicated on the product label.
^4,5 Sequential and random performance measurements are based on IOmeter1.1.0. Performance may vary based on an SSD’s firmware version, system hardware & configuration.
Test system configuration: AMD Ryzen9 7950x 16-Core Processor CPU@4.5GHz, DDR5 4800MHz 16GBx2 (PC5-38400), OS-Windows 11 Pro 64bit, Chipset – ASRock X670E Taichi
⁶ Samsung Electronics shall not be liable for any loss, including but not limited to loss of data or other information contained on Samsung Electronics’ products or loss of profit or revenue which may be incurred by the user. For more information on the warranty, please visit samsung.com/SSD or semiconductor.samsung.com/internal-ssd/
⁷ Five years or total bytes written (TBW), whichever comes first. For more information on the warranty, please refer to the enclosed warranty document in the package.

As the world leader in advanced memory technology, Samsung Electronics produces a wide range of SSDs that offer users the performance they need to take their PC experience to the next level. In this article, we’ll walk you through the types of SSDs you’ll find in the company’s catalog – including consumer, portable and data center SSDs – help you pick the right one for your needs, and show you how a relatively small upgrade can make a big difference.

1. Consumer SSDs

Whereas HDDs have high-risk moving parts and fragmented files that can bottleneck speeds, NAND flash-based SSDs, such as Samsung’s 860 Series and the 970 EVO Plus, feature no moving parts to slow you down.

Let’s take a closer look at some of Samsung’s standout options.

The Jack-Of-All-Trades Drive: the 860 EVO

If you’re in the market for an SSD that’s fast, reliable and easy on the wallet, we’d recommend the 860 EVO.

Featuring Samsung’s V-NAND technology, 10nm mobile DRAM, sequential read and write speeds of up to 550MB/s and 520MB/s, respectively, and up to four times faster boot speeds than conventional HDDs, the 860 EVO is the ideal option for PC and laptop users who are interested in enhancing their computer’s everyday performance.

The 860 EVO’s fast transfers and all-round premium specs make multi-tasking a breeze, and transform everything from browsing the web to document management, to video editing and online gaming.

The Bang-For-Buck Option: the 860 QVO

PC users who are interested in a high-quality, high-capacity SSD at a reasonable price point should look no further than Samsung’s 860 QVO.

When it comes to storing terabytes (TB) worth of data, PC users have historically turned to HDDs because they saw high-capacity SSDs as being too expensive. That all changes with the 860 QVO – a terabyte SSD that delivers faster, more stable performance than conventional HDDs, at a price point that won’t break the bank.

The 860 QVO comes with Samsung’s latest 4-bit MLC NAND flash technology, as well as a new, SATA-optimized MJX controller, and offers sequential read and write speeds of up to 550 MB/s and 520MB/s, respectively. This makes the 860 QVO’s speed comparable to that of the conventional 3-bit SATA SSDs.

The 4TB 860 QVO costs $549.99, while the 2TB and 1TB models cost $259.99 and $129.99, respectively.

The Professionals’ Choice: the 970 EVO Plus

If you were looking to build the fastest computer in the world, the 970 EVO Plus would be the SSD you’d need to help make it happen.

Featuring blazing-fast sequential read and write speeds of up to 3,500MB/s and 3,300MB/s, respectively – which makes this drive approximately six times faster than conventional SATA SSDs – the 970 EVO Plus offers the fastest speeds among NVMe-based (non-volatile memory express) M.2 SSDs. With peak random read and write speeds of 620,000 and 560,000 input/output operations per second (IOPS), the 970 EVO Plus is capable of storing a (3.6GB) full HD movie file in a single second.

The 970 EVO Plus features, among other innovations, Samsung’s V-NAND technology, a powerful Phoenix controller that’s coated with nickel for enhanced heat protection, Intelligent TurboWrite technology for faster sequential write speeds, and reliable autonomous temperature management.

The SSD’s game-changing speeds and premium specs make it the perfect choice for tech enthusiasts, hardcore gamers, and professionals who require a drive that offers unrivaled performance, superior reliability, and best-in-class capacity – whether it be for playing high-performance games like Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds, or running professional video editing or 3D modeling software.

 2. Portable SSDs

Super-fast portable SSDs like Samsung’s Portable SSD T5 and Portable SSD X5 offer you the freedom to take your entertainment, coursework and games with you wherever you go. They’re designed to easily slide into a pocket or purse, and they offer tons of storage as well as fast data transfers to laptops, smartphones, game consoles and more.¹

For Those with a Need for Speed: the Portable SSD T5

The Portable SSD T5 offers users the perfect blend of speed and style.

Featuring Samsung’s V-NAND flash technology and a USB 3.1 Gen 2 interface, the T5 supports rapid transfers of 4K videos, movies, graphic-intensive games and more, and boasts greater speed and stronger security than cloud storage alternatives.

Peak transmission speeds of up to 540MB/s make the T5 roughly five times faster than external HDDs, and with its compact form, it’s as small as a credit card. The SSD is available in a variety of stylish colors, and features an aluminum body that’s not only luxurious to the touch, but durable enough to withstand the bumps and drops that come with everyday use.²

The T5 is perfect for those who’d like to supplement their laptop or game console’s limited storage without compromising performance. The T5’s fast speeds ensure that programs and games installed on the drive run smoothly, and its compatibility with portable devices including Android-based smartphones allows users to enjoy seamless data transfers when they’re on the go.

The Creators’ Choice: the Portable SSD X5

In an era where people are constantly creating and sharing dynamic content, technology that supports fast data transfers has become more necessary than ever.

Samsung’s Portable SSD X5 was built with the revolutionary Thunderbolt 3 interface, which supports the fastest data read and write speeds currently available. The X5 leverages technological synergies between Thunderbolt 3 and NVMe technologies to offer users remarkably fast performance.

The SSD features maximum read and write speeds of 2,800MB and 2,300MB, respectively, and is capable of storing a high resolution (20GB) 4K UHD video in just 12 seconds. That’s over 25 times faster than conventional HDDs. The X5’s premium specs also mean that content creators who run video and image-editing programs directly through their drive will enjoy the level of fast, stable performance they need to do what they do best.

3. Data Center SSDs

It’s not just consumers and professionals who are reaping the benefits that come with making the switch to Samsung SSDs. Enterprises, too, are utilizing Samsung’s solutions to add efficiency to their data centers’ server systems.

The Budget-Friendly Option: the 860 DCT

SSDs utilized in enterprise data centers need to be durable enough to operate at a high level 24 hours a day, and engineered to meet the evolving needs of today’s small and medium businesses (SMBs). Samsung Electronics offers a diverse lineup of SSDs that cater to a wide range of budgets, and offer SMBs fast, reliable performance, high capacities, and of course, enterprise-class security.

Samsung’s 860 DCT is a solid option for businesses who are interested in lowering their data centers’ TCO (total cost of ownership), as it’s more cost-effective in this area than HDDs. It’s optimized mainly for ‘read intensive’ systems, available in capacities ranging from 940GB to 3.84TB, and ideal for content delivery network systems.

Other entries in Samsung’s data center SSD lineup include the 883 DCT, 983 DCT and 983 ZET. Together, the SSDs in this comprehensive portfolio allow businesses to choose the device that suits their unique needs.

¹ Compatibility with host devices may vary.

² During Samsung’s internal tests, the T5 was shown to safely withstand drops of up to two meters (6.6 feet).