1 TB SSDs COMPARED SIDE BY SIDE
1 TB NVMe SSD comparison: 990 EVO Plus, SN7100 or KC3000?
All three are fast M.2 NVMe drives, but their priorities differ: Samsung offers a versatile upgrade, WD_BLACK emphasises high advertised speeds for gaming, and the KC3000 offers a DRAM cache and high rated write endurance.
Published 22 September 2026 · Specifications checked on manufacturers' websites.
Comparison at a glance
CUSTOMISE THE VIEW
Compare the key differences side by side
Select at least two products. The table shows the differences in one place; it does not make the decision for you.
| Feature | 990 EVO Plus | SN7100 | KC3000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form factor | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 |
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x4 / 5.0 x2 | PCIe 4.0 x4 | PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| Maximum read speed | 7,150 MB/s | 7,250 MB/s | 7,000 MB/s |
| Maximum write speed | 6,300 MB/s | 6,900 MB/s | 6,000 MB/s |
| Memory / cache | TLC + HMB | Manufacturer-specific design | 3D TLC + DRAM |
| Best suited to | A fast, versatile upgrade | Buyers looking for a gaming-focused model | Buyers prioritising DRAM and a high TBW rating |
Three options for different needs
Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1 TB
An M.2 2280 drive using a PCIe 4.0 x4 or PCIe 5.0 x2 connection. The manufacturer's maximum read/write figures are 7,150/6,300 MB/s.
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Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1 TB – direct product links
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- High advertised transfer speeds
- 600 TBW and a five-year limited warranty
- Samsung Magician software
- Uses HMB instead of a dedicated DRAM cache
- Actual speed depends on your computer and workload
WD_BLACK SN7100 1 TB
A PCIe 4.0 drive with advertised sequential read/write speeds of up to 7,250/6,900 MB/s for the 1–2 TB models.
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WD_BLACK SN7100 1 TB – direct product links
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- Highest advertised read speed in this comparison
- A gaming-focused product range
- M.2 2280 form factor
- Check the current datasheet for the specific 1 TB model
- Cooling and platform support affect real-world performance
Kingston KC3000 1 TB
A PCIe 4.0 x4 drive with 3D TLC memory, a Phison E18 controller and a DRAM cache. Advertised read/write speeds are 7,000/6,000 MB/s.
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Kingston KC3000 1 TB – direct product links
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- DRAM cache
- Rated write endurance of 800 TBW
- Five-year limited warranty
- May run hot under load
- Not every computer can use full PCIe 4.0 speeds
Editorial assessment: The 'Best suited to' recommendations are conclusions drawn from product information. Actual transfer speeds and temperatures depend on the computer, cooling and workload. We have not measured them ourselves.
Check before buying
- Make sure your computer has a free M.2 2280 slot with NVMe support.
- Check the motherboard's PCIe generation: an older connection limits speed.
- Find out whether you need the motherboard's or laptop's heatsink.
- Back up your data and plan an operating system clone or a clean installation.
How were the products selected?
We selected three 1 TB-class M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 drives with different technical priorities. The manufacturers' maximum speeds are not fully comparable measurements of real-world performance.
Comparison limitations
We have not performed our own speed, temperature or sustained-performance tests. The speeds in the table are manufacturer maximums, achievable only with a suitable platform and workload. Price per gigabyte can change which option makes the most sense.
Sources
The images are manufacturer product images. The WD_BLACK SN7100 image comes from a retailer's product page. Images are used to identify the products.
- Samsung 990 EVO Plus – manufacturer specifications, checked on 22 September 2026.
- WD_BLACK SN7100 – manufacturer specifications, checked on 22 September 2026.
- Kingston KC3000 – manufacturer specifications, checked on 22 September 2026.