Crucial T700 vs Samsung 990 Pro: The Gen5 vs Gen4 SSD Showdown

When building or upgrading a high-performance PC, the storage drive is a critical component that can significantly impact system responsiveness and load times. The Crucial T700 vs Samsung 990 Pro are two of the most popular NVMe SSDs on the market, each representing the pinnacle of their respective generations: PCIe 5.0 and PCIe 4.0.

The Crucial T700, with its cutting-edge PCIe 5.0 interface, is engineered for a new era of extreme performance, targeting enthusiasts and professionals who demand the absolute fastest sequential speeds for large file transfers. The Samsung 990 Pro, on the other hand, stands as the king of the PCIe 4.0 hill, offering exceptional all-around performance, thermal efficiency, and a proven track record of reliability. This guide will help you navigate the key differences to determine which drive is the right fit for your needs and budget.

If you’re torn between them, the choice depends on your system compatibility, workload, and budget.


Feature-by-Feature Comparison Table

FeatureSamsung 990 ProCrucial T700
PCIe GenerationPCIe 4.0 ×4PCIe 5.0 ×4
NVMe VersionNVMe 1.4NVMe 2.0
NAND Type176-layer 3D TLC232-layer 3D TLC
Max Sequential Read~7,450 MB/s~12,400 MB/s
Max Sequential Write~6,900 MB/s~11,800 MB/s
Random Read/Write IOPS~1.4M / ~1.55M~1.5M / ~1.7M
Capacity Options1TB, 2TB1TB, 2TB, 4TB
Endurance (TBW)~600 TBW (1TB), ~1200 TBW (2TB)~600 TBW (1TB), ~1200 TBW (2TB), ~1800 TBW (4TB)
Warranty5 years5 years
Power EfficiencyLower power usage, cooler operationHigher power draw, needs strong cooling

Crucial T700 vs Samsung 990 Pro
Crucial T700 vs Samsung 990 Pro

Quick Benchmark Highlights Table

BenchmarkWinnerKey Notes
Sequential Read/WriteCrucial T700Nearly double the bandwidth thanks to PCIe 5.0
Random 4K Reads (Low QD)Samsung 990 ProMore responsive in everyday workloads
Sustained WritesDrawT700 faster but can throttle; 990 Pro steadier
ThermalsSamsung 990 ProRuns cooler under long workloads
Power EfficiencySamsung 990 ProBetter for laptops and lighter systems
Price/ValueDepends990 Pro offers balance, T700 offers extreme speed

Crucial T700 vs Samsung 990 Pro The Gen5 vs Gen4 SSD

Key Takeaways

  • Crucial T700 dominates in raw sequential performance, making it ideal for heavy file transfers, 3D rendering, and large-scale video editing.
  • Samsung 990 Pro excels in responsiveness, efficiency, and thermal management, making it better suited for gaming, general use, and laptops.
  • Without PCIe 5.0 support, the T700 loses much of its advantage, performing similarly to high-end Gen4 drives.
  • Thermal design is critical for the T700 — a good heatsink is required to avoid throttling.

Pros & Cons of Crucial T700 vs Samsung 990 Pro

Samsung 990 Pro
Pros:

  • Excellent random performance, great for gaming and everyday use
  • Runs cooler and more efficiently
  • Reliable endurance with a 5-year warranty
  • Strong value in PCIe 4.0 systems

Cons:

  • Limited by PCIe 4.0 bandwidth
  • Slower in large sequential transfers compared to Gen5 SSDs

Crucial T700
Pros:

  • Unmatched sequential speeds with PCIe 5.0
  • High capacity options up to 4TB
  • Strong endurance ratings
  • Ideal for heavy creative and data workloads

Cons:

  • Higher power draw and heat output
  • Requires PCIe 5.0 hardware and solid cooling
  • Higher cost per GB compared to Gen4 options

Buying Recommendations

For the Absolute Performance Enthusiast: If you’re building a new PC with a PCIe 5.0-ready motherboard (e.g., Intel Z790/B760, AMD X670/B650) and your workload involves large, sequential file transfers, the Crucial T700 is the clear choice. It is the best way to future-proof your system and get the highest possible storage speeds available today.

For the Gamer and General User: The Samsung 990 Pro remains an excellent, all-purpose SSD. If you have a PCIe 4.0 system and are looking for a top-tier drive for gaming, video editing, and everyday use, the 990 Pro offers a fantastic balance of performance, efficiency, and value. Its lower price point often makes it a more sensible upgrade for most users.

