This was posted 1 year 2 months 14 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

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Samsung 980 Pro 2TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD (without Heatsink) $253.07 Delivered @ Amazon US via AU

530
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Not sure if new low but it's low. Buy 2, save 5% deal also applies.

980 Pro and 990 Pro have had a serious firmware problem that causes them to degrade rapidly. There is a firmware upgrade that halts the degradation, but doesn't reset the wear counters.
https://www.tomshardware.com/news/samsung-990-pro-firmware-u…

True PCIe® 4.0 NVMe™ speed (up to 7,000 MB/s for seq. reads, 5,000MB/s for seq. writes)
Superb for heavy computing, high resolution graphics and PC gaming
Compatible with Playstation® 5 gaming console

Edit: Thanks to GordonD for helpful info regarding the 980 Pro issues.

Price History at C CamelCamelCamel.

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closed Comments

  • +7

    Holy!

  • +9

    Cow!

    • -1

      Batman!!
      Biff
      Zing
      Pow
      Twat

  • How does this compare vs the WD SN850X SSD for roughly the same price?

    • +3

      I think WD850X is still the better offer, but for ~$256 the 980 Pro is still a good deal.

      • +1

        Nobody in the right mind would pick this drive over the SN850X if it's only a difference of a couple of bucks. The WD is far superior. The only thing the WD lacks over the Samsung is hardware encryption. If that's what's important for you, then only it makes sense to maybe pick up the Samsung.

        • +1

          This comment has made me more confused!

        • +3

          Yes, the SN850X is faster than the Samsung however it also runs a lot hotter. The Samsung runs a bit cooler and might be a better option in laptops and cases with poor airflow.

          • +2

            @fastnet: thermals is everything for me sure it might be 5-10% faster or whatever but if it heats up thats game over

            • +1

              @AlienC: Why's that?

              • +1

                @Grazz989: Bad thermal = component auto off or auto die

                Auto off or auto die = no performance

                No performance = problem.. Usually

                • @AlienC: There's a world of difference between 'heats up' and 'overheats to the point where it can die'.

                  If it's for any kind of build with airflow, it'll be fine. Even in a (fan-equipped) laptop it'll be fine.

                  • @Grazz989: Yes this is correct thank you for sharing

  • +7

    980 Pro and 990 Pro have had a serious firmware problem that causes them to degrade rapidly. There is a firmware upgrade that halts the degradation, but doesn't reset the wear counters.

    https://www.tomshardware.com/news/samsung-990-pro-firmware-u…

    • +2

      Yeah I've heard about these issues. Thanks, I'll update the post with this info.

    • +3

      Mine is on the way back from Samsung because they refused to RMA it (After saying they would despite the Fullfilled by Amazon US on the receipt and the US serial number)
      I will try Amazon for a refund next, others on here have said they have had luck with that, so fingers crossed.

      I am definately going to be a little reluctant buying non-australian stock again in the future, but these insane prices will tempt me I guess.

      I really want to get a WD SN850X 4TB to replace it, but damn that thing is poor value. I could almost get 4 of these..

    • +2

      serious firmware problem

      That is old and won't affect anyone who buys a new 980 Pro.

      The good firmware has been out for a year.

    • I just managed to get the Samsung to provide a refund for my 990 Pro which lost 1% in about a month, which they deny anything is wrong with the drive despite not providing any evidence of what tests they performed on the drive. I demanded a refund which they agreed to, but not before making me look like I was being frivolous despite this issue being widely publicized in the tech media and me having done my own tests and confirming the deterioration in drive health. Buyer beware.

  • +2

    Bought a 980 2TB last month from Amazon US, when installed it already came with 5B2QGXA7. Not sure if its the specific manufacturing date of my unit, YMMV

    • I think that piece of info is incorrect on Tom's. 5B2QGXA7 was released quite some time ago (I can't remember exactly when but definitely not recently, as I updated my 980 Pro's firmware long time ago and then uninstalled Samsung magician, and I can confirm my PC has been running without magician for months) , how could a firmware released in the past address an issue happens in the future? If this is the case then the issue should not exist at all. It's a paradox on timeline.

      • +1

        Im thinking certain models previously were shipped with a earlier firmware that was the root cause, newer models which came from factory with 5B2Q are unaffected. SSDs being sold may have mixed manufacturing dates, hence some models may have been affected by the older firmware, and others not

  • +1

    That's a pretty serious issue that was brought up. Wonder how much data has been lost due to this, as i'm sure there would be serious power users thrashing these. I reckon they should do a recall on them and re-issue new sticks to those affected….. not getting what you paid for.

    • It's not an issue for 980 pro which has had the good firmware for more than a year. Hardly anyone affected.

      • If I was replying to you it would look like this. :)

        • Oh good, I'm off the hook!

