Samsung 980 Pro NVMe SSD - Prices and Deals 2026
The Gen4 SSD that defined the standard. Still excellent value as prices drop on this proven performer.
Quick Answer+
The Samsung 980 Pro was the Gen4 SSD that defined the standard when it launched in 2020. In 2026, it remains a solid choice - not cutting-edge, but proven, reliable, and increasingly affordable. With 7,000 MB/s reads and Samsung's Elpis controller, it delivers 90% of 990 Pro performance at lower prices. Fully PS5 compatible with heatsink version. Main limitation is 2TB max capacity. Best for: budget Samsung builds, PS5 expansion, users who want proven reliability over cutting-edge specs.
- The Gen4 SSD that set the standard
- 7,000 MB/s read with Samsung Elpis controller
- Proven reliability across millions of units
- PS5 compatible with heatsink version
- Max 2TB - need 4TB? Get 990 Pro
The Samsung 980 Pro was the drive that brought PCIe 4.0 to the mainstream when it launched in 2020. With 7,000 MB/s read speeds and Samsung's proven Elpis controller, it set the benchmark that competitors spent years trying to match.
In 2026, the 980 Pro remains a solid choice - not because it is cutting-edge, but because it is proven, reliable, and increasingly affordable. While the Samsung 990 Pro offers modest improvements, the 980 Pro delivers 90% of that performance at a lower price point as inventory clears.
For users who want Samsung quality without paying flagship prices, the 980 Pro represents excellent value. It is fully PS5 compatible, runs cool, and backed by Samsung's industry-leading warranty support. The main limitation is the 2TB maximum capacity - if you need 4TB, look at the 990 Pro or Crucial T500.
Samsung 980 Pro Specifications
| Specification | 250GB | 500GB | 1TB | 2TB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sequential Read | 6,400 MB/s | 6,900 MB/s | 7,000 MB/s | 7,000 MB/s |
| Sequential Write | 2,700 MB/s | 5,000 MB/s | 5,000 MB/s | 5,100 MB/s |
| Random Read | 500K IOPS | 800K IOPS | 1,000K IOPS | 1,000K IOPS |
| Random Write | 600K IOPS | 1,000K IOPS | 1,000K IOPS | 1,000K IOPS |
| Endurance (TBW) | 150 TBW | 300 TBW | 600 TBW | 1,200 TBW |
| NAND Type | Samsung 128-Layer V-NAND TLC | |||
| DRAM Cache | 256MB | 512MB | 1GB | 2GB LPDDR4 |
| Controller | Samsung Elpis (8nm) | |||
| Interface | PCIe Gen 4 x4, NVMe 1.3c | |||
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 | |||
| Warranty | 5 Years | |||
| PS5 Compatible | Yes (with heatsink) | |||
980 Pro Key Features
Samsung Elpis Controller
In-house 8nm controller that defined Gen4 performance. Proven reliability across millions of units.
Proven Technology7,000 MB/s Sequential Read
Still meets the Gen4 speed ceiling. No practical difference from newer drives for gaming.
Full Gen4 SpeedSamsung V-NAND
128-layer 3D TLC NAND with excellent endurance ratings and consistent performance.
Quality ComponentsSamsung Magician Software
Industry-leading drive management with health monitoring, firmware updates, and performance optimization.
Software EcosystemExcellent Thermal Design
Nickel-coated controller and heat spreader label. Runs cooler than many competitors without added heatsink.
Cool OperationPS5 Compatible
Exceeds Sony 5,500 MB/s requirement. Popular PS5 expansion choice with heatsink version available.
Console Ready980 Pro vs 990 Pro: Worth the Upgrade?
| Feature | Samsung 980 Pro | Samsung 990 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Sequential Read | 7,000 MB/s | 7,450 MB/s |
| Sequential Write | 5,100 MB/s | 6,900 MB/s |
| Random Read | 1,000K IOPS | 1,400K IOPS |
| Random Write | 1,000K IOPS | 1,550K IOPS |
| Max Capacity | 2TB | 4TB |
| Controller | Elpis (8nm) | Pascal (8nm) |
| NAND Layers | 128-Layer | 236-Layer |
| Price (2TB) | Lower | Higher |
Our Take: For gaming, the 980 Pro and 990 Pro are virtually identical in real-world performance. The 990 Pro is worth it only if you need 4TB capacity or do heavy content creation where random IOPS matter. Otherwise, save money with the 980 Pro.
