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WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD 1TB vs Samsung 990 1TB NVMe SSD

Both are fast PCIe 4.0 drives and most shoppers will not feel a difference day to day. The WD_BLACK SN850X edges ahead for gaming: slightly higher rated speeds, Game Mode 2.0, and an optional heatsink on the 1TB model. The Samsung 990 is the simpler, lower-power pick with AES 256-bit encryption and a 400 TBW endurance rating. Owners of both report fast, reliable drives; the SN850X has the larger, more gaming-focused review base.

  • Choose the WD_BLACK SN850X if you game on a desktop or PS5 and want the heatsink option plus Game Mode 2.0 tuning.
  • Choose the Samsung 990 if you want a low-power, encrypting drive for a laptop or a general-purpose PC.

Prices

  • WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD 1TB: $219.00 at eBay (last seen Nov 8)
  • Samsung 990 1TB NVMe SSD: $177.73 at Grooves-Inc.com (checked today)
  • Difference: the Samsung 990 1TB NVMe SSD is $41.27 cheaper than the WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD 1TB at the latest prices (Nov 8 and Nov 9)
Western Digital
WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe Internal SSD, 1TB

WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD 1TB

WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe Internal SSD, 1TB

4.5(852 ratings)
$219.00at eBayObserved Nov 8, 2026, 2:52 PM
See all prices and details
Visit eBay

Store links may earn us a commission.

Pros
  • Top-rated Gen4 speeds for load times and large file transfers
  • Game Mode 2.0 and Predictive Loading via WD_BLACK Dashboard
  • Heatsink option helps hold speed in long sessions
  • DirectStorage support for newer games
  • Wide capacity range from 1TB to 4TB
Cons
  • No listed hardware encryption
  • Endurance rating not published for the 1TB model
  • Dashboard software is Windows-only
  • Runs warmer without the heatsink
Samsung
Samsung 1TB 990 PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD Internal Hard Drive

Samsung 990 1TB NVMe SSD

Samsung 1TB 990 PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD Internal Hard Drive

$177.73at Grooves-Inc.comObserved at 2:07 AM
See all prices and details
Visit Grooves-Inc.com
Pros
  • 256-bit AES encryption for sensitive data
  • 400 TBW endurance rating published
  • Lower power draw suits laptops and small builds
  • Samsung's mature drive management and firmware support
  • Simple, no-software setup
Cons
  • Lower rated random read IOPS
  • No heatsink option
  • No gaming-specific features
  • Smaller published spec sheet

What separates them

WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD 1TBSamsung 990 1TB NVMe SSD
Sequential readUp to 7,300 MB/sUp to 7,150 MB/s
Sequential writeUp to 6,600 MB/sUp to 6,450 MB/s
Random performance1,200K read / 1,100K write IOPS700K read IOPS
Heatsink optionOptional heatsink on 1TB and 2TBNo heatsink option listed
Gaming softwareGame Mode 2.0, Predictive Loading, DirectStorage supportNo gaming mode software
EncryptionNot listed256-bit AES
Endurance ratingNot listed for 1TB400 TBW
Power drawNot listed4.0 W read / 3.7 W write

Price history

$258.95$177.73
Nov 2Nov 9
  • WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD 1TB: lowest $239.99 on Nov 3 at Central Computers; $245.36 on Nov 8.
  • Samsung 990 1TB NVMe SSD: lowest $177.73 on Nov 9 at Grooves-Inc.com.

Prices at every store

WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD 1TB

  • NeweggNew

    In stock

    $245.36+ $29.99 shippingObserved Nov 8, 2026, 2:52 PM
    Visit Newegg
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownSold by kn32451 (99.9% positive, 5,000 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $219.00Free shippingObserved Nov 8, 2026, 2:52 PM
    Visit eBay
  • Central ComputersNew

    Availability unknown

    $239.99Observed Nov 3, 2026, 7:13 AM
    Visit Central Computers
  • WalmartNew

    Availability unknown

    $245.00Observed Nov 3, 2026, 7:11 AM
    Visit Walmart

Also available at

  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 8 stores and price history →

