So you finally decided to get an SSD to give your PC that blazing fast storage it deserves? Awesome!
Now comes the tricky part – picking whether to buy a Crucial or Samsung SSD from the dozens of options out there. Both are absolute leaders in the solid state space with rave reviews. But which one is right for your needs?
Not to worry buddy! In this epic guide, I simplify things by comparing Crucial and Samsung SSDs across all key factors – speed, endurance, software etc. Arm yourself with all the information and snag the perfect SSD for your budget.
Let‘s start with a quick refresher before diving into the details…
SSDs vs HDDs: A Quick Recap
Remember those chunky mechanical hard disk drives (HDDs) that used to be the default for PC storage? Modern SSDs leave them far behind in the dust!
SSDs have no moving parts and use NAND flash memory chips instead. This allows ridiculously fast access times unmatched by even the fastest spinning hard drives. We are talking over 20x faster in some cases!
Another core differentiator from HDDs is performance consistency. For mechanical drives, transfer speed drops significantly under heavy workloads with too many read/write operations. In contrast, SSDs can maintain peak performance levels irrespective of usage intensity.
This translates to consistently fast bootups, game load times, file transfers etc. no matter how crammed your usage is. And who doesn‘t love buttery smooth experiences?
One downside to acknowledge is that SSDs are currently pricier per gigabyte than HDDs and have lower per drive capacities. However, expanding memory is cheaper than upgrading other PC components. So do yourself a favor and make SSDs standard for all your storage needs.
Alright, back to today‘s main agenda – resolving your Crucial vs Samsung conundrum!
Comparing Popular SSD Models from Crucial and Samsung
I first wanted to outline some of the common SSD lines you might be eyeing from each brand. This table summarizes the usual tradeoff differences before diving deeper:
Now let‘s analyze how Crucial and Samsung SSD offerings stack up across various parameters you should factor in.
SSD Performance and Speed: Benchmark Comparison
Needless to say, performance should be the prime determinant for picking an SSD. So let‘s examine some real world test findings from reliable sources:
Sequential Speeds
Starting with maximum sequential read/write capabilities, the Samsung 970 EVO Plus peaks higher in best case scenarios. However, benchmark tools use sustained workloads focused entirely on either sequential reads or writes alone.
In reality though, our disk usage patterns tend to involve burst reads/writes simultaneously. Performance then depends greatly on the SSD controller and how efficiently it multitasks between requests.
4K Random Speeds
For measuring responsiveness under mixed workloads, 4K random read/write speeds serve as the barometer. Crucial‘s P5 Plus holds its own or even exceeds the Samsung 970 EVO Plus in heavier queue depth handling!
However, most real world scenarios trigger only up to Queue Depth 8 (QD8). Here Samsung claws back a decent lead again thanks to excellent latency.
But how do these synthetic numbers translate for everyday users?
Application and Real World Speed Tests
Turning to app loading and file transfer tests paints a clearer picture. Trusted sites like TechSpot have found even entry level Crucial NVMe drives like P2 to load games and applications at par with the Samsung 970 EVO Plus.
The charts shown below are courtesy PCWorld who found similar equivalence in actual usage performance between the drives.
Application load time comparison Source
File transfer speed comparison Source
As you can observe, even when transferring giant 100 GB files, both SSDs end up delivering equivalent real world write speeds.
So while Samsung 970 EVO Plus clinches the top spot for peak theoretical performance, when it comes to practical scenarios for gaming or creative work, even budget friendly Crucial drives like P5 Plus match them for speed when you factor in pricing.
…[section continues analyzing benchmarks and real world performance]…
SSD Durability and Endurance
Speed is half the equation when evaluating SSDs. Durability and endurance determine how long they continue operating optimally. Especially with around the clock usage for say, running virtual machines, you‘ll need reassurance of longevity.
Here are the core durability factors and how Crucial and Samsung SSDs compare:
Shock and Vibration Tolerance
Samsung SSDs edge out when it comes to resistance for physical wear and tear. Their highest end units meant for servers and such can endure up to 1500G shocks and 5 grms of vibration!
While not quite at the same tier, most Crucial SSDs still impress with Solid State Drive committees certification for 1000G shocks and 7+ GRMS tolerance.
Real World Perspective: Unless you plan to deploy these drives for in-vehicle use or frequent shipping, both product lines significantly outdo HDDs. For everyday desktop usage, either brand checks the reliability box.
Total Bytes Written (TBW) Endurance
Rated for 360 TBW (Terabytes Written), the Crucial MX500 1 TB drive offers over 2x higher write endurance warranty compared to Samsung 870 EVO at just 180 TBW.
The table below illustrates how for same capacities, Crucial SSDs edge out Samsung counterparts for guaranteed drive writes over the 5 year period.
Write endurance comparison up to 1 TB models
Real World Perspective: Even 180 TBW means you can overwrite the entire drive daily for 5+ years! For moderate PC workloads, both deliver plenty of write cycles before imagining any wear out.
I‘ll still give this round to Crucial SSDs for superior NAND longevity assurances. But both are well beyond satisfactory for most buyers.
…[section continues analyzing additional factors like software, warranties, pricing etc]…
Bottom Line Verdict: Crucial vs Samsung SSDs
We‘ve covered a ton of ground comparing Samsung and Crucial SSDs! Here‘s a quick recap of key pros for each brand:
Samsung SSD Pros
- Class leading benchmark performance
- Wide range including PCIe 4.0 and enterprise grade
- Excellent compatibility and hardware integration
- Leading durability certifications
- User friendly Magician software for monitoring
Crucial SSD Pros
- Nearly equivalent real world speed at lower cost
- Significantly cheaper pricing across line-up
- Higher write endurance rating for longevity
- Comprehensive Storage Executive monitoring tools
- Greater value per dollar spent
So which is the better pick for most PC builders and upgraders? Here‘s my verdict in a nutshell…
If you seek maximum theoretical throughput for niche cases like high end gaming or certain professional workflows, Samsung continues to justify premium pricing for the 980 Pro and enterprise offerings.
However, for practical everyday usage spanning booting, loading apps/games and transfers, even budget Crucial NVMe drives deliver equivalent user experience. And their lower cost per GB allows fitting higher capacities within the same budget!
Similarly for value focused SATA SSD shoppers, watches to grab the universally acclaimed MX500 at tempting sale prices. Compared to the 870 EVO, you again get enhanced endurance plus the option to stretch dollars via bigger bundle deals on Crucial storage.
So analyze your personal needs and preferred budget. But for most mainstream users, Crucial SSD family hits the sweet spot across parameters. Their versatile solutions for every workload and pricing segment offer unbeatable value without significantly compromising speed or reliability.
Hope this detailed face-off has helped demystify SSD choices to pick the ideal model for your needs! Feel free to reach out with any other questions.
Happy upgrading!
