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Samsung 990 Pro (2TB) Review – Is It Still the Fastest PCIe 4.0 SSD in 2025?
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Swtek Editorial
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8 Min Read
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A hands-on benchmark look at Samsung's flagship NVMe SSD, tested in a real gaming & creator PC.
Introduction
PCIe 5.0 SSDs are slowly arriving, but for most gaming rigs and creator builds, a fast PCIe 4.0 drive is still the sweet spot. Samsung's 990 Pro is one of the most talked-about Gen4 NVMe SSDs, promising blistering speeds, strong endurance, and low power draw.
In this review, we put the 2TB Samsung 990 Pro through a set of focused benchmarks using CrystalDiskMark 9 and installed it in a modern desktop system to see how it behaves in real-world use. Instead of only chasing headline numbers, we wanted to answer a simple question:
"Is the Samsung 990 Pro still one of the best drives you can buy for a high-end PCIe 4.0 system in 2025?"
Let's take a closer look at the design, installation experience, benchmark results, and our final verdict from a Swtek point of view.
Unboxing & First Impressions
Samsung keeps things minimal. The box focuses on the 7,450 MB/s advertised read speed and the "990 Pro" branding. Inside, the drive rests in a molded paper tray that offers decent protection while being more environmentally friendly than older plastic clamshells.
The 990 Pro follows the usual M.2 2280 form factor and, in this non-heatsink version, is single-sided. That makes it compatible with almost any desktop or laptop that accepts PCIe 4.0 NVMe drives.
Test System & Installation
We installed the Samsung 990 Pro 2TB in a modern desktop platform with a PCIe 4.0 x4 M.2 slot and a built-in motherboard heatsink. After a quick screw and a reboot, Windows 11 detected the drive instantly, and Samsung Magician confirmed that the firmware and SMART data looked healthy.
For benchmarks, we kept things realistic: the drive was partially filled, just like it would be in a real gaming or creator setup. All tests were run with:
- CrystalDiskMark 9.0.1
- 5 passes per test
- 4 GiB test size
Benchmark Results (CrystalDiskMark 9)
To keep this review both realistic and easy to compare, we focused on four CrystalDiskMark tests that matter the most for everyday users, gamers, and content creators:
- SEQ1M Q8T1 – Peak sequential performance
- SEQ1M Q1T1 – Real-world sequential performance
- RND4K Q1T1 – OS & app responsiveness
- RND4K Q32T16 – Heavy workload & multitasking
Below you'll find the individual screenshots from CrystalDiskMark and a summary table with all the numbers.
Test 1 – Peak Sequential Performance (SEQ1M Q8T1)
Result: Read 7120.61 MB/s, Write 6834.94 MB/s
This is the "headline" benchmark and shows what the 990 Pro can do in ideal conditions. The measured 7.1 GB/s read and 6.8 GB/s write are very close to Samsung's advertised numbers and firmly place the drive at the top of the PCIe 4.0 stack.
Test 2 – Real-World Sequential (SEQ1M Q1T1)
Result: Read 3004.67 MB/s, Write 5033.41 MB/s
In day-to-day use, you rarely hit Q8T1 conditions. The Q1T1 benchmark is more representative of actual game loads and file transfers. Here, write performance is particularly strong, while read speeds are still comfortably above 3 GB/s. This translates to very short loading times in practice.
Test 3 – Random 4K Responsiveness (RND4K Q1T1)
Result: Read 85.80 MB/s, Write 248.32 MB/s
The RND4K Q1T1 test measures the tiny, scattered reads and writes that constantly happen in the background when Windows is starting, apps are opening, or games are streaming assets. The 990 Pro delivers strong numbers here, which matches the experience: the system feels extremely responsive, even with multiple apps open.
Test 4 – Heavy Workload & Multitasking (RND4K Q32T16)
Result: Read 6438.24 MB/s, Write 2674.56 MB/s
Under heavy load, the 990 Pro keeps its composure. Random read performance at high queue depth is particularly impressive, which benefits workloads like video editing, compiling, and large project builds. If your PC doubles as both a gaming rig and a productivity machine, this is where the 990 Pro really shines.
Benchmark Summary
| Test | Mode | Read (MB/s) | Write (MB/s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Sequential | SEQ1M Q8T1 | 7120.61 | 6834.94 |
| Real-World Sequential | SEQ1M Q1T1 | 3004.67 | 5033.41 |
| OS Responsiveness | RND4K Q1T1 | 85.80 | 248.32 |
| Heavy Workload | RND4K Q32T16 | 6438.24 | 2674.56 |
Overall, the numbers line up with what we expect from a flagship PCIe 4.0 drive: outstanding sequential performance and excellent random performance, especially under load.
Real-World Experience
Benchmarks are helpful, but what matters is how a system feels. With the Samsung 990 Pro as the primary drive, Windows boots quickly, apps open nearly instantly, and games with heavy asset streaming (open-world titles, modern AAA releases) benefit from shorter loading screens and smoother transitions.
Thermal behaviour was also solid in our setup. With the motherboard's M.2 heatsink installed, the drive stayed within comfortable temperatures during benchmarks and normal workloads, with no visible sign of thermal throttling.
Our Take: Is the Samsung 990 Pro Still Worth It?
Even as PCIe 5.0 SSDs start to appear, the Samsung 990 Pro remains one of the most balanced and mature PCIe 4.0 options on the market. It combines:
- Top-tier sequential performance
- Excellent OS and real-world responsiveness
- Strong multitasking behaviour for creators and power users
- Samsung's long track record in SSD controllers and firmware
For gamers, content creators, and anyone building a high-end Gen4 system, the 990 Pro still hits that sweet spot between speed, reliability, and efficiency. If your platform is PCIe 4.0 and you want one of the fastest and most proven drives available right now, the Samsung 990 Pro deserves to be at the top of your shortlist.
At Swtek, we see the 990 Pro as a flagship-grade upgrade that can carry a gaming or creator rig for years without feeling slow or outdated.
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