Samsung 980 1TB NVMe PCIe 3.0 vs Crucial MX500 1TB SATA III
The Samsung 980 is significantly faster and offers better endurance, making it ideal for users prioritizing speed and longevity, while the Crucial MX500 is a more budget-friendly option for general use where extreme speed isn't critical.
AI Verdict
Samsung 980 1TB NVMe PCIe 3.0 wins overall.
By the numbers
Performance
Pick A wins
The Samsung 980 boasts sequential read/write speeds of 3500/3000 MBps, vastly outperforming the Crucial MX500's 560/510 MBps, making it superior for demanding tasks.
Value for money
Pick B wins
The Crucial MX500 offers comparable capacity and a 5-year warranty for $10 less, providing better value for users with basic storage needs.
Power efficiency
Pick A wins
NVMe drives generally consume less power than SATA SSDs, and the M.2 form factor of the Samsung 980 is inherently more power-efficient than the 2.5" form factor of the Crucial MX500.
Future-proofing
Pick A wins
PCIe 3.0 NVMe is the current standard for high-performance storage, offering a more modern interface and significantly higher bandwidth than SATA III, which is nearing its performance limits.
Pick A if…
- • You frequently transfer large files or work with demanding applications like video editing or game development.
- • You want the fastest possible boot times and application loading speeds.
- • Your motherboard has an available M.2 NVMe slot and you prioritize performance over a minimal cost saving.
Pick B if…
- • You are on a strict budget and need reliable storage for general computing tasks like web browsing, office work, and light gaming.
- • Your system only has SATA III ports available or you need a 2.5" drive for a specific enclosure.
- • You prioritize having DRAM on your SSD for sustained performance, even if overall speeds are lower.
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | A: 980 1TB | B: MX500 1TB |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 1000 GB | 1000 GB |
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x4 | SATA III |
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Common questions
Samsung 980 1TB NVMe PCIe 3.0 vs Crucial MX500 1TB SATA III — which should I buy?+
The Samsung 980 is significantly faster and offers better endurance, making it ideal for users prioritizing speed and longevity, while the Crucial MX500 is a more budget-friendly option for general use where extreme speed isn't critical.
When does Samsung 980 1TB NVMe PCIe 3.0 win?+
You frequently transfer large files or work with demanding applications like video editing or game development. You want the fastest possible boot times and application loading speeds. Your motherboard has an available M.2 NVMe slot and you prioritize performance over a minimal cost saving.
When does Crucial MX500 1TB SATA III win?+
You are on a strict budget and need reliable storage for general computing tasks like web browsing, office work, and light gaming. Your system only has SATA III ports available or you need a 2.5" drive for a specific enclosure. You prioritize having DRAM on your SSD for sustained performance, even if overall speeds are lower.
Are the prices live or MSRP?+
MSRP is shown as a reference baseline. Click either product card to see live retailer pricing — we pull current prices from Amazon, Newegg, Best Buy and other retailers on demand, cached for 30 days. Prices localize automatically for US, Canada, and India.