Samsung 990 PRO NVMe SSD vs WD Black SN850X NVMe SSD
By Billy G. · Founder & Lead EditorVerified May 21 by Billy G.
Samsung 990 PRO NVMe SSDvsWD Black SN850X NVMe SSD
Worth-It Score: 75/100WAITSamsung 990 PRO NVMe SSD scores well, but current pricing sits above our fair-price band. Wait for a price drop before pulling the trigger.
✓VerifiedConfidence: 86%
Verdict: Samsung 990 PRO wins on raw speed and endurance with 7450/6900 MB/s versus 7300/6600 MB/s on the WD Black SN850X per manufacturer data. WD Black SN850X counters with stronger value and gaming optimizations like Game Mode 2.0. Choose Samsung for maximum throughput in workstations and WD for balanced gaming builds.
How we scored itSpec verificationOwner sentimentLive pricing (4h refresh)Editorial reviewOur methodology →
Winner: Samsung 990 PRO NVMe SSD
Samsung 990 PRO NVMe SSD: 8.5/10
WD Black SN850X NVMe SSD: 8/10
Spec-by-spec comparison
Samsung 990 PRO NVMe SSD
WD Black SN850X NVMe SSD
Interface
PCIe 4.0 x4
PCIe 4.0 x4
Max Sequential Read
7450 MB/s
7300 MB/s
Max Sequential Write
6900 MB/s
6600 MB/s
DRAM Cache
Yes
Yes
Samsung 990 PRO NVMe SSD
What works
7450 MB/s read speeds (per Samsung specs)
High endurance ratings up to 2400 TBW on 4TB model
Strong sustained performance in large file transfers
What doesn't
Runs warmer under heavy load than some competitors
Higher price per GB than value-oriented drives
WD Black SN850X NVMe SSD
What works
Excellent gaming performance with Game Mode 2.0
Competitive pricing across capacities
Reliable endurance up to 2000 TBW on 4TB model
What doesn't
Slightly lower peak speeds than Samsung 990 PRO
Can throttle faster without a heatsink in compact builds
Bottom line
Our pick: Samsung 990 PRO NVMe SSD. It edges out the alternative on 7450 mb/s read speeds (per samsung specs). That said, WD Black SN850X NVMe SSD still wins on excellent gaming performance with game mode 2.0 — consider it if that single trade matters most for your use.