Samsung
Samsung SSD 850 PRO
Best high-end storage for professionals managing demanding, data-heavy workloads.
The Samsung SSD 850 PRO is a discontinued, high-end internal solid-state drive engineered for demanding users and heavy workloads, such as those found in workstations. It leverages Samsung's advanced V-NAND technology to deliver exceptional speed and longevity. Users benefit from sequential read speeds up to 550 MB/s and random read performance reaching 100,000 IOPS. For an extra boost, RAPID mode utilizes system DRAM for performance enhancement. Security is robust, featuring AES 256-bit hardware encryption and Dynamic Thermal Guard protection, all supported by a long 10-year limited warranty.
$109.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.8
/ 5
Category Rank
1
/ 2769
Best Hard Drives
Price vs Category Average
-79%
Below average
Capacity
128
/ GB
Who it's for
- Professionals needing long-term data security and hardware longevity
- Users seeking maximum speed from legacy SATA-based systems
- Power users looking to accelerate frequently accessed application data
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious shoppers prioritizing cost per gigabyte
- Buyers wanting current hardware with easy retail availability
- Enthusiasts requiring the superior speeds of modern NVMe drives
Performance breakdown
Sequential Throughput
SATA III interface limits top-end speeds compared to modern NVMe drives.
Drive Endurance
V-NAND architecture provides industry-leading longevity for heavy daily write cycles.
Thermal Management
Dynamic Thermal Guard effectively prevents throttling during sustained high-intensity workloads.
Data Security
AES 256-bit hardware encryption offers robust protection for sensitive professional files.
Random Access Speed
High IOPS performance ensures snappy responsiveness for demanding workstation applications.
Software Optimization
RAPID mode intelligently leverages system DRAM to accelerate overall drive throughput.
Key Specs
Capacity
128 GB
Type
Internal SSD
Interface
SATA III
Form Factor
2.5 inch
Sequential Read Speed
Up to 550 MB/s
Sequential Write Speed
470 MB/s
Random Read Performance
Up to 100,000 IOPS
Endurance Rating
Up to 600 TBW
Features
- Pro performance optimized for heavy workloads
- Powered by advanced Samsung V-NAND technology
- Achieve high sequential read speeds up to 550 MB/s
- Enhanced performance via RAPID mode software
- Robust security with hardware-based encryption
- Dynamic Thermal Guard prevents overheating
- Designed for exceptional endurance and longevity
- Backed by a 10-year limited warranty
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly regard the Samsung 850 PRO as a legendary, high-performance SATA drive. The core praise centers on its exceptional speed and sustained responsiveness, significantly improving boot and load times. Users consistently highlight the drive's unparalleled reliability, backed by pioneering V-NAND technology and a substantial warranty. While the initial cost was higher than mainstream options, reviewers agree the investment is justified by the superior endurance and long-term stability. This drive is universally seen as a durable, professional grade workhorse that established the standard for SATA SSD technology, offering significant peace of mind for intensive use.
Know before you buy
The 850 PRO is designed for high-performance workstations and demanding users who handle heavy, sustained workloads. Because it is a 2.5-inch SATA III drive, it is compatible with most standard desktop PCs and older laptops that support this interface.
RAPID mode is a software feature that uses a portion of your computer's system memory (DRAM) as a high-speed cache for the SSD. This can significantly boost performance for certain tasks, though it requires the Samsung Magician software to be installed on your system.
Yes, the 850 PRO features AES 256-bit hardware-based encryption. This allows you to secure your data at the drive level without sacrificing the performance speeds you would typically lose with software-based encryption.
Dynamic Thermal Guard is an integrated monitoring system that tracks the drive's operating temperature. If the SSD begins to overheat during intense workloads, the system automatically throttles performance to keep the drive within a safe temperature range, preventing damage and data loss.
While 128GB is sufficient for a basic Windows or macOS installation and essential applications, it will fill up quickly if you store large media files or games. It is best used as a dedicated boot drive paired with a secondary hard drive for bulk storage.
The 850 PRO is engineered for exceptional endurance, rated for up to 600 TBW (Total Bytes Written). This high durability is why it was originally backed by a 10-year limited warranty, making it a reliable choice for users who frequently write large amounts of data to their drive.
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