Samsung unveils SSD 990 EVO with PCIe 4.0 and 5.0 hybrid interface

Samsung introduced the 990 EVO, a groundbreaking SSD that supports both PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 5.0 connections, ensuring increased flexibility and future-proofing. This unique feature makes the Samsung PCIe 5.0 M.2 suitable for various applications, including laptops and the Sony PlayStation 5.

While the Samsung SSD 990 EVO may initially seem like a standard budget SSD, offering a sequential read speed of up to 5,000 MB/s and maximum write rates of 4,200 MB/s, it stands out due to its 4 nm controller chip developed by Samsung. This innovative chip allows the SSD to connect via either PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2.

Although the performance remains consistent across interfaces, the PCIe 5.0 4.0 SSD’s future-proof design ensures compatibility with upcoming laptops and desktop computers with fewer PCIe lanes without sacrificing performance.

Samsung boasts up to 800K IOPS and a lifespan ranging from 600TB to 1,200TB of written data, depending on whether the user opts for the 1TB or 2TB SSD. Backed by a five-year warranty, the SSD’s modern controller chip, coupled with Samsung’s TLC V-NAND, promises high efficiency, resulting in minimal waste heat. This efficiency makes the SSD an ideal choice for the Sony PlayStation 5.

Samsung’s fine-tuned controller and heat-spreading label deliver effective thermal control to avoid sudden performance drop mid-project. It cools things down even when things are running high.

The M.2 SSD’s thin board, hosting memory chips on only one side, ensures compatibility with a wide range of laptops. Notably, the 990 EVO does not include a DRAM cache.

Samsung SSD 990 EVO price and availability

The Samsung SSD 990 EVO PCIe 5.0 M.2 is currently available on Amazon.com. The 1TB model is priced at $124.99, while the 2TB version is listed at $209.99. It’s worth noting that, until prices adjust, the Samsung SSD 990 PRO (REVIEW) with 1TB storage remains a more economical choice, currently priced at $117.99.