Last month, Samsung announced the long-awaited 4TB capacity of its flagship 990 Pro PCIe Gen4 SSD series. Today, I’ll share my results after testing and using it this past couple of weeks. I have the Samsung 990 Pro with a Heatsink variant 4TB capacity, and I must admit, it looks better on hand and is slimmer than most M.2 SSDs with a heatsink I have tested. The 4TB capacity is similar to the 2TB capacity we reviewed before. But despite its capacity, the 4TB is a single-sided SSD, identical to the 2TB and 1TB variants. If you’re in the market for a 4TB M.2 SSD, stick around, and please continue reading our review below.
Samsung 990 Pro w/ Heatsink 4TB SSD Review
The Samsung 990 PRO PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD is the company’s flagship storage solution that is optimized for gaming (PC or console) and creative applications. Samsung doesn’t have a Gen5 SSD yet, but I’m guessing they are still perfecting and fine-tuning the 990 Pro’s successor.
The 990 Pro SSD series features Samsung’s 8th generation V-NAND technology and in-house Pascal controller. The 4TB capacity delivers sequential read and write speeds of up to 7,450MB/s and 6,900MB/s, respectively. The random read and write speeds of up to 1,600K and 1,550K IOPS, respectively, are 14% faster than the 2TB version.
According to Samsung, the 990 PRO 4TB is ideal for gamers, creative experts, and tech enthusiasts seeking top-level performance and storage space. Aside from that, the 990 PRO with Heatsink optimizes game installations and loading times for the Sony PlayStation 5 while safeguarding against potential performance drops due to overheating. It also enhances the experience for gamers engaging in high-end games that leverage the DirectStorage API, ensuring swift loading and smooth gameplay without interruptions.
An Excellent upgrade for laptops limited to single-sided SSDs
Most laptops can only accept single-sided SSDs. Unfortunately, large-capacity SSDs, 4TB or higher, are usually double-sided SSDs. The 990 PRO 4TB utilizes V8 1TB high-density NAND and Samsung’s NAND Stacking technology, enabling it to maintain a single-sided M.2 form factor, making it the first PCIe Gen4 SSD (with DRAM) to do so.
This design eliminates potential compatibility issues that users might encounter when installing double-sided M.2 SSDs in laptops, particularly those with limited drive thickness. The 990 PRO 4TB offers a seamless storage upgrade solution for (slim) laptops, delivering high performance and ample capacity without concerns about physical constraints.
Intelligent TurboWrite 2.0
The 990 PRO Series introduces an upgraded version of Intelligent TurboWrite, known as Intelligent TurboWrite 2.0. This enhanced technology significantly enlarges the buffer (TurboWrite region) by up to three times compared to the previous iteration. For example, in the case of the 990 PRO 4TB model, the default pre-allocated TurboWrite region is set at 10GB, with the option to dynamically allocate an additional 432GB as an SLC buffer, thereby expanding the total SLC buffer to 442GB.
Okay, enough with the marketing materials; below is the Samsung 990 Pro SSD series specification table. After that, let’s check out the SSD and see how it performs.
Samsung 990 PRO SSD Specifications
Check the latest pricing and availability: (#ad)
Samsung 990 Pro SSD is available on Amazon.com here.
Samsung 990 Pro with Heatsink is available on Amazon.com here.
Packaging and Closer Look
The 4TB Samsung 990 Pro’s packaging is similar to the other capacities. In the case of the heatsink variant, you’ll see a photo of the 990 Pro with a heatsink in the middle instead of a bare 990 Pro SSD. Inside the box, you get the SSD itself and some reading material.
The non-heatsink variant of the 990 Pro SSD has mostly stayed the same and looks similar to its predecessor. However, the heatsink design of the 990 Pro is different from its predecessor, the 980 Pro with heatsink. The heatsink has a more aggressive look, with red accents and a triangular heatsink shape. Meanwhile, its predecessor’s heatsink was plain-looking and had a simple design.
Another difference is the 990 Pro’s heatsink has RGB lighting in the middle. The lighting is set to red by default but can be changed using Samsung’s Magician software. Another improvement Samsung made is that the heatsink is slightly slimmer (in height) than its predecessor. With its 8.2mm thin body, the Samsung 990 PRO with Heatsink meets the PCI-SIG D8 standards for compatibility with desktops, consoles, and laptops. This is possible thanks to the V8 1Tb high-density NAND, enabling the 990 Pro 4TB to use just one side of the M.2 SSD.
It’s time to see how the 990 PRO w/ Heatsink 4TB capacity performs.
Test Setup
I tested the Samsung 990 Pro 4TB capacity on an X670E motherboard with an AMD Ryzen 7 7700X. I installed the drive on the first M.2 slot with the motherboard’s M.2 heatsink. Below are the rest of the system’s specifications:
| Operating System | Windows 11 Pro |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 7700X |
| Motherboard | MSI MPG X670E Carbon WiFi |
| Memory | Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5-6000MHz CL30 AMD EXPO |
| Graphics Card | XFX Radeon RX 7700 XT |
| OS Drive | MSI Spatium M480 Play |
| Game Drive | SanDisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD V2 and Extreme Portable SSD V2 |
| Power Supply | MSI MPG A1000G PCIE5 |
| Chassis | MSI MPG Velox 100P Airflow |
| Monitor | MSI Optix MPG321UR-QD 4K 144Hz |
Samsung 990 PRO 4TB SSD Benchmark Results
Note: The Samsung 990 Pro 2TB capacity was tested on a different system. It was tested on an Asus Z690 Hero motherboard with an Intel Core i7-12700K. So, expect a not-so-apples-to-apples comparison between the two capacities.
