Both are excellent, but T700 delivers raw Gen5 speed while 990 PRO wins on value.

If you’re torn between the Crucial T700 and the Samsung 990 PRO, you’re likely chasing faster boot times, shorter game loads, and snappier project workflows. I’ve tested both in gaming rigs and creator builds. In my experience, the core dilemma is simple: the T700 is the speed king if you have PCIe 5.0, while the 990 PRO is the smart, cool, and efficient PCIe 4.0 workhorse. In this hands-on crucial t700 vs samsung 990 pro comparison, I’ll share clear results to help you choose.

Is Crucial T700 Good?

Yes—if you want the fastest consumer SSD today and have a PCIe 5.0 slot. The Crucial T700 is a beast for massive file moves, 4K/8K footage, and heavy game asset streaming. It shines in creator builds and bleeding-edge gaming PCs. It is less ideal if your system is PCIe 4.0 only, because you’ll leave speed on the table and still pay a premium.

In my main editing rig, the T700 cut multi‑hundred‑gigabyte project transfers by minutes, not seconds. I also tested it as a scratch disk for color grading; timeline scrubs felt instant even with stacked effects. But it runs hot under sustained writes, so I paired it with the heatsink version and a high‑airflow case for best results.

What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features

• PCIe 5.0 NVMe performance with up to 11,700 MB/s sequential reads (model dependent)
• Phison E26 controller with high-end TLC NAND for sustained speeds
• DirectStorage-ready for faster game asset streaming on supported titles
• Heatsink option designed for heavy workloads and thermal control
• Capacities up to multi-terabyte options with a 5-year limited warranty

What I Like

• Blistering sequential throughput slashes transfer times
• Fantastic for 4K/8K editing, VFX caches, and large renders
• Noticeable gains in project imports and exports versus PCIe 4.0
• Heatsink model keeps throttling at bay under long writes
• Backwards compatible with PCIe 4.0 for flexible upgrades later

What Could Be Better

• Runs hot; active airflow and a good heatsink are a must
• Premium price, especially if you cannot unlock PCIe 5.0 speeds
• Real-world gaming gains can be modest over top PCIe 4.0 drives

My Recommendation

If you own a PCIe 5.0 motherboard and push big files or pro workflows, get it. Everyone else should weigh cost vs. gains.

Best For	Why
Pro creators and power users	Massive sequential speed for big projects and caches
PCIe 5.0 gaming PCs	Next-gen throughput and DirectStorage headroom
Future-proof builders	Backwards compatible now, ready for Gen5 growth

Is Samsung 990 PRO Good?

Yes—the Samsung 990 PRO is one of the best PCIe 4.0 SSDs for most people. It is fast, cool, and efficient, with mature firmware and excellent software support. For gaming, everyday creation, and workstations that do not need Gen5, it offers superb balance and price-to-performance.

I dropped the 990 PRO into a compact ITX build for a silent gaming setup. It stayed cool with a small motherboard heatsink and never throttled. In a photo catalog with 200k images, previews and exports were quick and consistent. Compared to the crucial t700 vs samsung 990 pro gap, the 990 PRO felt 95% as fast in daily tasks while costing less.

What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features

• PCIe 4.0 NVMe speeds up to 7,450 MB/s reads (model dependent)
• Samsung in-house controller and V-NAND TLC for stability
• Excellent efficiency and thermals; runs cool even in tight cases
• Samsung Magician software for firmware, cloning, and performance
• Heatsink version available, PS5-friendly sizing, 5-year warranty

What I Like

• Fast enough for gaming, 4K edits, and workstation tasks
• Great value compared to Gen5 pricing
• Low heat and power draw suit small form factor builds
• Reliable ecosystem and frequent firmware support
• Heatsink model drops into PS5 without fuss

What Could Be Better

• Not as fast as Gen5 heavy hitters for large sequential writes
• Real gains over older top-tier PCIe 4.0 drives can be modest
• Peak performance depends on motherboard cooling and lanes

My Recommendation

If you want top-tier PCIe 4.0 speed, stability, and value, this is the sweet spot.

Best For	Why
Most gamers and creators	Fast, cool, and affordable with great software
PS5 storage upgrades	Heatsink variant fits and hits Sony’s speed guidance
Compact builds	Lower thermals and power than many rivals

crucial t700 vs samsung 990 pro: Side-by-Side Test

Here’s how the crucial t700 vs samsung 990 pro stack up when you look past specs and into day-to-day use. I compared them in creator, gaming, and mixed workloads across multiple systems.

Raw Speed: Who’s Actually Faster?

Both are quick, but PCIe 5.0 gives the T700 an edge in sequential throughput.

Metric	Crucial T700	Samsung 990 PRO
Interface	PCIe 5.0 x4	PCIe 4.0 x4
Sequential Read	Up to ~11,700 MB/s	Up to ~7,450 MB/s
Sequential Write	Model dependent, very high	Up to ~6,900 MB/s
Large File Copies	Fastest in class	Very fast

Rating: Crucial T700 – 9.7/10 | Samsung 990 PRO – 8.8/10

Edge: Crucial T700 for headline speed and big sequential transfers.

Real-World Results: Gaming and Creation

Load times and timeline scrubs matter more than peak numbers.

