Crucial T500

^{PCIe Gen4 NVMe performance | 232-layer 3D TLC NAND | Integrated DRAM cache}

Introduction

The Crucial T500 Gen4 NVMe SSD represents a significant leap in consumer solid-state storage, targeting enthusiasts, gamers, and creative professionals who demand high-speed data transfer and reliability. As the storage landscape continues to evolve, PCIe Gen4 NVMe drives like the T500 are rapidly becoming the new standard, offering substantial improvements in speed and efficiency over previous generations. With its advanced controller, cutting-edge NAND technology, and robust feature set, the T500 is positioned as a compelling choice for anyone seeking to upgrade their PC, laptop, or PlayStation 5 storage.

Product Overview

The Crucial T500 is a high-performance M.2 2280 SSD leveraging the PCIe 4.0 x4 interface and NVMe 2.0 protocol. It is available in capacities ranging from 500GB to 4TB, catering to a wide array of storage needs. The drive is built on Micron’s 232-layer 3D TLC NAND and powered by the Phison PS5025-E25 controller, both of which contribute to its impressive speed and endurance. The T500 is designed for users who require fast boot times, rapid file transfers, and seamless gaming or content creation experiences. It is offered with or without a low-profile heatsink, enhancing its versatility for both desktop and console environments.

Key Features

Advanced PCIe Gen4 Performance

The T500 delivers sequential read speeds up to 7,400 MB/s and write speeds up to 7,000 MB/s, making it more than twice as fast as Gen3 NVMe SSDs and twelve times faster than traditional SATA SSDs. This speed enables faster game loading, improved application responsiveness, and rapid file handling, which is especially beneficial for large video or data projects.

232-Layer 3D TLC NAND

Utilizing Micron’s industry-leading 232-layer TLC NAND, the T500 achieves higher storage density, better power efficiency, and improved endurance. This advanced NAND technology allows the drive to maintain high performance over its lifespan, supporting up to 600 TBW (terabytes written) for the 1TB model and up to 2,400 TBW for the 4TB variant.

Integrated DRAM Cache

Unlike some budget NVMe drives that rely solely on Host Memory Buffer (HMB) technology, the T500 features an onboard DRAM cache (1GB LPDDR4 per terabyte of storage). This cache significantly enhances random read/write performance, reduces latency, and ensures a smoother multitasking experience, particularly under heavy workloads.

Feature One: PCIe Gen4 x4 Interface with NVMe 2.0

The T500’s PCIe Gen4 x4 interface provides a massive bandwidth boost over Gen3, enabling next-level throughput for both sequential and random operations. The NVMe 2.0 protocol further optimizes command processing, reducing overhead and improving queue management for modern workloads.

Feature Two: Dynamic SLC Caching

The drive employs both static and dynamic SLC (single-level cell) caching to accelerate write operations. This mechanism temporarily stores incoming data in a faster SLC layer before committing it to TLC, resulting in higher burst write speeds and improved performance during typical consumer workloads.

Feature Three: Hardware Encryption and Data Integrity

Security and reliability are priorities for the T500. It supports TCG Opal 2.01 hardware encryption, ensuring data protection for sensitive files. Additional features such as Redundant Array of Independent NAND (RAIN), multi-layer data integrity algorithms, and adaptive thermal protection safeguard against data loss and overheating.

Performance Analysis

Sequential Speeds

The Crucial T500 achieves sequential read speeds of up to 7,400 MB/s and write speeds up to 7,000 MB/s, placing it among the fastest PCIe 4.0 drives available. Real-world benchmarks confirm these figures, with CrystalDiskMark and AS SSD tests typically showing read speeds between 7,200 MB/s and 7,456 MB/s, and write speeds from 6,800 MB/s to just over 7,000 MB/s, depending on the drive’s capacity and system configuration. These speeds are significantly higher than those of Gen3 NVMe SSDs, which usually top out around 3,500 MB/s, and far surpass SATA SSDs, which are limited to about 550 MB/s.

Random Performance

Random performance, measured in IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second), is crucial for multitasking, OS responsiveness, and application launches. The T500 delivers up to 1,150,000 IOPS for random reads and up to 1,440,000 IOPS for random writes on the 1TB and 2TB models. In practical testing, the drive excels at low queue depths, often outperforming competitors in 4K random write benchmarks. However, as queue depth increases, the T500’s performance can taper off, though it remains highly competitive within its class.

