Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB ($244) vs WD_BLACK SN850X 1TB ($220). $/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 Samsung's Piccolo controller — DRAM-less with PCIe 4.0/5.0 dual-mode support. The WD_BLACK SN850X 1TB pairs the proprietary WD G2 silicon, optimized for the WD_BLACK line.
The cheaper drive — WD_BLACK SN850X 1TB at $220.00/TB — saves you $24.00 per TB versus the Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB. Worth it if you're capacity-constrained; either works if you just want one fast drive.
Cache architecture differs: WD_BLACK SN850X 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 WD_BLACK SN850X 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. Both drives use the 2280 form factor, which is too long for Steam Deck or ROG Ally — you'd need a 2230 variant if either manufacturer offers one, or a dedicated handheld-format drive instead.
Market context: the Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB ranks #3 of 6 Gen 5 1 TB drives we track by $/TB, while the WD_BLACK SN850X 1TB ranks #2 of 4 Gen 4 1 TB drives. Neither cracks the top of the value table, so it's worth glancing at the alternatives below before picking either.
As of July 27, 2026, these tracked drives undercut both the Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB and WD_BLACK SN850X 1TB on $/TB:
The 990 EVO Plus uniquely supports both PCIe 4.0 x4 and PCIe 5.0 x2 modes — useful flexibility if you might upgrade motherboard generations.
The WD_BLACK SN850X 1TB is the right call if the lower retail price ($220 vs $244), better $/TB economics ($220.00/TB), and a dedicated DRAM cache chip matter to you. WD_BLACK's SN850X earned its reputation through consistent sustained performance under gaming workloads — fewer micro-stutters during open-world streaming than budget alternatives.