  • Gamers & General Users: Samsung 990 Pro is the better choice for smooth everyday performance and efficiency.
  • Content Creators & Professionals: Crucial T700 shines if you need the fastest possible transfer speeds and have PCIe 5.0 hardware.
  • Laptop Users: Stick with Samsung 990 Pro due to its lower power draw and cooler operation.
  • Budget Buyers: The 990 Pro offers more value if you don’t specifically need PCIe 5.0 speeds.
  • Future-Proofing: If you plan to keep the drive for many years on a Gen5 system, the T700 gives more headroom.

Final Verdict

The Crucial T700 is a technological marvel that pushes the boundaries of consumer SSD performance. Its staggering sequential speeds make it a perfect fit for a niche group of professionals who benefit from moving massive data sets. However, for the vast majority of users, including most gamers and content creators, the Samsung 990 Pro offers an outstanding user experience that is nearly indistinguishable in day-to-day use.

Ultimately, the best drive for you depends on your specific needs and hardware. If you must have the latest and greatest, the T700 is a fantastic flagship product. If you are looking for the best performance-per-dollar and a tried-and-true workhorse, the 990 Pro is still the reigning champion of its class.


FAQ Section

Q1: Can the Crucial T700 work in a PCIe 4.0 slot?
Yes, but it will be capped at PCIe 4.0 speeds, so its advantage over the 990 Pro shrinks significantly.

Q2: Which is better for gaming?
The Samsung 990 Pro, as most games rely on random reads and responsiveness rather than raw sequential bandwidth.

Q3: Does the T700 require a heatsink?
Yes, for sustained workloads it runs hot and can throttle without proper cooling.

Q4: Which has better endurance?
Both drives offer similar TBW ratings for 1TB and 2TB models, though the T700’s 4TB variant offers higher endurance.

Q5: Is PCIe 5.0 worth it right now?
Only if your workloads involve very large file transfers or heavy professional content creation. For everyday use, PCIe 4.0 is still more than enough.

Q6: Which one is more cost-effective?
The Samsung 990 Pro provides better performance per dollar for most users, while the T700 is worth it only if you can fully utilize Gen5 speeds.

Q7: Is the Crucial T700 backward compatible with PCIe 4.0? A1: Yes, the Crucial T700 is backward compatible with PCIe 4.0 and even PCIe 3.0, but its performance will be limited to the maximum speed of that interface. To get its full potential, a PCIe 5.0 motherboard is required.

Q8: Do I need a heatsink for the Crucial T700? A2: Yes, a heatsink is highly recommended for the Crucial T700. Its powerful controller can generate significant heat under heavy load, and a heatsink is necessary to prevent thermal throttling and ensure consistent, high-speed performance.

Q9: Is the Samsung 990 Pro good for the PS5? A3: Absolutely. The Samsung 990 Pro is one of the most popular and highly-recommended SSDs for the PlayStation 5, as it meets and exceeds all of Sony’s requirements for a compatible M.2 SSD.

Q10: Which SSD is better for gaming? A4: Both are excellent for gaming. While the Crucial T700 has higher sequential speeds that could benefit future DirectStorage titles, the Samsung 990 Pro’s exceptional random performance means that in most current games, load times will be virtually identical.

Q11: What is the difference between PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 5.0? A5: PCIe 5.0 doubles the theoretical bandwidth of PCIe 4.0. For a four-lane NVMe SSD, this means the maximum sequential speed increases from around 8,000 MB/s to over 14,000 MB/s.

Q12: What is “TBW”? A6: TBW stands for “Terabytes Written.” It is an endurance rating that indicates how many terabytes of data can be written to the drive over its lifetime before its warranty is voided. Both the T700 and 990 Pro have high TBW ratings, making them suitable for heavy-duty use.


Short Conclusion

In the battle of generations, the Crucial T700’s raw sequential speed triumphs, while the Samsung 990 Pro’s refined efficiency and all-around performance prove it’s still a formidable competitor. For early adopters and professionals, the T700 is the future. For everyone else, the Samsung 990 Pro continues to be one of the best high-end SSDs you can buy, offering a perfect blend of speed, reliability, and value.


If you have any questions about “Crucial T700 vs Samsung 990 Pro: The Gen5 vs Gen4 SSD Showdown” Then feel free and let us know through your comments.

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