This article covers 250GB SSD 970 EVO SERIES M.2 NVME.
Overview
The Samsung 970 EVO is an NVMe M.2 2280 solid-state drive that delivers impressive speed for everyday computing. The 250GB variant offers sequential read speeds up to 3400 MB/s and write speeds up to 1500 MB/s, a massive leap over SATA SSDs. It uses the PCIe 3.0 x4 interface and is powered by Samsung's Phoenix controller and 64-layer V-NAND TLC. This drive is an excellent choice for budget-conscious users looking to upgrade from a traditional hard drive or SATA SSD.
Compatibility Guide
The 970 EVO requires an M.2 slot that supports PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe. It is physically compatible with M.2 2280 slots, but the slot must be NVMe-capable; SATA-only M.2 slots will not work. It is backward compatible with PCIe 4.0 slots but will run at PCIe 3.0 speeds. Ensure your motherboard BIOS supports NVMe boot if you plan to use it as the primary drive. Power is drawn from the M.2 slot, so no additional cables are needed.
Product Info
Released in 2018, the Samsung 970 EVO 250GB is a mid-range NVMe SSD. It features the Samsung Phoenix controller, 64-layer TLC NAND, and a DRAM cache buffer. Sequential performance is rated at 3400 MB/s read and 1500 MB/s write. Random 4K read/write performance reaches up to 500K/450K IOPS. The drive has a TBW rating of 150 TB and comes with a 5-year limited warranty. It occupies the value segment of the PCIe 3.0 NVMe market, offering a strong balance of speed and affordability.
Best Use Cases
- OS and application drive: Ideal for users who want faster boot times and snappier application launches. 250 GB is sufficient for Windows, essential software, and a few games. Pair with a secondary HDD or larger SSD for bulk storage.
- Laptop storage upgrade: Perfect for upgrading an older laptop with an M.2 NVMe slot. Its low power consumption and heat output make it suitable for mobile use. Verify the laptop's M.2 interface supports NVMe before purchasing.
- Budget NVMe entry point: For users new to NVMe who want a noticeable speed boost without spending on PCIe 4.0 drives. The 970 EVO provides excellent real-world performance for general computing and light gaming. However, heavy content creators or frequent large-file transfer users may benefit from a faster drive.
Things to Consider
The 250GB capacity may fill up quickly if you install multiple modern games or store large media collections. As a PCIe 3.0 drive, it cannot fully utilize the bandwidth of PCIe 4.0 slots, so users with the latest platforms might consider a PCIe 4.0 SSD for future-proofing. The SLC cache can slow down under sustained writes, though this is typical for DRAM-cached TLC SSDs. Competitors like the WD Blue SN550 and Crucial P1 offer similar specs, but the 970 EVO often leads in random performance and build quality.
FAQ
Q: Can I use this SSD in a PS5?
A: No. The PS5 requires an NVMe SSD with a read speed of at least 5500 MB/s, which the 970 EVO does not meet. It is not recommended for PS5 internal storage expansion.
Q: Will it work in a SATA-only M.2 slot?
A: No. The 970 EVO is an NVMe drive and will not be recognized in a SATA-only M.2 slot. Check your motherboard or laptop specifications to ensure the M.2 slot supports NVMe.
Q: How long will the 250GB model last?
A: With a TBW rating of 150 TB and a 5-year warranty, typical daily writes of 20-30 GB would last well over a decade. Heavy write workloads will reduce lifespan proportionally.
Product Disclosure (Amazon)
- Manufacturer: サムスン(SAMSUNG)
- Seller: R・STORE【適格請求書発行事業者】
- Fulfilled by: R・STORE【適格請求書発行事業者】
- ASIN: B07CGGNX7S
- Note: This article covers a manufacturer-made product based on Amazon listing details.
