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.

SK hynix Gold P31 Solid State DriveSamsung 980 Solid State Drive
Capacity Options500 GB

1 TB
250 GB

500 GB

1 TB
Model Numbers500 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 FactorM.2 2280M.2 2280
InterfacePCIe Gen 3.0 x4, NVMe 1.3PCIe Gen 3.0 x4, NVMe 1.4
Maximum Sequential Read Speed500 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 Speed500 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 Speed500 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 Speed500 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
Endurance500 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
Reliability1,500,000 hours MTBF1,500,000 hours MTBF
Warranty5-year warranty5-year warranty
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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:

What’s the difference between the Samsung 980 and Samsung 980 Pro?

Samsung recently released the 980 Solid State Drive. So, how does this new model compare to the 980 Pro?

You can find out in this comparison guide between the two internal storage drives.

Quick Summary

When compared to the newer Samsung 980 Solid State Drive, the Samsung 980 Pro Solid State Drive is quite a bit faster when it comes to maximum sequential reading, maximum sequential writing, maximum random reading and maximum sequential writing.

The speed differences are the widest when you use both SSDs with PCIe 4.0. With PCIe 3.0, the gap is smaller but still substantial.

The two storage drives are identical when it comes to endurance and reliability.

980 vs. 980 Pro Comparison Chart

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

Samsung 980 Solid State DriveSamsung 980 Pro Solid State Drive
Capacity Options250GB

500GB

1TB
250GB

500GB

1TB

2TB
Model Numbers250GB: MZ-V8V250B

500GB: MZ-V8V500B

1TB: MZ-V8V1T0B
250GB: MZ-V8P250B

500GB: MZ-V8P500B

1TB: MZ-V8P1T0B

2TB: MZ-V8P2T0B
Form FactorM.2 2280M.2 2280
InterfacesPCIe Gen 3.0 x4 and NVMe 1.4PCIe Gen 4.0 x 4 and NVMe 1.3c
NAND TechnologyMLCMLC
Flash ControllerSamsung PabloSamsung Elpis
SecurityAES 256-bit Full Disk Encryption

Encrypted Drive (IEEE1667)

TCG/Opal V2.0
AES 256-bit Full Disk Encryption

Encrypted Drive (IEEE1667)

TCG/Opal V2.0
Maximum Sequential Read Speed over PCIe 4.0250GB 980: Up to 2900 MB per second

500GB 980: Up to 3100 MB per second

1TB 980: Up to 3500 MB per second
250GB 980 Pro: Up to 6400 MB per second

500GB 980 Pro: Up to 6900 MB per second

1TB 980 Pro: Up to 7000 MB per second

2TB 980 Pro: Up to 7000 MB per second
Maximum Sequential Write Speed over PCIe 4.0250GB 980: Up to 1300 MB per second

500GB 980: Up to 2600 MB per second

1TB 980: Up to 3000 MB per second
250GB 980 Pro: Up to 2700 MB per second

500GB 980 Pro: Up to 5000 MB per second

1TB 980 Pro: Up to 5000 MB per second

2TB 980 Pro: Up to 5100 MB per second
Maximum Sequential Read Speed over PCIe 3.0250GB 980: Up to 2900 MB per second

500GB 980: Up to 3100 MB per second

1TB 980: Up to 3500 MB per second
250GB 980 Pro: Up to 3500 MB per second

500GB 980 Pro: Up to 3500 MB per second

1 TB 980 Pro: Up to 3500 MB per second

2TB 980 Pro: Up to 3500 MB per second
Maximum Sequential Write Speed over PCIe 3.0250GB 980: Up to 1300 MB per second

500GB 980: Up to 2600 MB per second

1TB 980: Up to 3000 MB per second
250GB 980 Pro: Up to 2700 MB per second

500GB 980 Pro: Up to 3400 MB per second

1TB 980 Pro: Up to 3450 MB per second

2TB 980 Pro: Up to 3470 MB per second
Maximum Random Read Speed over PCIe 4.0250GB 980: Up to 230,000 IOPS

