Samsung is a leader in the storage industry, offering a wide variety of solid state drives (SSDs) in all form factors for consumers and enterprise customers. In this overview, we will focus on Samsung’s consumer-oriented M.2 NVMe SSDs, which have been a staple in gaming PCs for many years.
2015: The first Samsung M.2 NVMe SSD
In 2015, Samsung made history by introducing the industry’s first M.2 NVMe SSD known as the SM951. This drive offered sequential transfer rates of up to 2,260 MB/s (read) and 1,600 MB/s (write), respectively, over the PCI-Express (PCIe) 3.0 interface.
Compared to the existing, SATA-based alternatives at the time, the SM951 could offer substantial performance gains. The SM951 was however aimed at the OEM market, but it eventually made it to retail as the Samsung 950 Pro, which used the same UBX controller but faster NAND memory chips.
First Consumer NVMe SSD: 950 PRO (2015)
While there are earlier Samsung SSDs that use the M.2 form factor, such as the 860 EVO, the 950 PRO from 2015 was the first to feature the NVMe protocol in consumer SSDs. Additionally, it featured Samsung’s 3D vertical NAND (V-NAND) technology, which stacked cell layers vertically to increase density, performance, and efficiency while reducing the physical footprint.
950 PRO & SM951 Specifications
| 950 PRO Specifications | 950 Pro 512GB | 950 Pro 256GB | SM951-NVMe 512GB (OEM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 |
| Controller | UBX | UBX | UBX |
| Interface/ Protocol | PCIe 3.0 x4/ NVMe | PCIe 3.0 x4/ NVMe | PCIe 3.0 x4/ NVMe |
| DRAM | 512MB | 512MB | 512MB |
| NAND | 32-Layer MLC V-NAND | 32-Layer MLC V-NAND | 16nm 64Gbit MLC |
| Sequential Read | 2,500MB/s | 2,200MB/s | 2,150MB/s |
| Sequential Write | 1,500MB/s | 900MB/s | 1,550MB/s |
| 4KB Random Read (QD32) | 300K IOPS | 270K IOPS | 300K IOPS |
| 4KB Random Write (QD32) | 110K IOPS | 85K IOPS | 100K IOPS |
| Power | 7.0W (burst), 5.7W (average), 1.7W (idle) | 6.4W (burst), 5.1 (average), 1.7W (idle) | 8.9W |
| Encryption | AES-256, TCG Opal 2.0 | AES-256, TCG Opal 2.0 | AES-256, TCG Opal 2.0 |
| Endurance | 400 TBW | 200 TBW | N/A |
| Warranty | 5 Year | 5 Year | N/A |
| Launch Date | October 2015 | October 2015 | June 2015 |
Performance-wise, the 950 PRO delivered impressive speeds (at the time), with sequential read and write speeds of up to 2,500 MB/s and 1,500 MB/s, respectively. These figures were substantially higher than those of SATA-based SSDs, which typically topped out at around 540MB/s for sequential reads and 500MB/s for writes.
The 950 PRO was available in 256GB and 512GB capacities, and there were plans for a 1TB model that never materialized.
2016: Advancing Performance with the 960 Series
Samsung continued its NVMe SSD push a year later with the introduction of the 960. This new lineup, consisting of the 960 PRO and 960 EVO models, introduced the new Polaris controller and the option to choose between MLC (multi-level cell) and TLC (triple-level cell) NAND memory.
960 PRO: Improving the Lead
The 960 PRO, Samsung’s flagship NVMe SSD from 2016, further improved Samsung’s lead in NVMe M.2 speeds over PCIe 3.0. Compared to the 950 PRO, this drive incorporated Samsung’s 3rd-generation V-NAND technology, upgrading from 32-layer to 48-layer 256Gb MLC NAND.
