# Samsung 990 EVO 1TB budget Gen5 NVMe drive (2026)

The Samsung 990 EVO 1TB is Samsung's entry-level hybrid-interface NVMe SSD, offering 5,000 MB/s sequential reads through PCIe 5.0 x2 or PCIe 4.0 x4 using Samsung's Piccolo controller and 133-layer TLC NAND.

Quick answer: The Samsung 990 EVO 1TB is a straightforward budget SSD that delivers reliable PCIe 4.0-class speeds with forward compatibility for PCIe 5.0 systems. Its 5,000 MB/s reads and 600 TBW endurance are sufficient for everyday computing and gaming workloads. The main drawback is that the 990 EVO Plus offers substantially better performance with 7,200 MB/s reads and newer 236-layer NAND at a modest price premium, making the EVO Plus the better value in most cases. Consider the 990 EVO only if it is significantly cheaper than the EVO Plus or if you are building on a tight budget where every dollar counts.

## Specifications

| Specification | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 1 TB |
| Interface | M.2 5.0 x 2 / 4.0 x 4 |
| Controller | Samsung Piccolo |
| Memory type | Samsung 133-L TLC |
| DRAM cache | HMB |
| Sequential read | 5000 MB/s |
| Sequential write | 4200 MB/s |
| Random read IOPS | 700000 |
| Random write IOPS | 800000 |
| Endurance | 600 TBW |
| MTBF | 1500000 |
| Warranty | 5 years |

## Performance

Samsung rates the 990 EVO 1TB at 5,000 MB/s sequential read and 4,200 MB/s sequential write. These speeds are achievable on both PCIe 5.0 x2 and PCIe 4.0 x4 connections. Random performance reaches 700,000 read IOPS and 800,000 write IOPS, which is lower than the 990 EVO Plus's 1,000,000/1,400,000 IOPS figures.

The lower sequential and random speeds compared to the 990 EVO Plus stem from the older 133-layer NAND and the simpler Piccolo controller with fewer active channels. The 1 TB model has fewer NAND die than the 2 TB, so sustained native TLC writes after the TurboWrite cache fills are modest. For burst workloads like game loads and file transfers, the SLC cache absorbs writes at full speed.

The drive draws roughly 5 W under load, making it one of the most power-efficient NVMe options Samsung offers. It runs cool enough that a heatsink is optional in most desktop configurations. The low power draw also makes it viable for thin laptops where thermal budgets are tight.

## Endurance, TBW & Warranty

Samsung covers the 990 EVO 1TB with a five-year limited warranty and a 600 TBW endurance rating. At 600 terabytes written, the drive can absorb roughly 330 GB of writes per day over the five-year warranty window. A typical user writing 20 GB daily would use less than four percent of the rated endurance over five years, meaning the drive will comfortably outlast the warranty period. Samsung Magician software provides real-time monitoring of TBW consumption, drive temperature, and firmware updates to keep the drive running at its best. This endurance level is standard for a 1 TB TLC drive and should satisfy the needs of most budget-conscious users.

## Pros and Cons

**Pros:**

- 5,000 MB/s sequential read speed
- Hybrid PCIe 5.0 x2 / PCIe 4.0 x4 interface
- Low 5W active power consumption
- Five-year warranty with 600 TBW
- Samsung Magician software support
- Runs cool without heatsink needed
**Cons:**

- DRAM-less with HMB overhead
- Slower than 990 EVO Plus at similar price
- 133-layer NAND is older generation
- 700K read IOPS trails competitors
- Only x2 lanes on PCIe 5.0
- Limited to 1TB and 2TB capacities


## Verdict

The Samsung 990 EVO 1TB is a straightforward budget SSD that delivers reliable PCIe 4.0-class speeds with forward compatibility for PCIe 5.0 systems. Its 5,000 MB/s reads and 600 TBW endurance are sufficient for everyday computing and gaming workloads. The main drawback is that the 990 EVO Plus offers substantially better performance with 7,200 MB/s reads and newer 236-layer NAND at a modest price premium, making the EVO Plus the better value in most cases. Consider the 990 EVO only if it is significantly cheaper than the EVO Plus or if you are building on a tight budget where every dollar counts.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the difference between Samsung 990 EVO and 990 EVO Plus?

The 990 EVO Plus upgrades to 236-layer V8 TLC NAND (versus 133-layer), uses the 8-channel Piccolo controller (versus a simpler variant), and delivers 7,200/6,300 MB/s versus 5,000/4,200 MB/s on the standard EVO. The EVO Plus also offers a 4 TB capacity option that the original EVO lacks. For the small price difference, the EVO Plus is generally the better value.

### Is the Samsung 990 EVO 1TB good for PS5?

Yes. The 990 EVO meets Sony's PS5 expansion requirements as a PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe drive with reads at 5,000 MB/s, which meets the 5,500 MB/s minimum specification from Sony. It fits the 110 x 25 x 11.25 mm slot constraint and runs cool enough that a heatsink may not be necessary given the low power draw of roughly 5 W.

### Does the Samsung 990 EVO 1TB have DRAM?

Yes. The 990 EVO meets Sony's PS5 expansion requirements as a PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe drive with reads at 5,000 MB/s, which meets the 5,500 MB/s minimum specification from Sony. It fits the 110 x 25 x 11.25 mm slot constraint and runs cool enough that a heatsink may not be necessary given the low power draw of roughly 5 W under load.

### What NAND does the Samsung 990 EVO use?

The 990 EVO uses Samsung's seventh-generation 133-layer TLC V-NAND flash memory. This is an older generation than the 236-layer NAND found in the 990 EVO Plus and 9100 Pro series. The 133-layer NAND is proven and reliable in real-world use but limits the drive's maximum speed, density, and power efficiency compared to Samsung's newer flash technology platforms.

### Is the Samsung 990 EVO worth buying over the EVO Plus?

In most cases, no. The 990 EVO Plus offers 44 percent higher reads (7,200 vs 5,000 MB/s), newer 236-layer NAND, and a 4 TB option for a modest price premium. The 990 EVO only makes sense if the price difference is substantial or the EVO Plus is unavailable. The EVO Plus is the better drive in nearly every measurable way.

### What controller does the Samsung 990 EVO use?

The 990 EVO uses Samsung's in-house Piccolo S4LY022 controller, a compact DRAM-less NVMe controller with fewer active channels than the 8-channel variant found in the 990 EVO Plus. It supports both PCIe 5.0 x2 and PCIe 4.0 x4 through its hybrid interface, automatically selecting the best available mode for the host system and motherboard.

---

Last updated: 2026-06-05. Source: https://ssdrive.net/samsung-990-evo-1-tb