Crucial · Updated July 2026
Crucial MX500: specs & release date
The Crucial MX500 has no published US price yet. It earns a Bronze Deskmark — 13/100 pay-blind standing, #10 of 10 in class.
Verified Jul 11, 2026 · figures linked to their source in the table below
- Best for Excellent value and price/performance for a SATA SSD; Bundled software package (Acronis True Image / Storage Executive).
- Skip if Writes and mixed-random accesses lag the fastest SATA rivals is a dealbreaker.
Crucial MX500, released 2017. Every price and spec below is linked to its source and dated — no guesses.
Source: crucial.com verified ✓ corroborated verify in ledger
Is the Crucial MX500 a good buy?
On the spec sheet, its seq read of 560 Mbps is the lowest of the 10, its seq write of 510 Mbps is the lowest of the 10, and its random read kiops of 95 is the lowest of the 7. By release date, it is the oldest of the 10 we date.
Evidence of Record
Our data- Independent labsmeasured it
- 2
- Physical metricsrecorded
- 1
- Outlets on record2 tested · 1 mention-only
- 3
Two independent labs measured this product across 1 physical metric — speed. With a second lab on record, each figure comes from more than one independent hands-on source — a measure of how much evidence exists, not a rating of the product.
Review consensus · sourced & dated
What reviewers say about the Crucial MX500
Three whitelisted labs (StorageReview, Tom's Hardware, TechPowerUp) reviewed the Crucial MX500 SATA SSD and agree it is a standout value pick with strong random-read performance. TechPowerUp separately verified it holds a steady ~400 MB/s with no write-hole once the SLC cache is exhausted, where rivals like the 850 Evo and MX300 drop to 300 MB/s. The main criticisms are sub-par write and mixed-random performance versus the fastest SATA drives, and a dated physical design.
Tested by StorageReview, Tom's Hardware, TechPowerUp
Consistently praised
- Excellent value and price/performance for a SATA SSD · 3 sources
- Bundled software package (Acronis True Image / Storage Executive) · 3 sources
- Five-year warranty, encryption, and power-loss protection · 2 sources
- Class-leading SATA random read performance (first place in 4K random reads)
- Holds a steady ~400 MB/s with no write-hole once the SLC cache is exhausted, unlike rival TLC drives
Commonly flagged
- Writes and mixed-random accesses lag the fastest SATA rivals · 2 sources
- Smaller capacities are slightly slower than the larger 1TB/2TB models
- Dated / unremarkable physical design
Where reviewers disagree The labs differ slightly on whether smaller capacities pay a performance penalty: TechPowerUp found the 500GB drive 'pretty much spot on identical' to the 1TB it tested earlier, while Tom's Hardware lists the smaller capacities as 'slightly slower than the larger capacities'. StorageReview did not isolate capacity-to-capacity differences, so the tension is mild.
The sources (3)
2MB sequential read: 507.37 MB/s · 2MB sequential write: 451.02 MB/s · 4K random read: 38.97 MB/s · 4K random write: 101.17 MB/s · 4K random read/write IOPS: 9,975 / 25,901 IOPS · 4K write latency (avg / max): 0.038 ms / 44.2 ms · 4K random read peak (QD scaling): 84,802 IOPS · 4K random write peak (QD scaling): 98,578 IOPS
The Crucial MX500 is a terrific SSD for those looking for an uncompromising combination of value and performance.
Looking at performance, the MX500 was able to pull off two first place spots in 4k random reads with 38.97MB/s and 9,975 IOPS.
The rest of our IOMeter test showed a fairly strong read and sub par write performance, with its best showing in 2MB sequential read with 507.37MB/s read and 451.02MB/s write.
Given the choice we would opt for the 1TB MX500 as our go-to SSD, but the 500GB looks really good at just $139.99.
Sustained sequential write after SLC cache exhausted (500GB): 400 MB/s · Competitors (850 Evo / MX300) sustained write in same scenario: 300 MB/s
Our synthetic testing reveals that unlike the majority of TLC drives, the MX500 doesn't suffer from the write hole when sending lots of data its way.
It delivers a steady 400 MB/s even when the SLC cache is exhausted.
Slightly reduced performance in mixed random accesses
Specifications
| Price (US) | Not published No current US retail price could be sourced from a fetched page. The Crucial manufacturer product page (CT500MX500SSD1) lists no price, and the StorageReview review (published December 22, 2017) quotes only a stale launch price of "$250" for the 1TB variant ("the 1TB version can be picked up today for $250"), which does not represent typical current retail — so priceUsd is left null. |
|---|---|
| Brand | Crucial |
| Released | 2017 |
| Capacity options (TB) | 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 |
| Form factor | 2.5-inch 7mm |
| Interface | SATA III 6Gbps |
| Seq read (Mbps) | 560 |
| Seq write (Mbps) | 510 |
| Random read kiops | 95 |
| Random write kiops | 90 |
| Nand type | — |
| Has dram cache | — |
| Endurance tbw | 360 |
| Warranty years | 5 |
Source: crucial.com (verified 2026-07-11) · corroborated by storagereview.com. The official Crucial (Micron) product page for CT500MX500SSD1 confirms this exact model verbatim — "Crucial MX500 500GB 3D NAND SATA 2.5-inch 7mm (with 9.5mm adapter) Internal SSD" — and states a 5-year warranty policy for the drive, but lists no price. The StorageReview launch review (dated December 22, 2017) provides the manufacturer-quoted spec table verbatim: form factors 2.5"/M.2, interface SATA 6Gb/s, sequential 560MB/s read / 510MB/s write, random 95K / 90K IOPS, TBW of 700/360/180/100 TB for the 2TB/1TB/500GB/250GB capacities (360 TBW used for the 1TB variant per methodology), and a 5-year limited warranty. NAND cell type (TLC) and DRAM cache presence are not stated on either fetched page, so both are null; no current US retail price was available on either page, so priceUsd is null (the only figure seen was a stale 2017 $250 launch price for the 1TB).
Frequently asked questions
What do reviewers say about the Crucial MX500?
Three whitelisted labs (StorageReview, Tom's Hardware, TechPowerUp) reviewed the Crucial MX500 SATA SSD and agree it is a standout value pick with strong random-read performance. TechPowerUp separately verified it holds a steady ~400 MB/s with no write-hole once the SLC cache is exhausted, where rivals like the 850 Evo and MX300 drop to 300 MB/s. The main criticisms are sub-par write and mixed-random performance versus the fastest SATA drives, and a dated physical design. Praised: Excellent value and price/performance for a SATA SSD; Class-leading SATA random read performance (first place in 4K random reads); Holds a steady ~400 MB/s with no write-hole once the SLC cache is exhausted, unlike rival TLC drives; Five-year warranty, encryption, and power-loss protection; Bundled software package (Acronis True Image / Storage Executive). Flagged: Writes and mixed-random accesses lag the fastest SATA rivals; Smaller capacities are slightly slower than the larger 1TB/2TB models; Dated / unremarkable physical design. (From 3 tester reviews, 3 lab-tested.)
How much does the Crucial MX500 cost?
The Crucial MX500 has no published US price as of 2026-07-11.
When was the Crucial MX500 released?
The Crucial MX500 was released 2017.
What are the Crucial MX500's key specs?
Crucial MX500 (Crucial): capacityOptionsTb 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, formFactor 2.5-inch 7mm, interface SATA III 6Gbps, seqReadMbps 560, seqWriteMbps 510. Full sourced spec sheet verified 2026-07-11.
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