discussion Crucial MX300 525GB & 1TB SSD Review

[SKYMTL]

Partial and Full Drive Performance

Partial and Full Drive Performance

<i>While it is important to know how a drive will perform under optimal conditions, more realistic scenarios are just as important. Knowing if a solid state drive will behave differently when partially or even nearly full than when it is empty is very important information to know. To quickly and accurately show this crucial information we have first filled the drive to 50% capacity and re-tested using both synthetic and real world tests. After the completion of this we then re-test at 75% and 90% of full capacity. </i>


Synthetic Test Results

<i>For our synthetic testing we have opted for our standard PCMark 7 test.</i>

<div align="center"><img src="http://images.hardwarecanucks.com/image/akg/Storage/MX300_525_1050/full_pcm.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></div>


Real World Results
<i>For a real world application we have opted for a modified version of our standard Windows 7 Start Up test. Unlike our standard Windows 7 image this image is based on a working system that has been upgraded numerous times of the past few years and represents an even more realistic real world test.</i>

<div align="center">
<img src="http://images.hardwarecanucks.com/image/akg/Storage/MX300_525_1050/full_boot.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></div>

Once again we are seeing slightly different results from these two models, but for their perspective markets these results are still quite good. In fact, they both retain performance numbers very well right up to their capacity limits. Finally, we get to see what this 3D NAND can do!

 

[SKYMTL]

Conclusion

Conclusion

With the release of both the 525GB and 1TB versions, Crucial’s MX300 family has finally reached a point where it offers something for everyone. While these new two drives effectively bookend the no-longer-limited-edition 750GB SKU, they just provide a taste of what’s a truly massive lineup with offerings ranging from 275GB all the way to 1TB. Crucial has finally started to demonstrate exactly what their new 3D-NAND technology can accomplish and thus far it’s an impressive showing.

One of the true benefits of these new drives is their capacity numbers. Whereas the new VX500 series top outs at 512GB / 1024GB and Phison controller-based SSDs have NAND reserved to wear leveling to the tune of 480GB / 960GB, Crucial’s comparable MX300’s hit 525GB and 1050GB respectively. Now you can scoff what looks like a very minor capacity differentiation but prepare to sign a different tune when trying to shoehorn something like an 81GB install of Gears of War 4 onto your SSD.

Whereas the Crucial MX300 750GB didn’t exactly blow me out of the water due to its slightly high price and comparably unimpressive performance (it has since fallen in cost to a much more competitive level!) the 525GB and 1TB versions hit the ground running. With that said neither, are targeted at the same buyer demographic but nonetheless offer some amazing value.


<b><u>525GB</b></u>

Let’s start with the smaller 525GB model. This model may technically have similar specifications as its larger siblings, it is actually more geared towards entry level, budget constrained buyers who want to get their first Solid State Drive but don’t want to spend a fortune. In the past this was the domain of Crucial’s 'V' and then 'BX' series and while both those predecessors pushed the boundaries of what was possible at the time, the adaptability of 3D NAND has changed the equation big time. First time buyers will now finally be able to confidently opt for an SSD that combines great capacity, a super affordable price, very good performance and extremely impressive NAND endurance.

With such a low asking price Seagate and Western Digital are going to have to do some careful reshuffling with their HDD lineup as this <i>half a terabyte</i> model offers relatively cavernous capacity and yet only costs $130. While this is technically the slowest of the three MX300 models tested to date, the overall performance is rather impressive compared to most entry level SSDs. Those drives tend to cost more per Gigabyte of capacity and yet are slower or come with less reliability and data security. In addition, within real world scenarios the MX300 series really doesn’t seem to exhibit fluctuating performance as you move upwards and downwards within its lineup. That’s quite important since buyers of more affordable MX300 drives won’t encounter massive performance losses

Even when compared to the BX200 the MX300 525GB is a veritable no-brainer as you get Crucial's legendary hardware-based data protection abilities and next gen Drive Write Acceleration which will make a huge difference compared to the older BX200 and simply outclasses most other entry level models in this price range. So much so we can see this model being the most sought-after SSD for system builders and knowledgeable consumers alike. Simply put, if you have a limited budget but want a large drive that offers more than just capacity then the MX300 525GB demands to be on your short list.

<div align="center"><img src="http://images.hardwarecanucks.com/image/akg/Storage/MX300_525_1050/di.png" border="0" alt="" /> <img src="http://images.hardwarecanucks.com/image/akg/Storage/MX300_525_1050/DGV.gif" border="0" alt="" /></div>


<b><u>1050GB</b></u>

Unlike the 525GB and 750GB models, this is the model that mainstream consumers with a bit more money have been waiting for. Its combination of performance, price, durability, and a high capacity capacity makes it the best MX model Crucial has released to date. When compared against the 750GB version, I’d recommend spending the few extra dollars for this capacity <I>if</i> your budget can stretch.

My positive opinion on the 1050GB MX300 versus the somewhat tepid response to the 750GB is rather simple to explain. Basically Crucial is only using one 3D-NAND type for the MX300 series, and while it is TLC-based, this 1050GB version has much more NAND ICs to spread the load over. This allows for much better NAND interleaving which in turn makes this a much better medium to long term drive from a performance retention standpoint.

The MX300 1050GB feels like the true successor to Crucial’s popular MX200 series. If you can afford the impressively low asking price it is a veritable shoe-in as no other mainstream option on the market today will offer such an impressive blend of performance, capacity, and value.

<div align="center"><img src="http://images.hardwarecanucks.com/image/akg/Storage/MX300_525_1050/di.png" border="0" alt="" /> <img src="http://images.hardwarecanucks.com/image/akg/Storage/MX300_525_1050/DGV.gif" border="0" alt="" /> <img src="http://images.hardwarecanucks.com/image/akg/Storage/MX300_525_1050/dam_good.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></div>