Samsung 990 PRO buying guide · Updated September 22, 2026
990 PRO 2TB: with or without heatsink?
Start with where it will go.
For a PS5, choose the factory-heatsink version for a simpler shopping list, or pair the bare drive with verified compatible cooling. For a PC with a suitable motherboard M.2 heatsink, start with the bare version. Choose the package before comparing its price.
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In short
The factory-heatsink version is the straightforward PS5 starting point; a bare drive needs a separate cooling plan.
A PC's existing M.2 heatsink and available space can make the bare version the more suitable choice.
Match the full model code, 2TB capacity and included cooling before comparing offers; the worked example below uses invented prices.
Published by Muchita with AI-assisted drafting and checks against official Samsung and PlayStation documentation. This is a buying guide, not a hands-on product review. The cost example is fictional; no live offers, performance tests or future discounts are reported. Muchita is not affiliated with Samsung or PlayStation. Spotted something outdated? Email privacy@muchita.ai.
The quick decision
Choose cooling that suits your machine.
This is a buying decision about fit, included hardware and what you already own. It does not establish a performance advantage for either version. Samsung lists the factory-heatsink model for PCs and PS5 in its product datasheet.
| Your setup | Start with | Confirm before paying |
|---|---|---|
| PS5; no separate cooler chosen | 990 PRO with factory heatsink | The listing includes Samsung's heatsink, not just a picture of one. |
| PS5; compatible cooler already owned | Bare 990 PRO | The cooler fits this drive and the completed assembly meets Sony's limits. |
| Desktop; suitable motherboard M.2 heatsink | Bare 990 PRO | Your motherboard manual specifies that cooling arrangement for the slot you will use. |
| Desktop; no suitable cooler | Factory heatsink or bare drive plus a chosen cooler | Space around the M.2 slot and the cost of every needed component. |
| Laptop or compact enclosure | Check the host manual before choosing | Supported drive type, length, clearance and cooling; M.2 alone is not enough. |
PS5; no separate cooler chosen990 PRO with factory heatsink
Confirm before paying: The listing includes Samsung's heatsink, not just a picture of one.
PS5; compatible cooler already ownedBare 990 PRO
Confirm before paying: The cooler fits this drive and the completed assembly meets Sony's limits.
Desktop; suitable motherboard M.2 heatsinkBare 990 PRO
Confirm before paying: Your motherboard manual specifies that cooling arrangement for the slot you will use.
Desktop; no suitable coolerFactory heatsink or bare drive plus a chosen cooler
Confirm before paying: Space around the M.2 slot and the cost of every needed component.
Laptop or compact enclosureCheck the host manual before choosing
Confirm before paying: Supported drive type, length, clearance and cooling; M.2 alone is not enough.
Samsung warns against removing its factory heatsink because this can damage the drive. Choose the package that fits your planned cooling arrangement.
Keep the full suffix
Four 2TB codes you may see while shopping.
These are examples verified on Samsung's regional pages, not an exhaustive country map. The shared name "990 PRO 2TB" does not identify the package by itself.
| Samsung page | Bare 2TB drive | 2TB with factory heatsink |
|---|---|---|
| UK | MZ-V9P2T0BW | MZ-V9P2T0GW |
| US | MZ-V9P2T0B/AM | MZ-V9P2T0CW |
UKMZ-V9P2T0BW
2TB with factory heatsink: MZ-V9P2T0GW
USMZ-V9P2T0B/AM
2TB with factory heatsink: MZ-V9P2T0CW
Samsung lists CW and GW in its 2TB heatsink lineup. Do not assume imported offers have identical contents or local support; verify the complete code and package.
The UK bare-drive specification is M.2 2280, PCIe Gen 4.0 x4, NVMe 2.0, with nominal capacity of 2,000GB and dimensions of 80 x 22 x 2.3 mm. Formatted usable space can be lower. These are manufacturer specifications, not measurements by Muchita.
For the console expansion slot
PS5 cooling must fit above and below the board.
