What To Know
- The Samsung SSD 970 EVO and 980 both deliver exceptional performance, but the 980 has a slight edge due to its PCIe Gen 4.
- The Samsung SSD 970 EVO and 980 both offer excellent endurance ratings, with the 980 slightly exceeding the 970 EVO.
- Both the Samsung SSD 970 EVO and 980 come with a suite of features to enhance performance and reliability.
In the realm of solid-state drives (SSDs), the Samsung 970 EVO and 980 series stand as two formidable contenders. Both offerings boast impressive performance and reliability, but which one is the better choice for your specific needs? In this comprehensive comparison, we delve into the key differences between the Samsung SSD 970 EVO vs 980, exploring their specifications, performance, endurance, and other crucial aspects.
Specifications
| Feature | Samsung SSD 970 EVO | Samsung SSD 980 |
| — | — | — |
| Interface | NVMe PCIe Gen 3.0 x4 | NVMe PCIe Gen 4.0 x4 |
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 |
| Capacity | 250GB – 2TB | 250GB – 1TB |
| NAND Type | TLC (Triple-Level Cell) | TLC (Triple-Level Cell) |
| Controller | Samsung Phoenix | Samsung Elpis |
| Cache | 512MB LPDDR4 | 1GB LPDDR4 |
| Sequential Read Speed | Up to 3,500 MB/s | Up to 3,500 MB/s |
| Sequential Write Speed | Up to 2,500 MB/s | Up to 3,000 MB/s |
| Random Read Speed | Up to 600,000 IOPS | Up to 500,000 IOPS |
| Random Write Speed | Up to 550,000 IOPS | Up to 500,000 IOPS |
Performance
The Samsung SSD 970 EVO and 980 both deliver exceptional performance, but the 980 has a slight edge due to its PCIe Gen 4.0 interface. In real-world tests, the 980 consistently outperforms the 970 EVO in both sequential and random read/write operations. However, it’s important to note that the performance difference is negligible for most everyday tasks.
Endurance
Endurance is a crucial factor to consider when choosing an SSD. It refers to the amount of data that can be written to the drive before it fails. The Samsung SSD 970 EVO and 980 both offer excellent endurance ratings, with the 980 slightly exceeding the 970 EVO.
| Capacity | Samsung SSD 970 EVO | Samsung SSD 980 |
| — | — | — |
| 250GB | 150 TBW | 150 TBW |
| 500GB | 300 TBW | 300 TBW |
| 1TB | 600 TBW | 600 TBW |
Features
Both the Samsung SSD 970 EVO and 980 come with a suite of features to enhance performance and reliability. These include:
- Dynamic Thermal Guard: Protects the drive from overheating.
- Intelligent TurboWrite: Accelerates write speeds for improved performance.
- Samsung Magician Software: Allows you to monitor drive health and performance.
Additionally, the Samsung SSD 980 supports the NVMe Host Memory Buffer (HMB) feature, which can further boost performance by utilizing system memory as a cache.
Price
The Samsung SSD 970 EVO is typically more affordable than the 980, especially for higher capacities. However, the price difference is narrowing as the 980 becomes more widely available.
Use Cases
The Samsung SSD 970 EVO is an excellent choice for general computing, gaming, and content creation. The 980 is ideal for professionals and enthusiasts who require the highest possible performance, such as video editors, software developers, and data analysts.
Recommendations
Ultimately, the best choice between the Samsung SSD 970 EVO and 980 depends on your specific needs and budget. If you prioritize affordability and don’t require the absolute fastest performance, the 970 EVO is a solid option. However, if you demand the best possible speeds and features, the 980 is the clear winner.
What You Need to Know
1. Which SSD is faster, the 970 EVO or 980?
The Samsung SSD 980 is slightly faster than the 970 EVO due to its PCIe Gen 4.0 interface.
2. Which SSD has better endurance, the 970 EVO or 980?
Both SSDs offer excellent endurance, but the 980 has a slightly higher TBW rating for capacities up to 1TB.
3. Which SSD is more affordable, the 970 EVO or 980?
The Samsung SSD 970 EVO is typically more affordable than the 980, especially for higher capacities.
4. What is the difference between TLC and MLC NAND?
TLC (Triple-Level Cell) NAND stores three bits of data per cell, while MLC (Multi-Level Cell) NAND stores two bits per cell. TLC NAND is more affordable but has slightly lower endurance than MLC NAND.
5. What is the NVMe Host Memory Buffer (HMB) feature?
HMB allows the SSD to use system memory as a cache, which can boost performance in certain applications.
