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The Samsung 850 EVO M.2 is a legacy M.2 2280 SATA SSD—not an NVMe drive. Its main buying risk is compatibility: an M.2 slot must support SATA, because the M.2 shape alone does not tell you which storage protocol a computer accepts. Samsung’s 2016 data sheet rates it for sequential reads up to 540 MB/s and writes up to 520 MB/s; those are manufacturer maxima, not independent benchmark results.
What the Samsung 850 EVO M.2 is
Samsung introduced the M.2 version in April 2015 as a new form factor in the 850 EVO family, aimed at ultrathin PCs. Samsung’s later May 2016 data sheet explicitly states, “The Samsung SSD 850 EVO M.2 is SATA-based.” It uses the SATA 6Gb/s interface and M.2 2280 form factor. The M.2 designation describes the physical format; it does not mean the drive uses NVMe.
That distinction matters when replacing a drive or upgrading a laptop. An M.2 slot may support SATA, NVMe, or both, depending on the computer. Check the computer or motherboard documentation for M.2 SATA support before purchasing; a physically compatible slot is not enough.
Samsung Semiconductor’s May 2016 850 EVO M.2 data sheet is the primary source for the interface and specifications below.
#1 Best Overall
- The World's First Consumer 3D V-NAND SSD
- Ultimate Read/Write Performance
- Enhanced Endurance and Reliability
- Efficient Power Management supporting DevSleep Mode
- Form Factor: M.2 (80mm) - ideal for mobile computing
Samsung 850 EVO M.2 specifications
| Specification | Samsung’s published information |
|---|---|
| Form factor | M.2 2280 |
| Interface | SATA 6Gb/s; Samsung also lists compatibility with SATA 3Gb/s and SATA 1.5Gb/s interfaces |
| Capacities | 120GB, 250GB, 500GB and 1TB |
| Sequential read | Up to 540 MB/s, manufacturer-rated maximum |
| Sequential write | Up to 520 MB/s, manufacturer-rated maximum |
| Maximum dimensions | 80.15 × 22.15 × 2.38 mm |
| Warranty statement in the data sheet | Five-year limited warranty; endurance limits vary by capacity, as described below |
These figures come from Samsung Semiconductor’s May 2016 data sheet, Rev. 2.0. “Up to” denotes a manufacturer maximum, not a guaranteed sustained speed in a particular computer. No independent benchmark results are established here, so these figures should not be read as comparative test scores.
Capacity and endurance depend on the version
The May 2016 data sheet lists four M.2 capacities: 120GB, 250GB, 500GB and 1TB. Samsung’s April 2015 launch announcement listed the M.2 models through 500GB, without the 1TB option. The two lists reflect different publication dates; use the later data sheet for the fuller capacity range.
Rank #2
- GROUNDBREAKING READ/WRITE SPEEDS: The 990 EVO Plus features the latest NAND memory, boosting sequential read/write speeds up to 7,250/6,300MB/s. Ideal for huge file transfers and finishing tasks faster than ever.
- LARGE STORAGE CAPACITY: Harness the full power of your drive with Intelligent TurboWrite2.0's enhanced large-file performance—now available in a 4TB capacity.
- EXCEPTIONAL THERMAL CONTROL: Keep your cool as you work—or play—without worrying about overheating or battery life. The efficiency-boosting nickel-coated controller allows the 990 EVO Plus to utilize less power while achieving similar performance.
- OPTIMIZED PERFORMANCE: Optimized to support the latest technology for SSDs—990 EVO Plus is compatible with PCIe 4.0 x4 and PCIe 5.0 x2. This means you get more bandwidth and higher data processing and performance.
- NEVER MISS AN UPDATE: Your 990 EVO Plus SSD performs like new with the always up-to-date Magician Software. Stay up to speed with the latest firmware updates, extra encryption, and continual monitoring of your drive health–it works like a charm.
Samsung’s warranty support table lists the 850 EVO series with these limits:
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- 120GB and 250GB: five years or 75 TBW (terabytes written), subject to warranty terms.
