Crucial T705 vs Samsung 990 Pro Comparison and Buying Guide

When it comes to high-performance storage solutions, the options can be overwhelming. Two of the most talked-about NVMe SSDs on the market are the Crucial T705 and Samsung 990 Pro. Understanding their specifications, performance benchmarks, and practical implications will guide you in making an informed decision. Let's dive into the details and see which one suits your needs better.

INDEX

Theoretical specifications of Crucial T705 and Samsung 990 Pro

The Crucial T705 is positioned as a Gen 5.0 NVMe SSD, while the Samsung 990 Pro belongs to the Gen 4.0 category. This generational difference implies that the T705 should theoretically offer better performance across various metrics, including speed and efficiency. However, actual performance is best assessed through real-world benchmarks rather than theoretical claims alone.

Comparison of benchmark scores

To provide a comprehensive overview, we will focus on benchmark scores for the 2TB variants of both drives, which will showcase their real-world performance capabilities.

PCMark10 benchmark scores

The PCMark10 test evaluates SSD performance through a variety of scenarios, including office applications, web browsing, and gaming. It simulates real-world usage to assess how well an SSD can handle tasks such as launching applications and booting the operating system.

  • Crucial T705: Overall score of 6541
  • Samsung 990 Pro: Overall score of 4651
  • Bandwidth: T705 at 1020 MB/s vs. 990 Pro at 743 MB/s
  • Latency: T705 at 26 µs vs. 990 Pro at 42 µs

The T705 surpasses the 990 Pro by approximately 40% in overall score, indicating its superior performance in typical user scenarios.

3DMark storage test for gamers

This test is specifically designed to measure SSD performance in gaming-related tasks, such as installing and loading games. A higher score indicates better gaming performance.

  • Crucial T705: Score of 6,739
  • Samsung 990 Pro: Score of 4,816
  • Bandwidth: T705 at 1,126 MB/s vs. 990 Pro at 818 MB/s
  • Latency: T705 at 26 µs vs. 990 Pro at 36 µs

Again, the T705 shows a significant lead, with a 40% higher score, which translates to faster game load times and smoother performance during gaming sessions.

CrystalDiskMark sequential read/write benchmark

This benchmark tests how quickly an SSD can read and write large files. The results for the T705 and 990 Pro are as follows:

  • Reads at QD1: T705 at 9,211 MB/s vs. 990 Pro at 4,637 MB/s
  • Writes at QD1: T705 at 10,139 MB/s vs. 990 Pro at 5,898 MB/s
  • Reads at QD8: T705 at 14,163 MB/s vs. 990 Pro at 7,153 MB/s
  • Writes at QD8: T705 at 12,653 MB/s vs. 990 Pro at 6,820 MB/s

The Crucial T705 demonstrates a remarkable performance advantage, being nearly twice as fast in both reads and writes, making it the superior choice for data-heavy tasks like video editing or large file transfers.

CrystalDiskMark random read/write benchmark

This benchmark evaluates SSD performance with small, scattered data, using a block size of 4KB:

  • Reads at QD1: T705 at 24,878 IOPS vs. 990 Pro at 25,133 IOPS
  • Writes at QD1: T705 at 98,877 IOPS vs. 990 Pro at 74,645 IOPS
  • Reads at QD256: T705 at 1.51 M vs. 990 Pro at 1.40 M
  • Writes at QD256: T705 at 1.66 M vs. 990 Pro at 1.52 M

While the T705 is slightly slower in random reads, it excels in random writes, indicating that it can handle tasks like loading small files and applications efficiently.

Data transfer rate

In practical data transfer scenarios, the T705 continues to outperform the 990 Pro:

  • 50 GB file folder transfer: T705 at 2,834 MB/s vs. 990 Pro at 1,842 MB/s
  • Writing speed: T705 at 2,345 MB/s vs. 990 Pro at 1,905 MB/s
  • Reading a 6.5 GB zip file: T705 at 5,112 MB/s vs. 990 Pro at 4,019 MB/s

This consistent performance advantage reaffirms the T705's capability in real-world usage, particularly for large data operations.

Power consumption and efficiency

Despite its superior performance, the Crucial T705 has some drawbacks in power efficiency:

  • Throughput per watt: T705 at 397 MB/s vs. 990 Pro at 457 MB/s
  • Average power during a 50 GB copy: T705 at 7 W vs. 990 Pro at 4 W
  • Peak power consumption: T705 at 11 W vs. 990 Pro at 6 W
  • Idle power consumption: T705 at 2,706 mW vs. 990 Pro at 1,252 mW

These numbers indicate that the T705 is more power-hungry, making it a better fit for desktop systems with effective cooling solutions rather than mobile or compact devices.

Endurance, TBW, DWPD, and warranty

In the realm of SSDs, endurance is a critical factor. The Total Bytes Written (TBW) and Drive Writes Per Day (DWPD) ratings determine how much data can be written to the SSD over its lifespan. These metrics are particularly important for users engaging in high-write activities such as video editing or extensive gaming sessions. While both drives are built for durability, the T705's advanced architecture may suggest a longer lifespan under heavy workloads.

Comparing technical specifications

Let’s delve into the technical specifications of both drives:

SpecificationCrucial T705Samsung 990 Pro
NAND TypeMicron B58R FortisFlash TLC NANDSamsung V8 V-NAND
Layers232 layers236 layers
ControllerPhison E23Samsung Pascal
DRAM CacheYesYes
Form FactorM.2 2280M.2 2280
Capacities1TB, 2TB, 4TB1TB, 2TB, 4TB

Price considerations

When it comes to pricing, the Crucial T705 is generally more expensive than the Samsung 990 Pro. However, this price difference is justified by the significant performance gains it offers, particularly for power users who require the most from their storage devices. It's essential to weigh your budget against your performance needs:

  • If you have a Gen 5.0 system and need top-tier performance, the T705 is a worthy investment.
  • The Samsung 990 Pro offers a balanced solution with excellent performance for everyday tasks, making it suitable for budget-conscious users.

No matter which SSD you choose, both options provide robust performance, but the specific choice will depend on your individual needs, workloads, and budget. For further insights, you can check out this video comparing the Crucial T705 and Samsung 990 Pro:

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