Samsung has announced the upcoming release of the Samsung 990 Pro 4TB SSD, a PCIe 4.0 solid-state drive, subsequent to the previous releases of the 1TB and 2TB variants.
The information was shared via X (previously known as Twitter). The exact pricing details for the new 4TB variant are yet to be provided, but its introduction is anticipated soon.
Samsung's foray into PCIe 5.0 SSDs is primarily seen in the enterprise sector, with PCIe 5.0 interfaces integrated into specific drives. For consumer SSDs, the Samsung 990 Pro maintains a PCIe 4.0 interface. The M.2 2280 drive is recognized as Samsung's top-tier consumer SSD. This latest 4TB model is an enhancement over the previous Samsung 980 Pro, which offered a maximum of 2TB.
Two versions of the Samsung 990 Pro 4TB are expected: the bare drive version (MZ-V9P4T0BW) and another with a heatsink (MZ-V9P4T0CW). Its design and form factor make it a viable option for a wide variety of devices, including laptops, desktops, and consoles like the PlayStation 5. This indicates the SSD's potential utility for both PC users and PlayStation 5 owners who prioritize significant storage space and robust performance.
While the Samsung 990 Pro 4TB is not listed on the official Samsung website, it is mentioned in their product brochure. The 4TB version uses Samsung's Pascal SSD controller, built on an Arm architecture, and manufactured using the 8nm process node. It uses Samsung's 176-layer TLC NAND, modified in die sizes to attain the 4TB capacity.
Specifications of the Samsung 990 Pro:
| Model | Pricing | Capacity | Sequential Read (MB/s) | Sequential Write (MB/s) | Random Read (IOPS) | Random Write (IOPS) | Cache Memory | Endurance (TBW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MZ-V9P4T0CW / MZ-V9P4T0BW | TBD | 4TB | 7,450 | 6,900 | 1,400,000 | 1,550,000 | 4GB | 2,400 |
| MZ-V9P2T0CW / MZ-V9P2T0BW | $149.99 / $169.99 | 2TB | 7,450 | 6,900 | 1,400,000 | 1,550,000 | 2GB | 1,200 |
| MZ-V9P1T0CW / MZ-V9P1T0BW | $84.99 / $89.99 | 1TB | 7,450 | 6,900 | 1,200,000 | 1,550,000 | 1GB | 600 |
The performance metrics of the Samsung 990 Pro 4TB SSD align with the 2TB model, presenting sequential read and write speeds of 7,450 MB/s and 6,900 MB/s, respectively. The drive displays 1,400,000 IOPS reads and 1,550,000 IOPS writes in random performance, marking it as a competitive option even when compared to some PCIe 5.0 alternatives.
Differences between the 4TB and 2TB models, apart from capacity, are evident in cache memory size and endurance metrics. The 4TB model features a 4GB LPDDR4 DRAM cache and has an endurance rating of 2,400 TBW, double that of the 2TB variant. Additionally, the Samsung 990 Pro 4TB comes with a five-year limited warranty.
Recently, there's been a reduction in the pricing of the Samsung 990 Pro, with the 2TB variant, originally set at $289.99 MSRP, now priced at $169.99. The exact MSRP for the Samsung 990 Pro 4TB is still to be announced, but it is expected to be revealed soon.
