Gen 5 NVMe is here and the Crucial T705 is one of the most tested drives in the category. The Samsung 990 EVO Plus is a newer Gen 4 (with a Gen 5 x2 mode) that offers strong performance at a lower price. This comparison is really about value: does the Gen 5 speed premium translate to a better experience?
Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB
For most users — including gamers and video editors — the 990 EVO Plus is the smarter buy. Gen 5 speeds only matter in sustained sequential workloads that saturate Gen 4, and those workloads are rare. Save the money unless you're doing high-bitrate RAW video or large database operations.
Specs Comparison
| Spec | Crucial T705 2TB (PCIe Gen 5) | Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 5.0 x4 NVMe 2.0 | PCIe 4.0 x4 / Gen 5 x2 |
| Sequential Read | 14,500 MB/s | 7250 MB/s |
| Sequential Write | 12,700 MB/s | 6300 MB/s |
| Random Read IOPS | 1.5M | 1.0M |
| Thermals | Hot — heatsink required | Cool — standard heatsink fine |
| Endurance (2TB) | 1200 TBW | 1200 TBW |
| Price (2TB) | ~$230 | ~$110 |
Gen 5 vs Gen 4: The Real Speed Gap
The T705 hits up to 14,500 MB/s sequential reads in Tom's Hardware's testing. The 990 EVO Plus manages around 7250 MB/s — roughly half. In file copy benchmarks, that gap closes significantly because real-world workloads rarely sustain sequential access long enough to see the full delta.
For gaming — even with DirectStorage — load time differences between a Gen 5 and Gen 4 drive are measured in fractions of a second. Tom's Hardware found less than 200ms separating them in all tested titles.
Thermals: The Gen 5 Tax
The T705 runs hot. It needs a proper heatsink — not just a thin aluminum strip but the chunky heatsink Crucial includes, or an equivalent. Without it, the T705 will thermal throttle to Gen 4 speeds within seconds of a heavy workload. That's not a knock — it's just a Gen 5 physics reality.
The 990 EVO Plus runs much cooler. It'll work fine under most motherboard heatsinks, and it won't compete for airflow in a tight ITX case.
Price Reality
At 2TB, the T705 costs about $220–$250. The 990 EVO Plus runs $100–$120. That's a $120+ premium for roughly 2x sequential speed that most workflows won't use. If you're filling a NAS bay with SSDs or building multiple machines, the cost difference is significant.
Both carry five-year warranties. The 990 EVO Plus is rated at 1200 TBW; the T705 at 1200 TBW — identical endurance.
Compatibility
The T705 requires a PCIe Gen 5 M.2 slot for full speed. Most modern Intel Core Ultra and AMD Ryzen 7000+ motherboards have at least one Gen 5 M.2 slot. The 990 EVO Plus works in any PCIe Gen 4 or Gen 5 slot.
Both drives are M.2 2280 form factor — the standard size for virtually all desktop and laptop M.2 slots. Neither requires any adapter.
Crucial T705 2TB (PCIe Gen 5) Strengths
- 14,500 MB/s sequential read — fastest consumer SSD class
- Great for RAW video editing and large sequential workloads
- PCIe Gen 5 futureproofs your build
- Excellent IOPS in sustained performance
Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB Strengths
- Roughly half the price of T705
- Cool thermals, no heatsink headaches
- Strong Gen 4 performance competitive with older Gen 5 drives
- Excellent Samsung Magician support
Crucial T705 2TB (PCIe Gen 5) Weaknesses
- Requires substantial heatsink — thermal throttles without one
- 2x the price of comparable Gen 4 drives
- Requires PCIe Gen 5 motherboard slot for full speed
Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB Weaknesses
- Won't saturate Gen 5 bandwidth
- Sequential speeds about half of T705
- Not ideal for sustained multi-GB/s professional workloads
Best For
- a: Video professionals doing RAW 4K/8K edits, large database users, early adopters who want the fastest possible drive
- b: Gaming PCs, everyday workstations, budget-conscious builders who want solid Gen 4 performance
FAQ
Do I need a PCIe Gen 5 slot for the T705?
For full speed, yes. In a Gen 4 slot, it runs at Gen 4 speeds — still around 7000 MB/s. Not wasted, but you're paying for Gen 5 you can't use.
Is the 990 EVO Plus better than the 990 EVO?
The EVO Plus adds higher sustained write speeds and improved endurance. It's worth the small price premium over the base EVO.