How to Install Samsung SSD 970 Evo Plus (2026 Complete Guide)
Last updated: July 19, 2026 | Estimated reading time: 15 minutes
The Samsung SSD 970 Evo Plus remains one of the most popular NVMe SSDs on the market in 2026, offering excellent performance, reliability, and value. Whether you are building a new PC or upgrading an existing system, installing this drive correctly is essential for getting the best performance. This guide will walk you through every step of the installation process, from checking compatibility to configuring BIOS settings and installing Windows.
The 970 Evo Plus is a PCIe Gen 3 NVMe drive that delivers sequential read speeds up to 3,500 MB/s and write speeds up to 3,300 MB/s. While newer PCIe Gen 4 and Gen 5 drives offer higher theoretical speeds, the 970 Evo Plus remains an excellent choice for most users due to its proven reliability and reasonable price point. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know to install this drive in your system in 2026.
Table of Contents
What You Need
Before you begin the installation process, gather all the necessary tools and materials. Having everything ready will make the installation smooth and prevent unnecessary delays.
Essential items:
- Samsung SSD 970 Evo Plus (250GB, 500GB, 1TB, or 2TB capacity)
- Phillips head screwdriver (typically size #1 or #2)
- A compatible M.2 slot on your motherboard (M key, 2280 form factor)
- Windows installation USB drive (if doing a fresh install)
- Anti-static wrist strap (recommended but not required)
Optional but helpful:
- M.2 SSD heatsink (especially for extended heavy workloads)
- USB-to-SATA adapter or external enclosure (for data migration)
- Cloning software (Samsung Data Migration or third-party tools)
- Thermal paste (only needed if removing CPU cooler to access M.2 slot)
Compatibility Check
The Samsung 970 Evo Plus uses the M.2 2280 form factor with an M key connector and supports the NVMe protocol over PCIe Gen 3 x4 lanes. Before purchasing or installing this drive, verify that your motherboard meets these requirements.
Motherboard Requirements
Your motherboard must have an M.2 slot that supports NVMe drives. The slot should have an M key or B+M key notch pattern. Some older motherboards have M.2 slots that only support SATA drives, which are not compatible with the 970 Evo Plus. Check your motherboard manual for specifications regarding M.2 slot support.
CPU Compatibility
NVMe M.2 slots on modern motherboards typically connect directly to the CPU or through the chipset. If the M.2 slot connects through the CPU, you need a compatible processor installed for the slot to function. Most Intel 8th generation and newer, and AMD Ryzen 2000 series and newer processors support NVMe M.2 natively.
BIOS Support
Some older motherboards may require a BIOS update to properly detect NVMe SSDs. If your motherboard was manufactured before 2018, check the manufacturer’s website for BIOS updates that add NVMe support. Without proper BIOS support, the drive may not appear in the boot menu or BIOS storage list.
| Requirement | Specification | How to Check |
|---|---|---|
| M.2 Slot Type | M Key (PCIe x4) | Motherboard manual or visual inspection |
| PCIe Generation | Gen 3 or higher (backward compatible) | Motherboard specifications |
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 (22mm x 80mm) | Motherboard manual |
| BIOS Version | Latest available recommended | Check BIOS screen or manufacturer website |
| Operating System | Windows 10/11, Linux, or macOS (with adapter) | OS specifications |
Step-by-Step Installation
Follow these eight steps carefully to install your Samsung 970 Evo Plus. The process typically takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 1: Power Down and Disconnect
Turn off your computer completely and unplug the power cable from the wall outlet. Press the power button once to discharge any remaining electricity. This prevents accidental shorts during installation.
Step 2: Ground Yourself
Touch a metal part of your PC case to discharge any static electricity from your body. Static electricity is one of the biggest risks to sensitive computer components. If you have an anti-static wrist strap, attach it to your wrist and clip it to the case.
Step 3: Open the Case
Remove the side panel of your PC case. For most cases, this is the left panel (when viewed from the front). You may need a screwdriver to remove the screws securing the panel. Lay the case on its side for easier access to the motherboard.
Step 4: Locate the M.2 Slot
Find the M.2 slot on your motherboard. It is typically located in one of two positions: between the CPU and the first PCIe x16 slot, or below the PCIe slots near the chipset heatsink. Look for the M.2 label printed on the motherboard PCB or consult your motherboard manual for the exact location.