960 PRO Specifications
| 960 PRO Specifications | 960 PRO 2TB | 960 PRO 1TB | 960 PRO 512GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 |
| Controller | Polaris | Polaris | Polaris |
| Interface/ Protocol | PCIe 3.0 x4/ NVMe | PCIe 3.0 x4/ NVMe | PCIe 3.0 x4/ NVMe |
| DRAM | 512 MB LPDDR3-1866 | 1 GB LPDDR3-1866 | 2 GB LPDDR3-1866 |
| NAND | 48-layer MLC V-NAND | 48-layer MLC V-NAND | 48-layer MLC V-NAND |
| Sequential Read | 3,500 MB/s | 3,500 MB/s | 3,500 MB/s |
| Sequential Write | 2,100 MB/s | 2,100 MB/s | 2,100 MB/s |
| 4K Random Read (QD1) | 14K IOPS | 14K IOPS | 14K IOPS |
| 4K Random Write (QD1) | 50K IOPS | 50K IOPS | 50K IOPS |
| 4K Random Read (QD32) | 440K IOPS | 440K IOPS | 330K IOPS |
| 4K Random Write (QD32) | 360K IOPS | 360K IOPS | 330K IOPS |
| Read Power | 5.8W | 5.3W | 5.1W |
| Write Power | 5.0W | 5.2W | 4.7W |
| Endurance | 1,200 TBW | 800 TBW | 400 TBW |
| Warranty | 5 Year | 5 Year | 5 Year |
| Launch MSRP | $1,299 | $629 | $329 |
At the heart of the 960 PRO was Samsung’s new Polaris controller, a significant upgrade from the previous UBX controller. This 5-core processor was specifically optimized for NVMe-based SSDs, enabling more efficient data processing. As a result, the 960 PRO could offer read and write speeds of up to 3,500 MB/s and 2,100 MB/s, respectively.
In terms of capacity, Samsung managed to squeeze four NAND packages onto a single side of the M.2 2280 card, allowing for a 2 TB model for the first time. Endurance was another strong point of the 960 PRO, with the 2TB model boasting a total of 1,200 TBW (Terabytes Written).
960 EVO: Taking NVMe to the Mainstream
Alongside the high-end 960 PRO, Samsung introduced the 960 EVO as a more accessible option for consumers looking for NVMe performance. To minimize cost, the 960 EVO utilized TLC (3-bit) V-NAND, striking a more appealing balance between performance and price.
960 EVO Specifications
| 960 EVO Specifications | 960 EVO 1TB | 960 EVO 500GB | 960 EVO 250GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 |
| Controller | Polaris | Polaris | Polaris |
| Interface/ Protocol | PCIe 3.0 x4/ NVMe | PCIe 3.0 x4/ NVMe | PCIe 3.0 x4/ NVMe |
| DRAM | 1 GB LPDDR3-1866 | 512 MB LPDDR3-1866 | 512 MB LPDDR3-1866 |
| NAND | 48-layer MLC V-NAND | 48-layer MLC V-NAND | 48-layer MLC V-NAND |
| SLC Cache Size | 42 GB | 22 GB | 13 GB |
| Sequential Read | 3,200 MB/s | 3,200 MB/s | 3,200 MB/s |
| Sequential Write (SLC Cache) | 1,900 MB/s | 1,800 MB/s | 1,500 MB/s |
| Sequential Write (Sustained) | 1,200 MB/s | 600 MB/s | 300 MB/s |
| 4K Random Read (QD32) | 380K IOPS | 330K IOPS | 330K IOPS |
| 4K Random Write (QD32) | 360K IOPS | 330K IOPS | 300K IOPS |
| Power | 5.7W(avg.) | 5.4W(avg.) | 5.3W(avg.) |
| Endurance | 400 TBW | 200 TBW | 100 TBW |
| Warranty | 3 Year | 3 Year | 3 Year |
| Launch MSRP | $479.99 | $249.99 | $129.88 |
Despite being positioned as a mainstream option, the 960 EVO still delivered impressive speeds. It offered sequential read speeds of up to 3,200 MB/s and write speeds of up to 1,900 MB/s as long as it was writing to the SLC cache.