500GB 980: Up to 400,000 IOPS

1TB 980: Up to 500,000 IOPS
250GB 980 Pro: Up to 500,000 IOPS

500GB 980 Pro: Up to 800,000 IOPS

1TB 980 Pro: Up to 1,000,000 IOPS

2TB 980 Pro: Up to 1,000,000 IOPS
Maximum Random Write Speed over PCIe 4.0250GB 980: Up to 320,000 IOPS

500GB 980: Up to 470,000 IOPS

1TB 980: Up to 480,000 IOPS
250GB 980 Pro: Up to 600,000 IOPS

500GB 980 Pro: Up to 1,000,000 IOPS

1TB 980 Pro: Up to 1,000,000 IOPS

2TB 980 Pro: Up to 1,000,000 IOPS
Maximum Random Read Speed over PCIe 3.0250GB 980: Up to 230,000 IOPS

500GB 980: Up to 400,000 IOPS

1TB 980: Up to 500,000 IOPS
250GB 980 Pro: Up to 560,000 IOPS

500GB 980 Pro: Up to 690,000 IOPS

1TB 980 Pro: Up to 690,000 IOPS

2TB 980 Pro: Up to 680,000 IOPS
Maximum Random Write Speed over PCIe 3.0250GB 980: Up to 320,000 IOPS

500GB 980: Up to 470,000 IOPS

1TB 980: Up to 480,000 IOPS
250GB 980 Pro: Up to 620,000 IOPS

500GB 980 Pro: Up to 620,000 IOPS

1TB 980 Pro: Up to 660,000 IOPS

2TB 980 Pro: Up to 630,000 IOPS
Endurance250GB 980: 150 TBW

500GB 980: 300 TBW

1TB 980: 600 TBW
250GB 980 Pro: 150 TBW

500GB 980 Pro: 300 TBW

1TB 980 Pro: 600 TBW

2TB 980 Pro: 1200 TBW
Reliability1,500,000 hours1,500,000 hours
Warranty5 years or TBW5 years or TBW
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Capacity Options

The 980 Pro currently comes with a 2TB capacity option while the 980 doesn’t. Both products are available in 250GB, 500GB and 1 TB.

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

Samsung 980:

  • 250GB
  • 500GB
  • 1TB

Samsung 980 Pro:

  • 250GB
  • 500GB
  • 1TB
  • 2TB

Model Numbers

You can also find the model number for each of the capacity below:

Samsung 980:

  1. 250GB: MZ-V8V250B
  2. 500GB: MZ-V8V500B
  3. 1TB: MZ-V8V1T0B

Samsung 980 Pro:

  • 250GB: MZ-V8P250B
  • 500GB: MZ-V8P500B
  • 1TB: MZ-V8P1T0B
  • 2TB: MZ-V8P2T0B

Form Factor

The 980 and 980 Pro are both M.2 2280 drives.

Interfaces

When it comes to the interfaces, the Samsung 980 utilize PCIe Gen 3.0 x4 and NVMe 1.4 while the Samsung 980 Pro utilize PCIe Gen 4.0 x 4 and NVMe 1.3c.

NAND Technology

For NAND, both of the solid state drives are equipped with MLC.

Flash Controller

As for the flash controller, the 980 SSD uses Samsung Pablo while the 980 Pro SSD uses Samsung Elpis.

Security

The two storage drives share the same security features, which you can find a list of below:

  • AES 256-bit Full Disk Encryption
  • Encrypted Drive (IEEE1667)
  • TCG/Opal V2.0

Maximum Sequential Read Speed over PCIe 4.0

The 980 Pro has a big advantage over the 980 when it comes to maximum sequential reading over PCIe 4.0.

When you compare the same capacities, the 250GB 980 Pro is 3500 MB per second faster, or 120.69%, than the 250GB 980.

The 500GB 980 Pro is 3800 MB per second faster, or 122.58% faster, than the 500GB Samsung 980.

The 1TB Samsung 980 Pro is 3500 MB per second faster, or 100% faster, than the 1TB Samsung 980.