Step 5: Remove the M.2 Screw
Most M.2 slots have a small mounting screw at the end that secures the drive in place. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove this screw and set it aside where you will not lose it. Some motherboards use a tool-less clip mechanism instead of a screw.
Step 6: Insert the 970 Evo Plus
Hold the Samsung 970 Evo Plus by its edges, avoiding contact with the gold connector pins or the chips on the bottom of the drive. Insert the connector end into the M.2 slot at approximately a 30-degree angle. The drive should slide in smoothly without excessive force. If it does not fit easily, make sure the notch alignment is correct and you are inserting it in the right direction.
Step 7: Secure the Drive
Once the drive is fully inserted into the slot, gently press the opposite end down flat against the motherboard standoff. The drive should lay parallel to the motherboard surface. Reinstall the mounting screw to secure the drive in place. Do not overtighten the screw, as this can damage the drive or the motherboard.
Step 8: Close the Case and Power On
Replace the side panel, reconnect the power cable, and turn on your computer. Enter the BIOS by pressing the Delete key (or F2 on some systems) during startup. Navigate to the storage or boot section to verify that the Samsung 970 Evo Plus appears in the device list. If it shows up, the installation was successful.
BIOS Configuration
After physically installing the 970 Evo Plus, you may need to adjust a few BIOS settings for optimal performance and compatibility.
Enable NVMe Support
Most modern motherboards automatically detect NVMe drives, but some older boards may have NVMe support disabled by default. Navigate to the Advanced or Storage configuration section in the BIOS and ensure that NVMe support is enabled.
Set SATA Mode to AHCI
If you are installing Windows on the 970 Evo Plus, make sure the SATA mode is set to AHCI in the BIOS. This mode is required for optimal NVMe performance and is the default on most modern systems. Do not use IDE or RAID mode unless you have a specific reason to do so.
Configure Secure Boot
For Windows 11, Secure Boot must be enabled. Navigate to the Secure Boot section in the BIOS and enable it. If you are using Windows 10, this setting is optional but recommended for security purposes.
Enable Fast Boot
Enabling Fast Boot in the BIOS can reduce startup times by skipping certain hardware checks during POST. This is especially beneficial when using an NVMe SSD as your boot drive, as it allows the system to reach the Windows login screen faster.
Installing Windows
If you are installing Windows on your new Samsung 970 Evo Plus, follow these steps to set up the operating system.
Step 1: Create Windows Installation Media
Download the Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s website and create a bootable USB drive. You will need a USB drive with at least 8GB of storage. The tool will guide you through the process of creating the installation media.
Step 2: Boot from USB
Insert the Windows installation USB into your PC and restart. Enter the BIOS and set the USB drive as the first boot device, or use the boot menu (usually F12 during POST) to select the USB drive.
Step 3: Install Windows
Follow the on-screen prompts to install Windows. When asked where to install Windows, select the Samsung 970 Evo Plus. If the drive does not appear, you may need to load the NVMe driver. Click “Load Driver” and browse to the Samsung NVMe driver on a second USB drive, or let Windows install the generic driver automatically.
Step 4: Complete Setup
After Windows installs, the system will restart several times. Complete the initial setup process, including choosing your region, keyboard layout, and signing in with your Microsoft account. Once you reach the desktop, proceed to install the Samsung Magician software.
Samsung Magician Software
Samsung Magician is a free utility that helps you manage and optimize your 970 Evo Plus. It provides several important features that help maintain your drive’s performance and longevity.
Key Features
Firmware Updates: Samsung regularly releases firmware updates for the 970 Evo Plus that fix bugs and improve performance. Samsung Magician will notify you when updates are available and allow you to install them with a few clicks.
Performance Benchmark: The built-in benchmark tool tests your drive’s sequential and random read/write speeds. You can compare these results to the rated specifications to ensure your drive is performing optimally.
Drive Health Monitoring: Samsung Magician displays SMART data including total bytes written, power-on hours, temperature, and wear level. This information helps you track the health of your drive over time.
Over Provisioning: This feature reserves a portion of the drive for the controller to use for wear leveling and garbage collection. Enabling over provisioning can extend the lifespan of your SSD.
Secure Erase: If you ever need to securely wipe the drive, Samsung Magician provides a secure erase function that resets the drive to factory condition. This is useful when selling or disposing of the drive.
