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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallThe Samsung 860 EVO M.2 is a SATA SSD, not an NVMe drive. Samsung rated it for sequential speeds of up to 550 MB/s read and 520 MB/s write, and offered it in capacities from 250GB to 2TB. Those specifications make it a potentially useful upgrade only for systems that support SATA M.2; the M.2 shape alone does not guarantee compatibility. It is a legacy model, and whether it is affordable today depends on its current price and availability in your market.
What the Samsung 860 EVO M.2 is
The 860 EVO M.2 combines the compact M.2 2280 form factor with the SATA 6 Gbps interface. M.2 describes the drive’s physical format and connection; SATA describes how it communicates with the computer. Samsung also specified compatibility with SATA 3 Gbps and 1.5 Gbps interfaces. The drive is intended for client PCs, according to Samsung’s 860 EVO M.2 datasheet.
Its maximum dimensions are 80.15 × 22.15 × 2.38 mm. Samsung’s 2018 launch announcement lists the M.2 version in 250GB, 500GB, 1TB and 2TB capacities. These are the M.2 model’s options; the broader 860 EVO family also included other capacities in different form factors.
Will it work in your laptop or motherboard?
Check two separate requirements before buying: the slot must accommodate an M.2 2280 drive, and the system must support SATA over that M.2 slot. Some M.2 slots accept NVMe drives only, while others support SATA, NVMe, or both. A slot that physically accepts an M.2 card is not by itself proof that this SATA SSD will work.
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#1 Best Overall
- 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
- Find your computer or motherboard model and open its manual or storage specifications.
- Confirm support for an M.2 2280 drive and for SATA M.2 storage—not just NVMe.
- Check any slot-specific restrictions in the manual, including whether using the M.2 slot disables another port.
Samsung’s UK product page for the 1TB model identifies it as SATA-based. If the documentation says the slot supports only PCIe/NVMe, do not assume the 860 EVO M.2 is compatible.
Rated speed: close to the SATA ceiling
Samsung lists sequential read speeds of up to 550 MB/s and sequential write speeds of up to 520 MB/s in its 2018 datasheet. These are manufacturer ratings, not independent benchmark results. The supplied sources do not establish real-world performance in a particular computer or workload.
Rank #2
- Innovative V-Nand Technology: Powered By Samsung V-Nand Technology, The 860 Evo Ssd Offers Optimized Performance For Everyday Computing As Well As Rendering Large-Sized 4K Videos And 3D Data Used By The Latest Applications
- Enhanced Read Write Speeds: Sequential Read And Write Performance Levels Of Up To 550Mb/S And 520Mb/S, Respectively; Random Read (4Kb, Qd32): Up To 97,000 Iops Random Read
- Secure Encryption: Protect Data By Selecting Security Options, Including Aes 256-Bit Hardware-Based Encryption Compliant With Tcg Opal And Ieee 1667
- Windows 8/Windows 7/Windows Server 2003 (32 Bit And 64 Bit), Vista (Sp1 And Above), Xp (Sp2 And Above), Mac Osx And Linux
Because this is a SATA drive, its interface is the key distinction when comparing it with faster NVMe options: the 860 EVO M.2 is designed for SATA systems, not to deliver NVMe performance. For a replacement or upgrade, compare only drives compatible with the system’s slot and weigh capacity and price alongside the interface.
Endurance and warranty
Samsung’s datasheet gives the following total bytes written (TBW) limits by M.2 capacity. The warranty is five years or the relevant TBW limit, whichever comes first, under Samsung’s warranty information; check the terms for your region.
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- Powered by Samsung V-NAND Technology. Optimized Performance for Everyday Computing
- Enhanced Performance: Sequential Read/Write speeds up to 550MB/s and 520MB/s respectively
- Ideal for mainstream PCs and laptops for personal, gaming and business use
- 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
| 860 EVO M.2 capacity | Samsung-rated endurance limit |
|---|---|
| 250GB | 150 TBW |
| 500GB | 300 TBW |
| 1TB | 600 TBW |
| 2TB | 1,200 TBW |
TBW is a rated cumulative write limit, not a prediction of the exact moment a drive will fail. Consult Samsung’s SSD product warranty information for applicable terms and regional conditions.
Is the 860 EVO M.2 affordable now?
“Affordable” cannot be established from the drive’s original launch or specifications. The 860 EVO M.2 is a legacy product, and no current price, stock, or seller listing is confirmed here. Compare the asking price with current SATA M.2 alternatives at the same usable capacity, and consider seller reliability and warranty coverage. Do not pay an NVMe-like premium for a SATA drive unless its compatibility or another specific requirement justifies it.
Rank #4
- 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.
If shopping for this exact model, verify that the listing is the M.2 SATA version—not a 2.5-inch 860 EVO or a different drive with a similar name—and confirm the capacity and warranty terms before purchase.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Verdict
The Samsung 860 EVO M.2 is a clearly specified SATA 2280 SSD with capacities up to 2TB and manufacturer-rated sequential speeds near the practical limits of SATA. It is a sensible candidate when a system specifically supports SATA M.2 and the drive is competitively priced. It is not the right choice for an NVMe-only slot, and its present-day value depends on verified local availability and price.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 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.
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.
