Samsung 9100 PRO Series SSDs Launch: PCIe 5.0 Performance Redefined
Samsung has officially joined the PCIe 5.0 party with the launch of the 9100 PRO series SSDs. If you're seeking the absolute highest possible performance and massive storage capacity, these drives are designed to deliver.
Scorching Fast Speeds: PCIe 5.0 Is Key
The star feature is undoubtedly PCIe 5.0. This new interface standard prioritizes speed, and the 9100 PRO SSDs utilize it fully. Expect up to a mind-boggling sequential read speed of 14,800 MB/s. This is nearly double the capability of previous generation PCIe 4.0 drives. While real-world advantages will vary, the potential for decreased load times, quicker file transferring, and snappier application performance is significant.
Capacity to Spare: Up to 8TB Storage
Speed is not the only factor. Storage space for games, projects, and media is also crucial. Samsung offers the 9100 PRO in capacities from a speedy 1TB up to a gigantic 8TB model, arriving later in 2025. A 9100 PRO capacity exists to suit content creators with large video files or gamers with extensive libraries.
Under the Hood: V8 V-NAND and 5nm Controller
Samsung's latest internal technology enables these speeds. The 9100 PRO series uses Samsung's 8th generation V-NAND TLC (V8), built with 1-terabit TCL technology. This high-performance NAND flash memory delivers blistering I/O speeds up to 2.4 Gbps. A new in-house 5nm controller drives everything. This controller, with more transistors than previous generations, increases performance and enhances power efficiency.
Performance Figures: Improved Sequential and Random Speed
The Samsung 9100 PRO offers the following performance:
- Sequential Read Speeds: Up to 14,800 MB/s
- Sequential Write Speeds: Up to 13,400 MB/s
- Random Read IOPS (QD32): Up to 2,200K
- Random Write IOPS (QD32): Up to 2,600K
Random read and write performance are significantly improved over previous high-end PCIe 4.0 drives like the Samsung 990 PRO. The 9100 PRO should deliver snappier performance in large file transfers, general usage, and game loading, where random access performance is important.
Power Efficiency and Thermal Options
Despite the performance increase, Samsung highlights a 49% power efficiency improvement over predecessors. This is vital for high-performance SSDs, especially in laptops and power-sensitive desktops. For heat management, Samsung offers the 9100 PRO with and without a heatsink. The heatsink version provides better thermal control for sustained peak performance. The non-heatsink version offers a thinner profile.
Pricing and Availability: Upgrade Timing
The Samsung 9100 PRO SSDs are available now in the US, with these introductory prices:
- 9100 PRO (no Heatsink): 1TB ($199), 2TB ($299), 4TB ($549)
- 9100 PRO with Heatsink: 1TB ($219), 2TB ($319), 4TB ($569)
The 8TB versions will be available in the second half of 2025.
Aimed at Power Users
Samsung positions the 9100 PRO for users needing top performance: content creators, gamers, and users of demanding programs. US residents purchasing any 9100 PRO SSD from Samsung's website are entered into a contest for a 55-inch Odyssey Ark 2nd Gen Curved Gaming Monitor.
Samsung 9100 PRO Series Specifications
| Feature | 9100 PRO / 9100 PRO with Heatsink |
|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 5.0 x4, NVMe 2.0 |
| Form Factor | M.2 (2280) / M.2 (2280 with Heatsink) |
| NAND | Samsung V NAND TLC (V8) |
| Controller | In-House Controller |
| Cache Memory | 1TB: 1GB LPDDR4X / 2TB: 2GB LPDDR4X / 4TB: 4GB LPDDR4X / 8TB: 8GB LPDDR4X |
| Capacity | 1TB, 2TB, 4TB, 8TB |
| Seq. Read/Write (MB/s) | 1TB: 14,700 / 13,300 / 2TB: 14,700 / 13,400 / 4TB: 14,800 / 13,400 / 8TB: 14,800 / 13,400 |
| Ran. Read/Write (IOPS, QD32) | 1TB & 2TB: 1,850K / 2,600K / 4TB & 8TB: 2,200K / 2,600K |
| Power Active (Read/Write) | 1TB: 7.6W / 7.2W / 2TB: 8.1W / 7.9W / 4TB: 9.0W / 8.2W / 8TB: TBD |
| Device Sleep (L1.2) | 1TB: 4.0mW / 3.3mW / 2TB: 4.8mW / 4.0mW / 4TB: 6.5mW / 5.7mW / 8TB: TBD |
| Intelligent TurboWrite 2.0 | 1TB: 114GB / 2TB: 226GB / 4TB: 442GB / 8TB: TBD |
| Data Encryption | Class 0 (AES 256), TCG/Opal v2.0, MS eDrive (IEEE1667) |
| Total Bytes Written (TBW) | 1TB: 600 / 2TB: 1,200 / 4TB: 2,400 / 8TB: 4,800 |
| Warranty | Five (5) Year Limited Warranty |
In conclusion, the Samsung 9100 PRO series SSDs represent a significant advancement in consumer storage technology. PCIe 5.0 performance, substantial capacity, and improved power efficiency make these drives a strong choice for anyone requiring top-tier PC performance.