One of the key innovations in the 960 EVO was the introduction of Intelligent TurboWrite technology. This feature creates a dynamic SLC (single-level cell) cache, which could expand up to 42 GB based on the user’s workload. This intelligent caching system helped to accelerate write speeds, particularly for bursty workloads common in everyday tasks.
The 960 EVO was available in capacities of 250 GB, 500 GB, and 1 TB, making it more accessible to a wider range of users. While it had lower endurance ratings compared to the 960 PRO, it offered more than respectable durability.
2018: 970 Series – Further Refining NVMe on Gen3
Building on the success of its predecessors, Samsung introduced the 970 series, further pushing the boundaries of what could be achieved using four lanes of the PCI-Express 3.0 interface. This new lineup initially comprised the 970 PRO, 970 EVO, whereas the 970 EVO Plus was added later.
970 PRO: Approaching the Limits
The 970 PRO was the enthusiast/prosumer model in the 970 lineup, again using durable MLC V-NAND along with the more powerful Phoenix controller to solidify Samsung’s position in the enthusiast market. Compared to the previous generation, the 970 PRO closes in on the theoretical limits of the PCIe 3 x4 bandwidth with 3,500 MB/s read and 2,700 MB/s write performance, respectively.
970 PRO Specifications
| 970 PRO Specifications | 512 GB | 1 TB |
|---|---|---|
| Interface/ Protocol | PCIe 3 x4/ NVMe 1.3 | PCIe 3 x4/ NVMe 1.3 |
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 |
| Controller | Phoenix | Phoenix |
| NAND | 64-layer MLC V-NAND | 64-layer MLC V-NAND |
| DRAM | 512 MB LPDDR4-1866 | 1 GB LPDDR4-1866 |
| Sequential Read | 3,500 MB/s | 3,500 MB/s |
| Sequential Write | 2,300 MB/s | 2,700 MB/s |
| 4K Random Read (QD1) | 15K IOPS | 15K IOPS |
| 4K Random Read (QD128) | 370K IOPS | 500K IOPS |
| 4K Random Write (QD1) | 55K IOPS | 55K IOPS |
| 4K Random Write (QD128) | 500K IOPS | 500K IOPS |
| Power Consumption | 5.2 W (read) 5.2 W (write) | 5.2 W (read) 5.7 W (write) |
| Endurance | 600 TBW | 1,200 TBW |
| Warranty | 5 years | 5 years |
| Launch MSRP | $329.99 | $629.99 |
To ensure consistent performance under heavy loads, Samsung equipped the 970 PRO with a nickel-coated controller and heat spreader. These features, combined with the Dynamic Thermal Guard technology, helped maintain optimal operating temperatures and minimize performance drops during intensive tasks.
970 EVO: Balancing Speed and Value
The 970 EVO mainly differs from the PRO model by using TLC (Triple-Level Cell) 3D NAND technology, which is cheaper without compromising performance in a particularly noticeable way.
970 EVO Specifications
| 970 EVO Specifications | 250 GB | 500 GB | 1 TB | 2 TB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interface/ Protocol | PCIe 3 x4/ NVMe 1.3 | PCIe 3 x4/ NVMe 1.3 | PCIe 3 x4/ NVMe 1.3 | PCIe 3 x4/ NVMe 1.3 |
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 |
| Controller | Phoenix | Phoenix | Phoenix | Phoenix |
| NAND | 64-layer TLC V-NAND | 64-layer TLC V-NAND | 64-layer TLC V-NAND | 64-layer TLC V-NAND |
| DRAM | 512 MB LPDDR4-1866 | 512 MB LPDDR4-1866 | 1 GB LPDDR4-1866 | 2 GB LPDDR4-1866 |
| SLC Write Cache (min/max) | 4/9 GB | 4/18 GB | 6/36 GB | 6/72 GB |
| Sequential Read | 3,400 MB/s | 3,400 MB/s | 3,400 MB/s | 3,500 MB/s |
| Sequential Write (SLC Cache) | 1,500 MB/s | 2,300 MB/s | 2,500 MB/s | 2,500 MB/s |
| Sequential Write (sustained) | 300 MB/s | 600 MB/s | 1,200 MB/s | 1,250 MB/s |
| 4K Random Read (QD1) | 15K IOPS | 15K IOPS | 15K IOPS | 15K IOPS |
| 4K Random Read (QD128) | 200K IOPS | 370K IOPS | 500K IOPS | 500K IOPS |
| 4K Random Write (QD1) | 50K IOPS | 50K IOPS | 50K IOPS | 50K IOPS |
| 4K Random Write (QD128) | 350K IOPS | 450K IOPS | 450K IOPS | 480K IOPS |
| Power Consumption | 5.4 W (read) 4.2 W (write) | 5.7 W (read) 5.8 W (write) | 6 W | 6 W |
| Endurance | 150 TBW | 300 TBW | 600 TBW | 1,200 TBW |
| Warranty | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years |
| MSRP | $119.99 | $229.99 | $449.99 | $849.99 |
Sequential read/write speeds of up to 3,500/2,500 MB/s remain an improvement over the 960 predecessor. It was available in capacities ranging from 250GB to 2TB.