Sony requires effective cooling, built in or added separately. Its limits include 25 mm width and 11.25 mm total thickness: at most 8 mm above the board and 2.45 mm below it. Check the complete drive-and-cooler assembly.
Samsung specifies a maximum 80.15 x 25 x 8.88 mm for its factory-heatsink model. Its US CW product page identifies PS5 compatibility. A separate cooler needs its own fit evidence.
Sony supports M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4x4 NVMe drives but does not guarantee every SSD meeting its specifications. Check its full requirements and follow the linked instructions for your console model.
Before calling something a deal
A matching title is only the first check.
Build a comparison around one chosen configuration. A lower number on a different package is a separate option, not evidence that the same item is cheaper.
- Capacity and family. Check 990 PRO, 2TB and the full manufacturer code. Do not silently substitute another capacity, a 990 EVO or an older model.
- Included cooling. Distinguish Samsung's factory heatsink from a bare SSD and from a retailer bundle with a separate cooler. Read the selected variant and contents; a shared product photo does not resolve a conflict.
- Condition and seller. Confirm the seller of record, new condition and current stock. Treat open-box, refurbished and used offers separately. Missing condition is unresolved, not an assumption of new.
- The amount you are comparing. Use the full item price in one currency and on the same tax basis. A monthly instalment is not the purchase price. Do not subtract possible cashback, trade-in credit or a future voucher.
- Who can buy at that price. Check membership, coupon eligibility and whether the price requires another purchase, a subscription or financing. An unconditional offer and a conditional promotion need separate treatment.
- Delivery and returns. Record shipping separately as free, + a verified amount, or unknown/may be added. Confirm delivery timing and the seller's return and support terms. Shipping does not change the item-price ranking.
An original fictional example
Price the hardware you still need to buy.
Suppose you have chosen two suitable configurations and verified the separate cooler's compatibility. These invented USD amounts illustrate the decision; they are not current prices, a target price or a prediction for November. Assume new products and the same tax basis.
| Fictional configuration | SSD item price | Additional cooler purchase | Hardware item subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bare drive; suitable cooler already owned | $130 | $0 needed now | $130 |
| Bare drive; suitable cooler bought separately | $130 | $18 | $148 |
| Drive with factory heatsink | $145 | Included | $145 |
Bare drive; suitable cooler already owned$130
Additional cooler purchase: $0 needed now
Hardware item subtotal: $130
Bare drive; suitable cooler bought separately$130
Additional cooler purchase: $18
Hardware item subtotal: $148
Drive with factory heatsink$145
Additional cooler purchase: Included
Hardware item subtotal: $145
Here, the factory-heatsink premium is $15. Buying the fictional $18 cooler makes that bare-drive configuration cost $3 more in hardware; reusing suitable cooling avoids that new expense. These are different configurations, so the calculation is a budget choice, not same-item savings.
Once you choose a configuration, compare matching seller offers by verified normalized item price. Disclose shipping separately; the subtotals above exclude it. If shipping is unknown, the checkout total remains unknown. A sale badge cannot supply the missing model, condition or cooling details.
Before checkout
Save a short purchase note.
Allow about five minutes when the listing and your machine's manual are clear. Leave unresolved fields blank until the seller or manufacturer confirms them.
Identify the destination.
Record your console, motherboard, laptop or enclosure model and the slot you plan to use. Check its drive and cooling requirements.
Choose the complete configuration.
Record bare or factory heatsink, plus the exact separate cooler if needed. Confirm included parts and clearance.
Check each offer's identity and terms.
Save the full model code, 2TB capacity, seller, condition, availability and any membership or purchase requirement. Resolve conflicting titles and specifications.
Compare item prices consistently.
Use matching configurations, one currency and the same tax basis. Record the full purchase price and shipping separately. Keep extra hardware purchases visible in your budget.
Keep the evidence for the order.
Save the offer URL, time checked, selected variant, return terms and order confirmation. Recheck the chosen variant before payment.
From reading to checking
Compare the exact version you have chosen.
