Samsung 9100 Pro SSD Review: A PCIe Gen 5 Storage Performance Champ
HDTune Pro v6.1 Benchmarks
HD Tune Pro had the Samsung 9100 Pro trading blows for first or second place in terms of transfer speeds, but the Samsung drive offered the best latecy in this benchmark.
CrystalDiskMark x64 Benchmarks
CrystalDiskMark is a synthetic benchmark that tests both sequential and random small and mid-sized file transfers using incompressible data. It provides a quick look at best and worst case scenarios with regard to SSD performance, best case being larger sequential transfers and worse case being small, random transfers.
CDM's sequential tests also had the Samsung 9100 Pro technically finishing in second place, but we're talking about some miniscule deltas separating the fastest drives in these tests.
The Samsung 9100 Pro, however, dominated the 4K random write tests in this benchmark. Random reads didn't lead, but were right there in the mix. The Micron 4600 clearly led in that regard.
Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail Game Level Load Times
We also tested game level load times using the Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail benchmark. This tool loads an array of different game levels during its graphics benchmark and outputs the average result when complete.
Level load times in Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail were excellent with the Samsung 9100 Pro. The Phison-based MSI drive (with massive heatsink) technically pulled off the overall victory, but this one couldn't have been closer, and falls within the margin of error for this benchmark.
UL's 3DMark Gaming Storage Benchmark
UL recently added a gaming-centric storage benchmark to 3DMark that leverages trace-based tests of actual PC games and gaming-related activities (such as streaming with OBS) to measure real-world gaming performance in a variety of scenarios. The tests include things like loading Battlefield V, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, and Overwatch from the initial launch to the main menu, recording a 1080p gameplay video at 60 FPS with OBS while playing Overwatch, installing The Outer Worlds and saving game progress. And finally, copying the Steam folder for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive from one drive to another.
The trace-based game tests in 3DMark's suite ran exceptionally well on the Samsung 9100 Pro. As you can see, the Samsung drive leads the pack in terms of bandwidth and latency, clearly taking the top spot here.
UL's PCMark 10 Quick System Drive Storage Test
We like PCMark 10's new quick storage benchmark module for its real-world application measurement approach to testing. PCMark offers a trace-based measurement of system response times and bandwidth under various scripted workloads of traditional client / desktop system use cases.
In PCMark's trace-based tests, the Samsung 9100 Pro also performed very well and led all of the other drives that are actually available. Phison E28-based drives are due to hit the market soon, but aren't on store shelves just yet.
Samsung 9100 Pro SSD: Closing Thoughts
The Samsung 9100 Pro is a top-notch solid state drives that ticks all of the right boxes. This drive is fast in virtually all scenarios, it’s relatively low-power and cool running, and its single-sided design (along with its moderate power and thermals) make it well suited for a variety of form factors – desktops, laptops, game consoles, etc. It’s also got a competitive 5 year warranty and it’s built and backed by one of the biggest names in the semiconductor industry.
With all of that in mind, you probably expect the Samsung 9100 Pro to command a massive premium, but that is not the case. The 4TB drive’s MSRP is $429, which is a bit on the high side, but this drive is often on sale. In fact, it’s on sale as of the time of publication and available for $393 on Amazon. At that price, it’s not the most affordable 4TB PCIe Gen 5 M.2 SSD, but it’s more affordable than many drives that don’t perform quite as well.
In the end, there’s a lot to like about the Samsung 9100 Pro. This drive is fast across the board, it’s competitively priced, and will work in just about any device. If you’re looking for a high-performance, high-capacity M.2 SSD, the Samsung 9100 Pro should be on your short list.
