Samsung 970 EVO Plus NVMe SSD - Prices and Deals 2026
The legendary Gen3 SSD. Still relevant for older systems and budget builds where Gen4 is overkill.
Quick Answer+
The Samsung 970 EVO Plus defined premium NVMe when it launched in 2019. In 2026, it occupies a specific niche: Gen3-only systems where Gen4 drives run at Gen3 speeds anyway. With 3,500 MB/s reads and legendary Samsung reliability, it remains relevant for older Intel 10th gen or AMD Ryzen 3000 systems. NOT PS5 compatible - below 5,500 MB/s requirement. Best for: Gen3 systems, secondary storage, users who want proven Samsung quality at lowest price.
- Legendary Gen3 SSD with proven reliability
- 3,500 MB/s - maximum Gen3 speed
- Best for Gen3-only systems
- NOT PS5 compatible
- Consider Gen4 if price is similar
The Samsung 970 EVO Plus defined what a premium NVMe SSD should be when it launched in 2019. With 3,500 MB/s read speeds and Samsung legendary reliability, it became the go-to recommendation for enthusiasts and professionals alike.
In 2026, the 970 EVO Plus occupies a specific niche: systems that do not support PCIe 4.0. If you have an older Intel 10th gen or AMD Ryzen 3000 series system, a Gen4 drive like the Samsung 990 Pro runs at Gen3 speeds anyway - making the 970 EVO Plus the smarter value choice.
The drive also makes sense for secondary storage where Gen4 speeds are unnecessary, or for users who simply want proven Samsung quality at the lowest possible price. However, if your system supports Gen4 and you are buying new, the price gap to Gen4 drives has narrowed enough that we generally recommend stepping up to the 980 Pro or competitors.
Samsung 970 EVO Plus Specifications
| Specification | 250GB | 500GB | 1TB | 2TB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sequential Read | 3,500 MB/s | 3,500 MB/s | 3,500 MB/s | 3,500 MB/s |
| Sequential Write | 2,300 MB/s | 3,200 MB/s | 3,300 MB/s | 3,300 MB/s |
| Random Read | 250K IOPS | 480K IOPS | 600K IOPS | 620K IOPS |
| Random Write | 550K IOPS | 550K IOPS | 550K IOPS | 560K IOPS |
| Endurance (TBW) | 150 TBW | 300 TBW | 600 TBW | 1,200 TBW |
| NAND Type | Samsung 96-Layer V-NAND TLC | |||
| DRAM Cache | 256MB | 512MB | 1GB | 2GB LPDDR4 |
| Controller | Samsung Phoenix | |||
| Interface | PCIe Gen 3 x4, NVMe 1.3 | |||
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 | |||
| Warranty | 5 Years | |||
| PS5 Compatible | No - Below 5,500 MB/s requirement | |||
970 EVO Plus Key Features
Legendary Reliability
Years of proven performance across millions of units. One of the most trusted SSDs ever made.
Battle-TestedSamsung Phoenix Controller
In-house controller with mature firmware. Excellent sustained performance and power efficiency.
Proven Platform3,500 MB/s Gen3 Maximum
Hits the Gen3 speed ceiling. The fastest you can go on Gen3 systems.
Peak Gen3 SpeedSamsung Magician Software
Industry-leading drive management with health monitoring, firmware updates, and secure erase.
Software EcosystemExcellent Endurance
Up to 1,200 TBW on 2TB model. Will outlast the useful life of any consumer system.
Long-LastingCool and Quiet
No heatsink required for most use cases. Efficient thermal design keeps temperatures low.
Thermal EfficientWhen the 970 EVO Plus Makes Sense
Buy the 970 EVO Plus If:
- Your system is Gen3 only: Intel 10th gen and older, AMD Ryzen 3000 and older, or older laptops. Gen4 drives run at Gen3 speeds on these systems.
- You want secondary storage: Game library, media storage, or backup drive where Gen4 speeds provide no benefit.
- Price is significantly lower: If the 970 EVO Plus is $30+ cheaper than comparable Gen4 drives, the value proposition is strong.
- You trust Samsung specifically: The 970 EVO Plus track record is exceptional. Some users prefer proven reliability over newer technology.
