Samsung 980 Pro vs 990 Pro: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

If you’re in the market for a high-performance SSD, Samsung’s 980 Pro and 990 Pro are two of the best NVMe drives available. But which one should you choose? Is the Samsung 990 Pro better than the 980 Pro, or is it overkill for most users? And with rumors about the 980 Pro being discontinued, is the 990 Pro now the only viable option?

In this detailed comparison, we’ll break down:
✔ Performance differences between the 980 Pro and 990 Pro
✔ Real-world speed tests – Is the 990 Pro the fastest SSD?
✔ Price vs. value – Is the upgrade worth it?
✔ Who should upgrade and who can stick with the 980 Pro

By the end, you’ll know exactly which SSD is the right choice for your needs.

Samsung 980 Pro vs 990 Pro: Key Specs Compared

Before diving deep, let’s compare the official specifications of both SSDs:

Key Takeaways:

• The 990 Pro is faster, especially in write speeds.
• It has better random performance, making it ideal for gaming and heavy workloads.
• Power efficiency is improved on the 990 Pro.

But does this mean the 990 Pro is always the better choice? Let’s dig deeper.

Is the Samsung 990 Pro Better Than the 980 Pro?

The short answer? Yes, but with caveats.

1. Speed & Performance

• The 990 Pro boasts 7,450 MB/s read and 6,900 MB/s write speeds, making it ~6% faster in reads and ~38% faster in writes than the 980 Pro.
• Random performance (IOPS) is significantly better, meaning faster load times in games and apps.
• Real-world difference? For most users, the 980 Pro is already blazing fast. The 990 Pro’s gains are most noticeable in 4K video editing, large file transfers, and high-end gaming.

2. Efficiency & Heat Management

• The 990 Pro runs cooler thanks to an improved controller and NAND optimization.
• Better power efficiency means longer battery life in laptops.

3. Price Difference

• The 990 Pro costs ~20-30% more than the 980 Pro.
• Is it worth it? If you need maximum speed, yes. For general use? The 980 Pro is still excellent.

Verdict: The 990 Pro is technically better, but the 980 Pro remains a fantastic choice for most users.

Is the Samsung 990 Pro Overkill?

This depends on your use case:

Who Should Get the 990 Pro?

✔ Gamers who want the fastest load times
✔ Content creators working with 4K/8K video
✔ Power users running heavy workloads (VMs, databases)

Who Can Stick With the 980 Pro?

✔ Casual users (web browsing, office work)
✔ Budget-conscious buyers (small price-to-performance gap)
✔ PS5 users (both SSDs meet PS5 requirements)

Bottom Line: If you don’t need peak performance, the 990 Pro might be overkill.

Is the Samsung 990 Pro the Fastest SSD?

As of 2024, the 990 Pro is among the fastest PCIe 4.0 SSDs, but not the absolute fastest.

How It Compares to Competitors:

• WD Black SN850X – Similar speeds, sometimes cheaper.
• Seagate FireCuda 530 – Comparable performance.
• Next-gen PCIe 5.0 SSDs (like the Crucial T700) are faster but require newer motherboards.

For PCIe 4.0 systems, the 990 Pro is a top-tier choice.

Is the Samsung 980 Pro Discontinued?

Rumors suggest Samsung has phased out the 980 Pro in favor of the 990 Pro. However:

• It’s still available at retailers (Amazon, Newegg, Best Buy).
• Prices have dropped, making it a great budget-friendly high-end SSD.

If you find one at a discount, it’s still a fantastic buy.

Final Verdict: Should You Upgrade?

Stick With the 980 Pro If:

✅ You already own one (performance gains are minor for most users).
✅ You’re on a budget (the 980 Pro is now cheaper).
✅ You use it for gaming or general computing.

Upgrade to the 990 Pro If:

🚀 You need the absolute best PCIe 4.0 speeds.
🎮 You’re a competitive gamer or content creator.
💻 You want better power efficiency (great for laptops).

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