Average Bench: 101% (260th of 1080)

Based on 77,177 user benchmarks.  Models: CT250MX500SSD1, CT250MX5 CT250MX500SSD1

The MX500 is Crucial’s current flagship consumer SATA SSD featuring their latest second generation 64-layer 3D TLC NAND. It’s available in 250 GB, 500 GB, 1 TB and 2 TB capacities in a 2.5-inch form factor. All but the 2 TB version will also be available in M.2 (2280) form in the future. The MX500 features a Silicon Motion SM2258 controller which is a change from the Marvell 88SS1074 controller featured in the MX300 (it’s nearly two year old predecessor). Performance is around 30% better than on the MX300 which currently retails at the same price. The MX500 has an SLC cache which increases with drive capacity. Consequently, the larger capacities are better able to sustain high sequential write speeds. The 250 GB version has 250MB of SLC cache, the 500 GB has 512 MB, the 1 TB has 1 GB and the 2 TB has 2 GB. Extended sustained write performance tests show that even though speed does drop off after the cache has been exhausted, it is still maintained at very respectable levels. The MX500’s five year warranty is in line with Samsung’s 850 Evo and exceeds it in terms of endurance (just 75 TBW for the 250 GB 850 Evo versus 100 TBW for the 250 GB MX500). It doesn’t quite match up to the Samsung’s 850 Evo’s performance (effective speed 8% slower), however at current prices it is about 20% cheaper, and on balance offers better value for money. [Mar '18 SSDrivePro]

Outstanding average bench

The Crucial MX500 250GB averaged 1.1% higher than the peak scores attained by the group leaders. This is an excellent result which ranks the Crucial MX500 250GB near the top of the comparison list.

Strengths

Avg. 4K-64Thread Mixed IO Speed 219MB/s
Avg. 4K Random Mixed IO Speed 45.4MB/s

Below average consistency

The range of scores (95th - 5th percentile) for the Crucial MX500 250GB is 50.6%. This is a relatively wide range which indicates that the Crucial MX500 250GB performs inconsistently under varying real world conditions.

Weaknesses

Avg. Sustained Write Speed 352MB/s
Avg. Sequential Mixed IO Speed 386MB/s

Average Bench

(Based on 77,177 samples)
Min Avg Max
334 Read 451 514
246 Write 394 466
269 Mixed 386 450
187 SusWrite 352 458
89% 396 MB/s
Min Avg Max
21.5 4K Read 33.7 42.6
45.2 4K Write 83.4 116
28 4K Mixed 45.4 58.3
153% 54.2 MB/s
Min Avg Max
219 DQ Read 329 384
135 DQ Write 294 359
112 DQ Mixed 219 278
190% 281 MB/s
User Benchmarks BenchSequentialRandom 4kDeep queue 4k
The fastest SSD (mainstream) averages a speed of 100%
75GB free (System drive)
Firmware: M3CR023
SusWrite @10s intervals: 446 451 452 461 460 462 MB/s
Read 514
Write 460
Mixed 450
SusWrite 455
106% 470 MB/s
4K Read 39.2
4K Write 109
4K Mixed 57.5
191% 68.5 MB/s
DQ Read 378
DQ Write 339
DQ Mixed 277
230% 331 MB/s
36GB free (System drive)
Firmware: M3CR023
SusWrite @10s intervals: 422 421 443 447 262 186 MB/s
Read 504
Write 442
Mixed 436
SusWrite 363
98% 436 MB/s
4K Read 35.7
4K Write 74.7
4K Mixed 44.1
150% 51.5 MB/s
DQ Read 377
DQ Write 314
DQ Mixed 262
219% 318 MB/s
37GB free (System drive)
Firmware: M3CR023
SusWrite @10s intervals: 207 174 191 198 188 186 MB/s
Read 450
Write 392
Mixed 395
SusWrite 191
80% 357 MB/s
4K Read 29.8
4K Write 55.6
4K Mixed 37.1
122% 40.8 MB/s
DQ Read 385
DQ Write 328
DQ Mixed 272
227% 328 MB/s
77,177 MORE »

 Market Share (See Leaders)

The number of benchmark samples for this model as a percentage of all 77,512,865 SSDs tested

 Prices

If you buy via one of these links, our site may earn a commission

MSRP ≈ $80 @ launch in Dec '17
EbayUS $401 min
AmazonUS $4517 mins
BHPhotoUS $504 years
Send price feedback
Typical MX500 250GB Builds (Compare 20,077 builds) See popular component choices, score breakdowns and rankings
Gaming
Gaming 98%
Nuclear submarine
Desktop
Desktop 87%
Aircraft carrier
Workstation
Workstation 92%
Nuclear submarine