Skip the 970 EVO Plus If:
- Your system supports Gen4: The price gap to Gen4 drives like the Crucial T500 or WD SN770 has narrowed significantly.
- You need PS5 storage: The 970 EVO Plus is NOT PS5 compatible - it falls below Sony 5,500 MB/s requirement.
- You want future-proofing: Gen4 drives work in Gen3 slots but also unlock full speed when you upgrade your system.
970 EVO Plus vs Gen4 Alternatives
| Drive | Generation | Seq. Read | Price (1TB) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 970 EVO Plus | Gen3 | 3,500 MB/s | ~$90 | Gen3 systems, secondary storage |
| WD SN770 | Gen4 | 5,150 MB/s | ~$80 | Budget Gen4, gaming |
| Crucial T500 | Gen4 | 7,400 MB/s | ~$95 | Value Gen4, PS5 |
| Samsung 980 Pro | Gen4 | 7,000 MB/s | ~$100 | Samsung ecosystem, PS5 |
Key Insight: The WD SN770 often costs LESS than the 970 EVO Plus while offering Gen4 speeds. Unless you specifically need Gen3 or find an exceptional 970 EVO Plus deal, Gen4 drives typically offer better value in 2026.
Gaming Performance in 2026
For gaming, the 970 EVO Plus remains perfectly capable. Modern games are designed to load from SSDs, and the difference between Gen3 (3,500 MB/s) and Gen4 (7,000 MB/s) is typically 1-3 seconds per load screen - often imperceptible.
DirectStorage and future games: Microsoft DirectStorage can theoretically benefit from faster SSDs, but current implementations show minimal real-world difference between Gen3 and Gen4. This may change as more games adopt GPU decompression, but for now, Gen3 remains adequate for gaming.
Bottom line: If you already own a 970 EVO Plus, there is no gaming reason to upgrade. If buying new for a Gen4 system, the small premium for Gen4 drives is usually worthwhile for future-proofing.
Which Capacity Should You Buy?
250GB (~$40): Very limited - boot drive only with minimal applications. Only for extreme budget constraints.
500GB (~$55): Adequate for boot drive plus essential applications. Workable if you have separate game storage.
1TB (~$90): Good balance for most users. Boot drive plus moderate game library or application storage. Compare with 1TB alternatives.
2TB (~$150) - Best Value: Maximum capacity available. Excellent for primary system drive with substantial storage. Compare with 2TB drives.
All Samsung 970 EVO Plus Prices - Sorted by $/TB
Compare all 970 EVO Plus capacity options. Prices updated hourly from Amazon.
| Product | Capacity | Price | $ / TB | Price Drop | Brand | Interface |
|---|
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 970 EVO Plus still worth buying in 2026?
Only in specific situations. For Gen3-only systems or as secondary storage, yes. For new builds with Gen4 support, Gen4 drives like the WD SN770 often cost less while offering more speed. Check current prices before deciding.
Can I use the 970 EVO Plus in PS5?
No. The 970 EVO Plus (3,500 MB/s) falls below Sony 5,500 MB/s requirement. It physically fits but PS5 will reject it or experience issues. Use Gen4 drives like the Samsung 980 Pro or 990 Pro for PS5.
970 EVO Plus vs 980 Pro?
The 980 Pro is significantly faster (7,000 vs 3,500 MB/s) and PS5 compatible. On Gen4 systems, the 980 Pro is worth the premium. On Gen3 systems, the 980 Pro runs at Gen3 speeds, making the 970 EVO Plus the smarter value choice.
Does the 970 EVO Plus need a heatsink?
Usually not. The 970 EVO Plus runs cooler than most Gen4 drives and includes a heat spreader label. Use your motherboard M.2 heatsink if available, but the drive performs well without one in most scenarios.
Will Gen3 SSD bottleneck gaming?
Not meaningfully in 2026. Current games show 1-3 second load time differences between Gen3 and Gen4 - barely noticeable. Future DirectStorage games may widen this gap, but Gen3 remains perfectly capable for gaming today.
Is Samsung 970 EVO Plus reliable?
Exceptionally reliable. The 970 EVO Plus has years of proven performance across millions of units. It is one of the most trusted consumer SSDs ever made, backed by Samsung 5-year warranty and excellent support.