The Samsung EVO SSD series is known for its performance and affordability. With the launch of the Samsung 990 EVO M.2 SSD in 2025, it has leveled up its game with fast speeds and PCIe 4.0/5.0 compatibility. Its efficient power consumption is also commendable.
All of its better aspects make it one of the best SSDs of 2025. We have prepared the best SSD 2025 Samsung 990 EVO review. It contains major specs, benchmarks, and pricing, along with comparisons with the Samsung 990 Pro. This review will help you decide whether this is the right SSD upgrade for your system or not.
Evolution of Samsung EVO SSDs
Mainstream users who want speed without spending much on the premium Pro series find Samsung’s EVO lineup a very reliable choice. Here is how this lineup has evolved:
- Samsung 850 EVO in the SATA era brought amazing performance for general users.
- Samsung 970 EVO and 970 EVO Plus jumped onto the bandwagon of NVMe and PCIe Gen3 speeds.
- Samsung 980 Pro introduced PCIe Gen4 to the consumer lineup.
- Samsung 990 EVO and 990 EVO Pro in 2025 is the latest and is optimized for both PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 5.0. It acts as a bridge between cost and advanced technology.
Samsung 990 EVO Specs
|
Feature |
Samsung 990 EVO 1TB |
Samsung 990 EVO 2TB |
|---|---|---|
|
Form Factor |
M.2 2280 |
M.2 2280 |
|
Interface |
PCIe 4.0 x4 / PCIe 5.0 compatible |
PCIe 4.0 x4 / PCIe 5.0 compatible |
|
Sequential Read Speed |
Up to 5,000 MB/s |
Up to 5,000 MB/s |
|
Sequential Write Speed |
Up to 4,200 MB/s |
Up to 4,200 MB/s |
|
Random Read (IOPS) |
Up to 700K |
Up to 800K |
|
Random Write (IOPS) |
Up to 800K |
Up to 900K |
|
NAND Type |
Samsung V-NAND |
Samsung V-NAND |
Samsung 990 EVO Performance
With its fast read/write speeds for everyday users and gamers, the EVO drive delivers exactly what it is capable of. Being one of the most popular Samsung SSDs, it combines reliable performance, durability, and efficiency, making it a solid choice for both everyday computing and gaming needs:
- Its boot times are instantaneous on Windows 11 and Linux-based systems.
- Heavy apps of any type, like Photoshop and Blender, are launched in seconds with EVO’s fast application loading feature.
- Samsung 990 EVO is a great multitasker as it handles multiple tasks simultaneously without lag and stuttering.
- When compared to older G3 SSDs, it is more energy efficient, consuming up to 40% less power, which is suitable for ultrabooks.
Samsung 990 EVO Benchmark Results
In independent Samsung 990 EVO benchmark tests, the results are consistent across workloads and are mostly Samsung 990 EVO speed tests:
Sequential Performance
Samsung 990 EVO sequential read and write speed was noted down as 5000MB/s in read, and the write speed came out to be approximately 4200MB/s.
Random Performance
The read IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second) was coming out to be 750K, and the write IOPS was 850K.
Real-World Tests
The window opens in 8.5 seconds on average. The file transfer is about 12% faster than the Samsung 980 EVO.
From all these conducted tests, it can clearly be seen that the Samsung 990 EVO read-write speed is almost equal to premium SSDs from the past year.
Samsung 990 EVO Gaming Performance
SSDs are mostly used for gaming, and so here is a gaming performance analysis of the Samsung 990 EVO:
- Loading time: Call of Duty and Cyberpunk 2077, etc., load significantly faster with EVO than SATA or older NVMe SSDs.
- Texture streaming: Open-world games run smoother with fewer hiccups with this SSD.
- DirectStorage Support: It is a seamless match with Windows 11’s DirectStorage API feature, and it reduces CPU bottlenecks, too.
Samsung 990 EVO vs 990 Pro
|
Feature |
Samsung 990 EVO |
Samsung 990 Pro |
|---|---|---|
|
PCIe Interface |
PCIe 4.0 / 5.0 compatible |
PCIe 5.0 native |
|
Read Speed |
Up to 5,000 MB/s |
Up to 7,450 MB/s |
|
Write Speed |
Up to 4,200 MB/s |
Up to 6,900 MB/s |
|
Capacities |
1TB, 2TB |
1TB, 2TB, 4TB |
|
Price |
More affordable |
More expensive |
If you are prioritizing affordability, then go for the 990 EVO, but if you want the absolute fastest SSD in 2025, choose the 990 Pro. The 990 EVO offers almost 95% of the experiment for much less money for gamers and everyday users.
Samsung 990 EVO Price and Value
Pricing is a very significant highlight of this Samsung 990 EVO SSD review. If you go for the Samsung 990 EVO in 1TB, it will cost you around 99 to 120 dollars, and it depends on the market. The Samsung 990 EVO in 2TB is priced at around 180 to 200 dollars.
The EVO is up to 40% cheaper than the Pro models while still delivering amazing results. This makes it an affordable high-performance SSD upgrade of 2025.
Samsung 990 EVO 1TB vs 2TB
- Samsung 990 EVO 1TB is suitable for users looking for budget-friendly options, such as students and single-drive laptops.
- Samsung 990 EVO 2TB is adequate for gamers and professionals who work with large files on a daily basis.
Samsung 990 EVO M.2 NVMe Review
For Laptops
These are thin and efficient. With the compatibility it has for PCIe 4.0 slots, the Samsung EVO 990 is a great choice for ultrabooks and gaming laptops.
For Desktops
The Samsung 990 EVO is easy to install with head spreader compatibility on desktops. There are some high-level systems, tho, that may bottleneck as they only accept Gen-5 drives.
In short, whether you’re upgrading a laptop or a gaming desktop, the 990 EVO fits well either way.
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Samsung 990 EVO Gen4 SSD vs PCIe 5.0
The Samsung 990 supports PCIe 4.0, but it can also be PCIe 5.0 compatible. Here is how:
- It provides an amazing performance of up to 5000MB/s on PCIe 4.0 systems.
- You won’t hit the full Gen5 speeds on PCIe 5.0 systems, but the Samsung 990 EVO PCIe 5.0 provides future-proofing compatibility with it.
Samsung 990 EVO Lifespan
Samsung is known to write up to hundreds of gigabytes daily for years without any issues. This is for the 2TB. If you combine it with a 5-year warranty provided by Samsung, its lifespan becomes one of the best in its class.
Conclusion
This Samsung 990 EVO SSD review is proof of how it dominates the SSD market in 2025 with its speed and reliability. Its excellent read/write performance and competitive pricing make it a favorite among many gamers and content creators.
Consider buying the Samsung 990 EVO 1TB for a laptop upgrade or the Samsung 990 EVO 2TB for a gaming rig, as it strikes the perfect balance between performance and value. And if you’re searching for an SSD that delivers next-gen speed without the Pro-level pricing, the Samsung 990 EVO M.2 NVMe SSD is the best choice for you.
FAQs
Q1: How fast is the Samsung SSD 990 EVO?
A1: The Samsung SSD 990 EVO delivers up to 5,000 MB/s read and 4,200 MB/s write speeds. This makes it one of the fastest PCIe 4.0 consumer drives.
Q2: Is the 990 EVO better than the 980 Pro?
A2: Yes, the 990 EVO is better than the 980 Pro with its higher speeds and efficiency. The 990 EVO even has a better value in 2025.
Q3: Is Samsung QVO or EVO better?
A3: EVO is better with its speed. Although QVO is cheaper, it is designed for large-capacity storage.
Q4: Is the 990 EVO good for gaming?
A4: Yes, the 990 EVO reduces load times with a large margin over older generations and supports DirectStorage. It can also handle AAA gaming with ease.
Q5: Is the 990 EVO good for lifespan?
A5: Yes, absolutely. With up to 1200 TBW endurance and a 5-year warranty, it’s built for long-term reliability.
