Samsung Electronics has officially announced the launch of its latest consumer storage solution, the Samsung 990 SSD. Available in both 1TB and 2TB capacities, the new drive is designed to deliver high-performance storage for gamers, content creators, and everyday PC users looking to upgrade their systems.
Featuring PCIe 4.0 support, improved power efficiency, and impressive sequential speeds, the Samsung 990 SSD aims to strike a balance between performance and affordability while offering users a compelling alternative for modern gaming rigs and productivity-focused PCs.
Fast PCIe 4.0 Performance
Built around Samsung’s latest V-NAND technology and in-house controller, the new SSD delivers strong sequential and random performance across both available capacities.
The flagship 2TB model offers sequential read speeds of up to 7,250 MB/s and sequential write speeds of up to 6,450 MB/s. The 1TB model follows closely behind, delivering up to 7,150 MB/s read speeds while maintaining the same write performance.
These speeds allow for faster game loading times, quicker file transfers, improved application responsiveness, and more efficient handling of demanding workloads.
Sequential Performance
| Model | Sequential Read | Sequential Write |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung 990 SSD 1TB | Up to 7,150 MB/s | Up to 6,450 MB/s |
| Samsung 990 SSD 2TB | Up to 7,250 MB/s | Up to 6,450 MB/s |
Strong Random Performance for Gaming and Productivity
Random performance remains a critical factor for modern operating systems, game loading, and creative applications. Samsung has equipped the 990 SSD with competitive random read and write capabilities designed to handle demanding workloads efficiently.
| Model | Random Read | Random Write |
|---|---|---|
| 1TB | Up to 700K IOPS | Up to 1,100K IOPS |
| 2TB | Up to 850K IOPS | Up to 1,200K IOPS |
For gamers, this translates to faster loading screens and smoother asset streaming, while creators can benefit from quicker project loading and improved workflow responsiveness.
More Storage for Modern Games
As game installation sizes continue to grow, storage capacity has become increasingly important. Samsung highlights that the 2TB version of the 990 SSD can store approximately 30 large-scale games based on an average file size of 64GB.
That makes the drive particularly attractive for players with extensive gaming libraries, especially as many modern AAA releases regularly exceed 100GB in size.
Content creators working with 4K video, high-resolution photography, and large project files should also benefit from the expanded storage capacity.
Improved Power Efficiency
One of the standout upgrades in the Samsung 990 SSD is its improved energy efficiency.
According to Samsung, the drive delivers up to 38% better power efficiency compared to the previous Samsung 990 PRO. This allows users to achieve high levels of performance while reducing overall power consumption.
Improved efficiency can be particularly beneficial for laptop users, compact systems, and anyone looking to minimise heat generation while maintaining strong storage performance.
Samsung Magician Software Support
The new SSD is fully supported by Samsung Magician Software, providing users with a suite of management and optimisation tools.
Key features include:
- Drive health monitoring.
- Firmware updates.
- Performance optimisation tools.
- Secure data management.
- Data migration assistance.
The software helps users maintain peak SSD performance while providing valuable insight into drive health and usage.
Specifications
| Feature | Samsung 990 SSD |
|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe 2.0 |
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 |
| Storage Memory | Samsung V-NAND |
| Controller | Samsung In-House Controller |
| Capacities | 1TB, 2TB |
| Encryption | AES 256-bit, TCG/Opal V2.0, IEEE1667 |
| Warranty | Three-Year Limited Warranty |
Pricing and Availability
The Samsung 990 SSD launched on July 14, 2026 and is available in two capacities:
- 1TB – £212.19 MSRP
- 2TB – £411.99 MSRP
Availability may vary depending on region and retailer.
A New Option for High-Speed Storage Upgrades
With PCIe 4.0 performance, improved efficiency, strong random performance, and capacities aimed at modern gaming and content creation workloads, the new Samsung 990 SSD offers another compelling storage option for users looking to upgrade their systems.
While enthusiasts may continue to look toward flagship PCIe 5.0 drives for absolute peak performance, the Samsung 990 SSD provides more than enough speed for most gamers, creators, and everyday users while delivering meaningful gains in power efficiency.
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