Performance: 36 out of 40
Are you looking for the best NVMe drive available today? Then look no further… than the 2TB capacity variant of the T705 series. Make no mistake. This is a very fast series for it class. That class however is PCIe 4.0 and not PCIe 5.0. So please understand that these numbers a relative to its both its asking price and its performance class.
Technological Innovation: 18 out of 20
On paper the 1TB T500 has no right being as good as it is. It relies upon a PCIe 4 four channel controller, and only has two NAND ICs on its 80mm long PCB. In reality the E25 is indeed a new breed of value controllers. One where if you pair it with cutting edge NAND will reward buyers with (relatively) phenomenal levels of performance. Sadly, all this cutting edge innovation is somewhat marred by the fact that Crucial has gone with press fitment for the heatsink. Much like the T705, this “innovation” is a step backwards and costs it a full 2 points.
Build Quality & Warranty: 18 out of 20
As we have stated multiple times in the past Crucial are known for three things: their conservativism, their commitment to customer service, and their build quality. All of which have garnered them an enviable reputation. The press fitment keeps the T500 knocking all three out of the park and does mar the T500’s otherwise sterling design. Thankfully, it is easy to avoid that issue and opt for the cheaper nude variant!
Value: 16 out of 20
Lackluster stock heatsink or not, the T500 1TB does offer a lot of bang for your hard earned buck. Unfortunately at its current asking price, it is still is living in the shadow of its P5 Plus predecessor. As such, be on the look out for when this bad boy goes on sale. For when it does, it will become such a good deal that it really, really will be hard to justify opting for last generation ‘premium’. Color us impressed… with caveats.
Final Score : 92 out of 100
The Crucial T500 1TB NVMe heatsink edition is certainly not perfect. It however is one fine model that impressed us multiple times throughout testing. Sure, the 2TB capacity model “should be” faster. However what the 1TB option offers should also be consider well be ‘good enough’ and fall directly into the excellence territory. So don’t let the low asking price fool you. This is one peppy little drive.
