Samsung 9100 Pro Hits 14,700MB/s for Just $5 More Than 990 Pro

Samsung 9100 Pro: The Gen5 Speed King

The Samsung 9100 Pro is now the fastest consumer SSD we've tested, with sequential reads hitting 14,700MB/s. That's nearly double the 990 Pro's 7,450MB/s.

Samsung's latest PCIe 5.0 drive, the 9100 Pro, has set a new benchmark for consumer storage. In independent testing, it reached sequential read speeds of 14,700MB/s and write speeds of 13,300MB/s—figures that leave the previous flagship, the 990 Pro, in the dust. The 990 Pro, a PCIe 4.0 drive, tops out at 7,450MB/s reads.

The 9100 Pro uses Samsung's new 5nm controller, which the company says improves power efficiency by up to 49% compared to the 990 Pro. It also supports hardware encryption and Samsung's Magician software for firmware updates and drive health monitoring. The drive is an M.2 2280 form factor, so it fits most modern desktops and laptops with a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot.

But raw speed isn't the only story. The 1TB model is currently priced at $265 on Amazon, down from its $340 list price. That's just $5 more than the 990 Pro, which often sells for around $260. For that tiny premium, you get double the theoretical bandwidth—if your system can use it.

• Sequential reads: up to 14,700MB/s
• Sequential writes: up to 13,300MB/s
• Random read: up to 1,850K IOPS
• Random write: up to 2,600K IOPS
• Interface: PCIe 5.0 x4, NVMe
• Warranty: 5 years (typical for Samsung Pro drives)

Who Should Upgrade—and Who Shouldn't

If you have a PCIe 5.0 motherboard, the 9100 Pro is an easy recommendation. If you're still on PCIe 4.0, you won't see the full speed and should stick with the 990 Pro.

The 9100 Pro is aimed at professionals and creators who move large files regularly—video editors, 3D artists, and anyone running heavy workloads. For them, the speed boost can translate to real time savings. But for everyday users who mostly browse the web and play games, the difference between Gen4 and Gen5 is negligible.

One caveat: PCIe 5.0 SSDs run hot. You'll need a motherboard with a dedicated M.2 heatsink or a third-party cooler to prevent thermal throttling. Many high-end X670E and Z790 boards include heatsinks, but it's worth checking before you buy.

The 9100 Pro also requires a PCIe 5.0-capable CPU and chipset. On Intel's side, that means 12th Gen or newer with a 600- or 700-series board; on AMD, Ryzen 7000 or newer with a 600-series board. If you're on an older platform, the drive will still work but will fall back to PCIe 4.0 speeds—making the 990 Pro the smarter buy.

Price and Availability

The Samsung 9100 Pro 1TB is available now at Amazon for $265, a $75 discount from its $340 list price. Other capacities are expected soon.

The 1TB model is the first to hit shelves, and it's already seeing a significant discount. At $265, it's only $5 more than the 990 Pro—a no-brainer for anyone with a compatible system. Samsung hasn't announced pricing for the 2TB and 4TB models yet, but we expect them to follow the usual pattern: roughly double the price for double the capacity.

If you're in the market for a new SSD and your motherboard supports PCIe 5.0, the 9100 Pro is the obvious choice. If you're still on PCIe 4.0, the 990 Pro remains a solid, slightly cheaper option. But with the price gap this small, it might be worth future-proofing your build with the 9100 Pro anyway.

What it means for you

The Samsung 9100 Pro is available now in the US and Europe, with the 1TB model priced at $265/£245/€275 (approximately). Prices vary by region and retailer. If you're in the UK or EU, check local retailers for stock and pricing, as the $265 US price doesn't include VAT.

Before buying, confirm that your motherboard has a PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot and a heatsink. Most high-end boards from the last two years include at least one Gen5 slot, but budget models may not. If you're unsure, check your motherboard manual or manufacturer's website.

The Samsung 9100 Pro is the fastest consumer SSD you can buy right now, and at $265, it's barely more expensive than the older 990 Pro. If you have a PCIe 5.0 system, there's little reason not to upgrade. Just make sure you have a heatsink ready.