Best Use Cases for 980 Pro
Excellent For
Gaming: The 980 Pro loads games identically to the 990 Pro in real-world testing. You will not notice any difference in Cyberpunk 2077, Starfield, or any other title.
PS5 Expansion: At the lower price point, the 980 Pro offers excellent PS5 value. Add a heatsink and you have a quality console upgrade.
General Computing: Boot drives, application storage, and everyday use. The 980 Pro remains more than fast enough for typical workloads.
Budget Samsung Builds: If you specifically want Samsung quality and software ecosystem but want to save money, the 980 Pro delivers.
Consider Alternatives
4TB Needs: The 980 Pro caps at 2TB. For larger capacity, the 990 Pro 4TB or Crucial T500 4TB are better options.
Content Creation: The 990 Pro higher random IOPS help with video editing. For professional work, consider the upgrade.
Maximum Value: The SK Hynix P41 often undercuts the 980 Pro while matching performance.
Which Capacity Should You Buy?
250GB (~$45): Too small for modern use. Only consider for very specific boot drive scenarios with separate game storage.
500GB (~$60): Tight for gaming - holds 4-6 modern games plus OS. Acceptable for laptops with secondary storage.
1TB (~$100) - Good Value: Solid choice for boot drive plus moderate game library. Good balance of price and usability.
2TB (~$180) - Recommended: Best overall value. Comfortable capacity for OS, applications, and 20+ games. The sweet spot for most users. Compare with other 2TB drives.
PS5 Compatibility
The Samsung 980 Pro is fully PS5 compatible, displaying approximately 6,500 MB/s in Sony speed test - well above the 5,500 MB/s requirement. Game performance matches the internal SSD.
Heatsink Options
The 980 Pro ships without heatsink (standard version) or with heatsink (980 Pro with Heatsink). For PS5:
- 980 Pro with Heatsink: Ready for PS5 out of the box - the easiest option
- Standard 980 Pro + aftermarket heatsink: Often cheaper total cost, ~$10 for heatsink
Both approaches work equally well. The included Samsung heatsink is compact and fits PS5 perfectly.
All Samsung 980 Pro Prices - Sorted by $/TB
Compare all 980 Pro capacity options. Prices updated hourly from Amazon.
| Product | Capacity | Price | $ / TB | Price Drop | Brand | Interface |
|---|
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Samsung 980 Pro still worth buying in 2026?
Yes, especially at discounted prices. The 980 Pro delivers the same gaming performance as newer drives. If you find it cheaper than the 990 Pro or competitors, it remains an excellent choice. The main limitation is 2TB max capacity.
980 Pro vs 990 Pro for gaming?
Virtually identical. In real-world gaming tests, both drives load games within 0.1-0.2 seconds of each other. The 990 Pro has higher specs on paper, but games cannot utilize the difference. Save money with the 980 Pro unless you need 4TB.
Is the 980 Pro good for PS5?
Excellent for PS5. The 980 Pro exceeds Sony requirements and loads games identically to the internal SSD. Get the heatsink version or add an aftermarket heatsink. The 2TB model is ideal for PS5 expansion.
Does the 980 Pro need a heatsink?
For PC: Usually not needed - the 980 Pro runs cool thanks to Samsung thermal design. Use your motherboard heatsink if available. For PS5: Yes, mandatory. Buy the heatsink version or add aftermarket cooling.
Why is there no 4TB 980 Pro?
Samsung launched the 980 Pro with 128-layer NAND which limited density. The newer 990 Pro uses 236-layer NAND, enabling 4TB capacity. If you need 4TB Samsung storage, the 990 Pro is your only option.
980 Pro vs SK Hynix P41?
Both excellent choices. The P41 often costs less while matching or exceeding 980 Pro performance. Choose 980 Pro for Samsung Magician software and brand preference. Choose P41 for better value. Gaming performance is identical.