Crucial T500 vs Samsung 990 Pro – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

Why Do I Recommend The Samsung 990 Pro? 

• The Samsung 990 Pro features up to 1,600K random read IOPS for faster responsiveness in multitasking and database-heavy workloads, whereas the Crucial T500 reaches up to 1,180K random read IOPS.
• Samsung 990 Pro includes up to 1,550K random write IOPS for smoother handling of intensive write operations like compiling and content creation, while the Crucial T500 provides up to 1,440K random write IOPS.
• It comes with a slimmer heatsink height of around 8.88 mm to ensure better compatibility with compact systems and the PlayStation 5 slot, whereas the Crucial T500 heatsink measures about 9.7 mm.
• The Samsung 990 Pro supports RGB LED customization for enhanced visual personalization in gaming builds, while the Crucial T500 heatsink version does not include RGB control.
• Samsung 990 Pro has explicitly documented ultra-low device sleep power consumption of around 5 mW for improved laptop battery efficiency, whereas the Crucial T500 does not publish an L1.2 sleep power figure.
• It shows about 22K read and 80K write IOPS at QD1 for clearer real-world performance, while the Crucial T500 does not disclose QD1 metrics.
• The Samsung 990 Pro comes with a single-sided PCB design for its 4TB capacity to improve fit inside slim ultrabooks and handheld gaming devices, whereas the Crucial T500 4TB model uses a double-sided PCB.
• Samsung 990 Pro integrates Samsung Magician software with secure erase, performance benchmarking, and LED control for broader drive management, whereas the Crucial T500 uses Storage Executive with fewer advanced control features.

Maybe the Crucial T500 price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Samsung 990 Pro. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

What Common Both Can Do?

• Interface standard – PCIe 4.0 ×4 NVMe: Both SSDs use the same high-bandwidth interface, delivering up to ~8 GB/s theoretical throughput and low-latency NVMe protocol.
• Form factor – M.2 2280: Both come in the common M.2 2280 size (22 × 80 mm), ensuring broad compatibility with desktops, laptops, and consoles.
• NAND type – TLC NAND: Both utilize triple-level cell (TLC) NAND, balancing cost, speed, endurance, and density.
• DRAM-equipped – Yes (LPDDR4): They both include DRAM caches (LPDDR4), which accelerates performance by storing mapping tables and improving latency.
• Heatsink option available: Each offers models with integrated heatsinks—Samsung for its Pro line, Crucial for its 1TB and 2TB variants—to help with thermal throttling in sustained loads.
• PS5 compatibility (with heatsink): Sony approves both drives’ heatsink variants for PlayStation 5 expansion slots, thanks to their dimensions and cooling profiles.
• Hardware-based encryption (TCG Opal): Both support TCG Opal 2.0, enabling hardware-level AES encryption for secure data protection.
• Single-sided PCB (most SKUs): Most variants (especially at lower capacities) are single-sided, which makes them suitable for thin laptops and devices with limited clearance.
• Gen4 “flagship” consumer drive: Each represents a high-end Gen4 offering from its respective brand, targeting enthusiasts, gamers, and creators.
• 5-year warranty: Both come with a 5-year limited warranty, giving peace of mind regarding longevity.
• High endurance ratings: Although specific TBW (terabytes written) values differ by capacity, both drives offer robust endurance suitable for heavy workloads.
• Optimized for content creation and gaming: Both are marketed and engineered to excel in demanding use cases like video editing, large asset handling, and gaming load times.
• Software utility suite provided: Samsung offers Magician (for firmware, diagnostics, secure erase, and more); Crucial offers Storage Executive (for firmware updates, health monitoring, plus optional features like RAM caching).
• Both are highly reviewed for efficiency: Reviewers often praise both for delivering strong performance with efficient power usage, especially in modern laptops and consoles.
• Similar real-world read performance: Benchmarks and user reports frequently show that both deliver comparable read speeds in everyday real-world scenarios, despite spec sheet differences.
• Popular choice among Gen4 NVMe SSDs: Both are consistently considered among the top Gen4 NVMe SSDs in market comparisons and community discussions.