Samsung’s 990 EVO Plus SSD is a powerful addition to its range of consumer solid-state drives with great performance. This SSD, which is priced competitively, delivers cutting-edge performance, improved durability, and sophisticated functionality for gamers, producers, and power users. Let’s examine its salient characteristics, functionality, and total value to determine how it compares.
Unboxing
The Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD came with the following as below
- Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD
- User Manual/Installation Guide
Thats all you will get, simple, and user manual or instructions can be obtained online via Samsung
Design and Build Quality
The Samsung 990 EVO Plus is compatible with a variety of desktops, laptops, and gaming consoles since it maintains the elegant M.2 2280 design standard for NVMe SSDs. Long-term dependability is promised by Samsung’s use of premium NAND flash and a sturdy controller, while the small size guarantees simple installation.
The SSD also has a nickel covering and an improved heat spreader for efficient heat management. Additionally, the Dynamic Thermal Guard technology aids in temperature regulation, guaranteeing steady performance even under demanding workloads.
Test Setup
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 9700X (8 Core 16 Threads) |
| Cooling | DeepCool AK620 Digital (Intel/AMD) Compatible |
| Motherboard | ASUS X670E ProArt Creator WiFi 6E |
| Memory | Kingston Fury Renegade DDR5 (7200MT/s) 24GB x 2 |
| Storage (Boot) | Kingston NV1 (500GB) PCIE 3.0 X 4 |
| Storage (Testing) | MSI Spatium M450 (1TB) PCIE 4.0 X 4 Kingston Fury Renegade (2TB) PCIE 4.0 X4 Samsung 990 EVO Plus (2TB) PCIE 5.0 X2 mode |
| GPU | Sapphire Pulse AMD Radeon 7900GRE (16GB) |
| Power Supply | Aigo 750W Modular Power Supply |
Performance & Benchmarks
The performance of the Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD is decent for a Gen 4/5 NVMe disk. Compared to SATA-based SSDs, which normally have a maximum speed of about 550 MB/s, it provides a notable performance gain with sequential read speeds of up to 7,250 MB/s and write speeds of up to 6,300 MB/s. These speeds are still lightning fast and more than sufficient for the majority of daily computer operations, such as productivity work, gaming, and content production, even though it can only support PCIe 5.0 x 2 lanes.
The Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD performs exceptionally well at boot times in practical applications, cutting down on the time it takes for Windows to load and apps to launch. Video editors, photographers, and gamers that need quick load times and quick access to large files may find it to be a useful option because file transfers are quick, regardless of the size of the files or the complexity of the project.
Large game installations and in-game loading times are easily managed with the Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD for gamers. Games that need a lot of storage and data transfer, including Call of Duty: Warzone and Cyberpunk 2077, load considerably more quickly than SATA SSDs or conventional hard drives.
Capacity Options
To meet various storage needs, the Samsung 990 EVO Plus comes in a variety of capacity options, from 1TB to 4TB. While the 2TB and 4TB variants provide enough of room for gamers, multimedia producers, and professionals working with massive video files, the 1TB models are best suited for consumers wishing to expand the storage on their laptop or add a boot drive to their desktop computer.
The Samsung 990 EVO Plus is appropriate for a range of use cases due to its versatile storage options. Samsung offers a sufficient range of options to suit both light and heavy users, regardless of whether you require more storage for major media projects or a smaller boot drive size.
Endurance and Reliability
When selecting an SSD, endurance is a crucial consideration, and the Samsung 990 EVO Plus provides strong dependability for its class. The drive can manage a substantial quantity of data writing over its lifetime because to its TBW (Total Bytes Written) rating, which varies depending on the capacity.
Additionally, the Samsung 990 EVO Plus supports a number of NAND Flash technologies, including wear-leveling, over-provisioning, and bad block management, that enhance data longevity and integrity. Even with frequent use, these characteristics assist guarantee that the SSD will continue to operate and remain stable over time.
Thermal Performance
The Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD has good thermal performance, especially for everyday use, despite not having a heatsink. The drive stays cool while performing routine tasks like office work, web browsing, and light gaming. The Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD is able to provide steady performance without thermal throttling, even during more demanding tasks like video editing or prolonged gaming sessions.
In systems with inadequate airflow, an aftermarket heatsink could be a valuable addition for users who want to exert more force on the drive. But for the majority of average users, the Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD’s thermal design will be adequate.
Software and Features
Samsung’s Magician Software adds significant value to the 990 EVO Plus. It allows users to:
- Monitor health and performance.
- Optimize settings for maximum speed.
- Securely erase data.
- Perform firmware updates.
The SSD also supports AES 256-bit encryption for enhanced data security, making it a great choice for professionals dealing with sensitive information.
The 990 EVO Plus is built with Samsung’s V-NAND technology, ensuring high endurance and reliability. With up to 2,400 TBW for the 2TB model, users can confidently write and rewrite large volumes of data over several years. This durability is backed by a 5-year warranty, reinforcing Samsung’s commitment to quality.
Technical Specifications
- Form Factor: M.2 2280
- Weight: 9 Grams
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4 or 5.0 x2, NVMe 2.0
- Sequential Read Speeds: Up to 7,400 MB/s
- Sequential Write Speeds: Up to 6,900 MB/s
- Capacity Options: 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB
- Endurance: Up to 1,200 TBW (for the 2TB model)
- Controller: Samsung in-house design (likely improved over the 980 series)
- Warranty: 5 years or TBW limit
Verdict & Conclusion
The Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD is among the top SSDs in the PCIe 4.0 market thanks to its flagship-level speeds, strong durability, and intuitive features. Whether you’re constructing a high-performance workstation, upgrading your gaming setup, or just searching for dependable storage, the 990 EVO Plus offers exceptional performance and affordability on the higher end of NVME SSD’s.
It’s obvious that the Samsung 990 EVO Plus is the best option for consumers looking for a balance between speed, dependability, and price.
Pricing & Availability
The 990 EVO Plus SSD is now available in Malaysia through Samsung’s Official Stores on Shopee and Lazada, as well as selected electronics stores:
- 1TB – RM519
- 2TB – RM879
- 4TB – RM1599
For further details and warranty information, visit Samsung Memory & Storage. A user guide for installation is also available at Samsung SSD Upgrade.
Special Thanks to Samsung Electronics on providing us the review unit. Supporting units provided by ASUS, AMD, Kingston and Sapphire.