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Samsung 990 EVO PLUS SSD Review

Samsung 990 EVO Plus Gen 5 SSD Review

Samsung has long been a leader in the SSD industry, known for their ability to balance performance, reliability, and innovation across their product lines. From early offerings like the Samsung 960 EVO to their more recent hits like the 980 Pro, Samsung consistently delivers SSDs that push the envelope in both consumer and professional storage spaces. Their latest entry, the Samsung 990 EVO Plus, marks their first foray into the Gen 5 SSD market, but with a focus that differentiates it from some of the high-performance competition. While many other brands are racing to deliver the highest read/write speeds and performance benchmarks, Samsung has taken a more balanced approach here, focusing on efficiency, power consumption, and durability.

Building on the legacy of the Samsung 990 EVO, the 990 EVO Plus brings a number of upgrades in key areas, such as improved random performance, lower power consumption, and better thermal management. But is it enough to make a mark in the increasingly crowded Gen 5 SSD landscape? Let’s take an in-depth look at the Samsung 990 EVO Plus and see how it stacks up against both its predecessors and the competition.

Samsung 990 EVO Plus Gen 5 SSD Review – Quick Conclusion

The Samsung 990 EVO Plus is a well-rounded SSD that balances power efficiency, random performance, and thermal management—making it an excellent choice for users who prioritize reliability and efficiency over raw speed. Compared to the 990 EVO, it offers significant improvements in power consumption and random performance, while still maintaining the same level of durability and endurance that Samsung is known for. However, for users who demand the absolute best in terms of sequential speeds or IOPS for gaming and data-heavy workloads, the 990 EVO Plus may not be the fastest option available. The lack of DRAM and the reliance on HMB technology might not appeal to those looking for top-tier performance, but for everyday users and professionals working with large files, this drive provides a reliable, long-lasting solution. The Samsung 990 EVO Plus shines as an efficient, reliable SSD for users who need dependable storage without the high power draw or heat output of some other Gen 5 SSDs. It may not be the fastest drive on the market, but its balance of power efficiency, random performance, and thermal management makes it a compelling option for a wide range of users. HOWEVER, but aware that this is a drive that is built for efficiency and if used in a mid-range system, will not hit the same performance numbers that a DRAM equipped SSD would be able to achieve. It’s another example of Samsung persuing a different SSD marketing and production strategy than Seagate and WD, but it’s still too early to see if this will be ultimately successful i nthe battle of Speed vs Efficiency vs Price in 2024/2025!

BUILD QUALITY - 9/10
HARDWARE - 8/10
PERFORMANCE - 7/10
PRICE - 8/10
VALUE - 8/10


8.0
PROS
👍🏻Superior Power Efficiency (73% better than 990 EVO)
👍🏻Low Heat Generation, Ideal for Laptops and Small Form Factor PCs
👍🏻Improved Random Performance for Gaming and Creative Workloads
👍🏻Excellent Software Support with Samsung Magician 8.2
👍🏻Great Endurance for a DRAMless Drive
👍🏻Good mid-tier solution for SSD buyers right now
👍🏻Provides higher OS performance to users with efficient systems that tend to get bottom-of-the-barrel OS/OEM SSDs in their systems at the point of sale
CONS
👎🏻Other DRAMless Controllers Perform Better (Phison E31T)
👎🏻Performance Compared to Higher-End Gen 5 SSDs
👎🏻Not the Best Choice for Power Users or High-Performance Gaming
👎🏻The steep numbers promoted by Samsung on this drive (7GB+) are only really possible on a power system that arguably this drive is not targetted for in the first place


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Samsung 990 EVO Plus Gen 5 SSD Review – Retail Packaging

Samsung’s packaging for the 990 EVO Plus sticks to their traditional minimalist approach, providing the essentials without unnecessary extras. Inside the box, you’ll find the M.2 NVMe SSD in a protective plastic shell, along with basic installation instructions and information about the 5-year warranty. There’s no heatsink included, which is consistent with Samsung’s aim to keep the drive power-efficient and cool, but it’s worth noting that competitors in the Gen 5 space often include heatsinks to combat thermal throttling.

What stands out, though, is the Intelligent TurboWrite 2.0 technology integrated into the drive. This technology boosts write performance during large transfers by creating a pseudo-SLC cache, making it ideal for handling the larger file sizes that come with 8K video editing or high-resolution gaming.

The drive also comes equipped with a pre-applied base panel heat shield located beneath the NAND flash. Unlike other SSDs that place heat shields on the top, this design choice is part of Samsung’s commitment to improving thermal management without the need for active cooling solutions.


