Samsung PM981From real comments

Verdict distilled from 8 mentions across 5 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment43%
PROS 43%
CONS 57%

Rank based on 8 mentions across 5 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a cheap NVMe SSD for your region's market
  • You value strong read/write speeds like 3591/1491 MB/s
  • You're comparing cost savings against retail drives like the 970 EVO

What users love

Skip this if...

  • Your motherboard's BIOS may not support NVMe boot (older boards like Z68)
  • You're uneasy about OEM drives vs retail authenticity
  • You need guaranteed compatibility without troubleshooting

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Premium
Kingston Fury Renegade DDR5
High-speed performanceCustomizable RGB lightingSleek premium designMotherboard/XMP compatibility issuesBuggy control softwareStability problems at high speed
Kingston Fury Renegade DDR5
High-speed performance
Customizable RGB lighting
Sleek premium design
Motherboard/XMP compatibility issues
Buggy control software
Stability problems at high speed
2Premium
Samsung 840 Pro
Fast boot and system performanceStrong reliability reputationFastest standard SATA SSD of its classSlow reboot times reported by somePremium price compared to alternativesBelow-advertised speeds for some users
Samsung 840 Pro
Fast boot and system performance
Strong reliability reputation
Fastest standard SATA SSD of its class
Slow reboot times reported by some
Premium price compared to alternatives
Below-advertised speeds for some users
3Mid
Kingston Fury Beast
Strong overclocking headroom
Kingston Fury Beast
Strong overclocking headroom
4
Lexar NM800 Pro
Easy PS5 InstallationGood PS5 Storage UpgradeConfidence-Building for BeginnersTricky Cover/Spacer RemovalBelow-Advertised Speed Results
Lexar NM800 Pro
Easy PS5 Installation
Good PS5 Storage Upgrade
Confidence-Building for Beginners
Tricky Cover/Spacer Removal
Below-Advertised Speed Results
Best value
5Mid
Samsung 850 EVO
Major speed upgrade over HDDLong-term reliabilityStrong value and dealsInconsistent or degrading performanceHeat concerns on M.2 versionRising prices over time
Samsung 850 EVO
Major speed upgrade over HDD
Long-term reliability
Strong value and deals
Inconsistent or degrading performance
Heat concerns on M.2 version
Rising prices over time
6Mid
Seagate FireCuda 520
Blazing fast sequential speedsFast boot and load timesReliability and warrantyInconsistent real-world speeds on some setupsPerceived high priceHeat issues without a heatsink
Seagate FireCuda 520
Blazing fast sequential speeds
Fast boot and load times
Reliability and warranty
Inconsistent real-world speeds on some setups
Perceived high price
Heat issues without a heatsink
7Mid
WD Black SN750
Great value / priceStrong, competitive performanceBig upgrade from HDD/SATA SSDConfusing 'Game Mode' benefitsSamsung 970 EVO/EVO Plus edges it out for someMinimal real-world difference over other drives
WD Black SN750
Great value / price
Strong, competitive performance
Big upgrade from HDD/SATA SSD
Confusing 'Game Mode' benefits
Samsung 970 EVO/EVO Plus edges it out for some
Minimal real-world difference over other drives
8Premium
Intel Optane SSD 900P
Strong Upgrade DesirabilityAdapter FlexibilitySleek Physical DesignCooling Bracket Design FlawHigher Price PointLimited Capacity Options
Intel Optane SSD 900P
Strong Upgrade Desirability
Adapter Flexibility
Sleek Physical Design
Cooling Bracket Design Flaw
Higher Price Point
Limited Capacity Options
9Mid
Samsung 860 EVO
Dramatic boot and load speed improvementFalling prices across capacitiesSimple, worthwhile install experienceConfusing install and compatibility questionsCloning and data transfer confusionCables and accessories not included
Samsung 860 EVO
Dramatic boot and load speed improvement
Falling prices across capacities
Simple, worthwhile install experience
Confusing install and compatibility questions
Cloning and data transfer confusion
Cables and accessories not included
10Budget
Crucial MX100
Excellent price-to-capacity valueFast boot and load timesStrong alternative to Samsung Evo/ProReliability and endurance concernsUncertainty around compatibility and setupConfusing capacity pricing tiers
Crucial MX100
Excellent price-to-capacity value
Fast boot and load times
Strong alternative to Samsung Evo/Pro
Reliability and endurance concerns
Uncertainty around compatibility and setup
Confusing capacity pricing tiers
You are here
31Budget
Samsung PM981
Budget-friendly pricingFast read/write speedsBIOS/boot compatibility issuesUncertainty about OEM authenticityUnclear OEM compatibility behavior
Samsung PM981
Budget-friendly pricing
Fast read/write speeds
BIOS/boot compatibility issues
Uncertainty about OEM authenticity
Unclear OEM compatibility behavior

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The PM981 delivers strong speeds at a low price point. Commenters highlight the PM981 as the cheapest 256GB NVMe drive available in their country, while also reporting fast benchmark results, such as 3591 MB/s read and 1491 MB/s write on a 256GB unit. Buyers weighed the total cost, including heatsinks, against retail alternatives like the 970 EVO Plus, generally finding the PM981 to be a good value deal, especially when purchased through marketplaces like eBay.

BIOS and motherboard compatibility remain a real concern for older systems. Multiple users attempting to use the PM981 on older boards like the Z68 Extreme4 ran into problems, with the BIOS not listing NVMe storage or the drive failing to boot despite containing a bootable OS. One user only saw a generic 'PATA' entry appear after BIOS modification, with no successful boot. This suggests older chipsets may lack proper NVMe boot support regardless of physical M.2 slot fit.

Buyers have lingering questions about OEM drive legitimacy and behavior. Some commenters ask directly whether OEM SSDs like the PM981 have compatibility quirks compared to standard retail SSDs, or whether the specific unit is a genuine Samsung product versus a possible fake. Questions about detection in Samsung Magician software reflect uncertainty around verifying authenticity for OEM-sourced drives, which may concern cautious buyers.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?