Samsung 990 PRO vs WD_BLACK SN850X: Which SSD Is Better?
Samsung 990 PRO 2TB
Best for: Boot drives and high-end builds
The short answer
There's very little between them: both are among the fastest PCIe 4.0 drives, with the same endurance rating and a five-year warranty. Buy whichever is cheaper on the day. If they cost the same, the 990 PRO is slightly faster and more consistent under sustained loads.
Choose the Samsung 990 PRO 2TB if…
You want the most consistent performance for large file transfers, or you like Samsung's Magician software.
Choose the WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB if…
You find it cheaper (it's frequently on offer), or you want a drive with a heatsink for a PS5.
Specifications compared
| Samsung 990 PRO 2TB | WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB | |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe | PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe |
| Sequential read | Up to 7,450MB/s | Up to 7,300MB/s |
| Sequential write | Up to 6,900MB/s | Up to 6,600MB/s |
| Endurance | 1,200TBW | 1,200TBW |
| Warranty | 5 years | 5 years |
Strengths and weaknesses
Samsung 990 PRO 2TB
- Near the limit of PCIe 4.0
- Consistent sustained performance
- Excellent Magician software
- Pricier than value drives
- Heatsink version costs extra
WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB
- Top-tier PCIe 4.0 speed
- Frequently on offer
- PS5-ready heatsink option
- Can run warm without a heatsink
- Game Mode only on Windows
In games, you won't notice a difference between them. Both drives are also available with heatsinks. See our SSD buying guide for budget alternatives.
Our scores are editorial ratings based on specifications, pricing and published performance data. How we choose and score products.