- 500GB and 1TB: five years or 150 TBW, subject to warranty terms.
TBW is an endurance limit, not a prediction of when a drive will fail. For a used or second-hand SSD, do not assume the original warranty is still active: check the individual drive’s eligibility and Samsung’s applicable warranty terms.
Rank #3
- GROUNDBREAKING READ/WRITE SPEEDS: The 990 EVO Plus features the latest NAND memory, boosting sequential read/write speeds up to 7,150/6,300MB/s*. Ideal for huge file transfers and finishing tasks faster than ever.
- LARGE STORAGE CAPACITY: Harness the full power of your drive with Intelligent TurboWrite2.0's enhanced large-file performance—now available in a 4TB capacity.
- EXCEPTIONAL THERMAL CONTROL: Keep your cool as you work—or play—without worrying about overheating or battery life. The efficiency-boosting nickel-coated controller allows the 990 EVO Plus to utilize less power while achieving similar performance.
- OPTIMIZED PERFORMANCE: Optimized to support the latest technology for SSDs—990 EVO Plus is compatible with PCIe 4.0 x4 and PCIe 5.0 x2. This means you get more bandwidth and higher data processing and performance.
- NEVER MISS AN UPDATE: Your 990 EVO Plus SSD performs like new with the always up-to-date Magician Software. Stay up to speed with the latest firmware updates, extra encryption, and continual monitoring of your drive health–it works like a charm.
How it fits—and where it may not
Confirm SATA support, not just an M.2 socket
Look up the exact computer or motherboard model in its manufacturer documentation and verify that the relevant M.2 slot supports SATA storage. A slot that accepts an M.2 card may support NVMe only, SATA only, or both. If the documentation is unclear, confirm the supported protocol with the system maker before buying.
Check length and physical clearance
The drive is M.2 2280 and measures up to 80.15 × 22.15 × 2.38 mm according to Samsung. Confirm that the host accepts the 2280 length and has clearance for the drive. If the system documentation specifies single- or double-sided module clearance, compare that requirement with the exact drive variant rather than relying only on the M.2 label.
Rank #4
- Powered by Samsung V-NAND Technology. Optimized Performance for Everyday Computing
- Enhanced Performance: Sequential Read/Write speeds up to 560MB/s and 530MB/s respectively
- Ideal for mainstream PCs and laptops for personal, gaming and business use and sequential write speed is up to 520 MB/s sequential write
- Hardware/Software Compatibility: Windows 8/Windows 7/Windows Server 2003 (32-bit and 64-bit), Vista (SP1 and above), XP (SP2 and above), MAC OSX, and Linux
Expect SATA-class performance
The drive’s interface is SATA, so its M.2 connector does not turn it into an NVMe SSD. For an upgrade, compare the protocols and real workload evidence of the alternatives you are considering; do not infer a speed advantage from the form factor. In gaming, M.2 by itself does not establish a benefit: any meaningful difference depends on the actual drives, game workload and system, and the cited manufacturer maxima are not game-loading tests.
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- Potential fit: Someone replacing a SATA M.2 drive or upgrading a system whose documentation confirms M.2 SATA support and the required 2280 clearance.
- Not a safe assumption: Someone whose computer merely has an M.2 slot but whose documentation does not establish SATA compatibility.
- Compare carefully: Buyers choosing between SATA M.2 and NVMe should verify each drive’s protocol, system support, capacity, endurance and warranty, and compare independent performance tests under similar conditions.
This is a legacy product, and its specifications alone do not establish current stock, price, seller reliability or value. Check the seller, drive condition and exact capacity at the time of purchase; no current retail listing or price is established here.
Verdict
The Samsung 850 EVO M.2 is best understood as a compact, SATA-based SSD from the 850 EVO family—not as an NVMe upgrade. Samsung’s published capacities and speed ratings make the specifications clear, but compatibility is the deciding factor: buy only after confirming that the host supports M.2 SATA and the drive’s physical dimensions. Treat the speed numbers as manufacturer maxima, and verify condition and warranty status if considering a used unit.
Quick Recap
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