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There is no proven all-around winner between the Samsung 9100 PRO and Crucial T705. Samsung lists a higher peak sequential-write speed, while the T705’s 2TB model has strong published read and write ratings and comes with or without an integrated heatsink. Choose by capacity, cooling, your system’s M.2 support, and current local price—not peak numbers alone.
Samsung 9100 PRO vs. Crucial T705: the key differences
Both are M.2 PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSDs, and their advertised maximum throughput depends on a compatible host and the rest of the system. The figures below are manufacturers’ peak sequential ratings, not guaranteed results for every computer or workload. Samsung’s datasheet specifies PCIe 5.0 x4 and NVMe 2.0 for the 9100 PRO; Crucial lists the T705 as a PCIe 5.0 NVMe M.2 drive. Samsung 9100 PRO datasheet; Crucial T705 product flyer.
| Capacity | Samsung 9100 PRO: peak read/write | Crucial T705: peak read/write | Endurance (TBW) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1TB | 14,700 / 13,300 MB/s | 13,600 / 10,200 MB/s | 600 TB for either drive |
| 2TB | 14,700 / 13,400 MB/s | 14,500 / 12,700 MB/s | 1,200 TB for either drive |
| 4TB | 14,800 / 13,400 MB/s | 14,100 / 12,600 MB/s | 2,400 TB for either drive |
| 8TB | 14,800 / 13,400 MB/s | Not offered in the listed T705 capacities | 4,800 TB for Samsung; T705 capacity not offered |
These are published manufacturer specifications: Samsung’s 9100 PRO figures are listed by capacity in its 2025 announcement and datasheet; Crucial’s T705 figures and endurance ratings are in its product flyer. TBW means terabytes written, the manufacturer’s endurance rating. Samsung specifies a limited five-year warranty; Crucial specifies a limited five-year warranty or the applicable maximum TBW, whichever comes first. Check current warranty terms and the limit for the exact capacity before buying.
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Which drive is faster in actual use?
Large sequential transfers
On the published peak numbers, Samsung has the higher maximum sequential-write rating: up to 13,400 MB/s on its 2TB, 4TB, and 8TB models, compared with 12,700 MB/s for the T705 2TB and 12,600 MB/s for the T705 4TB. The T705 2TB’s 14,500 MB/s peak read rating is close to Samsung’s 14,700 MB/s at the same capacity. These figures can help frame a choice for large-file workflows, but they do not establish the speed of a sustained transfer or predict performance for other tasks.
#1 Best Overall
- BREAKTHROUGH PCIe 5.0 PERFORMANCE: Supercharge your workflow and gaming with PCIe 5.0, boasting up to 14,800/13,400 MB/s sequential read/write speeds. Tackle massive files and power up your gaming with Gen5—twice as fast as the 990 PRO SSD.
- EVERY TASK, TURBOCHARGED: Speed past productivity limits. With random read/write speeds up to 2,200K/2,600K IOPS, enjoy fast game loads, seamless AI apps, and efficient multitasking. Virtually no lag, no limits—just nonstop performance.
- THNK FAST, CREATE FASTER: With random read/write speeds of up to 2,200K/2,600K IOPS, the 9100 PRO SSD fuels seamless AI content creation, swift loads, and smooth gameplay. Work, play, and create at lightning speed.
- SPEED, WHENEVER YOU NEED: From laptops to desktop PCs, experience blazing PCIe 5.0 speeds and up to 8TB of storage. Perfect for video editing, gaming, and creative tasks, with the compatibility to match your device.
- STAY COOL, RUN FAST: Push limits, not temperatures. A 5nm controller boosts power efficiency up to 49% over the 990 PRO SSD, while advanced thermal control keeps performance smooth and reliable.
