If you’re on the hunt for a high-performance SSD without emptying your wallet, look no further than the Crucial T500 PRO 4 TB Gen 4. Priced at $319.99, this SSD offers blazing speeds and reliable performance, making it a strong contender in today’s market.
While PCIe Gen 5 NVMe SSDs are grabbing headlines with their sky-high performance metrics, they still come with a hefty price tag and haven’t yet delivered significant real-world benefits. For now, they remain a luxury for early adopters. However, the current-gen PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSDs strike a perfect balance between speed and affordability. Our recent review of the Crucial T500 Gen4 SSD revealed it to be both a high-performer and a great value for money.
Today, we focus on the Crucial T500 PRO 4 TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD, equipped with the mighty Phison E25 controller.
Crucial T500 PRO 4 TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD
This SSD belongs to Crucial’s new Pro series lineup, boasting the latest Micron 232-layer 3D TLC NAND flash. This technology allows for larger capacities up to 4 TB and doubles the performance of Gen 3 drives. The SSD supports Microsoft’s DirectStorage API, fortified by Phison’s I/O+ technology, making it a well-rounded performer for various applications.
The Crucial T500 SSD features the high-end Phison PS5025-E25 SSD controller, which pushes Gen 4 performance beyond an impressive 7 GB/s.
Key Features:
– Sequential read/write speeds up to 7,000/6,900MB/s
– Random read/write speeds up to 1.18/1.44M IOPs
– PCIe 4.0 NVMe 2280 M.2 SSD
– Micron 232-layer 3D TLC NAND
– Options with or without a low-profile integrated heatsink, ideal for PS5 upgrades
– Capacities: 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB
– Micron LPDDR4 DRAM, 1GB per 1TB of NAND flash
– Phison PS5025-E25 Controller
– Optimized for Microsoft DirectStorage with Phison I/O+ technology
– Compatibility with laptops, desktops, and PS5 consoles
– Backward compatibility with PCIe 3.0
– 5-year limited warranty
Crucial T500 PRO Specifications:
– NVMe (PCIe Gen 4 x4) interface
– Endurance of 2400TBW
– M.2 (2280) form factor
– Capacities up to 4 TB
– Sequential Read/Write speeds of 7,000/6,900MB/s
– 5-year limited warranty
The SSD is available in several variants:
– T500 0.5 TB No Heatsink – $67.99
– T500 1.0 TB No Heatsink – $89.99
– T500 2.0 TB No Heatsink – $154.99
– T500 4.0 TB No Heatsink – $291.99
– T500 1.0 TB With Heatsink – $92.99
– T500 2.0 TB With Heatsink – $163.99
– T500 4.0 TB With Heatsink – $319.99
Design and Unboxing
The Crucial T500 PRO comes in a sleek, blue and white package. All the important information is clearly labeled, ensuring you know exactly what you’re getting. The box includes the SSD itself and a warranty booklet, neatly packed within a plastic shell container. The SSD comes in a black PCB, which is more aesthetically pleasing compared to some mainstream blue PCBs.
The heatsink variant showcases the Crucial label prominently on the front, while the heatsink-less version has the same labels on a sticker.
Dimensions:
– Crucial T500 with heatsink: 80x23x9.7mm
– Crucial T500 no heatsink: 80x22x2.3mm
The internal build features the Phison E25 Gen4 SSD controller, flanked by two DRAM and four NAND Flash modules, also supported on the back.
Test Setup
Our test platform included an Intel Core i9-13900K processor on an MSI Z790 ACE motherboard, coupled with 32 GB of DDR5 memory from G.Skill (Trident Z5). The MSI MEG Ai1300P PSU provided power, while the MSI GeForce RTX 4090 SUPRIM X handled graphics. This high-end setup was perfect for evaluating modern SSDs. The MSI Z790 ACE specifically includes a Gen 5.0 x4 NVMe slot sourced from the Raptor Lake CPU.
Performance Benchmarks
We evaluated the Crucial T500 PRO 4 TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD and were highly impressed with the performance stats. The SSD topped out with a sequential read speed of 7,000MB/s and a write speed of 6,900MB/s. Random Reads and Writes IOPS were rated at 1180K/1440K respectively, with an endurance rating of 2400 TBW.
For those who demand both performance and value, the Crucial T500 PRO 4 TB Gen 4 SSD is an excellent choice. Not only does it offer cutting-edge technology and impressive speeds, but it also comes at an attractive price point. Whether for a gaming rig, a workstation, or an upgrade for your PlayStation 5, this SSD fits the bill perfectly.When it comes to high-performance storage solutions, the industry is buzzing with top-tier Gen 4 SSDs that promise speed and efficiency. These SSDs are not only designed for gaming enthusiasts but also for professionals who need reliable and fast data access. Here’s a rundown of some of the leading Gen 4 SSDs available today, based on comprehensive testing results.
