Samsung 990 PRO 1TB ($135) vs WD Blue SN5100 1TB ($89). $/TB analysis, performance, and use-case recommendations.
Samsung 990 PRO 1TB and WD Blue SN5100 1TB are direct competitors — same generation, same capacity. Choose by controller behavior under sustained load, DRAM/HMB cache strategy, and $/TB economics.
Hardware-wise, the Samsung 990 PRO 1TB runs on the in-house Samsung Pascal — engineered specifically for the 990 PRO at 8nm. The WD Blue SN5100 1TB pairs the SanDisk controller.
The cost difference is hard to ignore: 34% per TB (WD Blue SN5100 1TB at $89.00/TB versus Samsung 990 PRO 1TB at $135.00/TB). Unless you specifically need the Samsung 990 PRO 1TB's peak performance, the WD Blue SN5100 1TB delivers more storage for the money.
Cache architecture differs: Samsung 990 PRO 1TB has DRAM hardware, WD Blue SN5100 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 (6,600 MB/s read). The console can't take advantage of speeds beyond that, so save money by choosing the WD Blue SN5100 1TB. 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 WD Blue SN5100 1TB fits without modification.
The Samsung 990 PRO 1TB is the right call if 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 WD Blue SN5100 1TB is the right call if the lower retail price ($89 vs $135), and better $/TB economics ($89.00/TB) matter to you.