Motherboard: MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX (MS-7C02) - $130

EDIT WITH CUSTOM PC BUILDER Value: 102% - Outstanding Total price: $573

Popular MX500 250GB compatible motherboards:

How Fast Is Your SSD? (Bench your build) Size up your PC in less than a minute

Welcome to our PC speed test tool. UserBenchmark will test your PC and compare the results to other users with the same components. You can quickly size up your PC, identify hardware problems and explore the best value for money upgrades.

UserBenchmark of the month

How it works

  • - Download and run UserBenchmark
  • - CPU tests include: integer, floating and string
  • - GPU tests include: six 3D game simulations
  • - Drive tests include: read, write, sustained write and mixed IO
  • - RAM tests include: single/multi core bandwidth and latency
  • - SkillBench (space shooter) tests user input accuracy
  • - Reports are generated and presented on userbenchmark.com
  • - Identify the strongest components in your PC
  • - See speed test results from other users
  • - Compare your components to the current market leaders
  • - Explore your best upgrade options with a virtual PC build
  • - Compare your in-game FPS to other users with your hardware
Solid State Drive Rankings (Price vs Performance) November 2024 SSD Rankings

Welcome to our SSD comparison. We calculate effective speed for both SATA and NVMe drives based on real world performance then adjust by current prices per GB to yield a value for money rating. Our calculated values are checked against thousands of individual user ratings. The customizable table below combines these factors to bring you the definitive list of top SSDs. [SSDrivePro]

Group Test Results

  • Best user rated - User sentiment trumps benchmarks for this comparison.
  • Best value for money - Value for money is based on real world performance.
  • Fastest real world speed - Real World Speed measures performance for typical consumers.

 Comments

Controller: Silicon Motion SM2258. Flash Memory: Micron 3D TLC

Fly through everything you do...

Added 6 years ago.

Good

2 years ago.

Good performance/price ssd with ddr cache


Liked

3 years ago.

Deal  samsung.com/...

samsung it's the best


Excellent

22 months ago.

very good performance for price


Excellent

2 years ago.

best budget friendly and work more than its worth


Terrible

15 months ago.

it is trash. has 65percent health after only two years


Excellent

4 years ago.

I have MX 500 and it is great on day to day basis


Good

6 years ago.


Excellent

6 years ago.

One of the better SSDs, especially for the money. Why so many downvotes? People must be too whiny


Good

4 years ago.

This SSD is faster than the Kingston A400 and is usually not much more expensive, a good option for those who want a SATA3 SSD a little faster.


Excellent

4 years ago.

Why spend more on a Samsung SSD?


Your
opinion?
1080 Drives (Compared) Thousands of user benchmarks compiled into one comparison list

See how consistently different SSDs perform with varying real world conditions. The charts also illustrate overall performance, popularity and rank.

 Frequently Asked Questions

 Best User Rated

Why does UserBenchmark have a bad reputation on reddit?
Marketers operate thousands of reddit accounts. Our benchmarks expose their spiel so they attack our reputation.
Why don’t PC brands endorse UserBenchmark?
Brands make boatloads on flagships like the 4090 and 14900KS. We help users get similar real-world performance for less money.
Why don’t youtubers promote UserBenchmark?
We don't pay youtubers, so they don't praise us. Moreover, our data obstructs youtubers who promote overpriced or inferior products.
Why does UserBenchmark have negative trustpilot reviews?
The 200+ trustpilot reviews are mostly written by virgin marketing accounts. Real users don't give a monkey's about big brands.
Why is UserBenchmark the gold standard for users?
Instead of pursuing brands for sponsorship, we've spent 13 years publishing real-world data for users.
The Best
CPUGPUSSD
Intel Core i5-12600K $159Nvidia RTX 4060 $295WD Black SN850X M.2 2TB $135
Intel Core i5-13600K $210Nvidia RTX 4060-Ti $380WD Black SN850X M.2 1TB $84
Intel Core i5-12400F $111Nvidia RTX 4070 $500Crucial T700 M.2 4TB $370
Today's hottest deals
If you buy something via a price link, UserBenchmark may earn a commission
About  •  User Guide  •  FAQs  •  Email  •  Privacy  •  Developer  •  YouTube Feedback