The Samsung 870 EVO 2TB and the Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB represent a tie in this objective comparison, as each component leads in two out of six measured specifications. The most impactful advantage for the Samsung 870 EVO 2TB is its inclusion of a DRAM cache, which is 100% better than the alternative. Conversely, the Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB offers a significant performance lead in sequential read speeds, which are 1195% better than those of its competitor.

Users who prioritize the presence of a DRAM cache should select the Samsung 870 EVO 2TB for their storage needs. Alternatively, those who require the highest possible sequential read speeds should choose the Samsung 990 EVO Plus 2TB. Because both drives offer distinct technical strengths without a clear overall winner, the final decision depends entirely on whether your specific workload benefits more from the cache architecture or the superior sequential read throughput.