Performance: 34 out of 40.
On the one hand, under optimal conditions the Crucial X8 2TB offers USB 3.1 gen 2 bandwidth saturating performance. On the other… using a QLC NAND P1 drive means that performance will be much more variable than TLC NAND based options and will vary based on how much of the X8’s capacity is used. I.E. an empty X8 will perform much better than a mostly full one. On the positive side the floating write buffer capacity on the 2TB’ers is more than spacious enough to satisfy the typical buyer’s usage patterns even when above 75 percent filled capacity (where it will still be ~25GB in size). It really will only be professionals who dump 256GB or larger cards at a time that will find it less than optimal – as that pseudo-SLC write buffer size quickly declines after the 50 percent / 1TB filled mark.
Technological Innovation: 16 out of 20
Making a high-performance external storage solution is not rock science. Making one that actually is worth buying is a lot more difficult. Making one that is worth buying and reasonably priced is harder still. So, while Crucial has not re-invented the wheel the X8 2TB is innovative in how it blends performance vs. price. Not perfectly, as QLC is not optimal for certain scenarios, but certainly above average and certainly going to put a hurt on the competitions’ SATA models.
Build Quality & Warranty: 16 out of 20
It is obvious that Crucial put the time and effort necessary into creating a good two Terabyte NVMe based external storage solution. Everything from a good alloy chassis with heat pads so that it can act as a large heat spreader, to using single sided PCBs (both M.2 and adapter), to even opting for a good and powerful (for its class) bridge controller screams ‘pride in workmanship’. Of course, with that said it does make a few missteps that. Firstly… no LEDs. On a 2020 model that is suboptimal to say the least. Also, if there was ever a model that called out for IP design and certification it is this one. The same is true of the three-year warranty. It is good… but five years would have been much better. Thus, there is still plenty of room for improvement.
Value: 14 out of 20
For the typical home user, the Crucial X8 2TB will be a really good deal. Easily 18 out of 20. These buyers will be getting a pretty, fairly durable, easy to carry, and fairly fast drive with cavernous capacity for not much more than what the typical SATA based competition cost. Sadly, enthusiasts, prosumers, and professionals will not be overly enamored with its highly variable performance (10 out of 20 at best). So, the value is going to be highly variable. We have split the differences between the two and called it 14 out of 20. Just understand it will be either great or mediocre value for you and you should adjust your score accordingly.
Final Score: 80 out of 100
The Achille’s heel of the Crucial X8 is also its greatest strength. By using their P1 series Crucial was indeed able to create a rather good value model that will satisfy the needs of the home user nicely. Sadly, that selfsame same price crushing P1 foundation makes for a somewhat variable performer. As long as you understand what it can and can not do, and those abilities align with your needs the new 2TB capacity variant of the X8 series is a great value. Everyone else may find it a bit less than optimal to justify. Relatively great asking price or not.
