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The standard Samsung 980 PRO 2TB, model MZ-V8P2T0BW, is single-sided: its controller, DRAM cache and NAND packages are on one side of the circuit board. That layout is reported by a model-specific physical inspection and independently corroborated by a review; Samsung’s official specifications do not explicitly label it single- or double-sided.
Which 980 PRO 2TB is single-sided?
The single-sided answer applies to the standard bare drive, MZ-V8P2T0BW. A physical inspection of that model reports its components on one side of the PCB, and PC Perspective also describes the 2TB version as single-sided. DNS Club’s model-specific inspection and PC Perspective’s 2TB review support the layout finding. It is an observed product characteristic, not a sidedness claim made in Samsung’s official specifications.
Check the model code: the heatsink version is different
Samsung also sells a distinct 2TB version with a factory-installed heatsink. The standard model is MZ-V8P2T0BW; the heatsink model is MZ-V8P2T0CW. Samsung’s 980 PRO product brochure lists both codes and their dimensions, while the heatsink model’s product page identifies MZ-V8P2T0CW.
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| 2TB version | Model code | Published dimensions |
|---|---|---|
| Standard drive | MZ-V8P2T0BW | Up to 80.15 × 22.15 × 2.38 mm |
| With factory heatsink | MZ-V8P2T0CW | Up to 80.15 × 24.15 × 8.6 mm |
The size figures are Samsung’s published specifications, not a guarantee that either version fits a particular computer. Read the full model code on the product listing or drive label before using the dimensions to assess clearance.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
What to check before installing it
Single-sided construction can matter when a slot has limited clearance, but sidedness by itself does not establish compatibility. Samsung lists the standard 2TB model as M.2 2280, PCIe Gen 4.0 x4, NVMe 1.3c, measuring 80.15 × 22.15 × 2.38 mm and weighing up to 9.0 g. Its official support specifications describe the drive, not compatibility with every laptop or motherboard.
- Confirm that the device supports an M.2 2280 NVMe drive; an M.2 connector alone does not establish support for this drive’s interface.
- Check the computer or motherboard manual for slot clearance, including any cover, thermal pad or built-in heatsink.
- If considering the factory-heatsink MZ-V8P2T0CW, compare the available space with its published width and height, not just the 80 mm length.
Samsung’s brochure lists sequential read speeds up to 7,000 MB/s and sequential write speeds up to 5,100 MB/s for the standard 2TB model. These are specification figures; actual performance can vary with system hardware and configuration.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- 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 #3
- 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.
Rank #2
- Next-level SSD performance: Unleash the power of the Samsung 980 PRO PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD for next-level computing. 980 PRO delivers 2x the data transfer rate of PCIe 3.0, while maintaining compatibility with PCIe 3.0.
- Maximum Speed: Get read speeds up to 7,000 MB s with 980 PRO and push the limits of what SSDs can do. Powered by a new Elpsis controller designed to harmonize the flash memory components and the interface for superior speed – with a PCIe 4.0 interface that’s 2x faster than PCIe 3.0 SSDs and 12x faster than Samsung SATA SSDs – every component of this NVMe SSD is manufactured by Samsung for performance that lasts.
- A winning combination: Designed for hardcore gamers and tech-savvy users, the 980 PRO offers high-performance bandwidth and throughput for heavy-duty applications in gaming, graphics, data analytics, and more. It's fast at loading games, so you can play more and wait less.
- Efficient M.2 SSD: The 980 PRO comes in a compact M.2 2280 form factor, which can be easily plugged into desktops and laptops. Due to its size and thus optimized power efficiency, it’s ideal for building high-performance computing systems.
- Reliable thermal control: High-performance SSDs usually require high-performance thermal control. To ensure stable performance, the 980 PRO uses nickel coating to help manage the controller's heat level and a heat spreader label to deliver effective thermal control of the NAND chip.
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.
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