Tech & Gadgets · Head-to-head
Samsung 990 PRO (PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2) vs Western Digital WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Internal NVMe SSDs: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The Samsung 990 PRO is the drive we'd put in almost any PC, laptop, or PS5: it nails the random-access performance that makes a system feel fast, stays cool, and has a drop-in heatsink version for consoles. The WD_BLACK SN850X delivers nearly the same experience for less, making the choice mostly about which is cheaper on the day.
Samsung 990 PRO (PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2)
Buy itThe most well-rounded PCIe 4.0 drive going - fast where it counts, cool, and PS5-ready in the heatsink version.
- Excellent random read/write, which is what actually makes a PC feel snappy day to day
- Full DRAM cache and strong efficiency; runs cooler than most high-end drives
- Heatsink version is a proven, hassle-free PS5 storage expansion
- Priced at a premium over equally fast rivals
- Sequential speeds are Gen4-class, so it can't touch Gen5 drives on paper
Western Digital WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD
Buy itThe gaming and PS5 value pick that trades almost nothing to the pricier flagships.
- Gaming-focused tuning holds performance well during long sessions and large installs
- Full DRAM cache and a heatsink option that drops straight into a PS5
- Frequently the best price-to-performance of the top-tier Gen4 drives
- Runs a touch warmer than the 990 PRO under sustained load
- Bare (no-heatsink) version still needs a cooler for a PS5
Side by side
The 7 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| Samsung 990 PRO (PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2) Our pick | Western Digital WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Anyone who wants one drive that does everything well in a gaming PC, laptop, or PS5. | Gamers and PS5 owners who want near-flagship speed without paying flagship money. |
| Price tier | $$$ · premium | $$ · mid-range |
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x4 | PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| Rated peak sequential read | Top-tier Gen4 (~7,450 MB/s) | Top-tier Gen4 (~7,300 MB/s) |
| DRAM cache | Yes | Yes |
| Sustained-write consistency | Strong | Strong |
| PS5 suitability | Excellent (heatsink model) | Excellent (heatsink model) |
| Thermals | Cool-running | Slightly warm |
| Best use | All-round PC / PS5 | Gaming & PS5 value |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the Samsung 990 PRO (PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2) if
anyone who wants one drive that does everything well in a gaming PC, laptop, or PS5.
Know before buying: priced at a premium over equally fast rivals.
Pick the Western Digital WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD if
gamers and PS5 owners who want near-flagship speed without paying flagship money.
Know before buying: runs a touch warmer than the 990 PRO under sustained load.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Samsung 990 PRO (PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2) - The most well-rounded PCIe 4.0 drive going - fast where it counts, cool, and PS5-ready in the heatsink version. Choose the Western Digital WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD instead if gamers and PS5 owners who want near-flagship speed without paying flagship money.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Internal NVMe SSDs: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).