Ssd Sm961

The Samsung SM961 is a high-performance PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD that was originally released in 2016 as an OEM equivalent to the 960 Pro. While it is now End of Life (EOL), it remains a notable product due to its use of high-end MLC (2-bit per cell) V-NAND, which offers superior sustained write performance compared to modern TLC/QLC drives.

Product Insights & Performance

* Key Specs: Utilizing the Samsung Polaris controller, it reaches sequential read speeds up to 3,200 MB/s and write speeds up to 1,800 MB/s TechpowerupWorkstationspecialist.

* Unique Tech: One of the last mainstream drives to feature MLC flash, making it highly desirable for workstations requiring intense, consistent data throughput without thermal throttling or SLC cache exhaustion Tweaktown.

* Form Factor: Single-sided M.2 2280, ensuring compatibility even in extremely thin laptops Tweaktown.

Current Market Trends

* Availability: As a discontinued OEM product, new units are rare and primarily sourced as "New Old Stock" (NOS) from system builders clearing inventory Tweaktown.

* Pricing Trends: Originally launched at ~$512 for the 1TB model, historical data shows a significant drop to around $170 by 2019 TechpowerupTweaktown. Currently, market interest has shifted toward newer PCIe 4.0 and 5.0 models.

* Modern Alternatives:

* 980 Pro / 990 Pro: The current consumer benchmarks for performance, offering PCIe 4.0 speeds up to 7,450 MB/s PcpartpickerYoutube.

* PM9A1: The modern OEM spiritual successor to the SM961, providing 980 Pro-level performance at lower wholesale price points (approx. $105–$237 depending on capacity) Alibaba.

The SM961's current market value is largely niche, focused on legacy system upgrades or specific professional workflows that prioritize MLC endurance over raw PCIe 4.0 peak speeds. For new builds, the Samsung 980 Pro and PM9A1 are the primary sourcing recommendations.