Samsung is likely preparing to launch a brand-new entry-level solid-state drive. The company will release this drive under the 990 model moniker. Interestingly, it completely drops the familiar PRO or EVO branding. Samsung plans to offer both 1TB and 2TB storage capacities to consumers.
Recently, these products briefly surfaced on the official Samsung Canada website before vanishing. Naturally, Samsung has not yet issued an official press release to announce this product. However, the associated hardware specifications remain firmly established. Only the official launch schedule might experience delays or adjustments. Furthermore, details surrounding the Samsung 990 PCIe 4.0 SSD surfacing with up to 7250 MB/s read speeds highlight its strong potential.
Understanding the QLC Flash and Cache Design
Historically, the Samsung 9X0 PRO series consistently represents the premium flagship SSD tier. Meanwhile, the slightly more affordable 9X0 EVO series delivers impressive overall performance. Nevertheless, global solid-state drive prices continue to climb steadily. Consequently, even the high-capacity EVO models remain exceptionally expensive for average consumers.
Therefore, Samsung aims to introduce the significantly cheaper 990 variant. This strategic move undeniably guarantees a much lower retail price. Additionally, the 990 SSD almost certainly utilizes Samsung QLC flash memory chips. This choice inherently results in lower overall endurance. Furthermore, the drive lacks a dedicated DRAM cache module.
Why Enthusiasts Might Prefer the EVO Series
The EVO series also operates without a dedicated DRAM cache. However, QLC flash memory natively suffers from weaker long-term durability. In contrast, the current 990 EVO series still employs superior TLC flash memory. Ultimately, professional users and gamers should probably stick with the proven PRO or EVO series for optimal longevity.
Complete Hardware Specifications of the 990 SSD
The upcoming drive boasts several intriguing technical parameters. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of the confirmed specifications.
- Product Model: Samsung 990 SSD
- Flash Memory: Unconfirmed, but highly likely QLC
- Capacities: 1TB and 2TB versions
- Cache Module: DRAM-less design
- Controller Chip: In-house Samsung controller (upgraded 990 EVO version)
- Endurance Ratings: 400TBW for 1TB, 800TBW for 2TB (3-year warranty)
- Drive Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4
- Sequential Read Speeds: 7.15GB/s (1TB), 7.25GB/s (2TB)
- Sequential Write Speeds: 6.45GB/s (both capacities)
- Random IOPS: Up to 850K Read, 1200K Write (2TB version)
- Release Date: Currently Unknown
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