Choosing the Right SSD for Your System: Should You Keep Your Samsung 980 Pro 2TB or Opt for Samsung 990 Evo?

If you're considering upgrading your system to two SSDs or even just getting another one, the decision can be quite perplexing. This article will help you weigh the pros and cons of sticking with the current Samsung 980 Pro 2TB or opting for the newer Samsung 990 Evo 2TB. The choice ultimately comes down to your personal needs and use case.

Are You Stripping Your System Disk?

One of the main reasons to go for multiple SSDs is to stripe your system disk. Stripping involves using both drives together to read and write data, theoretically improving overall performance. In this scenario, it is absolutely crucial that the two drives are identical. Only then can the system benefit from the combined performance.

Why Buy Identical SSDs for Stripping?

Most modern operating systems, like Windows, have numerous bottlenecks. Even if you have very fast SSDs, the system’s performance might not feel any faster due to these inherent bottlenecks. For this reason, if one SSD is designated as your system drive and the other is for data storage, you can purchase whatever you can afford without the need for identical drives.

My Experience with Upgrading SSDs

I recently upgraded from an SATA SSD to an M.2 NVMe SSD on my motherboard. According to Crystal DiskMark, the performance improvement is significant. However, while the benchmarks are impressive, the actual improvement in everyday use is more subtle. I haven't experienced a noticeable difference, which, admittedly, is somewhat disappointing.

Real-World Differences Between 980 Pro and 990 Evo

The difference between the Samsung 980 Pro and the 990 Evo is very subtle and unlikely to be noticed by the human eye. Both SSDs offer high performance and reliability. The 990 Evo offers PCIe 5.0 and RAM-less features, which theoretically should result in better performance. However, the 990 Evo also draws less current, which is a significant advantage in terms of power efficiency.

Current Market Considerations

When considering whether to sell your current 980 Pro or keep it, it's important to note that getting good money for a used SSD can be challenging. Depending on the market and condition, you might not receive a substantial amount. On the other hand, if you're building a new system or looking to futureproof your setup, a new 990 Evo might be a smart investment.

Ultimately, your decision depends on your specific use case and budget. If you're looking for the best value without compromising on performance, the 990 Evo could be the way to go. However, if you have two budgets and want identical drives for stripping, you can consider keeping your 980 Pro and upgrading to another one.

Conclusion

The choice between the Samsung 980 Pro 2TB and the 990 Evo 2TB comes down to personal preference, budget, and specific use cases. Regardless of your decision, both SSDs offer excellent performance and reliability.