Games, booting, and everyday applications
Sequential ratings alone do not show which SSD will feel faster for game loading, operating-system startup, or mixed everyday use. Those claims require independent tests using the same capacity, system, workload, and test conditions. Crucial’s flyer describes CrystalDiskMark testing at queue depth 512 with write cache enabled and a fresh-out-of-box drive; it also warns that results can vary with system configuration. Its figures therefore should not be treated as a direct comparison with a test run under different conditions.
Test setup can materially affect comparisons. In its March 18, 2025 review, TechRadar reported initially measuring lower sequential read performance on the 9100 PRO, then reaching the advertised read speed after changing test platforms. It also noted its 4TB 9100 PRO was compared with 2TB competing drives. That context is a reason to look for matched-capacity tests on comparable platforms—not evidence that independent testing as a whole is unreliable. TechRadar’s Samsung 9100 PRO review.
Rank #2
- BREAKTHROUGH PCIe 5.0 PERFORMANCE: Supercharge your workflow and gaming with PCIe 5.0, boasting up to 14,700/13,400 MB/s* sequential read/write speeds. Tackle massive files and power up your gaming with Gen5—twice as fast as the 990 PRO SSD.
- EVERY TASK, TURBOCHARGED: Speed past productivity limits. With random read/write speeds up to 1,850K/2,600K IOPS*, enjoy fast game loads, seamless AI apps, and efficient multitasking. Virtually no lag, no limits—just nonstop performance.
- THINK FAST, CREATE FASTER: With random read/write speeds of up to 1,850K/2,600K IOPS*, the 9100 PRO SSD fuels seamless AI content creation, swift loads, and smooth gameplay. Work, play, and create at lightning speed.
- SPEED, WHENEVER YOU NEED: From laptops to desktop PCs, experience blazing PCIe 5.0 speeds and up to 8TB of storage. Perfect for video editing, gaming, and creative tasks, with the compatibility to match your device.
- STAY COOL, RUN FAST: Push limits, not temperatures. A 5nm controller boosts power efficiency up to 49% over the 990 PRO SSD*, while advanced thermal control keeps performance smooth and reliable.
Check PCIe compatibility before choosing either SSD
A PCIe 5.0 drive needs a PCIe 5.0-capable M.2 slot and compatible platform to approach its advertised maximum throughput. Samsung lists the 9100 PRO as backward compatible with PCIe 4.0 x4 and PCIe 3.0 x4; Crucial describes the T705 as backward compatible with PCIe 4.0 and 3.0. In a slower-generation slot, the drive operates at the host link’s capability rather than PCIe 5.0 maximum speeds. Samsung advises checking system support in its announcement; confirm the specific slot’s generation in your motherboard or system manual.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsIf your system does not support PCIe 5.0, compare these drives at the link speed you actually have and consider whether you need a PCIe 5.0 model for your workload. The available specifications do not establish that either drive is a better-value choice than a PCIe 4.0 alternative at current prices.
Rank #3
- BREAKTHROUGH PCIe 5.0 PERFORMANCE: Supercharge your workflow and gaming with PCIe 5.0, boasting up to 14,700/13,300 MB/s* sequential read/write speeds. Tackle massive files and power up your gaming with Gen5—twice as fast as the 990 PRO SSD.
- EVERY TASK, TURBOCHARGED: Speed past productivity limits. With random read/write speeds up to 1,850K/2,600K IOPS*, enjoy fast game loads, seamless AI apps, and efficient multitasking. Virtually no lag, no limits—just nonstop performance.
- THINK FAST, CREATE FASTER: With random read/write speeds of up to 1,850K/2,600K IOPS*, the 9100 PRO SSD fuels seamless AI content creation, swift loads, and smooth gameplay. Work, play, and create at lightning speed.
- SPEED, WHENEVER YOU NEED: From laptops to desktop PCs, experience blazing PCIe 5.0 speeds and up to 8TB of storage. Perfect for video editing, gaming, and creative tasks, with the compatibility to match your device.
