58

MX500 1TB SSD

SATA III · 2.5-inch · 1TB · TLC

$55

MSRP

76

P5 Plus 1TB SSD

PCIe 4.0 x4 · M.2 2280 · 1TB · TLC

$70

MSRP

Our verdict

The P5 Plus 1TB SSD takes the performance lead with a 31% higher overall score, driven by its more shader cores, more of memory, and higher TFLOPS of compute power. In gaming benchmarks at 1440p, it delivers roughly 0% more frames per second across demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake 2.

However, the P5 Plus 1TB SSD tells a compelling value story. At $70 versus the MX500 1TB SSD's $55 price tag, it costs $15 less while delivering performance that's only 31% behind. Its of memory is still more than enough for 1440p and even 4K gaming in most titles.

Our recommendation: for the majority of gamers targeting 1440p or even 4K with upscaling enabled, the P5 Plus 1TB SSD is the smarter purchase. The MX500 1TB SSD only makes sense if you need the absolute maximum performance for native 4K ray tracing, professional 3D rendering, or AI workloads where the extra VRAM and compute power provide a tangible advantage.

Performance winner

P5 Plus 1TB SSD

31% faster overall

Best value for money

P5 Plus 1TB SSD

2% better value per dollar

MX500 1TB SSD best for

Power efficiency

2% better value per dollar

Endurance

Endurance TBW
360 TB
600 TB
Warranty
5 years
5 years

Performance

Sequential Read
560 MB/s
6,600 MB/s
Sequential Write
510 MB/s
5,000 MB/s
Random Read 4K IOPS
95,000 IOPS
720,000 IOPS
Random Write 4K IOPS
85,000 IOPS
600,000 IOPS

Power

Active Power
2.0W
4.5W

Storage

Capacity
1,024 GB
1,024 GB
Interface
SATA III
PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe
Form Factor
2.5-inch
M.2 2280
NAND Type
TLC
TLC
Controller
SM2259
Micron Custom
DRAM Cache
Yes
Yes

Value

Price per TB
$55/TB
$70/TB

Frequently asked questions

Is the P5 Plus 1TB SSD worth $15 more than the MX500 1TB SSD?

It depends on your needs. The P5 Plus 1TB SSD scores 76 overall vs 58 for the MX500 1TB SSD. If you need the extra performance for demanding tasks, the premium is justified. For most users gaming at 1440p or below, the MX500 1TB SSD offers better value.

Which GPU is better for 1440p gaming, the MX500 1TB SSD or P5 Plus 1TB SSD?

The P5 Plus 1TB SSD delivers higher frame rates at 1440p, but both GPUs handle 1440p gaming well. The P5 Plus 1TB SSD provides more headroom for ray tracing and future titles, while the MX500 1TB SSD still maintains smooth gameplay in current games.

Can the MX500 1TB SSD handle 4K gaming?

The MX500 1TB SSD can handle 4K gaming in less demanding titles and with upscaling technologies like DLSS or FSR. For native 4K at ultra settings in demanding games, the P5 Plus 1TB SSD is the better choice with its higher performance ceiling.

Which should I buy, the MX500 1TB SSD or P5 Plus 1TB SSD?

Choose the MX500 1TB SSD if you want the best value for money and primarily game at 1080p or 1440p. Choose the P5 Plus 1TB SSD if you need maximum performance, play at 4K, or do professional workloads like video editing and 3D rendering.

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