Choosing the right Solid State Drive (SSD) for your computer can be a vital decision for improving its performance and efficiency. In our experience, two of the most notable SSDs in today’s market are the Crucial MX500 and the Samsung 860 EVO. Both drives have garnered attention for their reliability, speed, and value for money, making them excellent choices for upgrading from traditional hard drives or replacing older SSDs.
We find that the competition between the Crucial MX500 and Samsung 860 EVO often boils down to their performance figures, durability, and price points. The MX500, for instance, comes equipped with a 560MB/s sequential read speed, while the 860 EVO is slightly behind at 550MB/s. However, in real-world usage, these differences are often negligible, as both drives deliver quick load times and fast data transfers for everyday computing tasks. It’s these kinds of nuances that can guide users to choose one model over another based on their specific needs and budgets.
Contents
Key Specifications Overview
When comparing the Crucial MX500 and Samsung 860 EVO, we’ll examine how these solid-state drives (SSDs) stand out in terms of specifications.
Storage Capacity and Form Factor
The Crucial MX500 and Samsung 860 EVO both offer variety in capacity, including options like 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB. They are available in 2.5-inch SATA form factors, which ensures broad compatibility with older and newer systems alike.
Performance Metrics
Performance-wise, both drives boast impressive read and write speeds. The Crucial MX500 shows up to 560MB/s read and 510MB/s write speeds, while the Samsung 860 EVO offers up to 550MB/s read and 520MB/s write speeds. These metrics reflect their capability to handle sequential workloads efficiently.
Technology and Durability
With memory technology, both SSDs use 3D TLC NAND. However, the 860 EVO uses Samsung’s proprietary V-NAND technology, which is a form of 3D NAND. Regarding durability, both brands display high endurance, with Samsung’s being exceptionally high due to the V-NAND’s robust nature.
Compatibility and Interfaces
Both SSDs utilize the SATA interface and support SATA 6.0Gb/s for fast data transfer rates. While they lack NVMe support, their SATA connectivity means they’re compatible with a broad range of systems out there, from desktops to laptops.
Additional Features
Samsung’s 860 EVO comes with the Magician Software, which includes tools for drive health monitoring, firmware updates, and encryption. The AES 256-bit hardware encryption is standard on both, ensuring data security.
Warranty and Support
Samsung offers a 5-year limited warranty or up to 1,500 TBW for the 1TB version. On the other hand, the Crucial MX500 comes with a 5-year limited warranty with different TBW ratings depending on capacity, reflective of their belief in the product’s reliability.
Performance Comparison
In dissecting the performance between the Crucial MX500 and the Samsung 860 EVO, we consider benchmark results alongside real-world applications to gauge which SSD stands out. Durability and reliability complement these findings to give us a full picture.
Benchmark Analysis
Through benchmark testing, we can compare the technical performance of both drives. The Samsung 860 EVO shows a sequential read speed of up to 550 MB/s, while the Crucial MX500 is slightly ahead with a sequential read speed of up to 560 MB/s. For sequential write speeds, the 860 EVO offers up to 520 MB/s and the MX500 follows closely with the same performance.
| SSD | Sequential Read | Sequential Write |
| Crucial MX500 | Up to 560 MB/s | Up to 520 MB/s |
| Samsung 860 EVO | Up to 550 MB/s | Up to 520 MB/s |
Real-World Application Performance
When evaluating the SSDs in real-world scenarios like gaming, the MX500 and 860 EVO perform similarly, both offering quick load times and solid responsiveness. For activities such as 4K video editing, which demand rapid random read and write speeds, users report both drives to be competent, but the 860 EVO often has a slight edge in random writes.
4K Video Editing: Both handle large file transfers well; Samsung 860 EVO often excels in random writes.
Endurance and Reliability
It’s crucial to consider endurance. The MX500 is designed with an endurance rating of up to 360TB total bytes written (TBW), while the 860 EVO is rated slightly higher at up to 600TB TBW for the same capacity model. The MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) for both SSDs rates over 1.5 million hours, illustrating that they are built to last.
Samsung 860 EVO Endurance: Up to 600TB TBW.
MTBF: Both with over 1.5 million hours.
Price and Value Proposition
When evaluating the Crucial MX500 and Samsung 860 EVO, we consider not just the purchase price but also the value each SSD offers per terabyte. The market also provides a range of alternatives which may influence the ultimate decision of a cost-conscious consumer.
Price Analysis
| Crucial MX500 | Samsung 860 EVO | Capacity Options |
| Competitively priced | Slightly premium | 250GB up to 4TB |
The Crucial MX500 is often found to be more budget-friendly compared to the Samsung 860 EVO. However, Samsung’s offering might have occasional discounts or bundle deals which can narrow the price gap.
Cost per Terabyte and Value
Both the Crucial MX500 and the Samsung 860 EVO offer a 1TB model, which is a common benchmark for comparing costs. When we look at the cost per terabyte, it’s consistently more economical with the Crucial MX500.
Understanding the cost per terabyte is crucial because it reflects the actual value of the storage you’re getting. We observe that higher capacity drives like 2TB or 4TB usually offer better value, but your needs should dictate the size you choose.
Alternatives and Market Position
While assessing these SSDs, we should also consider alternatives such as the Team Group T-Force GE Pro 4TB and the MSI Spatium M570 Pro Frozr 4TB. These options have their strengths, such as larger storage capacity or different performance metrics.
Hard disk drives (HDDs) are cheaper alternatives; however, they can’t match the speed of our SSD contenders.
In conclusion, while the Crucial MX500 often presents itself as a more affordable solution, the Samsung 860 EVO’s pricing can be competitive depending on market fluctuations and sales, requiring buyers to be astute when shopping.
The alternatives like Team Group’s and MSI’s offerings expand the choices for users requiring more storage or different performance levels, solidifying our intricate SSD market’s position. Each option deserves consideration based on specific storage and performance needs, balancing between price and the best SSD for your situation.
Final Thoughts
Having explored the intricacies of these SSDs, we now approach the crux of what buyers should consider in their decision-making process.
Choosing the Right SSD for Your Needs
Capacity: Available in several capacities, including 1TB, both models are excellent for various storage needs, from gaming to general internal storage expansion.
Customer Feedback and Brand Trust
In our experience, brand trust plays a significant part in the decision-making process. Both Crucial and Samsung have established reputations for quality. Feedback via email and reviews indicates high satisfaction rates with both SSDs’ performance and reliability. Make sure to glean through user experiences to understand the potential longevity and quality of service you can expect.
The Bottom Line
| Price Consideration | Warranty | Overall Value |
| The MX500 often comes in at a more attractive price point. | Samsung typically offers a longer warranty period, which might tip the scales for some users. | Both offer great value; the right choice depends on your specific budget and needs. |
Assessing the warranty terms is crucial since it offers insights into the manufacturer’s confidence in their SSD’s durability. Ultimately, whether you lean towards the Crucial MX500’s cost-effectiveness or the Samsung 860 EVO’s robust consistency, we trust that you’ll find both SSDs to be compelling options that serve well in a SATA-based system.