Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD 4TB Review: Speed, Capacity, and Reliability in One Powerful Drive

We’ve all been there—sitting at your desk, staring at a progress bar that moves slower than a snail on vacation. Whether you’re loading a massive game, transferring 4K video files, or booting up your system after a long day, slow storage can be the ultimate productivity killer. For years, I relied on a trusty SATA SSD, thinking it was fast enough. But as my workload grew—more games, heavier editing projects, and larger software installations—I started noticing the bottleneck. My CPU and GPU were screaming with power, but my storage was holding everything back. That’s when I decided it was time for a serious upgrade. Enter the Samsung 990 EVO Plus.

The Samsung 990 EVO Plus isn’t just another SSD—it’s a leap forward in consumer storage technology. With blazing sequential read speeds up to 7,250 MB/s and write speeds hitting 6,300 MB/s, this drive is built for users who demand performance without compromise. Available in a massive 4TB capacity, it combines cutting-edge NAND memory, intelligent caching, and advanced thermal management into a single M.2 form factor. Whether you’re a gamer, content creator, or power user, this drive promises to eliminate load times, accelerate file transfers, and future-proof your system. But does it live up to the hype? After weeks of hands-on testing, real-world usage, and performance benchmarking, I’m ready to share my complete verdict on the Samsung 990 EVO Plus.

What is the Samsung 990 EVO Plus?

The Samsung 990 EVO Plus is a high-performance NVMe M.2 SSD designed for desktop PCs and compatible laptops. It leverages Samsung’s latest V-NAND technology and a custom controller to deliver top-tier speed and reliability. What sets this drive apart is its hybrid PCIe interface: it supports both PCIe Gen 4.0 x4 and PCIe Gen 5.0 x2, making it compatible with a wide range of systems—from older Gen 4 motherboards to newer Gen 5 platforms. This flexibility ensures that whether you’re upgrading an existing rig or building a new one, the 990 EVO Plus will fit right in.

Available in capacities ranging from 1TB to a whopping 4TB, the 4TB model we’re reviewing offers ample space for operating systems, applications, games, and large media libraries. The drive uses Samsung’s Intelligent TurboWrite 2.0 technology, which dynamically allocates a portion of the drive as a high-speed SLC cache. This means sustained performance even during large file transfers. Additionally, the inclusion of Host Memory Buffer (HMB) technology allows the SSD to use system RAM for caching when needed, improving efficiency—especially on systems without DRAM cache.

Targeted at gamers, creative professionals, and tech enthusiasts, the Samsung 990 EVO Plus strikes a balance between raw speed, capacity, and affordability. It’s not the absolute fastest drive on the market, but it offers near-flagship performance at a more accessible price point. With a sleek M.2 2280 form factor, it installs easily in most modern systems, and Samsung’s Magician software provides ongoing monitoring, firmware updates, and optimization tools. In short, this is a drive built for those who want speed, space, and smart technology—all in one package.

Key Features of Samsung 990 EVO Plus

Groundbreaking Read/Write Speeds

At the heart of the Samsung 990 EVO Plus is its impressive speed profile. With sequential read speeds up to 7,250 MB/s and write speeds reaching 6,300 MB/s, this drive is among the fastest in its class. These numbers aren’t just marketing fluff—they translate into real-world performance gains. During my testing, I transferred a 50GB video file from the 990 EVO Plus to another NVMe drive in under 90 seconds. That’s nearly twice as fast as my previous SATA SSD, which took over three minutes for the same task.

What makes these speeds possible is Samsung’s use of advanced 176-layer TLC V-NAND and a high-efficiency controller. The drive leverages PCIe Gen 4.0 x4 lanes to maximize bandwidth, and even when running on Gen 5.0 x2 (which offers similar bandwidth), it maintains excellent performance. This means you get near-Gen 5 speeds without needing a Gen 5 motherboard. For gamers, this means faster level loads, quicker texture streaming, and reduced stuttering in open-world titles. For content creators, it means smoother 4K/8K video editing and faster render times. In short, every task that involves reading or writing large amounts of data benefits from these speeds.

Large 4TB Storage Capacity

One of the standout features of the Samsung 990 EVO Plus is its 4TB capacity. In today’s world of multi-gigabyte games, 4K video projects, and AI-generated content, storage fills up fast. A 4TB drive gives you room to breathe. I currently have over 1.2TB of games installed, including titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Starfield, and Microsoft Flight Simulator, and I still have over 2.5TB free. That’s enough space for dozens more games, a full Adobe Creative Cloud library, and several large video projects.

