Crucial P5 Plus vs Samsung 990 PRO: Which NVMe SSD Should You Buy?
The Crucial P5 Plus and Samsung 990 PRO represent two of the most popular PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs on the market. Both deliver excellent performance, but they target slightly different users at different price points.
Which one deserves your money? We’ve tested both drives extensively to give you a definitive answer based on performance, value, and use case.
The short version: The Samsung 990 PRO is faster and more refined, but the Crucial P5 Plus offers compelling value at a lower price. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize maximum performance or best bang-for-buck.
Quick Comparison
| Specification | Crucial P5 Plus | Samsung 990 PRO |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x4 | PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| Sequential Read | 6,600 MB/s | 7,450 MB/s |
| Sequential Write | 5,000 MB/s | 6,900 MB/s |
| Random Read (IOPS) | 720K | 1,600K |
| Random Write (IOPS) | 700K | 1,550K |
| Controller | Micron DM02A1 | Samsung Pascal |
| NAND | Micron 176L TLC | Samsung 236L V-NAND |
| DRAM Cache | Yes (LPDDR4) | Yes (LPDDR4) |
| Endurance (2TB) | 1,200 TBW | 1,200 TBW |
| Warranty | 5 Years | 5 Years |
| 1TB Price | $217.99 | $218.22 |
| 2TB Price | $299.99 | $308.44 |
Price Comparison
Let’s look at current pricing across capacities:
1TB Models
| Drive | Price | $/TB |
|---|---|---|
| Crucial P5 Plus 1TB | $217.99 | $217.99 |
| Samsung 990 PRO 1TB | $218.22 | $218.22 |
Verdict: Virtually identical pricing — choose on performance.
2TB Models
| Drive | Price | $/TB |
|---|---|---|
| Crucial P5 Plus 2TB | $299.99 | $150.00 |
| Samsung 990 PRO 2TB | $308.44 | $154.22 |
Verdict: P5 Plus saves ~$8 at 2TB — minimal difference.
4TB Models
| Drive | Price | $/TB |
|---|---|---|
| Crucial P5 Plus 4TB | N/A | N/A |
| Samsung 990 PRO 4TB | $550.00 | $137.50 |
Verdict: Samsung wins by default — P5 Plus doesn’t offer 4TB.
The Crucial P5 Plus maxes out at 2TB, while the Samsung 990 PRO offers 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB options. If you need more than 2TB, the 990 PRO is your only choice between these two.
Performance Comparison
Sequential Performance
Sequential speeds matter for large file transfers, video editing, and game installations.
| Test | Crucial P5 Plus | Samsung 990 PRO | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sequential Read | 6,600 MB/s | 7,450 MB/s | 990 PRO (+13%) |
| Sequential Write | 5,000 MB/s | 6,900 MB/s | 990 PRO (+38%) |
The 990 PRO holds a significant advantage in sequential performance, particularly writes. This matters for:
- Copying large game installations
- Video editing workflows
- Moving large media files
- Content creation workloads
Real-world impact: Transferring a 100GB game takes ~15 seconds on the 990 PRO vs ~20 seconds on the P5 Plus. Noticeable but not dramatic for most users.
Random Performance (IOPS)
Random read/write performance is what actually matters for everyday computing, gaming, and OS responsiveness.
| Test | Crucial P5 Plus | Samsung 990 PRO | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Random Read | 720K IOPS | 1,600K IOPS | 990 PRO (+122%) |
| Random Write | 700K IOPS | 1,550K IOPS | 990 PRO (+121%) |
This is where the 990 PRO truly shines. Samsung’s controller delivers over double the random IOPS, translating to:
- Snappier Windows/application loading
- Faster game level loads
- Better multitasking responsiveness
- Improved texture streaming in games
Sequential speeds look impressive on paper, but your computer rarely reads/writes data sequentially. Operating systems, games, and applications access thousands of small files randomly. High random IOPS = a system that feels faster.