          Funny how we defend the tech products we use. I have a 2TB 980 Pro as my Windows system drive, and I really really don't want it to fail. I paid the premium price for extra durability and quality. But I'm kidding myself if I believe Samsung can't make mistakes. A timely reminder I need to improve my backup strategy in case things fail.

    • +2

      If you don't know what you're talking about please don't comment.

      • indeed…

        • Linked Toms hardware articles should demist your confusion: "those with firmware xyz are not affected". Which is the firmware you get if you buy this drive, or run the drive's software.

          • +2

            @cerealJay: I'm not confused. Current firmware is supposedly safe which is great, but it doesnt help those who already have a drive that has failed. I have never bothered to update firmware on any of my SSDs in the past nor bothered to install included software for a storage device, and this is the first time i have had an issue with any of my SSDs. Even my original Sata2 120GB OCZ Vertex 2 (must be nearly 15 years old I think) and my SATA3 Corsair Force3 120GB (purchased mid 2011) are still running fine.

            Obviously though ive learnt the hard way and in the future I will be keeping my storage device firmware up to date, and will install the bloatware to go along with it.

            Edit: I noticed in another comment you made, that anyone who buys a new 980pro wont be affected as it will come already updated with the current. That is a valid point though.

            • @DanielP2: 13years old if i'm not mistaken lol. Time absolutely flies!! And sataII 😮 lmao gotta love old school specs!
              Watched an old episode of x-files and they had to do some digital something or other and the dude said "i'm gonna need more time… that's gonna fill 10× 10GB hard drives"
              F**ken lost it!! Had tears rolling down my face i was laughing so much! Hmmm only got internet in my school when i was in yr10. Dial up speed and a encyclopedia brittanica on disc 😩😩

            • @DanielP2:

              and will install the bloatware to go along with it

              I hate bloatware too, but the Samsung Magician software doesn't need to be running all the time. I don't start it with Windows, only use it once every 6 months to check drive and do updates.

              End of day Samsung did stuff up. And even though I trust the 980 Pro in my system for now, my next SSD will be a different brand.

            • @DanielP2: Dude what? I went through 4 OVZ Vortex 2's and the agility 3 they eventually sent me. That was within 2 years of the vertex 2 coming out!

              Didn't abuse any of them, just unreliable.

              • +1

                @Grazz989: Yeh, so it's definitely looking like it's just luck of the draw, and finally i ran out of luck with this 980pro (ill take some of the blame as i didn't update the firmware)

      • -1

        "I disagree" is the shortened version of your post!

        "do not…"

        Yikes, what happens if I disobey your order?

        • +1

          IT'S SPANKING TIIIIIIME! 😈😈😈

          • +2

            @teddiebear: Getting spanked by a Willy is the stuff of nightmares, but looking at the comments again…. was Willy replying to me or you with his "don't comment"?

            Doesn't matter. Either way, Samsung did stuff up, but the latest firmware which has been out for a year is what you get if you buy this 980 Pro, so it should be okay drive. That said, if I were buying a new SSD today, I'd probably get WD Black.

  • +1

    I've got 980 Pro 500Gb and 2Tb drives in my my PC, not had any issues with either drive - had them since Feb 2021.

    • +1

      You are lucky

      I have 2x 980 pros, the newer one (US stock july 2021) failed, but the older one which is aus stock and about as old as yours is going strong

      Typical the one with no warranty had to go fail. Also, the one that did not die was on even older firmware than the one that failed

      • both were bought local and I've kept them up to date with firmware via Samsung Magician

        • +1

          OK, not luck then, you at least kept them updated. I didnt update firmware on the good drive till after the other one failed. Once the drive fails and locks itself in Read Only mode tho, nothing can be done. Cant even update firmware.
          Honestly though, a self destructing SSD from shitty firmware was the last thing i expected. I have never updated any of my (many, many) SSDs over the years and have never had an issue. Keep just about everything else (Motherboard, Vid Card, Mouse, Keyboard, etc, etc) up to date, I have just never had magician installed before all this, so never even thought about my SSDs

          • +1

            @DanielP2: Can you still read the drive once it's locked in that mode? Being able to at least retrieve the data would be a relief compared to other hard drive failures.