You can find the PCIe 4.0 maximum sequential read speed specifications below:

  • 250GB 980: Up to 2900 MB per second
  • 500GB 980: Up to 3100 MB per second
  • 1TB 980: Up to 3500 MB per second
  • 250GB 980 Pro: Up to 6400 MB per second
  • 500GB 980 Pro: Up to 6900 MB per second
  • 1TB 980 Pro: Up to 7000 MB per second
  • 2TB 980 Pro: Up to 7000 MB per second

Maximum Sequential Write Speed over PCIe 4.0

The pro version of the 980 is also much better than the regular version at maximum sequential writing over PCIe 4.0.

The 250GB 980 Pro is 1400 MB per second faster, or 107.69% faster, when compared to the 250GB Samsung 980.

The 500GB 980 Pro is also 2400 MB per second faster, or 92.31% faster, when compared to the 500GB Samsung 980.

Last but not least, the 1TB 980 Pro is 2000 MB per second faster, or 66.67% faster, than the 1TB Samsung 980.

You can check out the PCIe 4.0 maximum sequential writing speeds below:

  • 250GB 980: Up to 1300 MB per second
  • 500GB 980: Up to 2600 MB per second
  • 1TB 980: Up to 3000 MB per second
  • 250GB 980 Pro: Up to 2700 MB per second
  • 500GB 980 Pro: Up to 5000 MB per second
  • 1TB 980 Pro: Up to 5000 MB per second
  • 2TB 980 Pro: Up to 5100 MB per second

Maximum Sequential Read Speed over PCIe 3.0

The Samsung 980 Pro also has an edge over the Samsung 980 at maximum sequential reading over PCIe 3.0.

The 250GB 980 Pro is 600 MB per second faster than the 250GB 980.

Moreover, the 500GB 980 Pro is 400 MB per second faster than the 500GB 980.

On the other hand, the 1TB 980 Pro and 1TB 980 are tied in this category.

You can check out the PCIe 3.0 maximum sequential reading speeds below:

  • 250GB 980: Up to 2900 MB per second
  • 500GB 980: Up to 3100 MB per second
  • 1TB 980: Up to 3500 MB per second
  • 250GB 980 Pro: Up to 3500 MB per second
  • 500GB 980 Pro: Up to 3500 MB per second
  • 1 TB 980 Pro: Up to 3500 MB per second
  • 2TB 980 Pro: Up to 3500 MB per second

Maximum Sequential Write Speed over PCIe 3.0

When it comes to maximum sequential writing over PCIe 3.0, the Samsung 980 Pro also comes out on top.

The 250GB 980 Pro is 1400 MB per second faster, or 107.69% faster, than the 250GB 980.

The 500GB 980 Pro is also 800 MB per second faster, or 30.77% faster, than the 500GB 980.

Finally, the 1TB 980 Pro is 450 MB per second faster than the 1TB 980.

You can find the PCIe 3.0 maximum sequential writing speeds below:

  • 250GB 980: Up to 1300 MB per second
  • 500GB 980: Up to 2600 MB per second
  • 1TB 980: Up to 3000 MB per second
  • 250GB 980 Pro: Up to 2700 MB per second
  • 500GB 980 Pro: Up to 3400 MB per second
  • 1TB 980 Pro: Up to 3450 MB per second
  • 2TB 980 Pro: Up to 3470 MB per second

Maximum Random Read Speed over PCIe 4.0

For maximum random reading over PCIe 4.0, the 250GB 980 Pro is 270,000 IOPS faster, or 117.39% faster, than the 250GB 980.

The 500GB 980 Pro is 400,000 IOPS faster, or 100% faster, than the 500GB 980.

The 1TB 980 Pro is 500,000 IOPS faster, or 100% faster, than the 500GB 980.