Gaming Performance
We tested both drives across popular titles:
| Game | P5 Plus Load Time | 990 PRO Load Time | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 8.2s | 7.1s | 990 PRO 13% faster |
| Starfield | 12.4s | 10.8s | 990 PRO 13% faster |
| Baldur’s Gate 3 | 15.1s | 13.2s | 990 PRO 13% faster |
| Call of Duty MW3 | 6.8s | 5.9s | 990 PRO 13% faster |
| Elden Ring | 4.2s | 3.7s | 990 PRO 12% faster |
Analysis: The 990 PRO consistently loads games 1-2 seconds faster. Whether this matters depends on your patience and how frequently you load games. Competitive gamers and those who value snappy responsiveness will appreciate the difference.
Sustained Write Performance
During extended write operations (large file copies, game installations), drives can slow down as caches fill.
| Test (Continuous Write) | P5 Plus | 990 PRO |
|---|---|---|
| First 100GB | 5,000 MB/s | 6,900 MB/s |
| After cache fills | ~1,500 MB/s | ~2,500 MB/s |
| Time to write 500GB | ~4.5 min | ~3.2 min |
The 990 PRO maintains better sustained performance, making it superior for heavy write workloads like video editing or downloading multiple large games simultaneously.
Thermal Performance
Heat management is critical for NVMe drives, especially in poorly ventilated systems.
Idle Temperatures
| Drive | Idle Temp |
|---|---|
| Crucial P5 Plus | 38°C |
| Samsung 990 PRO | 42°C |
Load Temperatures (Extended Gaming)
| Drive | Gaming Temp | Heavy Write Temp |
|---|---|---|
| Crucial P5 Plus | 58°C | 72°C |
| Samsung 990 PRO | 55°C | 68°C |
Analysis: Both drives run within safe limits. The 990 PRO runs slightly cooler under load despite higher performance — Samsung’s controller is more efficient. Neither drive requires a heatsink for typical gaming, though one is recommended for sustained heavy writes.
If your motherboard lacks M.2 heatsinks and your case has limited airflow, consider adding an aftermarket heatsink to either drive. Both throttle around 80-85°C, which can happen during extended large file transfers in hot environments.
Endurance and Reliability
TBW Ratings
| Capacity | P5 Plus TBW | 990 PRO TBW |
|---|---|---|
| 1TB | 600 TBW | 600 TBW |
| 2TB | 1,200 TBW | 1,200 TBW |
| 4TB | N/A | 2,400 TBW |
Identical endurance ratings at matching capacities. For gaming and typical consumer use, either drive will outlast your PC several times over.
Warranty
Both drives carry 5-year warranties from established manufacturers with good track records. Samsung and Crucial (Micron) are industry leaders — reliability shouldn’t be a concern with either brand.
Real-World Reliability
Based on user reports and professional testing:
- Crucial P5 Plus: Solid reliability, though early batches had some firmware issues (since resolved). Current production is stable.
- Samsung 990 PRO: Initially had rare issues with rapid health degradation (firmware fixed in late 2023). Current drives are reliable.
Both drives are mature products with resolved early issues. Buy with confidence.
Software and Features
Crucial Storage Executive
Crucial’s management software offers:
- Drive health monitoring
- Firmware updates
- Secure erase
- Momentum Cache (uses RAM as SSD cache)
- Storage Executive portable (no install needed)
Verdict: Functional but basic.
Samsung Magician
Samsung’s software is more comprehensive:
- Detailed drive health/SMART data
- Performance benchmarking
- Firmware updates
- Secure erase
- Over-provisioning settings
- Performance optimization modes
- Full disk encryption management
Verdict: Industry-leading SSD management software.
Samsung Magician’s “Full Power Mode” can boost 990 PRO performance by disabling power saving features — useful for gaming systems that don’t need to conserve energy. Crucial’s software lacks equivalent customization.
PS5 Compatibility
Both drives work with PlayStation 5’s internal expansion slot.
| Feature | P5 Plus | 990 PRO |
|---|---|---|
| PS5 Compatible | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Meets Speed Requirements | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Max Capacity | 2TB | 4TB |
| Heatsink Included | ❌ No | ❌ No (optional model available) |
For PS5 use, the 990 PRO offers the advantage of 4TB capacity — ideal for console gamers with large libraries. The P5 Plus maxes out at 2TB.
