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To install a Samsung 990 PRO, first confirm that your motherboard has an M.2 socket supporting NVMe over PCIe, check the exact drive version and slot clearance, then follow the motherboard manual to fit and secure it. The 990 PRO is an M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe 2.0 drive; Samsung says it is backward compatible with PCIe 3.0, but maximum performance requires a compatible PCIe 4.0 system. Actual results depend on firmware, hardware and configuration. Samsung’s support page for the 1 TB 990 PRO provides model-specific support resources; verify the exact SKU and regional listing for your drive.
Check motherboard compatibility and choose the right 990 PRO
Look up your motherboard’s manual before opening the PC. Confirm that an available M.2 socket supports an NVMe/PCIe drive, rather than assuming that every M.2 socket has the same capabilities. The manual identifies the socket location and may note that using it shares lanes with another slot or connector, which can affect what else the system can use.
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The 990 PRO uses the M.2 2280 form factor and a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface with NVMe 2.0. Samsung says it is backward compatible with PCIe 3.0. A PCIe 3.0 host can therefore be compatible, but it cannot provide the drive’s maximum PCIe 4.0 performance; results also depend on the system hardware, firmware and configuration. See Samsung’s 990 PRO with Heatsink product information and its linked documentation for the specific model.
Decide whether you have the bare 990 PRO or the 990 PRO with Heatsink. Check the exact SKU and capacity against your board and case: the heatsink version is larger than a bare M.2 drive. Samsung’s revision 2.0 heatsink datasheet lists maximum dimensions of 80.15 × 25 × 8.88 mm. Measure clearance around the M.2 socket, including any motherboard heatsink and nearby graphics card. Do not assume every regional model or capacity has identical dimensions.
#1 Best Overall
- MEET THE NEXT GEN: Consider this a cheat code; Our Samsung 990 PRO Gen4 SSD helps you reach near max performance with lightning-fast speeds; Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or a tech guru, you’ll get power efficiency built for the final boss
- REACH THE NEXT LEVEL: Gen4 steps up with faster transfer speeds and high-performance bandwidth; With a more than 55% improvement in random performance compared to 980 PRO, it’s here for heavy computing and faster loading
- THE FASTEST SSD FROM THE WORLD'S FLASH MEMORY BRAND: The speed you need for any occasion; With read and write speeds up to 7450/6900 MB/s you’ll reach near max performance of PCIe 4.0 powering through for any use
- PLAY WITHOUT LIMITS: Give yourself some space with storage capacities from 1TB to 4TB; Sync all your saves and reign supreme in gaming, video editing, data analysis and more
- IT’S A POWER MOVE: Save the power for your performance; Get power efficiency all while experiencing up to 50% improved performance per watt over the 980 PRO; It makes every move more effective with less consumption
If your motherboard has its own M.2 cover or heatsink, check the board manual and drive version before deciding which configuration to use. Samsung explicitly says not to remove the 990 PRO with Heatsink’s preinstalled heatsink; removal can damage the device and void the warranty. The board maker’s instructions determine whether its cover must be removed or whether the two heatsinks can fit together.
Prepare the PC and locate the M.2 socket
- Shut down the PC, disconnect power, and follow the safety instructions from the PC and motherboard makers.
- Use the motherboard manual to find a compatible M.2 socket and identify any graphics card, cover or other component that must be removed to reach it. Follow the manual’s directions for those parts.
- Identify the board’s retention method and any M.2 standoff, screw, latch or tool-less mechanism. These vary by motherboard; use the supplied board hardware and instructions rather than assuming a separate screw is required.
- If the motherboard uses an M.2 heatsink, follow its manual for removing the cover, handling any thermal-pad film and reinstalling the cover. Check that the drive version and heatsink arrangement fit before proceeding.
Install and secure the SSD
- Hold the SSD by its edges and align its connector with the M.2 socket. Insert it at the angle shown in the motherboard manual.
- Lower the free end of the drive to the board’s mounting point, then secure it using the motherboard’s screw, latch or other retention system. Do not overtighten; Samsung warns against overtightening the drive during assembly.
- If you removed a motherboard cover or heatsink, reinstall it according to the board manual. Do not remove the heatsink supplied with the 990 PRO with Heatsink.
- Reinstall any parts removed for access, close the case, and reconnect power.
Confirm that the PC detects the drive
After powering on, check the system firmware setup or the operating system’s storage tools for the SSD. The exact menu names and steps depend on your motherboard and operating system, so consult their documentation if the drive does not appear. If it is missing, recheck that the chosen socket supports NVMe/PCIe, that the drive is seated correctly, and that the board’s lane-sharing rules or slot configuration do not explain the result.