However, it’s worth noting that sustained write speeds after the TurboWrite region varied depending on the capacity, ranging from 300 MB/s for the 250GB model to 1,250 MB/s for the 2TB version.
970 EVO Plus: Peak PCIe Gen3 Performance
The 970 EVO Plus is still one of (if not the) best M.2 SSDs from the PCIe 3.0 generation and remains the pinnacle of Samsung’s consumer SSD lineup for this interface. This drive is largely an optimized version of the non-Plus 970 EVO with the latest V-NAND technology and improved firmware to maximize the potential bandwidth utilization.
970 EVO Plus Specifications
| 970 EVO Plus Specifications | 250 GB | 500 GB | 1 TB | 2 TB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 |
| Controller | Phoenix | Phoenix | Phoenix | Phoenix |
| DRAM | 512 MB LPDDR4-1866 | 512 MB LPDDR4-1866 | 1 GB LPDDR4-1866 | 2 GB LPDDR4-1866 |
| NAND | 92-layer TLC V-NAND | 92-layer TLC V-NAND | 92-layer TLC V-NAND | 92-layer TLC V-NAND |
| SLC Cache (min/max) | 4/13 GB | 4/22 GB | 6/42 GB | 6/72 GB |
| Sequential Read | 3,500 MB/s | 3,500 MB/s | 3,500 MB/s | 3,500 MB/s |
| Sequential Write (SLC cache) | 2,300 MB/s | 3,200 MB/s | 3,300 MB/s | 3,300 MB/s |
| Sequential Write (sustained) | 400 MB/s | 900 MB/s | 1,700 MB/s | 1,750 MB/s |
| 4K Random Read (QD1) | 17K IOPS | 19K IOPS | 19K IOPS | 19K IOPS |
| 4K Random Read (QD128) | 250K IOPS | 480K IOPS | 600K IOPS | 620K IOPS |
| 4K Random Write (QD1) | 60K IOPS | 60K IOPS | 60K IOPS | 60K IOPS |
| 4K Random Write (QD128) | 550K IOPS | 550K IOPS | 550K IOPS | 560k IOPS |
| Power Consumption | 5.0 W (read) 4.2 W (write) | 5.0 W (read) 5.8 W (write) | 5.5 W (read) 6.0 W (write) | 5.5 W (read) 6.0 W (write) |
| Warranty | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years |
| Endurance | 150 TBW | 300 TBW | 600 TBW | 1,200 TBW |
The 970 EVO Plus achieved sequential read/write speeds of up to 3,500/3,300 MB/s, meaning a considerable improvement to write performance over the 970 EVO.
Like its siblings in the 970 series, the EVO Plus maintained high endurance ratings, offering up to 1,200 TBW for the highest capacity models. It also featured Samsung’s Dynamic Thermal Guard and nickel-coated controller for superior heat dissipation.
