Currently, solid-state drives (SSDs) have become a constant in the computing world, replacing traditional hard drives for their superior speed and reliability. Samsung is a market leader, and in that capacity, it has two shining stars: the Samsung 980 Pro and the Samsung 990 Pro. With outstanding performance and tons of features, this choice between the two is very difficult. This article gives an insight into the details of these two SSDs for their speed, performance, and price, helping you make up your mind.
An outstanding and underwhelming difference between a good and a lousy SSD is necessary for high-speed data access applications like video games or severe film post-production. Two stand-out examples in this category are the Samsung 980 Pro and 990 Pro. But which of these is right for you? In this fine-grained comparison, we will compare its specification, price, and real-world performance to determine which SSD brings the best bang for your buck.
Look at First Sight on both models: Samsung 980 pro vs 990 pro
990 Pro vs. 980 Pro: Specification, Price, Speed, Performance
It was released with an expectation of great speed and reliability; since its release, the Samsung 990 Pro has trumped beyond compare. The 990 Pro beats the 980 Pro by a large margin because of newer technology and increased specification in performance.
Here’s a comparison of Samsung 980 Pro SSD and Samsung 990 Pro:
Samsung 990 pro vs Samsung 980 pro SSD specs
| Feature | Samsung 990 Pro SSD | Samsung 980 Pro SSD |
| Theoretical Read Speed | 7,450 MB/s | 7,000 MB/s |
| Theoretical Write Speed | 6,900 MB/s | 5,000 MB/s |
| Random Read Speed | Up to 1.40M IOPS | 1,000K IOPS |
| Random Write Speed | Up to 1.55M IOPS | 1,000K IOPS |
| Storage Types | 1TB, 2TB, 4TB | 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB |
| Hardware Interface | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 |
| Warranty | 5 years | 5 years |
| Encryption | Available | Available |
Samsung 990 Pro has more potent components than the 980 Pro. This is due to its application of the newer V7 TLC NAND flash and the 8nm Pascal controller, which put it a step ahead in speed and efficiency.
Price
SSDs are priced variably from shop to shop or even according to any special offers at particular times of the year. Below are the current prices for the Samsung 990 Pro and 980 Pro on various platforms:
Samsung 990 Pro SSD Prices:
- 1TB: $134 on Amazon, $110 on Samsung’s website, $200 on Newegg
- 2TB: $245 on Amazon, $160 on Samsung’s website, $250 on Newegg
- 4TB: $340 on Amazon
Samsung 980 Pro SSD Prices:
- 1TB: $110 on Amazon, $70 on Samsung’s website, $110 on Newegg
- 2TB: $245 on Amazon, $120 on Samsung’s website, $220 on Newegg
- 500GB: $60 on Amazon
- 250GB: $50 on Amazon
Speed and Performance
The Samsung 990 Pro and 980 Pro are both leading examples of excellent performance, although slightly in favor of the 990 Pro.
Samsung 990 Pro:
- Sequential Read: Up to 7,450 MB/s
- Sequential Write: Up to 6,900 MB/s
- Random Read: Up to 1.40M IOPS
- Random Write: Up to 1.55M IOPS
Samsung 980 Pro:
- Sequential Read: Up to 7,000 MB/s
- Sequential Write: Up to 5,000 MB/s
- Random Read: Up to 1,000K IOPS
- Random Write: Up to 1,000K IOPS
The Samsung 990 Pro clocks in some of the fastest read and write speeds you can currently get on a consumer SSD, making it ideal for the most demanding applications. But under all but the most extreme use cases, the speed difference between the two drives is not evident.
Performance Testing
In benchmarking, the Samsung 990 Pro delivers only slightly better performance compared to the 980 Pro. It significantly outperforms sequential workloads compared to the random workloads evident in everyday use. Both the drives perform seamlessly and smoothly, giving real-time results of boot-up and transferring files.
Which SSD to Get: Samsung 990 Pro or 980 Pro?
Between Samsung 990 Pro and 980 Pro, one should decide based on the requirement and, of course, his pocket, too. Here are a few options where you can opt for one:
For Professionals and Fans:
Definitely, the drive should be a Samsung 990 Pro if one is looking for elite-class performance with ruggedness. The better read and write speeds, along with higher endurance, make it great for resource-intensive work such as video editing, 3D rendering, and gaming.
Power Users on a Budget:
The Samsung 980 Pro is compelling for those who need high-performance storage but at an affordable price. It delivers excellent speed and performance in content creation, data processing, and gaming.
That being said, day-to-day tasks, be it web browsing, document processing, or casual gaming, make both the 990 Pro and 980 Pro far exceed necessity. The 980 Pro is a bit better in terms of value for money than the 990 Pro. Ultimately, personal preferences will dictate—along with use-case and budget parameters—between the Samsung 990 Pro and 980 Pro. One can appropriately select an SSD for their given situation by considering their specific needs and weighing the trade-offs between performance and cost.
How to Upgrade to a New Samsung SSD without Losing Data
Now that you have decided which Samsung SSD to purchase, it is time to upgrade your old HDD or SSD to the new Samsung 990 Pro or 980 Pro. Cloning is indeed the best way to transfer your data without losing anything. EaseUS Disk Copy is a reliable HDD/SSD cloning software for cloning an old disk to a new Samsung SSD. Here are the steps you would follow:
- Download and Install EaseUS Disk Copy: Just download the software, launch the executable, and install it on your PC.
- Select the Source Disk: Select the disk you wish to clone.
- Choose Destination Disk: Set up your new Samsung SSD as the destination disk.
- Confirm Disk Layout: If you want to adjust the partition layout, you still have the option.
- Start Cloning: Hit “Proceed” to run the cloning operation.
The process will be conducted without a hassle, moving all data, operating systems, and applications to your new SSD drive.
Conclusion
Both the Samsung 990 Pro and 980 Pro are excellent SSDs that offer high performance and reliability. The 990 Pro stands out with its slightly higher speeds and newer technology, making it ideal for professionals and enthusiasts. On the other hand, the 980 Pro provides outstanding performance at a more affordable price, making it a great choice for power users and general use.
By considering your specific needs and budget, you can select the SSD that best meets your requirements and enjoy the benefits of faster and more reliable storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