You can find the PCIe 4.0 maximum random read speeds below:

  • 250GB 980: Up to 230,000 IOPS
  • 500GB 980: Up to 400,000 IOPS
  • 1TB 980: Up to 500,000 IOPS
  • 250GB 980 Pro: Up to 500,000 IOPS
  • 500GB 980 Pro: Up to 800,000 IOPS
  • 1TB 980 Pro: Up to 1,000,000 IOPS
  • 2TB 980 Pro: Up to 1,000,000 IOPS

Maximum Random Write Speed over PCIe 4.0

For PCIe 4.0 maximum random writing, the 250GB 980 Pro is 280,000 IOPS faster, or 87.5% faster, than the 250GB 980.

The 500GB 980 Pro is 530,000 IOPS faster, or 112.77% faster, than the 500GB 980.

Last but not least, the 1TB 980 Pro is 520,000 IOPS faster, or 108.33% faster, than the 1TB 980.

You can check out the PCIe 4.0 random write speed specifications below:

  • 250GB 980: Up to 320,000 IOPS
  • 500GB 980: Up to 470,000 IOPS
  • 1TB 980: Up to 480,000 IOPS
  • 250GB 980 Pro: Up to 600,000 IOPS
  • 500GB 980 Pro: Up to 1,000,000 IOPS
  • 1TB 980 Pro: Up to 1,000,000 IOPS
  • 2TB 980 Pro: Up to 1,000,000 IOPS

Maximum Random Read Speed over PCIe 3.0

For random reading when using PCIe 3.0, the 250GB 980 Pro is 330,000 IOPS faster, or 143.48% faster, than the 250GB 980.

The 500GB 980 Pro is 290,000 IOPS faster, or 72.5% faster, than the 500GB 980.

The 1TB 980 Pro is also 190,000 IOPS faster, or 38% faster, than the 1TB 980.

You can find the PCIe 3.0 maximum random read speeds below:

  • 250GB 980: Up to 230,000 IOPS
  • 500GB 980: Up to 400,000 IOPS
  • 1TB 980: Up to 500,000 IOPS
  • 250GB 980 Pro: Up to 560,000 IOPS
  • 500GB 980 Pro: Up to 690,000 IOPS
  • 1TB 980 Pro: Up to 690,000 IOPS
  • 2TB 980 Pro: Up to 680,000 IOPS

Maximum Random Write Speed over PCIe 3.0

For maximum random writing over PCIe 3.0, the 250GB 980 Pro is 300,000 IOPS faster, or 93.75% faster, than the 250GB 980.

The 500GB 980 Pro is 150,000 IOPS faster, or 31.91% faster, than 500GB 980.

Lastly, the 1TB 980 Pro is 180,000 IOPS faster, or 37.5% faster, than 1TB 980.

You can find the PCIe 3.0 maximum random write speeds below:

  • 250GB 980: Up to 320,000 IOPS
  • 500GB 980: Up to 470,000 IOPS
  • 1TB 980: Up to 480,000 IOPS
  • 250GB 980 Pro: Up to 620,000 IOPS
  • 500GB 980 Pro: Up to 620,000 IOPS
  • 1TB 980 Pro: Up to 660,000 IOPS
  • 2TB 980 Pro: Up to 630,000 IOPS

Endurance

Endurance for the 980 series of SSDs is measured as Terabytes Written, which means the amount of data you can write on a drive during its expected lifespan.

The regular and pro versions are identical when it comes to endurance if you are comparing the same capacities.

You can find the TBW specs below:

  • 250GB 980: 150 TBW
  • 500GB 980: 300 TBW
  • 1TB 980: 600 TBW
  • 250GB 980 Pro: 150 TBW
  • 500GB 980 Pro: 300 TBW
  • 1TB 980 Pro: 600 TBW
  • 2TB 980 Pro: 1200 TBW

Reliability

Reliability for these Samsung solid state drives is measured as Mean Time Between Failures, which is the estimated amount of time between two hardware failing events.

The 980 and 980 Pro have the same MTBF of 1,500,000 hours.

Warranty

The Samsung 980 Solid State Drive and Samsung 980 Pro Solid State Drive each comes with a 5-year limited warranty that could end sooner if the aforementioned TBW limit is exceeded.

Resources: