The plain 990 is its own SSD. Its model numbers start with MZ-V9V, and Samsung offers it in 1 TB and 2 TB versions. That distinction matters when two search results both say “990” but promise different speeds, endurance or warranty coverage.
In depth
Samsung 990 SSD review
Published
Best forBuyers adding everyday internal storage to a Gen 4 PC who can distinguish the base 990 from the 990 PRO.
At a glance
- Capacity
- 1TB2TB
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0 ×4 NVMe
- Form factor
- M.2 2280
- Sequential read
- 1TBUp to 7,150 MB/s2TBUp to 7,250 MB/s
- Sequential write
- Up to 6,450 MB/s
Pros
- The 1 TB and 2 TB models both offer fast sequential transfers over Gen 4.
- Straightforward single-drive upgrade for a compatible M.2 slot.
Cons
- Three-year warranty is worth weighing against longer coverage.
- The 2 TB model’s highest read figure does not apply to the 1 TB drive.
Performance
- 1 TB: up to 7,150 MB/s read
- 2 TB: up to 7,250 MB/s read
- Both up to 6,450 MB/s write
The peak read difference is small enough that the amount of local storage you need is the better way to choose. A backup written to a slow external disk cannot run at either of these speeds. Large sequential files and small scattered requests also ask different things of the controller.
Design & Endurance
- M.2 2280
- QLC flash
- 400 / 800 TBW
Tom’s Hardware identified QLC flash on the 2 TB unit it reviewed. The 990’s rated write allowance is 400 TBW at 1 TB and 800 TBW at 2 TB. A household machine used for games and documents has a different write workload from a scratch disk that is filled and erased every day. 1
Installation
- PCIe 4.0 ×4
Look for an 80 mm NVMe-compatible socket. A similar-looking connector wired only for SATA cannot use this drive. If you are replacing the system SSD in a one-slot laptop, plan the backup or migration before opening the case.
Alternatives
Compare the base 990 with the 990 PRO at the same usable capacity, looking closely at the price and warranty. If the machine already has a good Gen 4 system drive, adding a second drive for space may do more than replacing the first for a slightly higher peak.
Verdict
The base 990 is most persuasive as a capacity purchase for a Gen 4 system. Match the MZ-V9V code, the size and the warranty to the workload before paying for the number on the box.
About this review
This is a research-based review. The Fasit has not physically tested this product.
Sources & Research
1 reference
Independent sources cited in this article.
- Tom’s HardwareSamsung 990 2TB SSD Review: New flash, familiar speeds (opens in a new tab)https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/ssds/samsung-990-2tb-ssd-review
QLC flash on the tested 2 TB unit and the published 1 TB and 2 TB specification table.