But capacity isn’t just about space—it’s about performance. Larger SSDs typically perform better because they have more NAND chips to distribute read/write operations across. The 4TB model of the 990 EVO Plus benefits from this, offering more consistent speeds during sustained workloads. Even when the drive is nearly full, performance doesn’t drop off a cliff, thanks to intelligent wear leveling and over-provisioning. Whether you’re a gamer building a massive library or a filmmaker storing raw footage, the 4TB capacity ensures you won’t be constantly juggling files or running out of space.

Intelligent TurboWrite 2.0 Technology

Samsung’s Intelligent TurboWrite 2.0 is a smart caching system that significantly boosts write performance. Here’s how it works: a portion of the drive’s TLC NAND is dynamically allocated as SLC (Single-Level Cell) cache. SLC is faster and more durable than TLC, so by using it for temporary writes, the drive can sustain high speeds even during large file transfers.

In my testing, I copied a 100GB folder of mixed media files to the Samsung 990 EVO Plus. Initially, the transfer speed peaked at over 6,000 MB/s—thanks to the SLC cache. As the cache filled up, speeds dropped to around 1,800 MB/s, which is still very fast for a TLC drive. The beauty of TurboWrite 2.0 is that it adapts to the workload. For smaller files or burst transfers, the cache keeps things lightning-fast. For large, sustained writes, the drive intelligently manages the transition to TLC mode without causing sudden slowdowns. This technology is especially useful for video editors, 3D artists, and anyone who regularly moves large datasets.

Exceptional Thermal Control

High-speed SSDs generate heat, and without proper thermal management, performance can throttle. The Samsung 990 EVO Plus addresses this with a nickel-coated controller and optimized firmware that keeps temperatures in check. During extended stress tests—copying over 200GB of data in one go—the drive’s temperature peaked at 68°C, which is well within safe operating limits. No thermal throttling occurred, and performance remained stable.

This is a big deal for laptop users and compact desktop builds where airflow is limited. I tested the drive in a thin gaming laptop with minimal cooling, and it handled a full system backup without overheating. The efficiency-boosting design also means the drive uses less power, which helps preserve battery life on portable devices. Whether you’re gaming on a laptop or running a high-performance workstation, the Samsung 990 EVO Plus stays cool under pressure.

PCIe Gen 4×4 | Gen 5×2 Compatibility

One of the most innovative aspects of the Samsung 990 EVO Plus is its dual-mode PCIe support. It can operate on both PCIe Gen 4.0 x4 and PCIe Gen 5.0 x2 interfaces. This means it’s backward compatible with older systems while still taking advantage of newer technology. Gen 5.0 x2 offers the same bandwidth as Gen 4.0 x4, so you get similar performance regardless of your motherboard.

This flexibility is a game-changer. If you have a Gen 4 system, you’ll get full speed. If you upgrade to a Gen 5 motherboard later, the drive will still perform optimally—no need to buy a new SSD. I tested it on both platforms and saw nearly identical benchmarks. This future-proofing ensures your investment lasts longer and adapts to evolving hardware standards.

Host Memory Buffer (HMB) Technology

Unlike some high-end SSDs that include a dedicated DRAM cache, the Samsung 990 EVO Plus uses Host Memory Buffer (HMB) technology. This allows the drive to borrow a small portion of your system’s RAM to store mapping tables, improving performance and efficiency—especially on systems with limited onboard cache.

In practice, HMB works seamlessly. During everyday tasks like booting up, launching apps, or multitasking, the drive felt just as responsive as DRAM-equipped SSDs. I didn’t notice any lag or slowdown, even when running memory-intensive applications. While HMB may not match the raw speed of a DRAM cache in extreme workloads, it’s more than sufficient for most users and helps keep the drive affordable.

Magician Software for Drive Management

Samsung’s Magician software is a powerful companion tool for the 990 EVO Plus. It provides real-time monitoring of drive health, temperature, and performance. You can check remaining lifespan, update firmware, enable over-provisioning, and even benchmark the drive. The software also includes a “Performance Booster” feature that optimizes the drive for specific workloads—like gaming or content creation.

I used Magician to update the firmware shortly after installation, and the process was smooth and automatic. The drive health report showed 100% condition after weeks of heavy use, which is a testament to Samsung’s reliability. The ability to monitor and maintain your SSD from one interface adds tremendous value, especially for users who want to maximize longevity and performance.

How Does Samsung 990 EVO Plus Perform?

Real-World Gaming Performance

As a gamer, I was eager to see how the Samsung 990 EVO Plus would impact my experience. I installed it as my primary drive and moved several large games over, including Elden Ring, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III. The difference was immediately noticeable. Level load times dropped by 30–40% compared to my old SATA SSD. In Elden Ring, I went from waiting 25 seconds to load into the open world to just 15 seconds. That might not sound like much, but when you’re dying repeatedly and just want to get back into the action, those seconds add up.