You can download Samsung Magician from Samsung’s official website. Install it immediately after setting up Windows to ensure your drive is running the latest firmware.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even though installing an NVMe SSD is straightforward, there are several mistakes that can cause problems or reduce performance:
1. Installing in the wrong M.2 slot: Some motherboards have M.2 slots that run at different speeds or connect through the chipset instead of the CPU. Using the wrong slot can result in reduced performance. Always check your motherboard manual to identify the fastest available slot.
2. Forgetting the standoff screw: The M.2 standoff ensures the drive is properly aligned and secured. If the standoff is missing, the drive may not make proper contact with the connector, causing detection issues.
3. Not updating firmware: Samsung releases firmware updates that fix bugs and improve performance. Skipping these updates can leave your drive vulnerable to issues that have already been resolved.
4. Overtightening the mounting screw: The M.2 mounting screw should be snug but not excessively tight. Overtightening can crack the SSD PCB or damage the motherboard standoff.
5. Touching the gold contacts: Always handle the SSD by its edges. Oils and static from your fingers can damage the gold connector pins or the NAND flash chips on the drive.
6. Not checking thermal conditions: The 970 Evo Plus can reach temperatures above 70 degrees Celsius under heavy sustained workloads. If your motherboard does not include an M.2 heatsink, consider adding one to prevent thermal throttling. For more information, read our guide on whether SSDs need heatsinks.
7. Installing a second M.2 drive without checking lane sharing: Many motherboards share PCIe lanes between M.2 slots and SATA ports. Installing a second M.2 drive may disable certain SATA ports. If you plan to add another drive later, see our guide on how to install a second M.2 SSD.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Samsung 970 Evo Plus still worth buying in 2026?
A: Yes, the 970 Evo Plus remains an excellent value proposition in 2026. While PCIe Gen 4 and Gen 5 drives offer higher theoretical speeds, the real-world performance difference for most users is minimal. The 970 Evo Plus is more affordable and proven reliable over several years of production.
Q: What is the maximum capacity of the Samsung 970 Evo Plus?
A: The 970 Evo Plus is available in 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacities. For most users, the 1TB model offers the best balance of price and storage space.
Q: Can I use the 970 Evo Plus in a PlayStation 5?
A: No, the PlayStation 5 requires a PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD. The 970 Evo Plus is a PCIe Gen 3 drive and is not compatible with the PS5’s M.2 expansion slot. You will need a Gen 4 drive like the Samsung 980 Pro or 990 Pro for PS5 use.
Q: How do I check if my motherboard supports NVMe?
A: Check your motherboard specifications for M.2 slots that support NVMe or PCIe. You can also look at the M.2 slot physically, an NVMe-compatible slot will have an M key notch (one notch on the right side). Our article on which M.2 slot to use explains the different key types in detail.
Q: Do I need to install drivers for the 970 Evo Plus?
A: Windows 10 and 11 include built-in NVMe drivers that work with the 970 Evo Plus. However, installing Samsung’s NVMe driver from their website can provide slightly better performance in some scenarios. The Samsung Magician software will also install the driver automatically.
Q: What should the temperature of my 970 Evo Plus be?
A: Normal operating temperatures for the 970 Evo Plus are between 30 and 45 degrees Celsius at idle, and 50 to 70 degrees Celsius under load. If temperatures exceed 70 degrees Celsius consistently, consider adding an M.2 heatsink.
Q: Can I install Windows 11 on the 970 Evo Plus?
A: Yes, Windows 11 installs and runs perfectly on the 970 Evo Plus. Ensure that Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 are enabled in your BIOS for Windows 11 compatibility.
Q: How long will the 970 Evo Plus last?
A: Samsung rates the 970 Evo Plus for up to 600 terabytes written (TBW) for the 1TB model, which translates to roughly 5 to 10 years of typical consumer use. Samsung also provides a 5-year limited warranty.
Conclusion
Installing the Samsung 970 Evo Plus in 2026 is a simple process that can significantly improve your system’s storage performance. Whether you are using it as a boot drive for your operating system or as fast secondary storage for games and applications, this drive delivers excellent performance and reliability.
The key steps are verifying compatibility with your motherboard, physically installing the drive in the M.2 slot, configuring the BIOS settings, and installing or migrating Windows. After installation, Samsung Magician helps you monitor drive health, update firmware, and optimize performance.
By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure a smooth installation process and get the most out of your Samsung 970 Evo Plus. Remember to choose the correct M.2 slot for optimal performance, add a heatsink if your drive runs hot, and keep the firmware updated for the best experience.
