Are you unsure about the differences between the Samsung 970 Evo and 980 Pro SSDs? Your confusion is understandable given that these are both Samsung’s top-of-the-line SSDs with outstanding performance. However, if you look closely at the specifications, you’ll notice that there’s a significant variation in performance between the two.
Today, we’ll compare the 980 PRO and 970 EVO Plus. We’ll explain what they are and how they differ in the following sections, then you’ll know which one to choose.
980 PRO vs. 970 EVO Plus – Quick Overview
The Samsung 980 Pro has four PCIe Gen4.0 lanes; this allows it to transfer data at speeds of up to 7 GB/s. The 970 EVO, on the other hand, makes use of PCIe 3.0 x4 lanes and can transfer data at up to 3500 MB/s.
The Samsung 980 Pro is a high-end SSD tailored to the needs of professionals. So, whether you’re a gamer or want to get the most out of your thousand-dollar computer system, the 980 Pro is the way to go. The sole need for getting the most out of your 980 is to have a PCIe 4.0 M.0 NVMe slot accessible.
However, because it runs on PCIe 3.0, the 970 Evo is acceptable for most customers. It’s a universal SSD that anyone with any needs can use. Now, I would say that its performance is sufficient for most users, including gamers. However, due to the PCIe 3.0 interface, the read-write speed is still somewhat slow.
Let’s dive into the specifics!
Samsung 980 PRO
The 980 PRO features a small M.2 2280 form factor that you can easily insert into desktop and laptop computers for maximum board design flexibility. Because of its enhanced power efficiency, the driver is ideal for designing high-performance computing systems.
The PCIe 4.0 interface on the 980 PRO provides double the data transfer rate of PCIe 3.0 while being compatible with PCIe 3.0 for increased versatility.
Samsung 970 EVO Plus
The 970 EVO Plus may be installed in a tiny M.2 2280 form factor with up to 2TB of storage capacity, doubling storage capacity and allowing room for other components. It outperforms the Samsung 970 EVO SSD thanks to the latest V-NAND technology and firmware optimization.
Now that you know the basics of the 980 PRO and 970 EVO Plus, what are the distinctions between them? The next part will go through the differences between the 970 EVO plus and the 980 PRO.
980 PRO vs. 970 EVO Plus- Characteristics
We’ll compare the form factor and interface, capacity and model numbers, performance, endurance, reliability and warranty, and price when comparing the Samsung 970 EVO plus and the Samsung 980 PRO.
1. Form Factor & Interface
First, we’ll compare the Samsung 980 PRO and Samsung 970 EVO Plus in form factor and interface. The 970 EVO Plus and the 980 PRO use the M.2 2280 form factor. The Samsung 970 EVO Plus has a PCIe Gen 3.0 x4 interface and an NVMe 1.3 interface, but the Samsung 980 PRO has a PCIe Gen 4.0 x4 interface and an NVMe 1.3c interface.
2. Capacity & Model Numbers
When picking an SSD or HHD, the storage capacity is vital to consider because a bigger storage size allows you to store more files and data. Storage sizes of 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB are available on both the Samsung 970 EVO plus and the Samsung 980 PRO.
3. Performance
When picking an SSD or HHD, the storage capacity is vital to consider because a bigger storage size allows you to store more files and data. Storage sizes of 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB are available on the Samsung 970 EVO plus and the Samsung 980 PRO.
4. Reliability and Warranty
The Samsung 980 PRO and the Samsung 970 EVO Plus have excellent dependability and warranties. Both of them have a 1.5 million-hour dependability rating, and a five-year limited warranty is guaranteed.
5. Price
The budget would also be taken into account while selecting an SSD. This section will show you the final distinction between the 980 PRO and 970 EVO Plus, and it’s all about the cost.
When comparing the Samsung 980 PRO and the Samsung 970 EVO Plus, the Samsung 980 PRO is more expensive than the Samsung 970 EVO Plus.
Which One to Choose?
In maximum sequential read, maximum sequential write, maximum random read, and maximum random write, the Samsung 980 PRO outperforms the Samsung 970 EVO Plus. The two SSDs are identical in TBW durability, MTBF reliability, and warranty coverage.
Technology enthusiasts, high-end gamers, and 4K and 3D content designers will prefer the 970 EVO Plus, while hardcore gamers and tech-savvy consumers will prefer the 980 PRO.
Furthermore, the 980 PRO is the superior choice of these two goods if you want the highest performance SSD.
Best Option – 980 Pro
Budget Option – 970 Plus
Is Samsung 980 Pro SSD compatible with PCIe 3.0 M.2 NVMe slot?
Yes, the Samsung 980 Pro is PCIe 3.0 backward compatible. However, it will be overkill if you only plan to utilize it on a PCIe 3.0 slot. If your computer or laptop only supports PCIe 3.0 NVMe, a cheaper PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD would be preferable to the 980 Pro.
Can I use Samsung 970 Evo on a PCIe 4.0 M.2 NVMe port?
Yes, the Samsung 970 Evo supports PCIe 4.0 M.2 NVMe. The bandwidth, however, will be restricted to 3500MB/s.
Is Samsung 980 Pro good for gaming?
The Samsung 980 Pro was created with hardcore users in mind. If you’re a gamer, overclocker, or have a high-end PC, the Samsung 980 Pro can make it even better.
How to move my existing data to my Samsung SSD?
You can use Samsung’s Free Magician Software for data transfer and other duties such as firmware updates, S.M.A.R.T., T.R.I.M., and so on.
