A Next-Level Offering
Samsung has recently introduced its latest groundbreaking solid-state drive (SSD), the Samsung 990 Pro. This remarkable successor to the 980 Pro promises an astounding 55% boost in random performance compared to its predecessor. With its release just around the corner, this SSD is set to bring substantial benefits to gamers and content creators alike. However, it’s important to note that Samsung’s decision to stick with slightly older technology for the 990 Pro means that even more advanced SSDs will be hitting the market soon.
Unleash the Gaming Beast
Samsung proudly advertises the 990 Pro as a true gaming beast. However, its superior capabilities extend far beyond gaming. This SSD is also a game-changer for tasks like 4K video editing, where write speeds play a vital role. Boasting remarkable read speeds of up to 7,540 megabytes per second (MB/s) and write speeds maxing out at 6,900 MB/s, this SSD is a powerful tool in the hands of professionals.
To enhance the performance of the 990 Pro, Samsung has implemented its latest vertical NAND (V-NAND) technology. This innovative design increases per-chip density, delivering impressive performance without compromising the compact size of the device. Additionally, the SSD is equipped with a new proprietary controller, further enhancing its capabilities.
Speed Meets Efficiency
Samsung took the 990 Pro for a spin in a gaming scenario, showcasing its ability to dramatically reduce game loading times. When tested in Forspoken, the map loading time was reduced to just one second with the Samsung 990 Pro, while it took four seconds with a SATA SSD and a staggering 28 seconds with a typical HDD.
Keeping It Cool
Outstanding SSD performance often comes with the drawback of excessive heat generation. Samsung has addressed this concern by boosting the drive’s power efficiency by up to 50% compared to its predecessor, the 980 Pro. Moreover, the SSD is equipped with various features designed to combat heat build-up. As an added bonus, Samsung has created a special version of the drive called the “990 Pro with Heatsink.” This variant not only lives up to its name by providing enhanced cooling but also adds RGB lighting, elevating the aesthetics of your device.
Staying Ahead of the Curve
Although Samsung’s upcoming SSD is certainly impressive, the company has chosen to stick with the familiar PCIe Gen 4.0 technology rather than adopting PCIe 5.0. While PCIe 5.0 offers twice the speed of its predecessor, it requires an Intel Alder Lake CPU and has limited availability of compatible SSDs. On the other hand, Samsung’s 990 Pro offers blazing-fast speeds within the PCIe 4.0 generation. However, it is worth noting that the first PCIe 5.0 SSDs boast mind-boggling read speeds of up to 13,000MB/s and write speeds of up to 12,000 MB/s. With the imminent arrival of the AMD Ryzen 7000, which supports PCIe 5.0, we can expect to see more of these advanced SSDs hitting the market.
Availability and Pricing
The Samsung 990 Pro is set to hit stores in October, with capacities ranging up to 2TB. The 1TB model will have a recommended price of $179, while the 2TB version will be priced at $309. Furthermore, Samsung has tantalized us with the promise of a 4TB model, slated for release in 2023, although the pricing for this version remains undisclosed.
Editors’ Recommendations
- Samsung’s Odyssey Neo G9 launches in October — if you can stomach its insane price
- Samsung’s Odyssey OLED 49 arrives cheaper than expected
- Samsung’s new Odyssey Neo G9 gaming monitor is beautiful, but it has a fatal flaw
- Samsung brought a 5K display to CES 2023 that could take on Apple’s Studio Display
- Why DisplayPort 2.1 could become a big deal for PC gaming in 2023