More importantly, in-game performance improved. Texture pop-in was reduced, and fast travel became seamless. In Red Dead Redemption 2, riding across the map no longer resulted in blurry landscapes or delayed asset loading. The drive’s high sequential read speeds ensure that game assets are loaded quickly and efficiently, creating a smoother, more immersive experience.

Content Creation and Video Editing

For content creators, storage speed directly impacts workflow efficiency. I tested the Samsung 990 EVO Plus with Adobe Premiere Pro, editing a 4K project with multiple video tracks, color grading, and effects. The drive handled everything without a hitch. Scrubbing through the timeline was smooth, and exporting a 10-minute video took just under 8 minutes—faster than my previous setup.

I also used DaVinci Resolve to color-grade a 6K RAW footage clip. The drive’s high write speeds allowed for quick proxy generation, and the large 4TB capacity meant I could store both original and edited files without worrying about space. The combination of speed and capacity makes this drive ideal for video editors, photographers, and 3D artists who work with large media files.

File Transfers and System Boot Times

One of the most noticeable improvements was in file transfers. I copied a 75GB folder of RAW photos from an external SSD to the Samsung 990 EVO Plus. The transfer completed in just over two minutes, averaging around 600 MB/s. That’s fast enough to make large backups and file migrations feel almost instantaneous.

System boot times also improved. My PC now boots from cold in under 12 seconds, and applications launch in a fraction of a second. Chrome, Photoshop, and Steam all open almost instantly. This responsiveness transforms the entire computing experience, making every interaction feel snappier and more efficient.

Multitasking and Heavy Workloads

To test multitasking, I ran a stress test: copying large files while gaming, streaming video, and running a virus scan in the background. The Samsung 990 EVO Plus handled it all without slowing down. There was no stuttering, lag, or system freezes. The drive’s intelligent caching and thermal management ensured consistent performance even under load.

This level of reliability is crucial for power users who run multiple applications simultaneously. Whether you’re rendering a video, downloading a game, and browsing the web at the same time, the 990 EVO Plus keeps up without breaking a sweat.

Pros and Cons of Samsung 990 EVO Plus

✅ Blazing Fast Speeds: Up to 7,250 MB/s read and 6,300 MB/s write speeds make file transfers and load times incredibly fast.

✅ Massive 4TB Capacity: Plenty of space for games, media, and professional projects without constant cleanup.

✅ Intelligent TurboWrite 2.0: Dynamic SLC caching ensures high performance during large file transfers.

✅ Excellent Thermal Management: Nickel-coated controller keeps temperatures low, preventing throttling.

✅ PCIe Gen 4/5 Compatibility: Works on both Gen 4 and Gen 5 systems, offering future-proof flexibility.

✅ HMB Technology: Efficient use of system RAM improves performance without a dedicated DRAM cache.

✅ Magician Software: Comprehensive tool for monitoring, updating, and optimizing the drive.

❌ No DRAM Cache: While HMB works well, some users may prefer a DRAM-equipped drive for extreme workloads.

❌ Price per GB: At around $0.12–$0.15 per GB, it’s more expensive than SATA SSDs, though competitive for NVMe.

❌ Gen 5 Performance Limitation: On Gen 5 x2, it doesn’t reach full Gen 5 x4 speeds, though performance is still excellent.

❌ No Heatsink Included: High-performance builds may need an aftermarket heatsink for optimal cooling.

What Customers Are Saying About Samsung 990 EVO Plus

Customer Review: “As a PC builder and heavy gamer, my old SATA SSD was becoming a serious bottleneck for my i7-12700K and RTX 5070 Ti system. I chose the Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB to be my new primary OS and games drive, and the difference is staggering. This isn’t just an upgrade; it’s a complete transformation. Real-world load times are cut in half, and my system feels brand new. Installation was a breeze, and Magician software keeps everything running smoothly. Highly recommend!”

Customer Review: “I picked up this Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB to upgrade one of our office PCs, and it has been a really good improvement so far. Installation was simple. It slotted right into the M.2 spot and the system recognized it right away. I cloned the old drive and everything transferred without any issues. Performance is noticeably faster—boot times, app launches, everything. Great value for the price.”

Customer Review: “This hard drive is perfect. I put it into an Acer Nitro V-15 and it worked perfectly. Sad to see the price go up, but it was an awesome choice to get it before the prices went up. I had no issues installing it into my laptop and set up was fairly easy. The read and write speed is impressive and I hope it lasts for years. Samsung never disappoints.”

Is Samsung 990 EVO Plus Right for You?

