Lexar SSD ARES PRO 2TB
2TB · PCIe 5.0 NVMe · 14,000 MB/s read · PassMark #54
Samsung 9100 PRO with Heatsink 1TB
1TB · PCIe 5.0 NVMe · 14,700 MB/s read · PassMark #55
Lexar SSD ARES PRO 2TB takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Lexar SSD ARES PRO 2TB lands at 73 and Samsung 9100 PRO with Heatsink 1TB at 72. That puts Lexar SSD ARES PRO 2TB ahead by 1 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Lexar SSD ARES PRO 2TB if…
- ✓Capable NVMe drive at PassMark rank #54
- ✓14 GB/s-class PCIe 5.0 reads in a slim single-sided M.2 layout
Pick Samsung 9100 PRO with Heatsink 1TB if…
- ✓Capable NVMe drive at PassMark rank #55
- ✓Pro-tier controller and DRAM cache for sustained throughput
- ✓PCIe 5.0 interface for next-gen platforms (AM5, LGA 1851)
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testValue for money
TieSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Effectively tied — similar score-per-dollar at MSRP.
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Lexar SSD ARES PRO 2TB | Samsung 9100 PRO with Heatsink 1TB |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | M.2 2280 (single-sided, 2.45mm) | M.2 2280 (with heatsink) |
| Interface | PCIe 5.0 x4 NVMe | PCIe 5.0 x4 NVMe 2.0 |
| Sequential read | 14,000 MB/s | 14,700 MB/s |
| Sequential write | 10,000 MB/s | 13,300 MB/s |
| Random read | 2,000,000 IOPS | 1,850,000 IOPS |
| Random write | 1,500,000 IOPS | 2,600,000 IOPS |
| Controller | 8-channel, reported MaxioTek MAP1806 class | Samsung Presto (in-house, 5nm) |
| NAND | 3D TLC | Samsung V8 V-NAND 3D TLC (236-layer) |
| DRAM | DRAM-less (HMB, per ComputerBase report) | yes, LPDDR4X |
| Endurance | 1,500 TBW | 600 TBW |
| Warranty | 5 years | 5 years |
| PassMark Disk Score | 76,799 | 76,420 |
| PassMark rank | #54 of 100 consumer SSDs | #55 of 100 consumer SSDs |
Lexar SSD ARES PRO 2TB
- +Capable NVMe drive at PassMark rank #54
- +14 GB/s-class PCIe 5.0 reads in a slim single-sided M.2 layout
- −DRAM-less controllers on lower-tier variants may throttle under sustained writes
- −Newer drives out-perform this generation on sequential + random 4K
Samsung 9100 PRO with Heatsink 1TB
- +Capable NVMe drive at PassMark rank #55
- +Pro-tier controller and DRAM cache for sustained throughput
- +PCIe 5.0 interface for next-gen platforms (AM5, LGA 1851)
- −PCIe 5.0 drives run hot — heatsink or motherboard M.2 cooling recommended
- −Newer drives out-perform this generation on sequential + random 4K
FAQ: Lexar SSD ARES PRO 2TB vs Samsung 9100 PRO with Heatsink 1TB
Which is better, Lexar SSD ARES PRO 2TB or Samsung 9100 PRO with Heatsink 1TB? +
Lexar SSD ARES PRO 2TB scores 73 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 1. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Lexar SSD ARES PRO 2TB worth the price? +
At $200, Lexar SSD ARES PRO 2TB delivers a Specdex score of 73 — strongest in passmark_disk.
Is Samsung 9100 PRO with Heatsink 1TB worth the price? +
At $219, Samsung 9100 PRO with Heatsink 1TB delivers a Specdex score of 72 — strongest in passmark_disk.
Does Lexar SSD ARES PRO 2TB or Samsung 9100 PRO with Heatsink 1TB last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.