Starting with the ATTO Disk Benchmark, which is a standard tool used to measure storage performance, many drives shine through in performance and reliability. Among the front-runners, we have:
– **TeamGroup CARDEA A440 PRO 2 TB Gen 4**
– **Crucial T700 PRO 4 TB Gen 4**
– **T-Force G70 PRO 2 TB Gen 4**
– **SK hynix Platinum P41 2 TB Gen 4**
– **MSI SPATIUM M480 PLAY 2 TB Gen 4**
– **MSI SPATIUM M480 2 TB Gen 4**
– **Inland Gaming Performance Plus 2 TB Gen 4**
– **Crucial P310 2 TB Gen 4 (available in both 2280 and 2230 form factors)**
– **Netac NV7000-t 2 TB Gen 4**
These drives have been meticulously tested for their read and write speeds, showcasing impressive results across the board. Performance metrics, such as those provided by the Crystal Disk Mark 7.0.0 x64, reveal detailed insights into sequential and random read/write speeds, essential for understanding everyday performance in varied tasks.
In real-world scenarios, transferring a large 100 GB file reveals just how these SSDs handle hefty data loads. The following drives excelled in this test:
– **MSI Spatium M480 PRO 2 TB Gen 4**
– **TeamGroup CARDEA A440 PRO 2 TB Gen 4**
– **SK hynix Platinum P41 2 TB Gen 4**
– **Crucial T700 PRO 4 TB Gen 4**
– **MSI SPATIUM M480 PLAY 2 TB Gen 4**
Such tests highlight not only the speed but also the reliability of these drives under intensive use cases, a critical factor for data-heavy applications and gaming storage.
Moreover, the PCMark 10 Storage benchmark provides another dimension of performance analysis by simulating real-world conditions through tasks involving Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, and popular games. Top performers in this benchmarking suite include:
– **Crucial T700 PRO 4 TB Gen 4**
– **TeamGroup CARDEA A440 PRO 2 TB Gen 4**
– **MSI Spatium M480 PRO 2 TB Gen 4**
– **Netac NV7000-t 2 TB Gen 4**
– **SK hynix Platinum P41 2 TB Gen 4**
This test drives home the point that these SSDs are not just about peak speeds but also about sustainable performance over a range of everyday tasks.
For those considering an investment in cutting-edge storage solutions, the variety of options available ensures there’s a perfect match for every need, whether it be for gaming, professional use, or general computing. As technology continues to advance, these high-performance Gen 4 SSDs stand at the forefront, offering unprecedented speed, reliability, and efficiency.
In conclusion, no matter your use case, the right Gen 4 SSD can significantly enhance your system’s performance. By choosing any of the above-reviewed drives, you are guaranteed a combination of speed, endurance, and excellent value for your storage needs.The Spatium M390 1TB Gen 3 and TeamGroup CARDEA IOPS 1TB Gen 3 are solid options for those who need reliable storage solutions at an affordable price. If you’re looking to upgrade to a Gen 3 SSD, both of these drives offer excellent performance without breaking the bank.
For those seeking top-tier performance, the Crucial T700 PRO 4TB Gen 4 and TeamGroup CARDEA A440 PRO 2TB Gen 4 are among the best in the market. These drives deliver next-level speed and capacity, making them ideal for heavy-duty tasks and gaming. Other notable mentions in the Gen 4 category include the SK hynix Platinum P41 2TB and MSI Spatium M480 PRO 2TB, both of which provide incredible speeds and robust durability.
Crucial’s P310 series is also worth considering, available in both 2TB (2280) and 2TB (2230) form factors, providing flexibility for different system requirements. Similarly, the T-Force G70 PRO 2TB Gen 4 and MSI SPATIUM M480 PLAY 2TB Gen 4 offer impressive storage solutions packed with high-speed performance.
When it comes to heatsink-equipped models, they ensure optimum temperature control, which is crucial for maintaining peak performance. Options like the MSI Spatium M480 PRO 2TB (With heatsink), T-Force G70 PRO 2TB (With heatsink), and TeamGroup CARDEA A440 1TB (With heatsink) are designed to keep your system running cool under heavy loads.
The market also offers SSDs optimized for gaming, like the Inland Gaming Performance Plus 2TB Gen 4, providing the speed and capacity gamers need for a seamless experience.
Conclusion: Big Capacity, Grand Performance
The Crucial T500 PRO stands out as one of the fastest Gen 4 drives tested, boasting exceptional NVMe performance that matches its high-end pricing. This drive sits at the top of Gen 4 SSD performance charts, promising outstanding storage speeds and large capacities. Crucial ensures these drives come with software and encryption support, while the heatsink offers efficient temperature management.
In terms of pricing, the 4TB model is competitively priced at $291 for the version without a heatsink and $319 with a heatsink, aligning with the cost of the Samsung 990 PRO 4TB model. This makes it a compelling option for high-end users requiring larger capacities, especially since the heatsink version is compatible with PS5.
Crucial is making significant strides in the high-end storage space with its T500 PRO solutions, positioning itself as a top contender in the market. As faster products emerge, pricing may adjust, but for now, Crucial offers some of the best Gen 4 drives available.
The future looks promising with Crucial’s high-performance T700 and T500 series leading the way in the Gen 5 and Gen 4 segments, respectively. If speed and reliability are what you seek, Crucial has the products to meet your needs.
