Solid-States Drives, AKA SSDs, are relatively new storage devices used in PCs. They work like HDDs, alongside a computer system to access data through memory and processors. SSDs are much faster and better than HDDs for many reasons, and you might be looking to buy yourself one to improve your computer’s performance.
SSDs operate on a NAND flash memory, and it has no mechanical parts that improve data access speeds. SSD memory chips are similar to RAMs, except data is saved on NAND flash cells’ grids. The controller of the SSD has the address of the grid; hence the PC can immediately access files and data.
There are many SSDs to choose from, but we will compare and discuss three popular SSDs with 1 TB digital storage capacity in this review. The comparison will be between:
- Samsung 970 EVO
- Samsung 970 EVO PRO
- Samsung 970 EVO PLUS
So, let’s begin!
What Do They Have In Common
All three SSDs in this product comparison review have V-NAND technology, which minimizes space, increases read and write speeds, and lowers production costs. It is a non-volatile flash memory that has vertical layers of cells. Moreover, the EVO and EVO Plus SSDs’ 500GB drives measure 600TBW, whereas the EVO Pro 512GB drive measures 1200TBW.
TBW stands for Terabytes Written, which is a spec that measures how many Terabytes of data you can write into the SSD throughout its life. The EVO Pro has double the TBW capacity. However, they all carry the 2280 form factor, NVMe 1.3 and 4 PCle Gen 3.0. regardless of how long you use each SSD, you get an impressive 5 years warranty that’ll keep you covered for much longer than most other products.
All three drives have Samsung’s Dynamic Thermal Guard that keeps consistent, steady temperatures. You will also get the Samsung Magician software to keep track of the SSD’s overall performance and speed. Generally speaking, all three SSD’s mentioned are ideal for high-end gamers, tech-enthusiasts, and 3D and 4K content designers. They provide seamless cloning and file transfers, guarantee data is secured, and are capable of efficiently dissipating heat.
Finally, now that we have gone through what they all have in common let’s compare the SSDs. We will compare their advertised and actual performances, average user benchmarks, specifications, and the price to value factors of these Samsung SSDs to help you choose the best one.
Spec Comparisons
| Specifications | Samsung 970 EVO | Samsung 970 EVO Pro | Samsung 970 EVO Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital storage | 500 GB | 512 GB | 500 GB |
| Sequential read speed | 3,400 MB/s | 3,500 MB/s | 3,500 MB/s |
| Sandom read speed | 500,000 IOPS | 500,000 IOPS | 480,000 IOPS |
| Sequential write speed | 2,500 MB/s | 2,700 MB/s | 3,200 MB/s |
| Random write speed | 480,000 IOPS | 500,000 IOPS | 550,000 IOPS |
| Average sustained write speed | 1306 MB/s | 1544 MB/s | 1894 MB/s |
| Average sequential read speed | 2,136 MB/s | 2,369 MB/s | 2,352 MB/s |
| Average 4k random read speed | 59.9 MB/s | 61.5 MB/s | 52.2 MB/s |
| Average sequential write speed | 2,133 MB/s | 2,175 MB/s | 2,074 MB/s |
| Average 4k random write speed | 146 MB/s | 147 MB/s | 152 MB/s |
1. Samsung 970 EVO – Best Value For Money
If you want the best value for the money you’re paying, the 970 EVO is your best bet. In comparison to EVO Pro and EVO Plus, it has lower average sequential read/write speeds. It has a lower random write speed at 480,000 IOPS, but it is not much significantly less, and performance is excellent anyway.
However, in terms of average user benchmarks, its performance does not quite match the EVO Plus except for the average sequential write speed, which is faster. The difference in advertised sequential read and write speeds for EVO and EVO Plus are not as large as the differences between the random read and write speeds. But the differences are not as significant when we look at the average read and write speeds.
The differences in speeds are quite negligible between EVO and EVO Pro, but overall the EVO’s price point is best for its value. The 970 EVO will cost you $150-$200 while offering some high-end features that the newer versions also offer.
2. Samsung 970 EVO Plus – The Fastest Writing Speeds
Samsung’s 970 EVO Plus is the best option for you if you need the fastest writing speeds and optimal performance. It is also the cheapest option on this list, as it sells for under $150 even though it is the newer version of 970 EVO. The advertised sequential write speed is faster than 970 EVO but slower than 970 EVO Pro.
However, based on user average sequential write speeds, the EVO Plus is the fastest one averaging 2,175 MB/s – followed by EVO at 2,133 MB/s and EVO Pro at 2,074 MB/s. The advertised and average sequential speeds are also the highest for EVO Plus compared to the other 2. But, its average sustained write speed and 4K random read/write speeds lie in between 970 EVO and EVO Pro. It also offers the same 5-year warranty as the rest and the same 600TBW capacity as the older EVO.
Aside from all this, it offers you somewhat better capabilities and performance than 970 EVO at a good price. Even though it may not match the high-end performance of the newer 970 EVO Pro, it still holds the fastest writing speeds. Finally, note that it has 512GB digital storage, greater than the other two, but it still offers the same 600TBW capacity as the older EVO and half of the EVO Pro.
3. Samsung EVO Pro – High-End Benchmarks
The Samsung EVO Pro is one with the most high-end benchmarks on this list, given that it is the newest version amongst the three. Its advertised read and write speeds are generally much greater than the rest, except for the random read speed, which is the slowest. However, when we compare the average benchmarks, it maintains the highest read and writes speeds. The average sequential write speed is at 2,074 MB/s which is the slowest.
Even though it is the best high-end option, on a day-to-day basis, it does not match up to the writing speed of the EVO Plus. Simply put, when compared to the EVO Plus, it does not quite match up. However, when compared to the 970 EVO, the EVO Pro outdoes it specification-wise. It has a 500GB digital storage capacity, but it can handle up to 1200TBW, which is double the amount of EVO and EVO Plus.
As for the price point, it is the most expensive of the three, but only slightly more expensive than the 970 EVO. Still, if you are looking for something that will last longer and perform consistently and well, its high-end specs might be what you’re looking for.
Final Thoughts: Which Is The Superior SSD Option?
The long-awaited answer: which Samsung 970 EVO SSD is the best for you? the answer will depend upon what you’re looking to achieve with your PC build. Regardless, in our opinion, for its price and specs, Samsung 970 EVO Plus is the best option right now. It offers the fastest write speeds, which means it would provide you with the fastest performance in your day-to-day use.
However, if you are looking for the most reliable option, perhaps the high-end EVO Pro is what you need. It can take up to 1200TBW over its lifetime, which means it will stay with you for much longer than EVO and EVO Plus. If you want the best value for money, then Samsung 970 EVO should be your choice. Regardless of what you decide to do from here on, we hope we can help you make an informed decision!
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