Samsung 990 EVO Plus Gen 5 SSD Review – Controller

The controller is one of the most critical components of any SSD, and for the Samsung 990 EVO Plus, Samsung continues to rely on its in-house expertise. The 990 EVO Plus features a Samsung proprietary controller designed specifically for this drive. This gives Samsung greater control over performance, efficiency, and longevity, allowing them to fine-tune the balance between speed and power consumption.

While Samsung hasn’t revealed the exact details of the controller in the 990 EVO plus publically, it is confirmed to be the Piccolo controller featured on the 990 EVO that was released earlier in 2024 and designed with power efficiency in mind. It supports PCIe Gen 5.0 x2, which, although not as fast as PCIe Gen 5.0 x4 drives, provides a significant boost over Gen 4 drives without the same high power draw or thermal challenges. By reducing the number of lanes while maintaining comparable performance, Samsung achieves lower temperatures and better power consumption than many competing drives, making the 990 EVO Plus ideal for compact or thermally constrained environments.

This is a different strategy compared to the Phison E31T controller, which prioritizes raw speed and high IOPS performance. Samsung’s approach in the 990 EVO Plus leans more towards stability and efficiency, making it suitable for a broader range of consumer devices like laptops and desktops that don’t require extreme sequential read/write speeds but need to maintain low power consumption and manage heat effectively. The 990 EVO Plus, with Samsung’s eighth V-NAND technology and Piccolo controller, delivers sequential read
and write speeds up to 7,250MB/s and 6,300MB/s, which improves the sequential read speed by 45% compared to the 990 EVO. And random read and write speeds are up to 1,050K and 1,400K IOPS. The best in-class performance of the 990 EVO Plus is the best solution for users who want to upgrade storage for versatile purposes


Samsung 990 EVO Plus Gen 5 SSD Review – NAND

The Samsung 990 EVO Plus uses the company’s 236-layer V-NAND TLC (Triple-Level Cell), a high-density, high-performance memory that strikes a balance between speed and durability. Samsung has long been a pioneer in NAND technology, and with the 990 EVO Plus, they have integrated their V-NAND V8 technology, which offers higher storage density and faster data transfer rates compared to previous generations.

The 236-layer V-NAND used in the 990 EVO Plus allows for more data to be stored in the same physical space, improving efficiency while keeping costs reasonable. The NAND chips are manufactured in-house, which ensures consistent quality and performance across the product line. In addition, Samsung’s Intelligent TurboWrite 2.0 technology works alongside the NAND to dynamically adjust the SLC cache, ensuring that large data transfers remain fast and efficient, even in sustained workloads like 8K video editing or rendering.

The high-density NAND also plays a key role in reducing power consumption, as the advanced node technology used in these chips allows for more efficient data processing with less energy, contributing to the drive’s overall power efficiency and thermal performance.


Samsung 990 EVO Plus Gen 5 SSD Review – Lack of DRAM and Host Memory Buffer (HMB)

One of the more significant design choices in the 990 EVO Plus is the absence of a dedicated DRAM cache. Instead, Samsung opts for Host Memory Buffer (HMB) technology, which uses a portion of the system’s main memory (RAM) to handle the mapping table needed for SSD operations.

While DRAM-equipped SSDs generally offer faster performance due to the dedicated buffer for data mapping, the HMB implementation in the 990 EVO Plus is designed to mitigate some of the performance loss typically associated with DRAMless SSDs. By borrowing from the system’s RAM, the drive can still manage high IOPS and maintain relatively quick random access speeds, even in workloads that involve frequent small file transactions like gaming or document editing.

The key advantage of this DRAMless design is cost efficiency and reduced power consumption. SSDs with DRAM tend to consume more power, which isn’t ideal for compact systems or laptops where battery life and heat generation are critical factors. The 990 EVO Plus strikes a balance by using HMB to offer solid performance at a lower cost and with lower power requirements, making it an excellent choice for users looking to upgrade their storage without significantly increasing power consumption. That being said, for users who require maximum IOPS performance, such as in heavy gaming or database applications, the lack of DRAM might be noticeable compared to higher-end SSDs that include dedicated DRAM.


Samsung 990 EVO Plus Gen 5 SSD Review – Power Use and Temperature

One of the standout features of the Samsung 990 EVO Plus is its focus on power efficiency and thermal management. Compared to the 990 EVO, the Plus model achieves up to 16% lower power consumption and a remarkable 73% improvement in power efficiency, making it ideal for users who are concerned about heat and energy usage.

This power efficiency is achieved through several design choices, including the use of advanced V8 TLC NAND and Samsung’s in-house controller, which works to optimize power draw without sacrificing too much in terms of performance. When tested in a mobile environment using the MobileMark 25 benchmark, the 990 EVO Plus consistently consumed less power than competing Gen 5 SSDs, making it a strong candidate for use in laptops, compact desktops, and even gaming consoles where thermal management is key.