2020: Moving to Gen4 (Partly) with the 980 Series
The 980 series did not mark the end for Samsung’s Gen3 SSDs, but the 980 PRO was the first model to employ four lanes of PCIe 4.0 bandwidth (i.e. double that of the Gen3 equivalent). It did however mark the end for Samsung’s use of MLC NAND in the consumer space.
980 PRO: PCIe 4.0 Speeds
The Samsung 980 PRO represented a significant leap forward for Samsung’s consumer SSDs, as this one leveraged the PCIe 4.0 interface to deliver far higher sequential transfer rates. Much like its predecessors, the 980 PRO was one of the best-performing SSDs in its class at launch.
980 PRO Specifications
| Samsung 980 PRO Specifications | 250 GB | 500 GB | 1 TB | 2 TB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 |
| Interface /Protocol | PCIe 4 x4/ NVMe 1.3c | PCIe 4 x4/ NVMe 1.3c | PCIe 4 x4/ NVMe 1.3c | PCIe 4 x4/ NVMe 1.3c |
| Controller | Elpis | Elpis | Elpis | Elpis |
| NAND | 128-layer TLC V-NAND | 128-layer TLC V-NAND | 128-layer TLC V-NAND | 128-layer TLC V-NAND |
| LPDDR4 DRAM | 512 MB LPDDR4-1866 | 512 MB LPDDR4-1866 | 1GB LPDDR4-1866 | 2GB LPDDR4-1866 |
| SLC Cache (min/max) | 4/49 GB | 4/94 GB | 6/114 GB | 6/230 GB |
| Sequential Read | 6,400 MB/s | 6,900 MB/s | 7,000 MB/s | 7,000 MB/s |
| Sequential Write (SLC Cache) | 2,700 MB/s | 5,000 MB/s | 5,000 MB/s | 5,000 MB/s |
| Sequential Write (sustained) | 500 MB/s | 1,000 MB/s | 2,000 MB/s | 2,000 MB/s |
| 4K Random Read (QD1) | 22K | 22K | 22K | 22K |
| 4K Random Read (QD128) | 500K | 800K | 1M | 1M |
| 4K Random Write (QD1) | 60K | 60K | 60K | 60K |
| 4K Random Write (QD128) | 600K | 1M | 1M | 1M |
| Active Power Consumption | 5.0 W (read) 3.9 W (write) | 5.9 W (read) 5.4 W (write) | 6.2 W (read) 5.7 W (write) | 6.2 W (read) 5.7 W (write) |
| Endurance | 150 TBW | 300 TBW | 600 TBW | 1,200 TBW |
| Warranty | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years |
Powered by Samsung’s in-house Elpis controller specifically designed for PCIe 4.0 SSDs, the 980 PRO offers up to 7,000/5,000 MB/s read/write speeds. Although it uses more affordable TLC Flash memory chips, the 980 PRO comes with an excellent reliability track record. Samsung incorporated advanced thermal control measures, including a nickel-coated controller and a heat spreader label, to ensure stable performance during extended usage.
980: Affordable Gen3 NVMe
While the 980 PRO catered to more demanding users including gamers, Samsung also introduced the standard 980 model to bring NVMe performance to the mainstream market.
Samsung 980 Specifications
| Samsung 980 Specifications | 250GB (MZ-V8V250BW) | 500GB (MZ-V8V500BW) | 1TB (MZ-V8V1T0BW) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 |
| Interface/ Protocol | PCIe 3.0 x4/ NVMe 1.4 | PCIe 3.0 x4/ NVMe 1.4 | PCIe 3.0 x4/ NVMe 1.4 |
| Controller | Samsung Pablo | Samsung Pablo | Samsung Pablo |
| DRAM | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Memory | 128-Layer TLC | 128-Layer TLC | 128-Layer TLC |
| Sequential Read | 2,900 MB/s | 3,100 MB/s | 3,500 MB/s |
| Sequential Write | 1,300 MB/s | 2,600 MB/s | 3,000 MB/s |
| Random Read | 230K IOPS | 400K IOPS | 500K IOPS |
| Random Write | 320K IOPS | 470K IOPS | 480K IOPS |
| Endurance | 150 TBW | 300 TBW | 600 TBW |
| Warranty | 5 Years | 5 Years | 5 Years |
This DRAM-less drive uses a Host Memory Buffer (HMB) technology, meaning that it uses a portion of the host’s DRAM. As a result, it is typically slower than the 970 EVO models.
