Whether you’re transferring massive files, editing high-res video, or simply looking to shave those extra seconds off load times, the difference between a standard SSD and a high-performance one is night and day – Samsung’s latest 990 EVO Plus SSD is a step forward, a natural progression in the storage space, and one I absolutely recommend.
After hearing about Samsung’s latest venture into PCIe 4.0 technology, I was excited to dive in, especially since I’d be installing this beast into my ROG Ally X. With its full-size M.2 drive support, this SSD upgrade felt like the perfect match for pushing my gaming and performance needs into overdrive.
PCIe 4.0 Support and Enhanced NAND Technology
One of the biggest selling points of the 990 EVO Plus is its PCIe 4.0 support, which is where a lot of the performance magic happens. Paired with the latest in NAND technology, Samsung has crafted an SSD that can handle anything you throw at it. A casual gamer would think this is wizardry while a video editor, or someone juggling large data transfers daily will appreciate the extra performance – this SSD has the tech to back you up. Sequential read speeds on this SSD can reach upwards to 7,250 MB/s, with write speeds peaking at 6,300 MB/s. That’s up to 50% faster than its predecessor, the 990 EVO. There are several storage options up to 4TB, which I myself will be getting eventually. For a real-world comparison, I ran a few heavy game installs, including AAA titles like Starfield and Baldur’s Gate 3, which normally take some time. With the 990 EVO Plus, those installs felt lightning-fast, cutting down waiting times exponentially.
If you’re into benchmarks, the random read speeds hit up to 1,050K IOPS, with write speeds touching 1,400K IOPS. In layman’s terms? This means whether you’re loading massive textures in a game, running a virtual machine, or editing 4K video, this SSD will keep up without breaking a sweat.
TurboWrite 2.0
Another standout feature is Samsung’s TurboWrite 2.0, which gives the 990 EVO Plus a serious boost when it comes to sustained performance. I noticed the difference most when handling large files—think 10GB+ video files during an editing session. The transfer speeds remained consistent, and there was no noticeable lag or slow-down. Gamers, too, will appreciate this when moving large game files around or installing new ones. There’s something deeply satisfying about hitting a download button and watching your system eat through the task in seconds. That’s what the 990 EVO Plus delivers.
Samsung’s attention to thermal management really shines with the nickel-coated heat shield. Overheating SSDs can lead to throttling, which, let’s be honest, is the last thing anyone wants in the middle of a gaming session or while rendering a high-res video. The 990 EVO Plus SSD is 73% more power-efficient than the 990 EVO, which means it runs cooler while also consuming less power—a win-win. In my ROG Ally X, which can get pretty warm when gaming for extended periods, the 990 EVO Plus held its ground. Temperatures stayed well within a safe range, and I didn’t experience any throttling. The drive’s ability to maintain performance even when pushed to its limits speaks volumes about the efficiency of its heat dissipation.
Security and Encryption
The 990 EVO Plus comes equipped with AES 256-bit Full Disk Encryption, offering that extra layer of protection for your data. Whether it’s your operating system, personal files, or critical work data, you can rest easy knowing your information is secure. Once I slotted the 990 EVO Plus into my ROG Ally X, it was a noticeable upgrade. Boot times were nearly instantaneous, apps loaded faster, and I saw a significant improvement in game load times. The ROG Ally X’s support for full-size M.2 drives meant this SSD fit like a glove, and it was able to stretch its legs fully. For anyone using a similar setup or looking to upgrade their gaming handheld or laptop, this SSD is a no-brainer. The only thing I can think of that could be a caveat is if you’re not pushing it to its limits with high-intensity tasks, you might not fully experience the speeds it offers, but that’s more of a future-proofing issue than a flaw.
Review Score: 9/10
For gamers, content creators, and anyone who demands speed and efficiency, the Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB SSD is a highly recommended upgrade. It’s a powerhouse in a small package, delivering exactly what’s needed to boost performance across the board—whether that’s for gaming, data transfer, or even improving OS performance. If you’re like me and want the best of the best for your ROG Ally X or PC build, this is the SSD to go for.
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