In terms of temperatures, the 990 EVO Plus fares well under load. Thanks to the nickel-coated controller and heat spreader label, the drive is able to disperse heat more effectively during sustained write operations. In testing, the drive remained below the Dynamic Thermal Guard (DTG) threshold even during prolonged workloads, meaning users won’t experience performance drops due to thermal throttling. At room temperature (25°C), the drive managed to maintain stable performance, with peak temperatures well within safe operating limits. Compared to higher-performing Gen 5 x4 SSDs, which often require larger heatsinks to prevent overheating, the Samsung 990 EVO Plus remains cool and efficient even without a dedicated heatsink. This makes it a perfect fit for users who need reliable performance without the added worry of thermal throttling, especially in small form factor PCs or other systems with limited cooling capacity.


Samsung 990 EVO Plus, Samsung 990 EVO, and Samsung 990 PRO SSD

When comparing the Samsung 990 EVO Plus, Samsung 990 EVO, and Samsung 990 PRO, each drive has been designed with distinct goals, balancing power efficiency, performance, and endurance for different user bases. The Samsung 990 EVO serves as an entry-level Gen 5 SSD, offering decent performance but focusing primarily on power efficiency and affordability. It is a great option for users who want Gen 5 speeds but are not seeking the absolute highest read and write speeds. The 990 EVO Plus takes this one step further by optimizing random IOPS performance and reducing power consumption even more compared to the 990 EVO, while maintaining low heat output and better endurance.

The Samsung 990 PRO, on the other hand, is Samsung’s high-end consumer SSD that prioritizes maximum performance. With a DRAM cache, high random IOPS, and faster sequential read/write speeds, the 990 PRO is designed for gamers, content creators, and professionals working with large datasets. It provides significantly higher sequential read and write speeds compared to the 990 EVO Plus, but at the cost of higher power consumption and more heat generation. The 990 PRO is also built for those seeking to use the drive in gaming consoles or high-end PCs that can handle its heat output and power requirements.

Feature Samsung 990 EVO Samsung 990 EVO Plus Samsung 990 PRO
 Price $119.99 HERE $209.99 HERE $369.99 HERE
Form Factor M.2 2280 M.2 2280 M.2 2280
Interface PCIe Gen 4.0 x4 / Gen 5.0 x2 PCIe Gen 4.0 x4 / Gen 5.0 x2 PCIe Gen 4.0 x4, NVMe 2.0
Controller Samsung In-house Samsung In-house Samsung In-house
NAND Type 236-layer TLC V-NAND 236-layer TLC V-NAND Samsung V-NAND 3-bit MLC
DRAM None (HMB) None (HMB) 1GB-4GB LPDDR4 (Capacity Dependent)
Sequential Read Up to 5,000 MB/s Up to 7,250 MB/s Up to 7,450 MB/s
Sequential Write Up to 4,200 MB/s Up to 6,300 MB/s Up to 6,900 MB/s
Random Read IOPS (QD32) Up to 700K IOPS Up to 1,400K IOPS Up to 1,600K IOPS
Random Write IOPS (QD32) Up to 800K IOPS Up to 1,350K IOPS Up to 1,550K IOPS
Capacity Options 1TB, 2TB 1TB, 2TB, 4TB 1TB, 2TB, 4TB
Power Consumption (Active) 4.5W (Active) 5W (Active) Up to 8.6W (Burst Mode)
Endurance (TBW) 600 TB (1TB), 1,200 TB (2TB) 600 TB (1TB), 2,400 TB (4TB) 600 TB (1TB), 1,600 TB (4TB)
Warranty 5 years 5 years 5 years
Use Case Entry-Level, OS Drives Balanced Power/Performance High-Performance, Gaming, Data-Intensive Tasks

The Samsung 990 EVO Plus provides a solid middle ground between the 990 EVO and 990 PRO. It offers excellent random performance and efficiency improvements over the 990 EVO while maintaining lower power consumption than the 990 PRO. The 990 PRO, however, is the choice for those seeking top-tier performance for high-end gaming, creative tasks, and data-intensive applications, with its superior read/write speeds, DRAM cache, and higher endurance rating. The 990 EVO Plus is ideal for users who need a balance of power efficiency, performance, and thermal control, making it great for compact systems or laptops. Meanwhile, the 990 EVO serves as a more affordable option for users looking to enter the Gen 5 SSD space without needing the highest performance.