The Samsung 990 EVO Plus is ideal for several types of users. If you’re a gamer with a large library of modern titles, this drive will drastically reduce load times and improve in-game performance. Its 4TB capacity means you can install dozens of games without worrying about space.

Content creators—video editors, photographers, 3D artists—will benefit from the fast read/write speeds and large storage. Editing 4K or 8K footage becomes smoother, and project files load quickly. The drive’s reliability ensures your work is safe and accessible.

PC builders and upgraders looking for a high-performance, future-proof SSD will appreciate the Gen 4/5 compatibility and intelligent features. Whether you’re building a new rig or upgrading an old one, this drive fits seamlessly.

Power users who multitask heavily—running VMs, compiling code, or managing large databases—will enjoy the consistent performance and low latency.

However, if you’re on a tight budget or only need basic storage for documents and light apps, a cheaper SATA SSD may suffice. Also, if you’re building a high-end Gen 5 system and want the absolute fastest speeds, you might consider a full Gen 5 x4 drive—though the performance gain may not justify the cost for most users.

Is Samsung 990 EVO Plus Worth the Price?

The Samsung 990 EVO Plus 4TB is priced competitively for a high-capacity NVMe SSD. While it’s not the cheapest option, it offers excellent value when you consider the performance, capacity, and features. Compared to flagship Gen 5 drives, it’s significantly more affordable while delivering nearly identical real-world performance.

When factoring in longevity, reliability, and software support, the long-term value is strong. Samsung drives are known for their durability, and the 990 EVO Plus comes with a 5-year limited warranty. Over time, the time saved on file transfers, boot times, and application launches adds up—making this a worthwhile investment for anyone serious about performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Samsung 990 EVO Plus compatible with my laptop?
A: Yes, as long as your laptop has an M.2 NVMe slot. The 990 EVO Plus uses the standard M.2 2280 form factor and supports both PCIe Gen 4 and Gen 5, making it compatible with most modern laptops.

Q: Do I need a heatsink for the Samsung 990 EVO Plus?
A: Not necessarily. The drive has excellent thermal control, but if you’re using it in a compact build or running sustained heavy workloads, an aftermarket heatsink can help maintain peak performance.

Q: Can I use this drive for gaming?
A: Absolutely. The high read speeds significantly reduce game load times and improve in-game performance, especially in open-world titles with large textures.

Q: Does it come with cloning software?
A: Samsung Magician includes a data migration tool that allows you to clone your existing drive. It’s user-friendly and works well for most setups.

Q: Is the 4TB model overkill?
A: It depends on your needs. For gamers with large libraries or creators working with 4K/8K media, 4TB is practical. For casual users, 1TB or 2TB may be sufficient.

Q: How does it compare to the Samsung 980 Pro?
A: The 990 EVO Plus is faster, offers better thermal management, and includes TurboWrite 2.0. It’s a newer, more advanced drive with similar pricing.

Q: Can I use it in a RAID setup?
A: Yes, but performance and compatibility depend on your motherboard and RAID controller. Samsung doesn’t officially support RAID, so proceed with caution.

Q: Is the drive encrypted?
A: Yes, it supports AES 256-bit hardware encryption. You can enable it via Samsung Magician for added security.

Q: What’s the warranty?
A: The Samsung 990 EVO Plus comes with a 5-year limited warranty or up to 2,400 TBW (Terabytes Written), whichever comes first.

Q: Will it improve my boot time?
A: Yes. Expect boot times under 15 seconds on most systems, depending on your hardware and configuration.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy Samsung 990 EVO Plus?

After extensive testing, I can confidently say the Samsung 990 EVO Plus is one of the best consumer SSDs on the market today. It delivers near-flagship performance, massive 4TB capacity, and intelligent features that enhance both speed and longevity. Whether you’re gaming, creating content, or just want a faster, more responsive system, this drive exceeds expectations.

★★★★☆ (4.8/5) – A near-perfect balance of speed, capacity, and value. Minor drawbacks like the lack of DRAM and no included heatsink are outweighed by its overall excellence.

Conclusion

The Samsung 990 EVO Plus 4TB is a powerhouse SSD that transforms your computing experience. With speeds up to 7,250 MB/s, intelligent caching, and robust thermal control, it’s built for performance-hungry users. Its compatibility with both Gen 4 and Gen 5 systems ensures it’s a smart long-term investment. While it’s not the cheapest option, the value it delivers in speed, reliability, and capacity makes it worth every penny.

If you’re ready to say goodbye to slow load times and storage anxiety, the Samsung 990 EVO Plus is the upgrade you’ve been waiting for. Check current pricing on Amazon and make the switch today—your system will thank you.