Rank #2
- HUGE SPEED BOOST: Get random read/write speeds that are 40%/55% faster than 980 PRO; Experience up to 1400K/1550K IOPS, while sequential read/write speeds up to 7,450/6,900 MB/s reach near the max performance of PCIe 4.0*
- BREAKTHROUGH POWER EFFICIENCY: Use less power and get more performance; Enjoy up to 50% improved performance per watt over 980 PRO, plus optimal power efficiency with max PCIe 4.0 performance**
- SMART THERMAL CONTROL: Samsung's own nickel-coated controller delivers effective thermal control; With its slim size, 990 PRO is a perfect fit for desktops and laptops that meet the PCI-SIG D8 standard***
- THE CHAMPION MAKER: Up to 65% improvement in random performance enables faster loads for an ultimate gaming experience on PS5 and DirectStorage PC games****
- SAMSUNG MAGICIAN SOFTWARE: Get the most out of your SSD with Samsung Magician's advanced yet intuitive optimization tools; Monitor drive health, protect valuable data, and receive important updates for your 990 PRO
What to do next depends on the drive’s purpose. A new secondary drive may need to be initialized, partitioned and formatted in the operating system before it is usable. Do this only if the drive is new or you intend to erase it: formatting can destroy data. For a boot-drive installation or replacement, use the operating system’s specific migration or installation process instead of treating the SSD as an empty secondary disk.
Use Samsung Magician and handle firmware updates carefully
Samsung’s Magician 8.1 installation guide, revision 1.6 from March 2024, lists both the 990 PRO (M.2) and 990 PRO with Heatsink (M.2) as supported. Magician can provide SSD software and firmware resources, but that guide is not a guarantee of the current software release. Check Samsung’s current model support page for downloads and model-specific guidance; Samsung’s guide says internet access is needed for firmware and software updates.
Rank #3
- BLAZING SPEED. COOL VICTORY: Consider this a cheat code; Our Samsung 990 PRO Gen 4 with Heatsink SSD helps you reach near max performance* with lightning-fast speeds and Heatsink for improved temperature control
- REACH THE NEXT LEVEL: Gen4 steps up with faster transfer speeds and high-performance bandwidth; With a more than 55% improvement in random performance compared to 980 PRO, it’s here for heavy computing and faster loading
- THE FASTEST SSD FROM THE WORLD'S #1 FLASH MEMORY BRAND**: The speed you need for any occasion; With read and write speeds up to 7450/6900 MB/s* you’ll reach near max performance of PCIe 4.0*** powering through for any use
- PLAY WITHOUT LIMITS: Give yourself some space with storage capacities from 1TB to 4TB; Sync all your saves and reign supreme in gaming, video editing, data analysis and more
- MADE w/ PS5 IN MIND: Ultra-slim Integrated Heatsink is designed to dissipate heat from your device to stabilize its temperature and prevent performance issues; It’s compatible with PlayStation 5 and PCI-SIG D8 standard desktops and laptops****
A firmware update is not required for every installation. If you choose to update, back up important data first: Samsung warns that an SSD firmware update carries a risk of data loss. Do not disconnect the SSD while an update is in progress. The manufacturer’s revision 2.0 heatsink datasheet reports sequential read performance of up to 7,450 MB/s for its 1 TB and 2 TB heatsink models; that is a published maximum specification, not a guaranteed speed for an installed system. Samsung’s product page lists a newer datasheet revision dated September 21, 2026, so consult current documentation for detailed capacity-specific specifications.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- OUR ULTIMATE SSD: Reach near max performance with PCIe 4.0*; The in-house controller's smart heat control delivers our best power efficiency while maintaining ferocious performance that always keeps you at the top of your game
- MAXIMIZED PCIE 4.0 SPEED: Get random read/write speeds that are 40%/55% faster than 980 PRO; Experience up to 1400K/1550K IOPS and read/write speeds up to 7450/6900 MB/s for gaming, video editing, 3D modeling, data analysis and more**
- BREAKTHROUGH POWER EFFICIENCY: Get more performance while using less power; Enjoy up to 50% improved performance per watt over 980 PRO***
- THERMAL CONTROL: Samsung's nickel-coated high-end controller delivers thermal control and prevents performance drops from overheating; 990 PRO with Heatsink is a perfect fit for PlayStation 5, desktops, laptops that meet the PCI-SIG D8 standard****
- THE CHAMPION MAKER: A more than 55% improvement in random performance enables faster loads for an ultimate gaming experience on PS5 and DirectStorage PC games; With RGB LED lights, Heatsink’s futuristic design adds style to function*****
Rank #4
- High-performance PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD for high-end PC gaming as well as 4K video and 3D editing, data analytics and more.
- Exceptional speed: Sequential read/write speeds of up to 7,450 MB/s and 6,900 MB/s respectively for all variants from 1 to 4 TB of storage capacity.
- High reliability and long-lasting performance thanks to Heat Spreader and Dynamic Thermal Guard technology to protect against overheating
- Storage capacities of up to 4 TB in compact M.2 form factor (2280), Ideal for high-performance (gaming) PCs and notebooks/ultrabooks
- Easy drive management, with user-friendly Samsung Magician software for drive updates and performance optimisation
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