Samsung 870 EVO 1TB vs SanDisk Ultra 3D SATA 1TB
Samsung 870 EVO 1TB is at least the equal of the other on every measure that decides this, and ahead on at least one.
| Specification | Samsung870 EVO 1TB | SanDiskUltra 3D SATA 1TB |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity (GB) | 1000 | 1000 |
| Sequential read (MB/s) | 560 | 560 |
| Sequential write (MB/s) | 530better | 520 |
| Current best price | £145.99betterat Amazon.co.uk · captured 2026-09-11 | £147.99at Amazon.co.uk · captured 2026-09-13 |
| Price per TB | £145.99better | £147.99 |
| DRAM cache | Yes | — |
| NAND type | tlc | tlc |
| Controller | Samsung MKX controller | — |
How these two compare
Sequential throughput
Samsung 870 EVO 1TB reads at 560 MB/s and writes at 530 MB/s; SanDisk Ultra 3D SATA 1TB reads at 560 MB/s and writes at 520 MB/s. Both ride the SATA bus, which caps sequential transfer near 550 MB/s in either direction — the ceiling every SATA drive works against — so what more decisively separates them is sustained and random behaviour, the DRAM cache, and endurance.
Price
Samsung 870 EVO 1TB is £145.99 (£145.99 per TB); SanDisk Ultra 3D SATA 1TB is £147.99 (£147.99 per TB).
DRAM cache
On the cache question: Samsung 870 EVO 1TB carries a DRAM cache, and the catalog does not state whether SanDisk Ultra 3D SATA 1TB carries a DRAM cache. The DRAM keeps the flash-translation table close, sparing a lookup on nearly every access; a drive without it leans on host memory or its own flash, which usually shows as slower sustained random writes rather than in the headline sequential numbers.
NAND, controller and warranty
On the flash itself: Samsung 870 EVO 1TB uses TLC, and SanDisk Ultra 3D SATA 1TB uses TLC. NAND tiers count bits per cell — more bits pack more capacity into the same silicon but shorten write endurance and slow sustained writes, which is why QLC sits below TLC on lasting performance even when the sequential numbers match. Controller: Samsung 870 EVO 1TB uses the Samsung MKX controller and SanDisk Ultra 3D SATA 1TB's controller is not stated. The controller runs wear-levelling, error correction and the mapping table, so it shapes sustained and random behaviour as much as the flash does — though the model name alone predicts little without testing. Samsung 870 EVO 1TB carries a 5-year warranty and SanDisk Ultra 3D SATA 1TB does not state one — the length the maker will stand behind the drive, and usually a proxy for the endurance it is rated to.
Which to buy
Against the other, Samsung 870 EVO 1TB is even or ahead on every tracked measure and behind on none, which is the one case where the choice needs no compromise.
Common questions about this pair
- Which is faster, Samsung 870 EVO 1TB or SanDisk Ultra 3D SATA 1TB?
- Samsung 870 EVO 1TB reads at 560 MB/s and writes at 530 MB/s; SanDisk Ultra 3D SATA 1TB reads at 560 MB/s and writes at 520 MB/s. Both ride the SATA bus, which caps sequential transfer near 550 MB/s in either direction — the ceiling every SATA drive works against — so what more decisively separates them is sustained and random behaviour, the DRAM cache, and endurance.
- Which costs less per terabyte, Samsung 870 EVO 1TB or SanDisk Ultra 3D SATA 1TB?
- Samsung 870 EVO 1TB is £145.99 (£145.99 per TB); SanDisk Ultra 3D SATA 1TB is £147.99 (£147.99 per TB).
- Should you buy Samsung 870 EVO 1TB or SanDisk Ultra 3D SATA 1TB?
- Against the other, Samsung 870 EVO 1TB is even or ahead on every tracked measure and behind on none, which is the one case where the choice needs no compromise.