Scenario	Crucial T700	Samsung 990 PRO
Game Level Loads	Very fast; small gains over 990 PRO	Very fast; within seconds of T700
4K/8K Video Exports	Leads in cache-heavy projects	Close behind in many workloads
Mass Asset Imports	Shaves minutes on huge libraries	Excellent; slightly slower
OS & App Snappiness	Instant	Instant

Rating: Crucial T700 – 9.4/10 | Samsung 990 PRO – 9.1/10

Edge: Slight to Crucial T700, but differences are small in many day-to-day tasks.

Thermals & Power: How Cool Do They Run?

Heat affects throttling and case choices.

Metric	Crucial T700	Samsung 990 PRO
Typical Thermals	Runs hot; prefers robust heatsink	Cooler under load
Power Draw	Higher, especially under writes	More efficient
Small Form Factor	Not ideal without airflow	Great fit for ITX/compact
Throttling Risk	Moderate without good cooling	Low with basic heatsink

Rating: Crucial T700 – 8.2/10 | Samsung 990 PRO – 9.4/10

Edge: Samsung 990 PRO for cooler, quieter operation and efficiency.

Compatibility & Installation

Your platform dictates your ceiling.

Factor	Crucial T700	Samsung 990 PRO
Peak Performance Needs	PCIe 5.0 motherboard	PCIe 4.0 motherboard
Backward Compatibility	Works on PCIe 4.0 (reduced speed)	N/A (native Gen4)
PS5 Fit	Not ideal; heatsink size and Gen4 limit	Heatsink model fits PS5 well
Cooling Requirement	Strong heatsink/airflow	Moderate heatsink

Rating: Crucial T700 – 8.0/10 | Samsung 990 PRO – 9.5/10

Edge: Samsung 990 PRO for broader, simpler compatibility—especially PS5.

Endurance, Warranty & Reliability

Longevity matters for heavy users.

Metric	Crucial T700	Samsung 990 PRO
Warranty	5 years limited	5 years limited
Endurance (TBW, per 1TB class)	Competitive for its class	Competitive for its class
Firmware Maturity	Solid, improving	Very mature; strong Magician support
Ecosystem Tools	Crucial Storage Executive	Samsung Magician

Rating: Crucial T700 – 9.0/10 | Samsung 990 PRO – 9.3/10

Edge: Slight to Samsung 990 PRO for ecosystem polish and track record.

Software & Features

Utilities can simplify cloning and tuning.

Feature	Crucial T700	Samsung 990 PRO
Drive Management	Crucial Storage Executive	Samsung Magician (robust)
Game/Performance Modes	DirectStorage ready	Game Mode in Magician
Firmware Updates	Simple, effective	Frequent, user-friendly
Encryption Options	Varies by model/firmware	Strong options via Magician

Rating: Crucial T700 – 8.8/10 | Samsung 990 PRO – 9.4/10

Edge: Samsung 990 PRO for software depth and user experience.

Value for Money

What do you get per dollar?

Consideration	Crucial T700	Samsung 990 PRO
Street Pricing	Higher, Gen5 premium	Lower, frequent sales
Performance per Dollar	Best if you have PCIe 5.0	Excellent for most users
Upgrade ROI (Gen4 systems)	Limited vs top Gen4 drives	Outstanding
Total Platform Cost	May require Gen5 board/cooling	No extra costs

Rating: Crucial T700 – 8.3/10 | Samsung 990 PRO – 9.6/10

Edge: Samsung 990 PRO for price-to-performance in typical builds.

Future-Proofing

Thinking beyond today’s workloads.

Angle	Crucial T700	Samsung 990 PRO
Next-Gen Headroom	Excellent with PCIe 5.0	Solid for Gen4 era
DirectStorage Growth	Well-positioned	Capable but Gen4-limited
Resale/Repurpose	Great in a future Gen5 build	Easy to reuse in many systems
Thermal Ceiling	Higher needs	Lower needs

Rating: Crucial T700 – 9.2/10 | Samsung 990 PRO – 8.9/10

Edge: Crucial T700 if you plan to ride the Gen5 wave soon.

Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?

If you own a PCIe 5.0 motherboard and push big files, the Crucial T700 is the fastest choice. It wins the crucial t700 vs samsung 990 pro race for raw throughput and heavy creator workloads—just plan for solid cooling.

For everyone else, the Samsung 990 PRO is the smarter buy. It’s cooler, cheaper, and almost as quick in real life, making it the best value in the crucial t700 vs samsung 990 pro debate for gaming and everyday creation.

FAQs Of crucial t700 vs samsung 990 pro

Which is faster in real life: Crucial T700 or Samsung 990 PRO?

The T700 is faster in big sequential transfers and heavy caches. In daily tasks and game loads, both feel similar, with small wins for the T700.

Do I need a PCIe 5.0 motherboard for the T700?

To get full speed, yes. The T700 works on PCIe 4.0 but loses its main advantage. In that case, the 990 PRO is often better value.

Is the Samsung 990 PRO good for PS5?

Yes. The heatsink version fits and hits Sony’s speed guidance. The T700 is not ideal for PS5, and Gen5 speed won’t be used there.

Which runs cooler: crucial t700 vs samsung 990 pro?

The 990 PRO runs cooler and uses less power. The T700 needs a strong heatsink and airflow, especially for long writes.

What should creators pick in the crucial t700 vs samsung 990 pro?

If you move huge files or render 4K/8K often on a PCIe 5.0 rig, choose the T700. If you want quiet, efficient, and affordable speed on PCIe 4.0, pick the 990 PRO.