Samsung 990 Pro 1TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 vs Samsung 870 EVO 1TB SATA III
The Samsung 990 Pro is a significantly faster NVMe drive ideal for high-performance users, while the Samsung 870 EVO is a more budget-friendly SATA SSD suitable for general use where extreme speed isn't critical.
AI Verdict
Samsung 990 Pro 1TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 wins overall.
By the numbers
Performance
Pick A wins
The 990 Pro offers vastly superior sequential read/write speeds (7450/6900 MBps) compared to the 870 EVO (560/530 MBps), making it much faster for large file transfers and demanding applications.
Value for money
Pick B wins
The 870 EVO offers comparable capacity and endurance for $10 less, providing better value for users who don't require NVMe speeds.
Power efficiency
Pick A wins
NVMe drives generally consume less power than SATA SSDs, especially under load, making the 990 Pro more power-efficient.
Future-proofing
Pick A wins
PCIe 4.0 NVMe is the current standard for high-performance storage, offering significantly more bandwidth and better compatibility with future systems than SATA III.
Pick A if…
- • You are a gamer or content creator needing the fastest possible load times and file transfers.
- • Your motherboard supports NVMe PCIe 4.0 and you want to maximize your system's storage performance.
- • You frequently work with large files (e.g., video editing, CAD) where high sequential speeds are critical.
Pick B if…
- • You are on a strict budget and need reliable 1TB storage for general computing tasks.
- • Your system only has SATA III ports or you need a 2.5" drive for a specific form factor.
- • You primarily use your PC for web browsing, office work, and light gaming where NVMe speeds offer minimal real-world benefit.
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | A: 990 Pro 1TB | B: 870 EVO 1TB |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 1000 GB | 1000 GB |
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x4 | SATA III |
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Common questions
Samsung 990 Pro 1TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 vs Samsung 870 EVO 1TB SATA III — which should I buy?+
The Samsung 990 Pro is a significantly faster NVMe drive ideal for high-performance users, while the Samsung 870 EVO is a more budget-friendly SATA SSD suitable for general use where extreme speed isn't critical.
When does Samsung 990 Pro 1TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 win?+
You are a gamer or content creator needing the fastest possible load times and file transfers. Your motherboard supports NVMe PCIe 4.0 and you want to maximize your system's storage performance. You frequently work with large files (e.g., video editing, CAD) where high sequential speeds are critical.
When does Samsung 870 EVO 1TB SATA III win?+
You are on a strict budget and need reliable 1TB storage for general computing tasks. Your system only has SATA III ports or you need a 2.5" drive for a specific form factor. You primarily use your PC for web browsing, office work, and light gaming where NVMe speeds offer minimal real-world benefit.
Are the prices live or MSRP?+
MSRP is shown as a reference baseline. Click either product card to see live retailer pricing — we pull current prices from Amazon, Newegg, Best Buy and other retailers on demand, cached for 30 days. Prices localize automatically for US, Canada, and India.