- STAY COOL, RUN FAST: Push limits, not temperatures. A 5nm controller boosts power efficiency up to 49% over the 990 PRO SSD*, while advanced thermal control keeps performance smooth and reliable.
Do you need a heatsink for the T705?
The T705 is sold in both heatsink and non-heatsink versions. Crucial recommends installing a motherboard or alternate heatsink with the non-heatsink model for optimal performance. Its claim that the bundled heatsink prevents thermal throttling is qualified for typical airflow and ambient-temperature conditions; it is not a guarantee for every case or enclosure. Crucial’s T705 flyer.
Before choosing a version, check the selected M.2 slot, your motherboard’s heatsink solution, clearance, and the board manual’s installation guidance. A board heatsink may make the bare drive a better fit, but verify that it can be installed properly with the drive and any existing covers.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- HUGE SPEED BOOST: Get random read/write speeds that are 40%/55% faster than 980 PRO; Experience up to 1400K/1550K IOPS, while sequential read/write speeds up to 7,450/6,900 MB/s reach near the max performance of PCIe 4.0*
- BREAKTHROUGH POWER EFFICIENCY: Use less power and get more performance; Enjoy up to 50% improved performance per watt over 980 PRO, plus optimal power efficiency with max PCIe 4.0 performance**
- SMART THERMAL CONTROL: Samsung's own nickel-coated controller delivers effective thermal control; With its slim size, 990 PRO is a perfect fit for desktops and laptops that meet the PCI-SIG D8 standard***
- THE CHAMPION MAKER: Up to 65% improvement in random performance enables faster loads for an ultimate gaming experience on PS5 and DirectStorage PC games****
- SAMSUNG MAGICIAN SOFTWARE: Get the most out of your SSD with Samsung Magician's advanced yet intuitive optimization tools; Monitor drive health, protect valuable data, and receive important updates for your 990 PRO
Rank #4
- MEET THE NEXT GEN: Consider this a cheat code; Our Samsung 990 PRO Gen4 SSD helps you reach near max performance with lightning-fast speeds; Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or a tech guru, you’ll get power efficiency built for the final boss
- REACH THE NEXT LEVEL: Gen4 steps up with faster transfer speeds and high-performance bandwidth; With a more than 55% improvement in random performance compared to 980 PRO, it’s here for heavy computing and faster loading
- THE FASTEST SSD FROM THE WORLD'S FLASH MEMORY BRAND: The speed you need for any occasion; With read and write speeds up to 7450/6900 MB/s you’ll reach near max performance of PCIe 4.0 powering through for any use
- PLAY WITHOUT LIMITS: Give yourself some space with storage capacities from 1TB to 4TB; Sync all your saves and reign supreme in gaming, video editing, data analysis and more
- IT’S A POWER MOVE: Save the power for your performance; Get power efficiency all while experiencing up to 50% improved performance per watt over the 980 PRO; It makes every move more effective with less consumption
How to choose between the 9100 PRO and T705
- Choose the capacity first. Both have published ratings at 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB; Samsung also lists an 8TB 9100 PRO. Capacity affects both the listed peak ratings and the TBW endurance rating.
- Check the exact cooling variant. Compare a heatsink-equipped drive with the actual space and cooling hardware in your system, rather than comparing model names alone.
- Compare same-capacity prices in your region. Calculate price per usable capacity from current listings for the exact model and heatsink configuration. A price reported in October 2026 for a Samsung 2TB sale is time-sensitive, not a dependable price reference; see TechRadar’s October 2026 deal report.
- Match the choice to your workload. The 9100 PRO is the paper choice if you prioritize its higher published maximum sequential-write rating or need the listed 8TB capacity. The T705 may suit a build better if its current price or heatsink configuration is preferable, or if its published 2TB read/write ratings meet your needs. Neither point proves a broad application-level performance advantage.
- Check warranty terms and support details. Confirm the current coverage and capacity-specific endurance limit from the manufacturer for the exact drive you plan to buy.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
