The Samsung 9100 Pro 8TB SSD: A Game-Changer, But at What Cost?
Prepare to be amazed, and perhaps a little shocked, by the power and price of this storage beast!
I've been using the Samsung 9100 Pro as my go-to benchmark for SSD reviews this year, and it's an absolute powerhouse. With its incredible speed and performance, it's no wonder Samsung sent me their top-of-the-line 8TB module to put through its paces. But here's where it gets controversial...
The Samsung 9100 Pro 8TB: A Storage Monster with a Price to Match
What sets this SSD apart is its cutting-edge technology. Samsung's latest PCIe 5.0 SSD utilizes the new 5nm Presto controller, enhancing energy efficiency. The NAND Flash is Samsung's 236-layer 3D TLC V-NAND, the same as in their 990 EVO Plus and 990 Pro models.
In terms of performance, my 8TB unit delivered average sequential read and write speeds of an impressive 14,800MB/s and 13,400MB/s, respectively, and these speeds remained consistent throughout testing.
But there's a catch, and it's a big one.
The Heatsink Dilemma and Warranty Woes
Whether you're using this SSD as your primary or secondary storage, the presence of the heatsink could be a deal-breaker. My unit came with the heatsink pre-installed, which meant I had to remove the plate beneath one of the PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots to make it fit. And here's the kicker: if you remove the heatsink, you void the warranty.
Price Tag Shock: Is It Worth the Premium?
For 8TB of PCIe Gen5 storage, you're looking at a hefty price tag of RM4,269. That's a lot of money, especially when you consider that you can get half the storage capacity for around RM2,600. Unless you absolutely need that extra space and believe in the 'more is more' philosophy, it might be overkill.
Should You Take the Plunge?
In my opinion, and considering the limited number of PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots in most builds, the 4TB option is more than sufficient. It'll save you over RM1,500, which you can put towards other components. Unless, of course, you're building a PC with specific storage needs or you just can't resist the allure of that extra capacity.
And this is the part most people miss: the Samsung 9100 Pro 8TB SSD is an exceptional piece of technology, but it's not for everyone. It's a luxury item, and whether it's worth the investment depends on your specific use case and budget.
So, what do you think? Is the Samsung 9100 Pro 8TB SSD worth the splurge, or is it an unnecessary extravagance? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
