Samsung SSD 870 Evo Review: A Solid Choice for SATA Enthusiasts, But NVMe Reigns Supreme
The world of SSDs is rapidly evolving, with PCIe NVMe drives offering blazingly fast speeds and dominating the enthusiast and gamer markets. However, SATA SSDs remain a viable option for those looking for reliable and affordable storage, especially for older PCs or when M.2 slots are limited. While SATA technology has reached its peak performance ceiling, Samsung still sees value in this segment and has just released the Samsung SSD 870 Evo, a successor to the popular SSD 860 Evo. While the "Evo" moniker signifies a focus on mainstream performance and affordability, the 870 Evo comes with a few key upgrades that might make you reconsider your next SATA SSD purchase.
Samsung SSD 870 Evo Features and Specifications
The most significant update is the move to 128-layer TLC flash technology, which Samsung manufactures in-house. This jump in density from the previous 64-layer chips translates to improved performance and endurance. Samsung also employs a new MKX controller, enhancing overall drive management.
Capacity options range from a modest 250GB to a generous 4TB. Samsung boasts of impressive 530MBps sequential write speeds, but it’s worth noting this only applies to the 1TB and higher capacities. For the 250GB and 500GB models, this speed is reduced to 300MBps. Sequential read speeds remain consistent across all models at a respectable 560MBps, a standard for SATA SSDs.
Endurance ratings also scale linearly, going from 150TBW for the 250GB version to 2400TBW for the 4TB variant. DRAM cache scales with capacity, with the lower capacities receiving 512MB while the larger ones boast 1GB, 2GB, and 4GB, respectively. Power consumption also scales between 3.5W and 5W during active use and 30mW and 35mW in idle mode.
The 870 Evo features robust security with 256-bit hardware AES encryption, complying with the TCG/Opal standard and supporting Windows 10’s eDrive feature. The 5-year warranty provides peace of mind, covering the drive until either the warranty period expires or the TBW threshold for your chosen capacity is reached.
Physically, the 870 Evo features a simple metal enclosure, weighing approximately 48g. The package includes only a paper leaflet, a significant departure from the days of bundled cables and adapters. While the physical design is unremarkable, it’s crucial to note that Samsung has released the 870 Evo exclusively in the 2.5-inch form factor. There are no mSATA or M.2 options available, reflecting Samsung’s belief that NVMe drives have taken over as the preferred choice for performance-oriented users.
Samsung SSD 870 Evo Software and Performance
Samsung continues to offer valuable software tools for its SSDs, often overshadowed by the hardware itself. The Data Migration Tool, available for free download, allows for straightforward cloning of older hard drives or SSDs to Samsung SSDs. The newer Samsung Magician SSD utility is packed with features, enabling users to:
- Check detailed statistics including drive health, temperature, and TBW.
- Run quick diagnostic and benchmark tests.
- Manually set overprovisioning.
- Setup encryption.
- Securely erase the entire drive.
The only downside is Samsung’s decision to include ads for other products within the user interface.
Testing was conducted on a 1TB Samsung SSD 870 Evo using an AMD Ryzen 2700 CPU, ASRock X470 Taichi Ultimate motherboard, 2x8GB G.Skill F4-3400C16D-16GSXW DDR4 RAM, a 1TB Samsung 860 Evo SSD, and a Corsair RM650 power supply. All current drivers and OS patches were installed. Windows reported a total formatted capacity of 931.5GB.
CrystalDiskMark 6 revealed sequential read and write speeds of 563.9MBps and 535.4MBps, slightly exceeding Samsung’s claimed figures. Random reads and writes, more reflective of real-world performance, clocked in at 403.7MBps and 377.1MBps, respectively. Samsung Magician’s built-in benchmark also reported 563MBps and 535MBps for sequential read and write speeds. Interestingly, the 1TB Samsung SSD 860 Evo exhibited almost identical speeds in both tests during its review. Finally, the Anvil benchmark registered read and write scores of 2,536.86 and 2,657,92 points, resulting in a total score of 5,194.78.
The Verdict: Samsung SSD 870 Evo – A Solid, Yet Familiar Option
In terms of performance, the Samsung SSD 870 Evo doesn’t offer any significant improvements over its predecessor, the SSD 860 Evo. The average user won’t notice a substantial difference in everyday usage. This release primarily showcases Samsung’s transition to newer technology and optimized production. As a buyer, you can reasonably choose either of these models based on price. While the SSD 860 Evo is becoming harder to find, the SSD 870 Evo isn’t significantly more expensive.
Samsung’s official prices are Rs. 3,599 for 250GB, Rs. 5,999 for 500GB, Rs. 10,999 for 1TB, Rs. 21,999 for 2TB, and Rs. 43,999 for 4TB. These prices are surprisingly reflective of current street pricing, which is a positive change. Expect to find lower prices online or at local hardware stores.
You can find considerably cheaper 1TB SATA SSDs on the market, but those often lack a DRAM cache, resulting in inconsistent performance. Even 1TB M.2 NVMe drives are becoming increasingly affordable, offering a significantly better price-to-performance ratio. Samsung’s own SSD 970 Evo Plus is only slightly more expensive but provides speeds seven times faster. Hopefully, the prices of the SSD 870 Evo will decrease over time.
The Samsung SSD 870 Evo has a limited target audience in today’s world of NVMe dominance. The higher capacity options will appeal to those who need a large secondary SSD for data or games, have exhausted their motherboard’s M.2 slots, or want to breathe new life into older PCs. The 870 Evo is an excellent drive with top-notch features, but NVMe remains the better option for those who can leverage its advantages.
Samsung SSD 870 Evo
Prices:
- Rs. 3,599 (250GB)
- Rs. 5,999 (500GB)
- Rs. 10,999 (1TB)
- Rs. 21,999 (2TB)
- Rs. 43,999 (4TB)
Pros:
- Very good performance
- Feature-rich software
- Good endurance
- High capacities at proportional prices
Cons:
- Limited improvement over the previous generation
- NVMe offers significantly faster speeds for a comparable price
Ratings (Out of 5):
- Performance: 4
- Value for Money: 4
- Overall: 4
