Samsung 990 Pro vs 980 Pro: Which SSD Should You Choose?

With advancements in technology, Solid State Drives (SSDs) have gained popularity due to their superior speed and reliability. As a leader in the SSD market, Samsung has introduced two exceptional products: the Samsung 990 Pro and Samsung 980 Pro. Both of these SSDs are renowned for their outstanding performance and advanced features.

When choosing between the Samsung 990 Pro and 980 Pro, factors such as speed, performance, capacity, and cost-effectiveness must be considered. If you're planning to upgrade to an SSD but are unsure which one to pick, read on. We'll compare the similarities and differences between these two SSDs to determine which might be the better fit for your individual needs and preferences.

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990 Pro vs 980 Pro: Specs, Price, Speed, and Performance Compared

Since its release in November 2022, the Samsung 990 Pro SSD has garnered significant attention for its exceptional speed and reliability. This Samsung 990 Pro offers an outstanding storage solution for professionals and enthusiasts alike, standing out with its cutting-edge technology and top-of-the-line specifications.

Samsung claims that the 990 Pro offers 50% better performance per watt than its predecessor, the 980 Pro, with sequential read speeds up to 7,450 MB/s, write speeds up to 6,900 MB/s, and random speeds of 1,400K/1,550K IOPS – all very snappy figures.

However, the Samsung 980 Pro, as its predecessor, has many advantages, such as a lower price, similar random performance, and a choice of storage capacities. It competes with the best M.2 SSDs for the top spot, delivering write speeds of up to 7,000 MB/s and 5,000 MB/s.

To help you make the right choice for yourself, we'll be comparing these two SSDs based on their specifications, prices across different platforms, read and write speeds, and overall performance. Read on and decide wisely.

*️⃣ Specification Sheet

The Samsung Pro 990 clearly has more powerful components under the hood than the 980 Pro.

*️⃣ Price

The Samsung 990 Pro and 980 Pro are available on multiple platforms, with prices varying depending on the platform and time. Here are recent price listings for different storage capacities across various platforms:

Samsung 990 Pro Solid State Drive

- 1 TB - $134 on Amazon, $110 on Samsung's website, $200 on Newegg - 2 TB - $245 on Amazon, $160 on Samsung's website, $250 on Newegg

Samsung 980 Pro Solid State Drive

- 1 TB - $110 on Amazon, $70 on Samsung's website, $110 on Newegg - 2 TB - $245 on Amazon, $120 on Samsung's website, $220 on Newegg

*️⃣Speed and Performance

Both Samsung's 990 Pro and 980 Pro SSDs deliver excellent performance, but the 990 Pro has a slight edge.

With PCIe 4.0, the Samsung 990 Pro achieves impressive sequential read speeds of up to 7,450 MB/s and sequential write speeds of up to 6,900 MB/s, placing it at the top of the consumer SSD market. These speeds enable lightning-fast data transfers and significantly reduced load times, making the 990 Pro an excellent solution for demanding applications such as video editing, 3D rendering, and gaming that require quick access to large files.

The Samsung 980 Pro also uses a PCIe 4.0 interface and can achieve sequential read speeds of up to 7,000 MB/s and sequential write speeds of up to 5,000 MB/s.

In real-world use, most users would be hard-pressed to notice a difference in speed between the two drives. Both the 990 Pro and the 980 Pro offer blazing-fast read and write speeds that ensure smooth and responsive performance. However, if you require absolute top speed and want to future-proof your storage setup, the slight edge of the 990 Pro might be the deciding factor.

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Which SSD to Choose: Samsung 990 Pro or 980 Pro?

With all that said, you might be wondering which SSD to pick. A few scenarios and criteria can help you choose wisely between the Samsung 990 Pro and 980 Pro SSDs.

• The Samsung 990 Pro is the preferred alternative for professionals and enthusiasts seeking top-tier performance and durability. With its PCIe 4.0 interface and lightning-fast sequential read and write speeds, the 990 Pro is ideal for resource-intensive tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, and gaming. Its higher endurance rating and sustained performance under heavy workloads make it particularly suitable for demanding professional environments.
• On the other hand, the Samsung 980 Pro is an attractive option for power users looking for high-performance storage without breaking the bank. It also features a PCIe 4.0 interface and delivers rapid sequential read and write speeds. The 980 Pro employs the updated NVMe 1.4 standard, boosting its performance across various tasks. This makes it well-suited for activities that require speed and responsiveness, such as content creation, data processing, and gaming.
• Furthermore, if budget is a concern, the 980 Pro might offer a better price-to-performance ratio while still delivering excellent speed and performance.

It is worth keeping in mind that for typical applications like web browsing, document processing, and casual gaming, the Samsung 990 Pro and 980 Pro likely offer more performance than is needed. In such cases, a less expensive, lower-spec SSD may be a more cost-effective choice.

Ultimately, the choice between the Samsung 990 Pro and 980 Pro comes down to personal preference, budget, and intended use. Considering the expected workload and striking a balance between performance and cost will help determine the optimal SSD for each scenario.

How to upgrade to a new Samsung SSD without losing data

After purchasing the suitable Samsung SSD, the next step is to replace your old HDD/SSD with the new Samsung 990 Pro or 980 Pro for a performance boost. Do you know how to transfer data between two hard drives? Cloning is the most effective method. Hard drive cloning creates an exact replica of the original drive, including settings, partition layout, configurations, programs, and all.

A hard drive cloning software is a reliable HDD/best SSD cloning software that can help you clone your old hard drive to a new Samsung SSD without losing any data with simple steps. You just need to select the source disk and target disk, confirm the disk layout, and then click "Start" to begin the cloning process. Download it now and easily transfer your data to the new Samsung SSD.

Fire up the utility “Disk Copy” to clone or copy a disk smoothly.

1. Download, install, and run the "Disk Clone" tool on your computer.
Click "Disk Mode," then select the source disk that you want to copy or clone. Click "Next" to proceed.

2. Select the target disk to which you want to clone/copy the old hard drive, then click "Next" to proceed. If prompted, click "OK" to confirm the erasure of data on the target disk.

3. Review and edit the disk layout, choosing either "Autodetect," "Copy as much as possible," or "Edit disk layout." It is recommended to select "Autodetect."

• The "Copy Source" option will copy the partition layout of the source disk to the target disk, essentially cloning it.
• The "Edit Disk Layout" allows you to manually adjust or move partitions on the target disk.
• If your target disk is an SSD, remember to check the "Target is SSD" option.

Click Continue to start the disk cloning or disk copying process immediately.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Samsung 990 Pro and 980 Pro

What is the power consumption of the 990 Pro compared to the 980 Pro?

The 990 Pro consumes slightly less power than the 980 Pro, with power draw ranging around 5.0-5.8W during reads and writes, compared to 6.2W for reads and 5.7W for writes on the 980 Pro. Additionally, the 990 Pro has marginally lower idle power consumption.

Is the 980 Pro slower than the 970 Evo?

No, the 980 Pro does not perform worse than the 970 Evo. The 980 Pro is a newer and faster NVMe SSD that outperforms the 970 Evo in both performance and speed.

Is the Samsung 980 Pro SSD worth buying?

Yes, the Samsung 980 Pro SSD is indeed a viable option. It outperforms its predecessor, the 970 Evo, in both read and write speeds. The 980 Pro employs PCIe 4.0 technology, enabling faster data transfer rates and shorter load times. This makes it particularly useful for tasks requiring swift storage, such as gaming, content creation, and big data applications. Additionally, it carries Samsung's reputation for high quality and durability.