Back in May 2025, we reviewed the Samsung 9100 Pro SSD, Samsung’s flagship consumer PCIe Gen 5 storage solution at the time. We tested the 2TB variant and found it to be one of the fastest SSDs we have ever reviewed.
Since then, the PCIe Gen 5 SSD market has matured, with more options now available to consumers. However, drives offering very high capacities are still relatively rare. That brings us to the 8TB variant of the Samsung 9100 Pro, which we have with us today. In this review, we will be testing the drive both with and without a heatsink.
Form Factor and Specifications
As expected, the heatsink-equipped variant is noticeably larger than the standard non-heatsink version. The metal heatsink gives the drive a more premium look while also adding an extra layer of physical protection.
When choosing between the two, clearance is an important factor to consider. The heatsink variant is not suitable for laptops or handheld devices, where vertical space is limited. We strongly recommend checking the available clearance on your motherboard before opting for the heatsink-equipped model.
Here are the specifications:
| Category | Samsung SSD 9100 PRO |
| Interface | PCIe 5.0 x4, NVMe 2.0 |
| Form Factor | M.2 (2280) |
| NAND Type | Samsung V NAND TLC (V8) |
| Controller | Samsung In-House Controller |
| DRAM (Cache Memory) | 4GB LPDDR4X(8TB) |
| Sequential Read/Write Speed | Up to 14,800 MB/s, Up to 13,400 MB/s |
| Random Read/Write Speed | Up to 2,200K IOPS, 2,600K IOPS |
| Data Encryption | AES 256-bit Full Disk Encryption, TCG/Opal V2.0, MS eDrive / Encrypted Drive (IEEE1667) |
| Total Bytes Written | 48000 TBW (8TB) |
Performance Benchmarks
We benchmarked the Samsung 9100 Pro SSD on our test rig, which is equipped with the following components:
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X processor
- 2x16GB Corsair Vengeance DDR5 RAM running at 5200MT/s
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070Ti GPU
- MSI PRO X870E-P WIFI motherboard
- WD SN770 2TB SSD (Boot Drive)
We benchmarked both versions of the 9100 Pro SSD – with heatsink and without a heatsink. The motherboard we tested it on does come with a protective heatsink cover of its own, however we did not use it in our tests to better understand the difference between the two variants.
Samsung 9100 Pro benchmarks (Without heatsink)
Samsung 9100 Pro benchmarks (With heatsink)
Thermal Testing
As seen from the results, there is no noticeable difference in performance between the heatsink and non-heatsink variants of the Samsung 9100 Pro. That said, the presence of a heatsink does have a clear impact on operating temperatures.
During our CrystalDiskMark testing, the non-heatsink variant reached a peak temperature of 82℃ on the NAND flash and 95℃ on the controller. In comparison, the heatsink-equipped variant peaked at 60℃ for the NAND flash and 64℃ for the controller, which is a reduction of over 20℃ across both components.
Traditionally, SSDs have not required active cooling, and NAND flash is known to operate efficiently at temperatures higher than ambient. That said, there is a practical limit. Over long periods of sustained use, consistently high operating temperatures can impact drive longevity, and this is where a heatsink becomes beneficial. It helps keep the SSD within a more optimal thermal range for extended operation.
Conclusion
When you consider its specifications and performance, the Samsung 9100 Pro is an easy recommendation within the PCIe Gen 5 segment. These drives offer exceptional speeds, and while the market is still in its early stages, PCIe Gen 5 clearly represents the next step forward in consumer storage.
While PCIe Gen 4 SSDs remain more than sufficient for most users, there is a growing group of enthusiasts and professionals who either want cutting-edge hardware or genuinely benefit from higher throughput. This includes users working with 4K and 8K video, 3D rendering, and AI or machine learning workloads. In such scenarios, PCIe Gen 5 drives can make a tangible difference, and the Samsung 9100 Pro fits the bill well.
The main concern comes down to pricing. Ongoing supply chain issues affecting NAND flash and DRAM have resulted in unpredictable SSD pricing, making this a less-than-ideal time to buy. If you are considering the Samsung 9100 Pro, it is worth comparing prices across multiple sellers before making a decision.
The Samsung 9100 Pro SSD (8TB) is available for purchase on Amazon, along with multiple other online and offline retailers.