Thermal Management

High-speed PCIe Gen4 SSDs generate considerable heat, which can lead to thermal throttling if unmanaged. The T500 addresses this with an optional low-profile heatsink, designed to fit snugly in both desktop and PlayStation 5 environments. Under typical workloads, the drive idles around 30°C and peaks at 58–60°C during sustained transfers. With the heatsink installed, temperatures remain well-controlled, and the drive consistently avoids thermal throttling, ensuring stable performance even during extended heavy use.

Compatibility

PlayStation 5

The Crucial T500 is fully compatible with the PlayStation 5, provided the heatsink-equipped version is used. Sony requires that any SSD installed in the PS5 expansion slot must have effective heat dissipation. The T500’s low-profile heatsink meets these requirements and fits securely within the PS5’s M.2 bay. Installation is straightforward, and the drive is recognized immediately by the console. While the PS5’s internal speed test may report read speeds slightly below the drive’s maximum (typically in the 5,600–6,500 MB/s range), this is a limitation of the console’s testing method rather than the drive itself. In actual use, the T500 provides ample bandwidth for fast game loading and smooth gameplay.

Desktops and Laptops

The T500’s M.2 2280 form factor and PCIe 4.0 x4 interface make it compatible with most modern desktops and laptops equipped with an M.2 NVMe slot. For desktops, users can choose between the heatsink and non-heatsink versions, depending on motherboard layout and available cooling solutions. In laptops, the non-heatsink version is generally recommended due to space constraints, though users should verify clearance before installation. The drive is plug-and-play, requiring only a compatible system and, for optimal performance, a PCIe Gen4-enabled motherboard or chipset.

Advantages and Limitations

Strengths

• Exceptional Performance: The T500 offers top-tier sequential and random speeds, making it ideal for gaming, content creation, and demanding professional workloads.

• Versatile Compatibility: With options for both heatsink and non-heatsink models, the T500 is suitable for desktops, laptops, and PlayStation 5 consoles, offering flexibility for a wide range of users.

Constraints

• Sustained Write Speed Drops: Once the dynamic SLC cache is exhausted, typically during very large file transfers or when the drive is heavily filled, write speeds can drop significantly—sometimes to as low as 250 MB/s. This limitation is common among TLC-based SSDs but is particularly noticeable on the T500 during extended writes.

• Premium Pricing at High Capacities: While the T500 is competitively priced in lower capacities, the 4TB model carries a higher price tag relative to some competitors, which may affect its value proposition for users seeking large storage upgrades.

Conclusion

The Crucial T500 Gen4 NVMe SSD stands out as a high-performance, reliable, and versatile storage solution for tech enthusiasts, gamers, and professionals. Its combination of cutting-edge NAND technology, robust controller, and integrated DRAM cache delivers exceptional speed and responsiveness across a variety of workloads. Compatibility with desktops, laptops, and PlayStation 5 consoles—especially with the heatsink-equipped model—broadens its appeal.

While it excels in most performance metrics, potential buyers should be aware of the drive’s drop in write speeds when the SLC cache is exhausted and the relatively higher price of the 4TB variant. Despite these limitations, the T500 remains an excellent choice for users seeking a premium PCIe 4.0 SSD upgrade, offering a compelling mix of speed, reliability, and flexibility for modern computing environments.

Recommended Use Cases

• High-performance gaming PCs and consoles (PlayStation 5)

• Content creation workstations (video editing, 3D rendering)

• Power-user laptops and desktops requiring fast storage for multitasking and large file handling

Not recommended for

• Users with extremely large sustained write workloads (e.g., constant 4K video capture) who may be affected by SLC cache exhaustion

• Systems limited to PCIe Gen3 or SATA, where the T500’s full performance cannot be realized

Overall, the Crucial T500 is a forward-looking storage upgrade that delivers on the promise of PCIe Gen4 NVMe technology, making it a strong contender in the premium SSD market.

Works Cited

CDRLabs.com. "Crucial T500 2TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe Solid State Drive - Reviews." cdrlabs.com/reviews/crucial-t500-2tb-pcie-gen4-nvme-solid-state-drive/temperature-and-final-thoughts.html

KitGuru. "Crucial T500 2TB PCIe Gen4 SSD Review." kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/simon-crisp/crucial-t500-2tb-review/all/1/

Tom's Hardware. "Crucial T500 4TB SSD Review: More of a Good Thing." tomshardware.com/pc-components/ssds/crucial-t500-4tb-ssd-review