2022: Best Gen4 SSD – 990
The latest in NVMe SSD technology from Samsung – and likely the last as far as high-end Gen4 models go – is the 990 PRO, which only recently received a lower-end EVO companion.
990 PRO: Pinnacle PCIe 4.0 Performance
The 990 PRO represents the best that Samsung has to offer for the PCIe 4.0 interface, and possibly the best of what anyone has to offer to date. Taking aim at enthusiasts, gamers, and professionals with demanding workloads, the 990 PRO offers blazing-fast performance with improved power efficiency.
990 PRO Specifications
| Samsung 990 PRO Specifications | 1TB | 2TB | 4TB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 |
| Interface/ Protocol | PCIe 4.0 x4/ NVMe 2.0 | PCIe 4.0 x4/ NVMe 2.0 | PCIe 4.0 x4/ NVMe 2.0 |
| Controller | Pascal | Pascal | Pascal |
| DRAM | 1GB LPDDR4 | 2GB LPDDR4 | 4GB LPDDR4 |
| Memory | 176-layer 3D TLC | 176-layer 3D TLC | 176-layer 3D TLC |
| Sequential Read | 7,450 MB/s | 7,450 MB/s | 7,450 MB/s |
| Sequential Write | 6,900 MB/s | 6,900 MB/s | 6,900 MB/s |
| Random Read | 1.2M IOPS | 1.4M IOPS | 1.4M IOPS |
| Random Write | 1.55M IOPS | 1.55M IOPS | 1.55M IOPS |
| Endurance | 600 TBW | 1,200 TBW | 2,400 TBW |
| Warranty | 5-Year | 5-Year | 5-Year |
This drive more or less maxes out Gen 4×4 bandwidth with sequential read and write speeds of 7,450 MB/s and 6,900 MB/s, respectively. Random read/write IOPS max out at 1.2M/1.55M, which is on par with more recent Gen5 SSDs and puts it ahead of rivals like the WD 850X and Kingston Fury Renegade. It was initially offered in 1 TB and 2TB models, but a 4TB capacity was subsequently added.
990 EVO: Entry-Level Gen5 Hybrid
While the 990 PRO caters to high-end users, Samsung has also introduced the mainstream-oriented 990 EVO. This drive has more in common with the non-PRO 980 than the 970 EVO predecessor as it’s a DRAM-less model with far more humble specifications.
| Samsung 990 EVO Specifications | 1TB | 2TB |
|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 |
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x4/ PCIe 5.0 x2 | PCIe 4.0 x4/ PCIe 5.0 x2 |
| Controller | Piccolo | Piccolo |
| DRAM | None | None |
| Memory | 133-layer 3D TLC | 133-layer 3D TLC |
| Sequential Read | 5,000 MB/s | 5,000 MB/s |
| Sequential Write | 4,200 MB/s | 4,200 MB/s |
| Random Read | 680K IOPS | 700K IOPS |
| Random Write | 800K IOPS | 800K IOPS |
| Endurance | 600 TBW | 1,200 TBW |
| Warranty | 5 Years | 5 Years |
The Samsung 990 EVO utilizes either four lanes of PCIe 4.0 or two lanes of PCIe 5.0, which is essentially the same thing in terms of bandwidth. Performance is still sufficient for everyday tasks with up to 5,000 MB/s read and 4,200 MB/s write speeds.
Future Samsung M.2 NVMe SSDs
As of late 2024, Samsung is notably absent in the high-end Gen5 market, which is dominated by SSDs powered by the Phison E26 controller and 232-layer Micron NAND.
However, production of the OEM-facing PM9E1 was announced in October of 2024. This SSD, which will likely be named differently in the consumer market, offers 14.5GB/s and 13GB/s read/write speeds according to Samsung.
