60

870 EVO 1TB SSD

SATA III · 2.5-inch · 1TB · V-NAND TLC

$65

MSRP

62

T7 Shield 2TB

USB 3.2 Gen 2 · Portable · 2TB · Rugged

$160

MSRP

Our verdict

The T7 Shield 2TB takes the performance lead with a 3% higher overall score, driven by its more shader cores, more of memory, and higher TFLOPS of compute power. In gaming benchmarks at 1440p, it delivers roughly 0% more frames per second across demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake 2.

However, the 870 EVO 1TB SSD tells a compelling value story. At $65 versus the T7 Shield 2TB's $160 price tag, it costs 146% less while delivering performance that's only 3% behind. Its of memory is still more than enough for 1440p and even 4K gaming in most titles.

Our recommendation: for the majority of gamers targeting 1440p or even 4K with upscaling enabled, the 870 EVO 1TB SSD is the smarter purchase. The T7 Shield 2TB only makes sense if you need the absolute maximum performance for native 4K ray tracing, professional 3D rendering, or AI workloads where the extra VRAM and compute power provide a tangible advantage.

Performance winner

T7 Shield 2TB

3% faster overall

Best value for money

870 EVO 1TB SSD

21% better value per dollar

870 EVO 1TB SSD best for

Power efficiency

21% better value per dollar

Endurance

Endurance TBW
600 TB
1,500 TB
Warranty
5 years
3 years

Performance

Sequential Read
560 MB/s
1,050 MB/s
Sequential Write
530 MB/s
1,000 MB/s
Random Read 4K IOPS
98,000 IOPS
65,000 IOPS
Random Write 4K IOPS
88,000 IOPS
55,000 IOPS

Power

Active Power
2.5W
2.5W

Storage

Capacity
1,024 GB
2,048 GB
Interface
SATA III
USB 3.2 Gen 2
Form Factor
2.5-inch
Portable
NAND Type
V-NAND TLC
TLC
Controller
Samsung MKX
Samsung Custom
DRAM Cache
Yes
Yes

Value

Price per TB
$65/TB
$80/TB

Frequently asked questions

Is the T7 Shield 2TB worth $95 more than the 870 EVO 1TB SSD?

It depends on your needs. The T7 Shield 2TB scores 62 overall vs 60 for the 870 EVO 1TB SSD. If you need the extra performance for demanding tasks, the premium is justified. For most users gaming at 1440p or below, the 870 EVO 1TB SSD offers better value.

Which GPU is better for 1440p gaming, the 870 EVO 1TB SSD or T7 Shield 2TB?

The T7 Shield 2TB delivers higher frame rates at 1440p, but both GPUs handle 1440p gaming well. The T7 Shield 2TB provides more headroom for ray tracing and future titles, while the 870 EVO 1TB SSD still maintains smooth gameplay in current games.

Can the 870 EVO 1TB SSD handle 4K gaming?

The 870 EVO 1TB SSD can handle 4K gaming in less demanding titles and with upscaling technologies like DLSS or FSR. For native 4K at ultra settings in demanding games, the T7 Shield 2TB is the better choice with its higher performance ceiling.

Which should I buy, the 870 EVO 1TB SSD or T7 Shield 2TB?

Choose the 870 EVO 1TB SSD if you want the best value for money and primarily game at 1080p or 1440p. Choose the T7 Shield 2TB if you need maximum performance, play at 4K, or do professional workloads like video editing and 3D rendering.

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