AJA Benchmark Results
In the AJA System Test benchmark, the 4TB Samsung 990 Pro got the highest or fastest sequential read and write speeds overall. However, it’s pretty close to the other SSDs. The WD_Black SN850X, including the Phison E18-powered Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus, is just a few MB/s “slower”.
AS SSD Benchmark Results
Netac’s NV7000 Gen4 SSD, which uses an InnoGrit IG5236 controller and YMTC 3D NAND, got neck and neck with the 990 Pro. The competition is really heating up this generation. Even other SSD manufacturers can match the performance of a top dog like Samsung.
When it comes to the 4K random benchmark, I am surprised to see that the 4TB 990 Pro trailed behind and ended up somewhere in the middle. According to Samsung, the 4TB capacity should offer better random performance than the 1TB and 2TB capacities. But that wasn’t the case in this test.
Perhaps my current test system was somehow affecting its random performance. As mentioned, the 990 Pro 2TB capacity was tested on a Z690 motherboard. I have yet to try the 4TB 990 Pro on another system. I may retest and revisit this soon while I test Intel’s 14th gen Core i7-14700KF CPU.
ATTO Disk Benchmark Results
In the ATTO Disk benchmark, we again see the 990 Pro 4TB capacity’s prowess. It got the highest sequential read and write speeds, and only a Gen5 SSD, like the Crucial T700, could beat it in this test.
I don’t expect these drives to hit their advertised speeds because they don’t usually. And sometimes it also depends on the system used. But I expect they would at least get read/write speeds near or close to the advertised speeds.
CrystalDiskMark Benchmark Results
In the CrystalDiskMark benchmark, the Samsung 990 Pro with heatsink 4TB capacity reached its advertised sequential speeds. It has a sequential speed of 7,475MB/s read and 6,982MB/s write, which is slightly above the advertised speeds. Very impressed indeed.
However, its victory was cut short, as the 990 Pro fell behind in 4K random workloads again. Similar to what I got in AS SSD, the 990 Pro landed somewhere in the middle during CrystalDiskMark’s 4K random test.
PCMark 10 Full System Drive Benchmark Results
Finally, I tested the Samsung 990 PRO w/ Heatsink 4TB capacity using the PCMark 10 Full System drive benchmark suite. It is an intensive test and takes about an hour (or more) to finish. The test uses a wide-ranging set of real-world traces from popular applications (Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office) and common tasks to fully test the performance of modern drives.
The 4TB capacity didn’t end up at the top of the charts; instead, the 2TB capacity got the highest bandwidth and score overall. Again, the 2TB capacity was tested on a different system, so its result might be slightly different if I tested it on the X670E. As for the 4TB capacity, I expected to get better results since the M.2 slot on the X670E motherboard is Gen5 capable and has enough room to “stretch its legs”.
Nevertheless, the 990 Pro with Heatsink still performed remarkably well overall, and its average access time is lower than most Gen4 SSDs. Based on my testing, besides Gen5 SSDs, like the Crucial T700, the only real threat to Samsung’s 990 Pro is WD’s SN850X series. Since both competing drives have already reached the limits of the Gen4 speeds, it will ultimately come down to pricing.
Samsung 990 Pro 4TB Temperature
Initially, I thought the 4TB 990 Pro w/ Heatsink was already reaching its thermal limits. But when I checked its temperature while benchmarking, it only peaked at 73°C and usually hovers around 64°C. According to Samsung, the 4TB 990 Pro could reach around 98°C, but at that point, Samsung’s Dynamic Thermal Guard technology had already kicked in.
Below is Samsung’s illustration showing the 990 Pro’s temperature relative to its performance.
Pricing and Availability
The 4TB capacity models of the 990 PRO and 990 PRO with Heatsink will be available starting in early October 2023. It comes with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $344.99 for the non-heatsink variant and $354.99 for the heatsink variant. However, SSD prices change (regularly) and are often discounted. So, check the latest pricing and availability below for the up-to-date retail prices.
Where to buy: (#ad)
Samsung 990 Pro SSD 4TB is available on Amazon here.
Samsung 990 Pro SSD with Heatsink is available on Amazon here.
Samsung 990 Pro 4TB SSD Review Conclusion
What else can I say? The Samsung 990 Pro with heatsink 4TB capacity is a fast Gen4 M.2 SSD. And with the release of the 4TB capacity, system builders, gamers, and enthusiasts have more options. I think Samsung should have released the 4TB capacity earlier, but they may have encountered some delays in the production. Nevertheless, Samsung has delivered.
When it comes to performance and reliability, Samsung’s SSDs are at the top. Sure, there was a severe issue with the early 990 Pro drives, but those are fixed now. Aside from the performance, slim form factor, and build quality of the 990 Pro series, Samsung’s proprietary Magician software is the best in the industry.
Since the Heatsink variant has RGB lighting in the middle, you’ll need the Magician software to change and customize the lighting color should you choose to. While there are a couple of effects to choose from, I think not being able to set the RGB lighting as an activity indicator is a missed opportunity. But it’s not a big deal or a deal breaker.
As mentioned, the WD Black SN850X is one of the 990 Pro’s toughest competitors. The SN850X’s performance is also remarkable; it can go toe to toe with the 990 Pro. Sometimes, the SN850X is even cheaper than Samsung’s offering. However, one key advantage that Samsung has is its proprietary software. The Magician software and its migration tool are the best in the industry. I have yet to try a better SSD tool or software than Samsung’s.
Finally…
At the end of the day, Samsung’s 990 Pro is one of the best Gen4 M.2 SSDs in the market. And the 4TB capacity is a welcomed addition to the series. There are not a lot of single-sided 4TB capacity SSDs in the market. You simply can’t go wrong with Samsung’s 990 Pro SSD, especially if it’s on a discount.