Samsung 990 EVO Plus Gen 5 SSD Review – Performance and Software

In terms of performance, the Samsung 990 EVO Plus offers a balance between speed and efficiency. Sequential read speeds are OFFICIALLY reported at peak at 7,250 MB/s, and write speeds reach 6,300 MB/s, placing it in the upper range of consumer SSDs but below some of the highest-performing Gen 5 x4 drives on the market. Where the 990 EVO Plus excels, however, is in random IOPS performance, which can reach up to 1,400K IOPS—making it a solid choice for gaming, video editing, and other random-intensive workloads.

However, despite these loft/big performance numbers, it is worth noting that these were achieved with a hefty AMD Ryzen9 7950x 16-Core Processor CPU@4.5GHz by Samsung – A system that I think would not typically be used with a DRAMless SSD (as that is a power user rig). So, I decided to run tests on my much more domestic OS class 12th Gen Intel i5 system, wit h1GB DDR5 Memory, in a Windows 10 environment and with the OS running from an Gen4 SSD. Here were my results:

I appreciate that these are much lower AND are using synthetic tests, but even in a Windows 55GB transfer, I never saw higher than 6.5GB/s. This same system has regularly achieved 10GB/s on Gen 5×4 SSDs and 7GB on Gen4 SSDs – but THOSE SSDs were using DRAM. Using this DRAMless SSD in that system was around 1-1.5GB/s less than the system that Samsung used, but despite both system relying heavily on HMB – the much more powerful rig was clearly able to allow higher speeds to be possible:

(The Official Testing by Samsung)

FULL performance testing can be found in the review video HERE:

Benchmarks like PCMark10 and 3DMark show that the 990 EVO Plus performs well in real-world scenarios, particularly in applications where random performance is crucial. In gaming benchmarks, the 990 EVO Plus performed comparably to some of the best Gen 5 SSDs, particularly in load times and 3D rendering tasks. For content creators, the drive’s ability to handle 8K video editing and high-resolution graphics workloads is a testament to its strong random performance. Samsung Magician, which has long been one of the best SSD management tools on the market, continues to be a highlight with the 990 EVO Plus. The latest version, Magician 8.2, offers even more advanced features, including real-time drive health monitoring, firmware updates, and performance optimization tools. It also supports partition management and RAID configurations, making it a versatile tool for professionals and casual users alike. Just keep in mind that you are definitely going to need a powerful, POWERFUL rig if you hope to hit the reported 7GB/s+ performance that Smasung maintain this 4×4/5×2 DRAMLESS SSD can hit.


Samsung 990 EVO Plus Gen 5 SSD Review – Verdict

The Samsung 990 EVO Plus is a well-rounded SSD that balances power efficiency, random performance, and thermal management—making it an excellent choice for users who prioritize reliability and efficiency over raw speed. Compared to the 990 EVO, it offers significant improvements in power consumption and random performance, while still maintaining the same level of durability and endurance that Samsung is known for. However, for users who demand the absolute best in terms of sequential speeds or IOPS for gaming and data-heavy workloads, the 990 EVO Plus may not be the fastest option available. The lack of DRAM and the reliance on HMB technology might not appeal to those looking for top-tier performance, but for everyday users and professionals working with large files, this drive provides a reliable, long-lasting solution. The Samsung 990 EVO Plus shines as an efficient, reliable SSD for users who need dependable storage without the high power draw or heat output of some other Gen 5 SSDs. It may not be the fastest drive on the market, but its balance of power efficiency, random performance, and thermal management makes it a compelling option for a wide range of users. HOWEVER, be aware that this is a drive that is built for efficiency and if used in a mid-range system, will not hit the same performance numbers that a DRAM equipped SSD would be able to achieve. It’s another example of Samsung pursuing a different SSD marketing and production strategy than Seagate and WD, but it’s still too early to see if this will be ultimately successful in the battle of Speed vs Efficiency vs Price in 2024/2025!

PROs of the Samsung 990 EVO PLUS SSD CONs of the Samsung 990 EVO PLUS SSD
  • Superior Power Efficiency (73% better than 990 EVO)
  • Low Heat Generation, Ideal for Laptops and Small Form Factor PCs
  • Improved Random Performance for Gaming and Creative Workloads
  • Excellent Software Support with Samsung Magician 8.2
  • Great Endurance for a DRAMless Drive
  • Good mid-tier solution for SSD buyers right now
  • Provides higher OS performance to users with efficient systems that tend to get bottom-of-the-barrel OS/OEM SSDs in their systems at the point of sale
  • Other DRAMless Controllers Perform Better (Phison E31T)
  • Performance Compared to Higher-End Gen 5 SSDs
  • Not the Best Choice for Power Users or High-Performance Gaming
  • The steep numbers promoted by Samsung on this drive (7GB+) are only really possible on a power system that arguably this drive is not targetted for in the first place
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