            • +1

              @CodeExplode: I was able to get most things off the drive. I Win11 install media and a command prompt in windows recovery environment. I just used xcopy to transfer my C:\Users folder to an external drive. Luckilly everything i really cared about was already backed up, but it was still nice to be able to retrieve save game files and a few other files from the failed SSD. I lost a few random files because of all the bad blocks on the drive (the reason it gets locked to read only mode i think), but nothing that mattered luckilly

        • Firmware updates are very easy these days due to the software that comes with them. I installed a WD-SN850 1tb last night and updated within a few seconds. Very easy and safe

          • +1

            @teddiebear: yeh I have no problem with keeping stuff up to date generally, I have just never thought to check SSDs for firmware updates. Unfortunately I always thought of Magician as pointless bloatware and have used portable versions of CrystalMark or CrystalInfo for drive info when needed. Lesson learned

            • @DanielP2: I've used many 2.5" ssd's over the years and i don't think i've ever done a firmware update. My first ssd was a ocz vertex2 120gb 3.5" (yes you read that correct… 3.5" ssd) which cost $200+ something bucks back then lol

              • @teddiebear: Lol i had the Vertex2 120gb too, but mine was 2.5". That thing cost me over $500

                • @DanielP2: Back in MLC days, firmware upgrades are generally considered needed. Samsung, Crucial, all had issues which needed firmware upgrade to fix.

                  • @netsurfer: Ive been fairly lucky, I have 8 (well 7 now) Samsung SSDs in use over various PCs / external drives and have only had the one issue. Have also had various other brands Crucial, OCZ, Sandisk, Corsair, all with no issues either

                • @DanielP2: It's amazing the hardware we had back then which was groundbreaking tech but is now the norm. Some things were phased out like firewire but new upgrades like usb3.2 or usb-c.
                  What's something you wish was never phased out?
                  Sometjing i don't get with ssd's….. ram can last a lifetime and gets thrashed the most in a comp… yet ssd's fail all the time and it's the same thing

                  • +1

                    @teddiebear: Nothing major really, But I miss the 5.25" drive bay breakout box on some high end motherboards that included things like 6.35mm headphone jack/usb/etc connectors. Also, Fan controllers that fit in a drive bay. Having said that, my current case has no external or even internal drive bays (I removed them as I only have m2 storage, so they really wouldnt do me much good now :)

                    • @DanielP2: I'm a bit old school and miss a 5.25" drive bay for optical drives. I have 2× 5.25" enclosures with bluray drives in em so i can rip music cd's and install old game discs like C&C and diablo

                      • @teddiebear: I do miss having the booklet that came with audio cds, but god i love the convenience of streaming. I really need to upgrade from spotify to hifi tidal though considering what i have spent on audio equipment. The vast majority of my listening is on cheap mifo bluetooth ear buds at work though, so i haven't bothered yet.

                        Physical media for gaming i don't miss though. I have repurchased all my old games in either steam or gog, so I'm happy

  • +1

    Didn't buy but wasn't aware of issue with 980 pro, thanks!

  • My 980 Pro 1TB running fine since it was first released. 100% in CrystalMark

    • +1

      Apparently the issue was only with the 2TB

  • +1

    This one is extremely hot. I put this in my Latitude, the palmrest and back case are quite hot during heavy use. It might not compatible for all laptop due to the heat issue. I’m still looking for 2TB NVME that has less heat issue

    • +1

      Might have to go with a slower gen4 nvme drive, like a 4000read and 3500write. They all get hot but the slower ones are easier to keep cool. I've read in forums and reviews how some benifit from heat (the controllers) but can throttle when insufficient cooling is applied.

    • +1

      My 2TB Samsung 990Pro in Lenovo X1 hovers at around 38-40C, when pushed hard goes up to 50C max.
      More speed = more heat. I was actually even considering gen3 for that reason, but no issues, Lenovo's drive placement is perfect.

  • Samsung 980 PRO also has 0e issue, which will let the SSD die suddenly.

  • +1

    Might be a rare case but I had an early 980 Pro 2TB straight up fail. Luckily followed proper data practices and didn't lose anything important but still a pain to have to reinstall software and Windows.

    I ended up replacing it with another 980 Pro 2TB which I probably shouldn't have now that the issue is more known.

  • If I'm on a board that only supports pcie 3.0 x4 on the m.2 slot, is there something that's a better option than this?
    I understand peak sequential read/write would take take a hit (halved?), but everything else seems to get a bump on the 4.0 drives as well, which wouldnt be bottlenecked by 3.0

  • So how does one update their 980 Pro in a PS5? Do we need to remove and add it to a PC, or is there an easier way?

    • +1

      Yep remove it and do it in a PC.

      • cheers mate

  • Trigger pulled as I needed another M.2 for a new build. Not sure how I feel about buying a (relatively) higher failure rate item from the US, but perhaps that risk is balanced out by the $100+ saving against local prices and the possibility that Prime would (hopefully) still be good about a replacement.

  • What do people mean it has no warranty? Anything on Amazon usa or uk purchased via Amazon au doesn’t have warranty?

  • +1

    It's $253.07 today. Another day another SSDeal!

    https://www.amazon.com.au/SAMSUNG-Internal-Gaming-MZ-V8P2T0B…

    Beware of the bad NAND and firmware issues. Also, it's from Amazon US so your warranty is probably limited to 30 day return window from Amazon.

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