There are a number of great reasons why you would choose an SSD (solid-state drive) for your computer. Everyone is looking for faster solutions and an SSD can perform up to 100 times better than an HDD. Files are transferred faster, games are loaded quicker, and because they use less energy, computers are able to run at a lower temperature.
We will look at two SSD solutions, the Crucial MX500 vs Samsung 860 EVO. We will look at all of their features and technology to decide which is the better buy. There will be a comparison chart to quickly review the specifications and some pros and cons of each.
Let’s start by looking at what the Crucial MX500 and the Samsung 860 EVO have in common.
Crucial MX500 vs Samsung 860 EVO – Similarities
Quick Glance
We can review all of the specifics of the Crucial MX500 and the Samsung 860 EVO in the comparison chart below.
Hard Drive Form Format
The Crucial MX500 and the Samsung 860 EVO come in two formats. They are available in 2.5 inches and M.2 2880. 2.5-inch formats need a hard drive bay while an M.2 2880 is a chip that is screwed onto the motherboard.
Compatibility
If you run Windows, Mac, or Linux, you will be able to use either the Crucial MX500 and the Samsung 860 EVO.
Flash Memory Type
Flash memory is ideal for storing mass data and it’s both durable and fast. The Crucial MX500 and the Samsung 860 Evo both have the latest 3D NAND technology, which requires less power and provides better performance than NAND.
Security
In today’s world, it is essential that all of our data is completely secure so that cybercriminals and hackers can’t access it. The Crucial MX500 and the Samsung 860 EVO have AES 256-bit encryption for peace of mind.
Data Transfer Speed
Imagine a USB 3.0 can transfer data at 640 MB/s. The Crucial MX500 and the Samsung 860 EVO can handle data transfer speeds of 6 GB/s.
Warranty
Both the Crucial MX500 and the Samsung 860 EVO come with a 5-year limited warranty.
There are still quite a few features that vary between the Crucial MX500 and the Samsung 860 EVO. We will cover these now.
Differences Between Crucial MX500 and Samsung 860 EVO
Appearance
As they will be inside your computer, the appearance isn’t the most important but it’s still a difference, nevertheless. Even though there is a fraction of difference in their size, they both still have a 2.5-inch format.
Crucial MX500
This SSD card is silver. It measures 4.06 x 2.76 x 0.28 inches. It weighs 3.53 ounces.
Samsung 860 EVO
The black SSD card from Samsung is 3.94 x 2.76 x 0.27 inches. It weighs just 1.76 ounces.
The Winner Is- A Tie
Storage
The two SSD cards come in various options in terms of their storage capacity.
Crucial MX500
You can buy a 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, or 2TB SSD card.
Samsung 860 EVO
You have the same options, but it also comes in a 4TB option.
The Winner Is- The Samsung 860 EVO.
Read/Write Speeds
The read speed is the amount of time it takes to open a file and the write speed is how long it takes to save a file. Read and write times will depend on operating systems as well as other factors.
Crucial MX500
The read speed is up to 560 MB/s and the write speed is up to 510 MB/s.
Samsung 860 EVO
Though the read time is slightly slower at up to 550 MB7s, the write time is that little bit faster at 520 MB/s.
The Winner Is- A Tie
Read next – Crucial MX500 vs BX500: Which Internal SSD is Better?
Mean Time Between Failures (MBTF)
The name does say it all really, the MBTF is the number of hours you can use the SSD without experiencing any technical issues.
Crucial MX500
You can experience 1.8 million hours between failures.
Samsung 860 EVO
The MTBF is 1.5 million hours.
The Winner Is- The Crucial MX500
Pros and Cons
The two SSD cards are still quite similar. The pros and cons of the Crucial MX500 and the Samsung 860 EVO will help us make a decision.
Crucial MX500
Pros:
- The installation was very easy
- It’s good that everything on your computer stays exactly the same once it is installed
- It speeds up old computers significantly
Cons:
- The software isn’t the best
Samsung 860 EVO
Pros:
- The Samsung Magician software has a rapid mode which is incredibly fast
- Data migration from HDD to the SSD is smooth and hassle-free
- Much faster boot time
Cons:
- May not be compatible with all AMD motherboards
The Final Verdict
This was a very difficult choice today. On the one hand, we have the Crucial MX500 that is easier to install and, in some cases, a bit cheaper. You will see a noticeable price difference between the Crucial MX500 and the Samsung 860 EVO 2TB SSDs but, for example, the difference is just a few dollars with the smaller cards. The Crucial MX500 also has a longer MTBF.
On the other hand, the Samsung 860 Evo has the 4TB option and the 3D V-NAND technology which does make a noticeable difference. The read and write times are similar but once you switch to Samsung’s rapid mode you start to see the difference. The software that comes with the Samsung 860 Evo is another reason why we decided this was the better SSD for your computers and laptops.
Last update on 2023-03-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API