Should I Buy the Samsung 9100 Pro or 990 Pro for Gaming?
Asked by
MellowCedar42
I'm choosing between the Samsung 9100 Pro and 990 Pro, which currently cost about the same. My main concern is SSD temperature, since I've heard the 9100 Pro can run hot. I mostly play Minecraft and understand the real-world gaming difference may be very small.
Can I use the M.2 heatsink included with my B850-F motherboard, or is it better to purchase an SSD that comes with its own heatsink?
Answers
You also don’t necessarily need a DRAM-equipped SSD for a gaming-focused system. A decent TLC drive using HMB can perform well, especially if it’s mainly storing games. I’d prioritize capacity, reliability, and price over the difference between these two Samsung models.
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Honestly, I’d skip both unless you specifically need a high-end PCIe 5.0 drive. PCIe 5.0 SSDs tend to run hotter, while a good PCIe 4.0 TLC drive is already more than fast enough for gaming. Models such as the Lexar NM790, WD Black SN850X, or its equivalent are sensible alternatives and generally run cooler.
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Sequential speed numbers don’t translate into much better gaming performance right now. Once you’re above roughly 1.5 GB/s, game loading and everyday desktop use are usually limited by other factors. Even older NVMe drives can feel essentially the same as newer flagship models in games.
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For gaming, either drive will feel nearly identical. SSD heatsinks matter much more during sustained transfers involving hundreds of gigabytes; normal game loading usually won’t stress the drive that way. The heatsink built into your motherboard should work perfectly, so there’s no need to buy the SSD version with an extra heatsink.
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