Choosing Between M.2 SSDs: 990 Pro, 990 Evo Plus, or 9100 Pro?

The main differences lie in their specs. The 990 Evo Plus has no dedicated DRAM cache, which affects its speed. It's built with a cheaper single-chip setup and a less advanced controller compared to the other two. The 9100 Pro is more advanced tech-wise, boasting PCIe 5.0 and higher performance. If all three are similarly priced, I’d recommend going with the 9100 Pro since it offers better longevity and speed for your build.

The 990 Pro has DRAM which gives it a speed edge, while the 990 Evo Plus uses Host Memory Buffer (HMB), making it slower despite being PCIe 5.0. If budget isn't a huge concern, you might want to consider the 9100 Pro, but if costs keep at a minimum, just grab whichever is the cheapest, they're all fast!

While the 9100 Pro offers double the max speeds because it's PCIe 5, unless you're diving into heavy tasks like video editing or special gaming needs, the 990 variants are still incredibly fast. The key distinction is having a DRAM cache for better efficiency with tasks, but for gaming, it may not be as crucial. Just keep an eye on what you need for your motherboard, especially since some models can impact bandwidth when using PCIe 5 slots.

For daily gaming, the differences in speed between PCIe 4 and PCIe 5 SSDs aren’t a significant issue. Most users likely won't notice the real-world performance difference. If you're around a MicroCenter, it’s a great place to compare and potentially find deals. You might not see huge distinctions in everyday tasks, but for future-proofing, leaning towards PCIe 5 could be beneficial.