Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB ($129) vs Samsung 990 PRO 1TB ($135). $/TB analysis, performance, and use-case recommendations.
When generations cross paths in a comparison like this one, the older-spec drive almost always wins on value while the newer one wins on benchmarks. Whether that benchmark advantage matters depends entirely on what you do with the drive.
Hardware-wise, the Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB runs on the dual-mode Samsung Piccolo silicon that uniquely runs PCIe 5.0 x2 or PCIe 4.0 x4. The Samsung 990 PRO 1TB pairs Samsung's Pascal controller, fabricated on the company's 8nm process.
Cache architecture differs: Samsung 990 PRO 1TB has DRAM hardware, Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB uses HMB. For OS, gaming, browsing — indistinguishable. For databases, large file ops, or 4K video editing — DRAM has a small but consistent edge.
For PS5 expansion, both are PCIe Gen 4 M.2 2280 drives that meet Sony's minimum spec (7,250 MB/s read). The console can't take advantage of speeds beyond that, so save money by choosing the Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB. The Gen 5 Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB pulls ahead on sequential bandwidth, but Gen 5 advantages rarely surface during everyday tasks — most software hasn't been rewritten to exploit 14,000+ MB/s pipelines. For content creators routinely rendering 4K or 8K video, the Samsung 990 PRO 1TB's 6,900 MB/s sustained write is the deciding factor — multi-GB project files land noticeably faster than on the alternative. Note for handheld gamers: M.2 2280 is the desktop/laptop standard. Steam Deck and the ROG Ally line need 2230 drives — neither Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB nor Samsung 990 PRO 1TB fits without modification.
The Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB is the right call if the lower retail price ($129 vs $135), and better $/TB economics ($129.00/TB) matter to you. Among Samsung's lineup, the 990 EVO Plus is the only consumer drive that physically supports dual-generation PCIe — same hardware, different bus speed depending on platform.
The Samsung 990 PRO 1TB is the right call if a dedicated DRAM cache chip matter to you. Samsung backs the PRO series with one of the strongest warranty experiences in consumer storage — RMAs typically process within 5 business days globally.