Samsung
Samsung 980 PRO SSD 500GB
Best high-speed storage for gamers and demanding professional workloads.
Unleash next-level computing with the Samsung 980 PRO SSD, engineered for demanding users. This high-performance drive delivers exceptional speed, featuring sequential read speeds up to 3500MB/s and write speeds up to 3400MB/s. Designed for hardcore gamers and tech-savvy users, it excels in heavy-duty applications like gaming and data analytics. Its compact M.2 2280 form factor optimizes power efficiency, making it perfect for high-performance systems. Samsung ensures reliability through advanced thermal control, managing heat to maintain consistent performance.
$74.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
36
/ 2796
#36 in Hard Drives
Price vs Category Average
-86%
Below average
Interface
44
/ NVMe PCIe Gen x
Who it's for
- Gamers and creators needing rapid file transfers and load times
- Professionals requiring long-term reliability for intensive daily workloads
- PC builders looking for a clean, cable-free internal setup
Who should skip it
- Users with large game libraries or heavy media collections
- Budget-conscious shoppers seeking the best value per gigabyte
- Owners of older systems lacking PCIe 4.0 motherboard support
Performance breakdown
Sequential Throughput
Blazing read and write speeds handle massive file transfers with ease.
Gaming Responsiveness
Near-instant load times keep you in the action without stuttering.
Thermal Management
Advanced heat control keeps performance stable during intense, sustained workloads.
Software Integration
Samsung Magician software provides intuitive tools for drive health and optimization.
System Compatibility
Seamlessly fits modern builds while maintaining support for older PCIe generations.
IOPS Performance
High random read and write speeds excel at multitasking and data-heavy applications.
Key Specs
Interface
NVMe PCIe Gen4 x4
Form Factor
M.2 2280
Capacity
500 GB
Sequential Read Speed
Up to 3500MB/s
Sequential Write Speed
Up to 3400MB/s
Random Read IOPS
Up to 690K
Random Write IOPS
Up to 620K
Dimensions
3.15 x 0.87 x 0.09 inches
Features
- Next-gen PCIe 4.0 NVMe performance
- Optimized power efficiency
- Reliable thermal control
- Sustained speed with smart algorithm
- Trusted Samsung quality components
- Backward compatible with PCIe 3.0
- Boost performance with Magician software
- Ideal for gaming and professional workloads
What customers say
Users consistently highlight the Samsung 980 PRO's exceptional quality and impressive reliability. Many report a significant performance boost upon upgrading, leading to an instantly responsive system. While positioned at a premium price, the drive's professional grade speed and durability are seen as a worthwhile investment for demanding users and gamers. The straightforward installation process is also frequently mentioned as a positive aspect, contributing to an overall excellent user experience.
Know before you buy
Yes, the Samsung 980 PRO is fully backward compatible with PCIe 3.0 interfaces. While you will not reach the maximum PCIe 4.0 speeds, it will still function reliably in older systems.
The 980 PRO features advanced thermal control to manage heat during heavy workloads. For most standard gaming setups, the drive's built-in thermal management is sufficient, though a motherboard-integrated heatsink is always a good addition for sustained high-performance tasks.
You can use Samsung’s Magician software to monitor drive health, check for firmware updates, and optimize performance. It is a highly recommended tool for keeping your SSD running at its peak.
500GB is a solid choice for a primary boot drive or for storing your operating system and a selection of your favorite games. If you plan on installing a large library of modern, high-fidelity titles, you may eventually need additional storage.
The 980 PRO uses the M.2 2280 form factor, which is the standard for most modern laptops and desktop motherboards. Ensure your device has an available M.2 slot that supports NVMe before purchasing.
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