What’s the difference between the SK hynix Gold P31 and Samsung 980?

The SK hynix Gold P31 and Samsung 980 are two of the more popular M.2 2280 solid state drives that are currently available.

If you want to know what the major differences are between these internal SSDs, then you can check out this guide at Seeking Tech.

Quick Summary

The SK hynix Gold P31 Solid State Drive is generally faster than the Samsung 980 Solid State Drive at maximum sequential reads, maximum sequential writes, maximum random reads and maximum random writes.

Not to mention that the P31 has better endurance as you will be able to write more data on it than the 980.

The two solid state drives do have the same reliability rating in addition to the same warranty coverage length.

Overall, we recommend getting the SK hynix Gold P31 over the Samsung 980 due to the better performances and endurance.

P31 vs. 980 Comparison Chart

You can take a look at Seeking Tech’s comparison table for the P31 and 980 SSDs below.

Capacity Options

The Samsung 980 is the only product out of these two to offer a 2 TB capacity option.

You can check out a breakdown of the available capacities for both products below:

SK hynix Gold P31:

• 500 GB
• 1 TB

Samsung 980:

• 250 GB
• 500 GB
• 1 TB

Model Numbers

You can find the model number attached to each capacity of the two SSDs in this versus guide below:

• 500 GB SK hynix Gold P31: SHGP31-500GM-2
• 1 TB SK hynix Gold P31: SHGP31-1000GM-2

• 250 GB Samsung 980: MZ-V8V250B
• 500 GB Samsung 980: MZ-V8V500B
• 1 TB Samsung 980: MZ-V8V1T0B

Form Factor

Both the P31 and 980 utilize the M.2 2280 form factor.

Interface

As for the interface, the P31 uses PCIe Gen 3.0 x4, NVMe 1.3 while the 980 uses PCIe Gen 3.0 x4, NVMe 1.4.

Maximum Sequential Read Speed

When you compare the same capacities, the 500 GB SK hynix Gold P31 is 400 MB per second faster, or 12.90% faster, than the 500 GB Samsung 980 at maximum sequential reading.

The 1 TB capacity options for both products have the same top speeds in this category.

You can find the maximum sequential read speed per capacity for both SSDs below:

• 500 GB SK hynix Gold P31: Up to 3500 MB per second
• 1 TB SK hynix Gold P31: Up to 3500 MB per second

• 250 GB Samsung 980: Up to 2900 MB per second
• 500 GB Samsung 980: Up to 3100 MB per second
• 1 TB Samsung 980: Up to 3500 MB per second

Maximum Sequential Write Speed

As for the maximum sequential writing speed, the 500 GB SK hynix Gold P31 is 500 MB per second faster, or 19.23% faster, than the 500 GB Samsung 980.

The 1 TB SK hynix Gold P31 is also 200 MB per second faster, or 6.67% faster, than the 1 TB Samsung 980.

You can take a look at the maximum sequential write speeds below:

• 500 GB SK hynix Gold P31: Up to 3100 MB per second
• 1 TB SK hynix Gold P31: Up to 3200 MB per second

• 250 GB Samsung 980: Up to 1300 MB per second
• 500 GB Samsung 980: Up to 2600 MB per second
• 1 TB Samsung 980: Up to 3000 MB per second

Maximum Random Read Speed

When it comes to maximum random reading, the 500 GB SK hynix Gold P31 is 170K IOPS faster, or 42.5% faster, than the 500 GB Samsung 980.

The 1 TB SK hynix Gold P31 is also 70K IOPS faster, or 14% faster, than the 1 TB Samsung 980.

You can check out the maximum random read speeds below:

• 500 GB SK hynix Gold P31: Up to 570K IOPS
• 1 TB SK hynix Gold P31: Up to 570K IOPS

• 250 GB Samsung 980: Up to 230K IOPS
• 500 GB Samsung 980: Up to 400K IOPS
• 1 TB Samsung 980: Up to 500K IOPS

Maximum Random Write Speed

For maximum random writing, the 500 GB SK hynix Gold P31 is 130K IOPS faster, or 27.66% faster, than the 500 GB Samsung 980.

The 1 TB SK hynix Gold P31 is also 120K IOPS faster, or 25% faster, than the 1 TB Samsung 980.

You can take a look at the maximum random write speeds below:

• 500 GB SK hynix Gold P31: Up to 600K IOPS
• 1 TB SK hynix Gold P31: Up to 600K IOPS

• 250 GB Samsung 980: Up to 320K IOPS
• 500 GB Samsung 980: Up to 470K IOPS
• 1 TB Samsung 980: Up to 480K IOPS

Endurance

As for endurance, you will be able write more data with the SK hynix Gold P31 than the Samsung 980.

You can find the TBW specs for each capacity of both solid state drives below:

• 500 GB SK hynix Gold P31: 500 TBW
• 1 TB SK hynix Gold P31: 750 TBW

• 250GB Samsung 980: 150 TBW
• 500GB Samsung 980: 300 TBW
• 1TB Samsung 980: 600 TBW

Reliability

The P31 and 980 have the same Mean Time Between Failures reliability rating of 1,500,000 hours.

Warranty

The SK hynix Gold P31 Solid State Drive and Samsung 980 Solid State Drive each comes with a 5-year warranty.

Resources:

• https://ssd.skhynix.com/GoldP31_en.html
• https://www.samsung.com/us/computing/memory-storage/solid-state-drives/ssd-970-evo-plus-nvme-m-2-250gb-mz-v7s250b-am/