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Acer FA100 vs Samsung 990 PRO: Comparison
Acer FA100 vs Samsung 990 PRO sequential read compared
Sequential read is where these two genuinely part company, Acer FA100 3300 MB/s against Samsung 990 PRO 7450 MB/s, a 56% lead for Samsung 990 PRO. Speed Score backs the spec sheet up. Samsung 990 PRO scores 8.4 to 6.4, 24% clear. Sequential write runs the same way, 2700 MB/s on the Acer FA100 versus 6900 MB/s on the Samsung 990 PRO, another win for Samsung 990 PRO. There is a split on controller as well, IG5216 on the Acer FA100 versus Samsung Elpis on the Samsung 990 PRO.
Who each one is for
The Acer FA100 is the one to take for everyday storage use where 3300 MB/s reads are fast enough. It also earns its place with budget laptop or desktop upgrades wanting 2000 GB on a PCIe 3.0 x4 M.2 slot. It is not the one for buyers wanting PCIe 4.0 performance, as this drive is limited to 3300 MB/s reads. Take the Samsung 990 PRO for gen 4 systems that need strong random performance, not just headline sequential numbers. It is equally the pick for PS5 expansion, where the single-sided 2280 layout and heatsink option fit Sony's rules exactly. Avoid it for sustained multi-hundred-gigabyte writes. The 226GB cache runs out and the SN850X holds nearly three times as much. Our rating of the Samsung 990 PRO (8/10): still the best-engineered PCIe 4.0 drive. The 2026 price is the only reason to look elsewhere, and right now it is a good reason.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Acer FA100 and Samsung 990 PRO differ on bus interface?
Yes. Bus Interface reads PCIe 3.0 x4 on the Acer FA100 versus PCIe 4.0 x4 on the Samsung 990 PRO.
Is the Form Factor the same on the Acer FA100 and Samsung 990 PRO?
It is. Both are listed at M.2 2280, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Speed Score
- Acer FA100
- 6.4/10-24%
- Samsung 990 PRO
- 8.4/10Best
How fast this drive is, rated from its read and write speeds, cache and NAND type. 10 is the fastest.
Brand
- Acer FA100
- Acer
- Samsung 990 PRO
- Samsung
Model Number
- Acer FA100
- Acer FA100 (Micron B47R)
- Samsung 990 PRO
- 990 PRO
Series
- Acer FA100
- FA100
- Samsung 990 PRO
- 990 PRO
Bus Interface
- Acer FA100
- PCIe 3.0 x4
- Samsung 990 PRO
- PCIe 4.0 x4
Form Factor
- Acer FA100
- M.2 2280
- Samsung 990 PRO
- M.2 2280
Sequential Read
- Acer FA100
- 3300 MB/s-56%
- Samsung 990 PRO
- 7450 MB/s
Sequential Write
- Acer FA100
- 2700 MB/s-61%
- Samsung 990 PRO
- 6900 MB/s
Controller
- Acer FA100
- IG5216
- Samsung 990 PRO
- Samsung Elpis
DRAM Cache
- Acer FA100
- DRAM-less (HMB)
- Samsung 990 PRO
- LPDDR4
NAND Type
- Acer FA100
- TLC
- Samsung 990 PRO
- Samsung V-NAND TLC
Which one should you pick?
Choose Acer FA100 if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.
Choose Samsung 990 PRO if you want the higher speed score (8.4 vs 6.4), the higher sequential read (7450 MB/s vs 3300 MB/s) and the higher sequential write (6900 MB/s vs 2700 MB/s).
Price comparison
| Retailer | Acer FA100 | Samsung 990 PRO |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $385.27 View on Amazon | |
| B&H Photo | View on B&H Photo | |
| Best Buy | View on Best Buy | |
| Newegg | View on Newegg |
Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.
Verdict
Samsung 990 PRO
8 / 10 Expert Rating
Still the best-engineered PCIe 4.0 drive.