Crucial P3 500GB vs Samsung 980 500GB
Neither Crucial P3 500GB nor Samsung 980 500GB wins outright — each takes something the other gives up, so the pick is which of those you want.
| Specification | CrucialP3 500GB | Samsung980 500GB |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity (GB) | 500 | 500 |
| Sequential read (MB/s) | 3500 | 3500 |
| Sequential write (MB/s) | 1900 | 3000better |
| Current best price | 197,80 €betterat Amazon.fr · captured 2026-09-13 | 222,39 €at Amazon.fr · captured 2026-09-13 |
| Price per TB | 395,60 €better | 444,78 € |
| DRAM cache | No | No |
| NAND type | tlc | tlc |
| Controller | — | Samsung Elpis controller |
How these two compare
Sequential throughput
Crucial P3 500GB states 3500 MB/s read and 1900 MB/s write; Samsung 980 500GB states 3500 MB/s read and 3000 MB/s write, both over PCIe. Sequential numbers like these describe large sustained transfers; the responsiveness you notice day to day tracks random access more closely than the peak figures do.
Price
Crucial P3 500GB is 197,80 € (395,60 € per TB); Samsung 980 500GB is 222,39 € (444,78 € per TB).
DRAM cache
On the cache question: Crucial P3 500GB is DRAM-less, and Samsung 980 500GB is DRAM-less. The DRAM keeps the flash-translation table close, sparing a lookup on nearly every access; a drive without it leans on host memory or its own flash, which usually shows as slower sustained random writes rather than in the headline sequential numbers.
NAND, controller and warranty
On the flash itself: Crucial P3 500GB uses TLC, and Samsung 980 500GB uses TLC. NAND tiers count bits per cell — more bits pack more capacity into the same silicon but shorten write endurance and slow sustained writes, which is why QLC sits below TLC on lasting performance even when the sequential numbers match. Controller: Crucial P3 500GB's controller is not stated and Samsung 980 500GB uses the Samsung Elpis controller. The controller runs wear-levelling, error correction and the mapping table, so it shapes sustained and random behaviour as much as the flash does — though the model name alone predicts little without testing. Crucial P3 500GB does not state one and Samsung 980 500GB carries a 5-year warranty — the length the maker will stand behind the drive, and usually a proxy for the endurance it is rated to.
Which to buy
It comes down to which you value more: Crucial P3 500GB and Samsung 980 500GB each lead the other somewhere the site tracks, and no single measure settles it. Read the sections above for which edge fits your use.
Common questions about this pair
- Which is faster, Crucial P3 500GB or Samsung 980 500GB?
- Crucial P3 500GB states 3500 MB/s read and 1900 MB/s write; Samsung 980 500GB states 3500 MB/s read and 3000 MB/s write, both over PCIe. Sequential numbers like these describe large sustained transfers; the responsiveness you notice day to day tracks random access more closely than the peak figures do.
- Which costs less per terabyte, Crucial P3 500GB or Samsung 980 500GB?
- Crucial P3 500GB is 197,80 € (395,60 € per TB); Samsung 980 500GB is 222,39 € (444,78 € per TB).
- Should you buy Crucial P3 500GB or Samsung 980 500GB?
- It comes down to which you value more: Crucial P3 500GB and Samsung 980 500GB each lead the other somewhere the site tracks, and no single measure settles it. Read the sections above for which edge fits your use.