Have two matching offers open? Use the free price-comparison calculator for prices you have checked yourself. It compares entered item prices and quantities; it does not fetch offers or verify hardware compatibility.
For an on-demand comparison from a product page, Muchita Shopping is a free Chrome extension. It starts when you ask, checks the exact model and variant, shows shipping separately and links to evidence. It uses no affiliate links or paid placement and does not change retailer links or checkout. No account is needed; optional analytics are off by default.
- Comparisons cover eligible new, in-stock offers and take time. Check your machine's compatibility and the seller's terms before paying.
- Muchita does not guarantee complete market coverage, future discounts or the lowest price anywhere.
- It does not provide coupons, cashback, scheduled monitoring or price-drop alerts.
- Saved products retain local observations when you refresh them; this is not a continuous or backfilled price history.
Questions and answers
Fair questions,
plain answers.
Should I buy the Samsung 990 PRO 2TB with or without heatsink?
Choose according to the cooling you need. The factory-heatsink version simplifies a PS5 purchase. A bare drive makes sense when you already have suitable cooling, such as the arrangement specified for your motherboard. Check fit first, then compare exact-package offers.
Can I put a bare Samsung 990 PRO in a PS5?
Only with an appropriate cooling solution added. Sony requires effective heat dissipation, and the completed assembly must meet its size limits. Do not treat the bare SSD price as the whole hardware budget if you still need to buy a cooler.
Can I use my motherboard's M.2 heatsink instead?
Check the motherboard manual for your chosen slot and drive. If that cooling arrangement is suitable, start with the bare version. Do not assume there is space to combine the motherboard cooler with Samsung's preinstalled heatsink.
Are MZ-V9P2T0BW and MZ-V9P2T0GW the same offer?
No. Samsung's UK pages identify BW as the bare 2TB 990 PRO and GW as the 2TB version with a heatsink. Compare each package with matching offers; do not report their price difference as savings on an identical item.
What do the CW and B/AM codes mean in this guide?
The checked Samsung US pages show MZ-V9P2T0CW for the 2TB factory-heatsink version and MZ-V9P2T0B/AM for the bare version. These regional examples are not an exhaustive suffix guide. Verify the full code, package and support terms of an imported offer.
Can I remove the factory heatsink to make the SSD fit?
Do not plan a purchase around removing it. Samsung warns that removal can damage the drive. Choose the suitable package before buying and check the datasheet and your host's manual.
Is a 990 PRO Black Friday discount worth waiting for?
This guide contains no price forecast or live deal. Set a budget for the exact configuration and a latest purchase date. If you can wait, compare fresh eligible offers then; a future discount or available stock is not guaranteed.
Sources
Every claim,
traceable.
- Samsung UK: 990 PRO 2TB MZ-V9P2T0BWUK bare-drive identity, nominal capacity, interface, form factor and dimensions. Checked September 22, 2026.
- Samsung UK: 990 PRO with Heatsink 2TB MZ-V9P2T0GWUK page explicitly identifies the GW 2TB heatsink package. Checked September 22, 2026.
- Samsung US: 990 PRO 2TB MZ-V9P2T0B/AMUS bare-drive identity; the rendered title and selected model specify 2TB despite the URL wording. Checked September 22, 2026.
- Samsung US: 990 PRO with Heatsink 2TB MZ-V9P2T0CWUS CW package identity and Samsung's PS5 compatibility description. Checked September 22, 2026.
- Samsung: 990 PRO with Heatsink datasheet, revision 2.0Maximum assembly dimensions, PC/PS5 applications, heatsink-removal warning and CW/GW product lineup. Checked September 22, 2026.
- PlayStation: adding an M.2 SSD to a PS5 consoleCooling, size and interface requirements, plus installation guidance. Checked September 22, 2026.
Official Samsung and PlayStation sources checked September 22, 2026. Model codes describe the named pages, not every sales region. Compatibility statements are attributed to the manufacturers; no drive, cooler or console was physically tested. The decision table, comparison method and fictional budget example are original Muchita work. Prices, stock, delivery and future promotions were not collected for this guide.
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