If you’re looking to upgrade your storage without breaking the bank, now might be the perfect time. The Samsung 990 Pro PCIe Gen 4 SSD, a high-speed solid-state drive that was once a premium option, has dropped to its lowest price yet. The 4TB model is currently available for just $279.99 at Walmart and Amazon as part of the Big Spring Sale—an incredible deal considering its successor, the 9100 Pro PCIe Gen 5 SSD, starts at $549.99 for the same capacity.
Why Choose the 990 Pro Over the 9100 Pro?
While the 9100 Pro is undoubtedly faster, requiring PCIe Gen 5 hardware to reach its full potential, most PCs and gaming consoles today don’t support Gen 5 speeds. That makes the 990 Pro a much more practical and cost-effective choice for the majority of users. Despite being a Gen 4 SSD, the 990 Pro still reaches near-theoretical speed limits for its generation, ensuring fast load times and responsive performance.
For gamers and content creators, this price drop makes upgrading to a higher-capacity SSD more accessible than ever. With modern game install sizes exceeding 100GB per title, a 4TB SSD ensures you won’t have to constantly delete and redownload games to free up space. Additionally, professionals working with large video files or CAD software can benefit from the extra capacity without sacrificing speed.
Best Value for Storage Expansion
At $279.99, the 4TB 990 Pro offers one of the best cost-per-gigabyte values on the market. The 2TB version is currently priced at $170, meaning you can double your storage for just $100 more—a rare and worthwhile upgrade opportunity. Whether you’re looking to install it in a desktop, gaming laptop, or PlayStation 5, the 990 Pro remains a top-tier choice.
It’s worth noting that the model on sale does not include a heatsink, which is recommended for PS5 installations and high-performance PC builds. However, instead of paying Samsung’s additional $20 fee for the heatsink version, you can buy a third-party heatsink separately and install it yourself, often saving money while still ensuring optimal cooling performance.
The Changing SSD Market and Future of PCIe 5.0
This price drop also highlights the rapidly evolving SSD market. Just a few years ago, PCIe Gen 4 drives like the 990 Pro were considered cutting-edge and commanded a premium price. Now, with the introduction of Gen 5 SSDs, Gen 4 options have become significantly more affordable while still offering exceptional performance.
However, widespread adoption of PCIe 5.0 storage is still in its early stages. Currently, only the latest high-end motherboards and gaming rigs support the faster speeds, and the price gap between Gen 4 and Gen 5 SSDs remains substantial. That means for most users, the 990 Pro is not just the better value—it’s the smarter choice.
With SSD prices continuing to fluctuate, this deal may not last long. Whether you’re a gamer, creative professional, or simply need more reliable storage, this is one of the best times to grab a high-performance SSD at a bargain price.
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