Samsung 990 PRO 1TB ($135) vs TeamGroup MP44L 2TB ($119). $/TB analysis, performance, and use-case recommendations.
Both run on Gen 4 hardware but at different capacities: 1 TB for the Samsung 990 PRO 1TB versus 2 TB for the TeamGroup MP44L 2TB. Whether the larger drive's $/TB advantage justifies the higher upfront cost depends on how much you actually need.
Hardware-wise, the Samsung 990 PRO 1TB runs on the in-house Samsung Pascal — engineered specifically for the 990 PRO at 8nm. The TeamGroup MP44L 2TB pairs a MAP1602 controller built specifically for DRAM-less HMB designs.
The cost difference is hard to ignore: 56% per TB (TeamGroup MP44L 2TB at $59.50/TB versus Samsung 990 PRO 1TB at $135.00/TB). Unless you specifically need the Samsung 990 PRO 1TB's peak performance, the TeamGroup MP44L 2TB delivers more storage for the money.
In the read department, the Samsung 990 PRO 1TB leads by roughly 2 GB/s. The difference is more academic than practical for typical use, but it does matter for video editors moving multi-GB project files.
Write performance separates them too. The Samsung 990 PRO 1TB sustains 6,900 MB/s writes versus 4,500 MB/s for the TeamGroup MP44L 2TB — a real advantage for video editors and anyone doing heavy file operations.
Cache architecture differs: Samsung 990 PRO 1TB has DRAM hardware, TeamGroup MP44L 2TB uses HMB. For OS, gaming, browsing — indistinguishable. For databases, large file ops, or 4K video editing — DRAM has a small but consistent edge.
TeamGroup MP44L 2TB earns higher TBW ratings (1,200 vs 600 TBW) — relevant for sustained write workloads, irrelevant for everything else.
For PS5 expansion, both are PCIe Gen 4 M.2 2280 drives that meet Sony's minimum spec (5,000 MB/s read). The console can't take advantage of speeds beyond that, so save money by choosing the TeamGroup MP44L 2TB. 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 PRO 1TB nor TeamGroup MP44L 2TB fits without modification.
The Samsung 990 PRO 1TB is the right call if meaningfully faster reads (7,450 MB/s), higher sustained writes (6,900 MB/s), and a dedicated DRAM cache chip matter to you. Among consumer SSD makers, Samsung's PRO series consistently scores highest on long-term reliability surveys (Backblaze, Puget Systems Q1 2026 data).
The TeamGroup MP44L 2TB is the right call if the lower retail price ($119 vs $135), better $/TB economics ($59.50/TB), and a higher TBW endurance rating (1,200 TBW) matter to you. The TeamGroup MP44L 2TB captures the value tier well: same NAND class as flagships, paired with a DRAM-less controller that costs less and uses HMB for the address-mapping table.