Samsung 990 1TB NVMe SSD

  • DataVisionNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $199.99Observed at 2:07 AM
    Visit DataVision
  • SHI InternationalNew

    In stock

    $225.00Free shippingObserved at 2:07 AM
    Visit SHI International
  • Grooves-Inc.comNew

    Availability unknown

    $177.73Observed at 2:07 AM
    Visit Grooves-Inc.com
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $189.99Free shippingObserved at 2:07 AM
    Visit Amazon
All 13 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecWD_BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD 1TBSamsung 990 1TB NVMe SSD
colorBlackBlack
Storage capacity2TB1TB
InterfacePCI Express NVMe 4.0 x4PCIe Gen 4 x 4
hard_drive_capacity1 TB—
Max sequential read7300MB/s—
Max sequential write6600Mb/s—
4K random read1200K—
4K random write1100K—
SSD memory typeTLC—
Form factorM.2 2280—
Item height2.38 mm—
Product weight0.04 kg—
Show all 25 specsShow fewer specs
SpecWD_BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD 1TBSamsung 990 1TB NVMe SSD
Dimensions8 (W) x 2.2 (H) x 0.24 (D) cm—
Cache128 MB—
TypeInternal—
ConnectionM.2—
NVMeYes—
Capacity1 TB, 2 TB, 4 TB—
Quantity1 drive—
Sequential read speed—Up to 7,150MBps
Sequential write speed—Up to 6,450MBps
Random read speed—

What reviewers say

WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD 1TB

  • 4.5 / 5852 ratings

Rated 4.5 out of 5 from 852 ratings, with buyers consistently citing speed and gaming load times. Owners describe it as a clear step up from older WD Black drives and fine for editing, 3D modeling and general use.

What people mention
  • PerformancePraisedBuyers say it loads games and large files quickly and feels faster than the drive it replaced.
  • GamingPraisedOwners call it a strong gaming drive, with short load times and no stutter in large titles.
  • Upgrade valuePraisedReviewers describe it as a big upgrade from older WD Black drives.
  • HeatCriticisedSustained writes warm the drive, and the 1TB model has no heatsink in the box.

Samsung 990 1TB NVMe SSD

Owners generally rate the 990 as a fast, dependable Gen4 drive that installs easily and runs cool. Most praise comes from gamers and laptop upgraders; criticism centers on sustained write speeds and the lack of a heatsink.

What people mention
  • SpeedPraisedOwners say boot times and game loads feel noticeably quicker than SATA and older NVMe drives.
  • ThermalsPraisedReviewers report it runs cool in laptops and PS5 consoles without a heatsink.
  • Sustained writesCriticisedLarge file copies slow down once the cache fills, which some buyers find disappointing.
  • SetupPraisedBuyers describe installation and cloning with Samsung Magician as straightforward.

Questions and answers

Which is better for gaming?
The SN850X. It has higher rated speeds, Game Mode 2.0, Predictive Loading and DirectStorage support, and you can get it with a heatsink. The Samsung 990 is still fast enough for games but has no gaming software.
Which lasts longer?
Samsung publishes a 400 TBW endurance rating for the 990. WD does not list one for the 1TB SN850X, so on paper the Samsung figure is the only one you can compare. Both use TLC NAND and carry multi-year warranties.
Is the SN850X worth stepping up to over the Samsung 990?
If you game, use DirectStorage titles, or want a heatsink, yes. For office work, browsing and general storage, the Samsung 990 is plenty and adds encryption.
Which is better for a laptop?
The Samsung 990. Its published power draw is low and it has no heatsink bulk. Check that your laptop accepts a single-sided M.2 2280 drive before buying either.
Does either work in a PS5?
The SN850X with heatsink is the safer fit for a PS5 expansion slot. The Samsung 990 has no heatsink option, so you would need a separate one.
Do I need the WD_BLACK Dashboard software?
No. The drive works out of the box. The dashboard is only needed for Game Mode 2.0 and firmware updates, and it runs on Windows only.

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Buying guides that pick them

  • Best 1TB internal SSDs
Up to 700,000 IOPS
Endurance—400 TBW
Power usage read/write—4.0 Watts / 3.7 Watts
Encryption—256-bit AES Encryption