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Samsung SSD 990 EVO Plus 2TB vs WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB NVMe SSD

Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›

all judged against NVMe SSDs at a similar price

The Samsung SSD 990 EVO Plus 2TB scores 7.8/10 overall, ahead of the WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB NVMe SSD at 7.0/10.

The Samsung SSD 990 EVO Plus 2TB leads on software.

They score the same on performance, endurance, warranty and efficiency and thermals.

The biggest difference is software, where the Samsung SSD 990 EVO Plus 2TB scores 9/10 to the WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB NVMe SSD's 4/10.

Samsung SSD 990 EVO Plus 2TB

Samsung SSD 990 EVO Plus 2TB

7.8/10verdict: buy

The Samsung SSD 990 EVO Plus 2TB is for buyers who want a 2TB M.2 2280 NVMe drive with a five-year warranty and a management tool that covers firmware updates and drive health. It suits desktop and workstation builds that already have a motherboard heatsink for the drive. It is a weaker fit for workloads that write huge volumes continuously or lean on sustained random I/O.

Typically about £279.99 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

WD_BLACK SN7100 NVMe SSD, 2TB

WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB NVMe SSD

7.0/10verdict: buy

The WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB is for buyers who want a PCIe Gen 4x4 M.2 2280 drive with low power draw. It suits desktops and Windows machines where the Dashboard software is usable. Linux and macOS users, and anyone who needs a heatsink variant, should read the limitations first.

Typically about £270 in the UK when we researched itCheck price at Amazon UK (opens in a new tab, affiliate link)

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Scores, criterion by criterion

CriterionWeightSamsung SSD 990 EVO Plus 2TBWD_BLACK SN7100 2TB NVMe SSD
Performance35%7/107/10
Endurance20%8/108/10
Warranty15%9/109/10
Efficiency and thermals15%7/107/10
Software15%9/104/10
Overall7.8/107.0/10

Specifications

SpecSamsung SSD 990 EVO Plus 2TBWD_BLACK SN7100 2TB NVMe SSD
InterfacePCIe 4.0 x4 / 5.0 x2, NVMe 2.0PCIe Gen 4x4 NVMe
Sequential readUp to 7,250 MB/s7,250 MB/s (up to)
Sequential writeUp to 6,300 MB/s6,900 MB/s (up to)
Endurance (2TB)1,200 TBW1,200 TBW (2TB)
Form factorM.2 (2280)M.2 2280
WarrantyFive years or total bytes written (TBW), whichever comes first5-year limited (or Max Endurance TBW limit, whichever occurs first)

Strengths and weaknesses

Samsung SSD 990 EVO Plus 2TB

  • + 1,200 TBW rating with a five-year warranty
  • + Samsung Magician handles firmware updates and drive health
  • + Owners report cool, efficient running under load
  • − No heatsink included in the box
  • − DRAM-less design trails DRAM rivals in sustained random I/O
  • − Writes slow on very large transfers once cache is exhausted

Skip it if:

  • Buyers who need the best sustained random I/O and want a DRAM-equipped drive.
  • Anyone who wants a heatsink included and has no motherboard heatsink for the drive.
  • Users who regularly run very large continuous write jobs.
Read the full Samsung SSD 990 EVO Plus 2TB review ›

WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB NVMe SSD

  • + Rated 7,250 MB/s read and 6,900 MB/s write
  • + 1,200 TBW and a five-year warranty
  • + Low measured power draw during transfers
  • − Dashboard software is Windows-only
  • − No heatsink variant listed
  • − Owner complaints about laptop idle power and ASPM

Skip it if:

  • Linux or macOS users who want manufacturer health-monitoring software
  • Buyers who want a drive with a factory-fitted heatsink
  • Laptop owners who prioritise the lowest possible idle power
Read the full WD_BLACK SN7100 2TB NVMe SSD review ›

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