# Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB hybrid-interface SSD (2026)

The Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB is a DRAM-less PCIe 5.0 x2 SSD that runs at 7,200 MB/s sequential reads using Samsung's Piccolo 8-channel controller and eighth-generation 236-layer V-NAND TLC.

Quick answer: The Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB is a well-rounded mid-range SSD that balances speed, efficiency, and price. Its 7,200 MB/s reads and DRAM-less design make it competitive with drives like the WD Blue SN580 and Lexar NM790 at this capacity. The five-year warranty and Samsung's brand reliability add value for users who prioritize long-term support. Users who need a DRAM cache for sustained write-heavy workloads should consider the Samsung 990 Pro instead. For gaming, general productivity, and everyday use, the 990 EVO Plus 1TB delivers more than enough performance at a reasonable cost.

## Specifications

| Specification | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 1 TB |
| Interface | M.2 5.0 x 2 / 4.0 x 4 |
| Controller | Samsung Piccolo 8 Channel |
| Memory type | Samsung 236-L V8 TLC |
| DRAM cache | HMB |
| Sequential read | 7200 MB/s |
| Sequential write | 6300 MB/s |
| Random read IOPS | 1000000 |
| Random write IOPS | 1400000 |
| Endurance | 600 TBW |
| MTBF | 1500000 |
| Warranty | 5 years |

## Performance

Samsung rates the 990 EVO Plus 1TB at 7,200 MB/s sequential read and 6,300 MB/s sequential write. These speeds are achievable on both PCIe 5.0 x2 and PCIe 4.0 x4 connections since two Gen5 lanes provide roughly the same bandwidth as four Gen4 lanes. Random performance reaches 1,000,000 read IOPS and 1,400,000 write IOPS.

The 1 TB model has fewer NAND die than the 2 TB and 4 TB variants, but the rated speeds are identical across all capacities in the 990 EVO Plus lineup. The drive uses Samsung's TurboWrite SLC caching to accelerate burst writes. Once the SLC cache is full, writes drop to native TLC speeds, which are still respectable at this price tier.

Because the 990 EVO Plus is DRAM-less, it relies on HMB to borrow 32 to 64 MB of system memory for address mapping. This adds a small latency penalty compared to drives with dedicated DRAM, but in practice the impact on gaming and general workloads is minimal. The drive draws approximately 5.5 W under load, making it one of the cooler-running NVMe options available.

## Endurance, TBW & Warranty

Samsung covers the 990 EVO Plus 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 period. For a typical user writing 20 to 30 GB per day, the drive would use less than five percent of its endurance over the warranty window, meaning the drive will almost certainly outlast the warranty period by a significant margin. Samsung Magician software provides real-time monitoring of TBW consumption, drive temperature, and firmware updates. This level of endurance is generous for a mid-range drive at this capacity point.

## Pros and Cons

**Pros:**

- 7,200 MB/s sequential read speed
- Works on PCIe 5.0 x2 and PCIe 4.0 x4
- 236-layer V8 TLC NAND for efficiency
- Low 5.5W active power consumption
- Five-year warranty with 600 TBW
- Samsung Magician software support
**Cons:**

- DRAM-less, uses HMB from system RAM
- Slower sustained writes after SLC cache fills
- Only x2 lanes on PCIe 5.0
- 1TB capacity limits endurance to 600 TBW
- Not the fastest choice for heavy write workloads


## Verdict

The Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB is a well-rounded mid-range SSD that balances speed, efficiency, and price. Its 7,200 MB/s reads and DRAM-less design make it competitive with drives like the WD Blue SN580 and Lexar NM790 at this capacity. The five-year warranty and Samsung's brand reliability add value for users who prioritize long-term support. Users who need a DRAM cache for sustained write-heavy workloads should consider the Samsung 990 Pro instead. For gaming, general productivity, and everyday use, the 990 EVO Plus 1TB delivers more than enough performance at a reasonable cost.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is the Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB DRAM-less?

Yes. The 990 EVO Plus does not have a dedicated DRAM chip. Instead, it uses Host Memory Buffer (HMB) technology to borrow 32 to 64 MB of system RAM for the flash translation layer. This keeps the drive's cost and power consumption low while maintaining good everyday performance for gaming and general workloads.

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

The 990 EVO Plus upgrades the NAND flash from 133-layer to 236-layer V8 TLC, increases the controller channel count from the basic Piccolo to the Piccolo 8-channel variant, and raises sequential speeds from 5,000/4,200 MB/s to 7,200/6,300 MB/s. The EVO Plus also adds a 4 TB capacity option that the original EVO lacks, giving users more storage flexibility.

### Does the Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB work with PS5?

Yes. The 990 EVO Plus exceeds Sony's PS5 expansion requirements. It runs as a PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe drive with reads well above 5,500 MB/s, and its single-sided M.2 2280 design fits within the 110 x 25 x 11.25 mm slot limit. You should add a compatible heatsink, though the drive runs cool enough that a slim heatsink is sufficient.

### How does the 990 EVO Plus compare to the 990 Pro?

The 990 Pro uses a full PCIe 4.0 x4 interface with dedicated LPDDR4X DRAM, rated at 7,450 MB/s read and 6,900 MB/s write. The 990 EVO Plus is DRAM-less with slightly lower write speeds at 6,300 MB/s but runs cooler and costs less. For gaming and everyday tasks the EVO Plus is sufficient; for sustained write-heavy workloads the Pro is the better choice.

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

The 990 EVO Plus uses Samsung's in-house Piccolo 8-channel DRAM-less controller, paired with eighth-generation 236-layer V8 TLC NAND flash memory. The Piccolo controller supports both PCIe 5.0 x2 and PCIe 4.0 x4 operation through its hybrid interface design. It automatically detects the best available lane configuration on your motherboard for optimal performance in either mode.

### What is the endurance of the Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB?

The 1 TB model is rated at 600 TBW (terabytes written). Writing 30 GB per day would take over 50 years to exhaust the rated endurance, far exceeding the five-year warranty. Samsung Magician software lets you monitor how much of the TBW budget has been consumed and alerts you if the drive approaches its endurance limit.

---

Last updated: 2026-06-13. Source: https://ssdrive.net/samsung-990-evo-plus-1-tb