Samsung 950 PRO

Released in October 2015, Samsung’s 950 PRO was the first consumer SSD to utilize Samsung’s 3D V-NAND technology. It was also one of the first (second to the similar OEM SM951 model) to feature the NVMe protocol (version 1.2) over a PCIe 3.0 x4 interface. It was positioned as Samsung’s flagship consumer NVMe SSD, targeting enthusiasts and professionals requiring high-speed storage performance.

Controller, Cache, and DRAM

The Samsung 950 PRO utilizes Samsung’s proprietary UBX controller, which was specifically designed to take advantage of the NVMe protocol and PCIe 3.0 x4 interface. This controller enables the drive to achieve substantially better performance compared to SATA-based SSDs by supporting multiple command queues and reducing latency through direct PCIe communication with the CPU.

It features LPDDR3 DRAM cache to improve performance and manage the flash translation layer (FTL). The 256 GB model features 512 MB of cache, while the 512 GB model includes 1 GB of LPDDR3 DRAM. This cache helps optimize write performance and extends the lifespan of the NAND flash memory by managing wear leveling and garbage collection operations.

NAND Memory Type

As a first in the consumer space, the Samsung 950 PRO featured 3D V-NAND technology using multi-level cell (MLC) configuration. 3D NAND architecture allows for higher density storage while maintaining reliability and performance. The vertical stacking of memory cells also provides  lower power consumption compared to traditional planar NAND flash memory.

Power Consumption

The drive features relatively low power consumption for its performance class, with active power consumption of approximately 6.8 watts during maximum performance operations and idle power consumption of around 50 milliwatts. Thanks to the M.2 form factor and efficient 3D V-NAND technology, this SSD was well-suited to laptops at the time.

Write Endurance

Samsung rates the 256 GB model of the 950 PRO at 200 terabytes written (TBW), while the 512 GB model is rated at 400 TBW.

Encryption Capabilities

The Samsung 950 PRO supports AES 256-bit hardware-based encryption and is compatible with TCG Opal 2.0 and IEEE1667 security standards. This hardware-level encryption provides data protection without impacting performance, making it suitable for enterprise and security-conscious applications.

Other Features

Notable features include Samsung’s Magician software for drive management and optimization, support for Device Sleep mode for reduced power consumption, and thermal throttling protection to maintain reliability under high load conditions. The drive also supports TRIM command and garbage collection for maintaining optimal performance over time.

Specifications Vs SM951

Official datasheet

Legacy and Successor

The 950 PRO was succeeded by the Samsung 960 PRO series in 2016, which offered improved performance and additional capacity options. The 950 PRO established Samsung’s dominance in the high-performance consumer SSD market and demonstrated the potential of NVMe technology for mainstream applications.

Professional Reviews

The Samsung 950 PRO received widespread acclaim in the tech press for its exceptional performance and marked the beginning of mainstream NVMe adoption in consumer systems.

AnandTech

The Samsung SSD 950 PRO is without a doubt the fastest client SSD we have ever tested.

Tom’s Hardware

Samsung’s 950 PRO delivers flagship performance that redefines what we should expect from consumer storage.

StorageReview

The Samsung 950 Pro SSD is a terrific drive and a worthy addition to the company’s growing M.2 form factor portfolio.