Samsung PM983 and PM983a are related PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe enterprise SSD families, but the family name alone does not establish that one can replace the other. Check the exact model number, physical format, capacity, and server support before choosing. Samsung’s PM983 specifications are documented in a datasheet; the PM983a figures available here come from secondary listings and should be verified for the specific drive.
PM983 vs PM983a: the main differences
Both families are presented as PCIe Gen 3 x4 NVMe enterprise SSDs. The practical differences to investigate are the drive’s physical format and exact SKU, plus capacity-specific performance and confirmed features. A PM983 in M.2 22110 format cannot physically substitute for a 2.5-inch U.2 drive, and shared interface specifications do not guarantee server or firmware compatibility.
| Item | PM983 | PM983a |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x4, NVMe, according to Samsung’s PM983 datasheet. | PCIe Gen 3 x4 NVMe in secondary listings; verify the exact SKU. |
| Examples of model numbers | MZ1LB960HAJQ-00007 (M.2) and MZQLB960HAJR-00007 (2.5-inch U.2), as mapped by Supermicro. | MZ1LB960HBJR and MZ1LB1T9HBLS appear in reseller data; check the drive label and documentation. |
| Physical formats | Samsung’s cited M.2 models include 22110; Supermicro lists a separate 2.5-inch U.2 example. | Secondary listings include M.2 and U.2 examples. Do not infer format from the family name. |
| Published performance | Up to 3,000 MB/s sequential read, 1,400 MB/s sequential write, 480K 4KB random read IOPS, and 42K 128KB random write IOPS in Samsung’s datasheet. | Secondary figures vary by SKU: approximately 3,000–3,200 MB/s read, 1,100–2,000 MB/s write, and 400K read / 38K–40K write IOPS. |
| Endurance and power-loss protection | Up to 1.3 DWPD for three years; Samsung documents power-loss protection. | Secondary listings report 1.3 DWPD for three years for some models; official PLP confirmation was not established for the models cited here. |
Sources: Samsung PM983 M.2 datasheet, Supermicro M.2 SSD list, Damicon PM983a listing, and ZOL PM983a listing.
What the PM983 specifications establish
Capacity and format
Samsung’s 2018-era PM983 M.2 datasheet lists 960GB, 1.92TB, and 3.84TB capacities. Its 960GB M.2 part number is MZ1LB960HAJQ-00007. Supermicro distinguishes that M.2 22×110mm drive from the 2.5-inch U.2 PM983 example MZQLB960HAJR-00007. Those identifiers and dimensions matter more for fit than the shared PM983 name.
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Performance and endurance
Samsung lists maximum sequential performance of 3,000 MB/s read and 1,400 MB/s write, alongside 480K 4KB random read IOPS and 42K 128KB random write IOPS in the sustained state. These are published specifications, not a guarantee that a particular server will achieve them: workload, capacity, firmware, cooling, and platform configuration affect real results.
The same datasheet rates endurance at up to 1.3 drive writes per day over three years. DWPD is a workload endurance rating, not a speed measure. Samsung also describes power-loss protection, saying it is intended to protect host-issued data from loss on sudden power failure.
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What is known—and not established—about PM983a
The PM983a values available here are from reseller and product-database listings rather than an official Samsung PM983a datasheet. Damicon lists differing performance by SKU, with read figures around 3.0–3.2 GB/s and write figures around 1.1–2.0 GB/s. The listings also show about 400K read IOPS, 38K–40K write IOPS, and 1.3 DWPD for three years for the cited models. Treat these as model-specific secondary claims, not specifications for every PM983a.
ZOL lists U.2 examples at 960GB and 7.68TB, with 3,300 MB/s read and 1,900 MB/s write. It also reports 1,366 TBW for the 960GB model, 10,932 TBW for the 7.68TB model, a two-million-hour MTBF, and a three-year warranty. These figures are specific to that listing and should be checked against the exact drive and seller documentation. The available evidence does not confirm power-loss protection for PM983a models generally.
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Can you replace a PM983 with a PM983a?
Only if the exact PM983a drive fits and is supported by the server. “PCIe Gen 3 x4 NVMe” is not enough to establish interchangeability: the connector, dimensions, carrier, backplane, firmware, and required features must also match.
- Match the physical drive. Confirm M.2 22110 versus 2.5-inch U.2, and verify that the chassis, carrier, and backplane accept that format.
- Confirm host connectivity. Check that the slot or backplane is wired for the required PCIe lanes and supports NVMe drives. A mechanically fitting device may still lack the correct connection.
- Compare exact model and capacity. Read the complete MZ model number from the label, then compare it with the server vendor’s compatibility information and the drive’s own specifications.
- Check firmware and thermals. Confirm host firmware and NVMe compatibility, and ensure the drive has adequate thermal clearance and cooling.
- Verify required data protection. If power-loss protection is necessary, confirm it for the specific PM983a SKU rather than assuming it from PM983 family specifications.
Which model should you choose?
Choose by verified fit first
Start with the existing drive’s full model number and physical format, then check the server’s supported drive list. For a PM983, the cited identifiers illustrate why model numbers matter: MZ1LB960HAJQ-00007 is an M.2 22×110mm example, while MZQLB960HAJR-00007 is a 2.5-inch U.2 example. Do not use one format to replace the other without confirming the server’s hardware supports it.
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Choose by workload and documented requirements
If performance or endurance determines the choice, compare documentation for the exact capacity and SKU rather than the family headline. PM983’s published figures and PLP statement are in Samsung’s datasheet. For PM983a, available secondary listings vary by model, and they do not establish universal specifications or PLP support. Where a feature is mandatory, require confirmation from the drive’s vendor or the server manufacturer before installation.
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