Samsung 980 Pro

Pros

• High-speed performance suitable for OS drives and active gaming
• Easy 'plug and play' compatibility with Gen4 motherboards
• Strong brand reputation and frequently cited as a top-tier storage choice

Cons

• Documented instances of drive failure attributed to bad firmware
• Reports of 'dirty volume' errors and formatting issues in some units
• Increasingly difficult to find in stock as it has been superseded by newer models
• Price premium is often considered unnecessary for pure gaming builds

Caveats

• Users emphasize the importance of firmware updates to avoid known reliability issues
• Performance differences between the 980 Pro and its successor (990 Pro) or cheaper Gen3 drives are often unnoticeable in daily use

Best for

• High-end PC builds requiring a reliable Gen4 boot drive
• Users who prefer Samsung's storage ecosystem and software support
• Storing games that benefit from fast load times

Avoid if

• You are on a strict budget where a cheaper NVMe would offer a similar gaming experience
• You want the latest flagship hardware, as the 990 Pro is the current successor
• You are unable or unwilling to verify and update SSD firmware