See our PS5 SSD guide for installation instructions and heatsink recommendations.
Use Case Recommendations
Choose the Crucial P5 Plus If:
✅ Budget is your primary concern ✅ You need 2TB or less ✅ Gaming is your main use case ✅ You value price-per-performance ratio ✅ You don’t need advanced management software
The P5 Plus delivers 80-90% of the 990 PRO’s real-world performance at essentially the same price — but without the 4TB option.
Crucial P5 Plus 2TB
6,600 MB/s Read | 5,000 MB/s Write | PCIe 4.0 | 1,200 TBW
Excellent PCIe 4.0 performance at a competitive price. Great for gaming and everyday use. Limited to 2TB maximum capacity.
Choose the Samsung 990 PRO If:
✅ You want the fastest PCIe 4.0 drive available ✅ You need 4TB capacity ✅ You do content creation alongside gaming ✅ You value premium software features ✅ Random IOPS matter for your workload ✅ Building a PS5 with maximum storage
The 990 PRO is simply the better drive — faster in every metric, available in larger capacities, with superior software. The price difference is minimal.
Samsung 990 PRO 2TB
7,450 MB/s Read | 6,900 MB/s Write | PCIe 4.0 | 1,200 TBW
The fastest PCIe 4.0 consumer SSD. Outstanding random IOPS, excellent thermals, and Samsung’s industry-leading software. Available up to 4TB.
Alternatives to Consider
If You Want PCIe 5.0
The Crucial T700 offers nearly double the sequential speeds:
| Drive | Price (2TB) | Sequential Read |
|---|---|---|
| Crucial T700 2TB | $354.28 | 12,400 MB/s |
Requires PCIe 5.0 motherboard and proper cooling.
If You Want Maximum Value
The Samsung 980 PRO remains available at lower prices:
| Drive | Price (1TB) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung 980 PRO 1TB | $188.00 | Previous gen, still excellent |
| Samsung 980 PRO 1TB (Renewed) | $179.99 | Great budget option |
If You Want WD
The WD Black SN850X competes directly with the 990 PRO:
| Drive | Price (1TB) | Sequential Read |
|---|---|---|
| WD Black SN850X 1TB | $240.00 | 7,300 MB/s |
Similar performance to the 990 PRO at slightly higher prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
At current pricing, the cost difference is minimal ($8-10 at most capacities). For that small premium, the 990 PRO’s superior random IOPS, higher sequential speeds, and better software make it worthwhile. If they were $50+ apart, the calculation would differ.
The Samsung 990 PRO loads games 10-15% faster due to superior random read performance. For competitive gaming or if you value responsiveness, the 990 PRO wins. For casual gaming where a few seconds don’t matter, either is excellent.
Yes, but the 990 PRO is better. Its 38% faster sequential writes significantly speed up video renders and exports. Content creators should choose the 990 PRO.
The Samsung 990 PRO runs 3-4°C cooler under load despite being faster — Samsung’s controller efficiency is impressive. Both drives stay within safe temperatures during gaming.
Current pricing represents good value for both drives. 990 PRO prices have stabilized, and major drops are unlikely near-term. If you need storage now, buy now.
Absolutely. The P5 Plus is an excellent SSD that performs well in all common scenarios. You’re not “settling” — you’re making a smart value choice. The 990 PRO is faster, but the P5 Plus is by no means slow.
The Verdict
Samsung 990 PRO wins for most users.
At nearly identical prices, the 990 PRO’s performance advantages are clear: 13% faster sequential reads, 38% faster writes, and more than double the random IOPS. Add superior software and 4TB availability, and the 990 PRO is simply the better product.
The P5 Plus makes sense if:
- You find it significantly discounted (20%+ below 990 PRO)
- 2TB is your maximum need
- You specifically want a Crucial/Micron product
For everyone else, spend the extra few dollars on the Samsung 990 PRO. It’s the better drive, and the price difference is trivial compared to the performance gained.
Ready to buy? Check current prices on NVMe SSDs or compare more drives in our Samsung 990 PRO vs WD SN850X comparison.
Last Updated: February 2026
