- Which is faster for gaming?
- Both are PCIe 4.0 drives and load games at similar speeds. The T500 reads slightly faster at 7400 MB/s, while the SN850X writes faster at 6300 MB/s. Neither will change frame rates.
- Which is better for a PS5?
- The T500 includes a heatsink, which the PS5 requires. The SN850X is compatible but needs a separate heatsink. That makes the T500 the simpler pick for a console.
- Is the SN850X worth the extra money?
- Only if you write large files often or want the 600 TBW endurance and larger capacities. For game storage, the T500 at $189.99 does the same job for less.
- Which lasts longer?
- The SN850X is rated 600 TBW for the 1TB model. Crucial does not publish a TBW figure in this listing, so the SN850X has the clearer endurance claim.
- Do both fit a laptop?
- Both are M.2 2280 drives. The T500's heatsink may not fit a thin laptop, so check clearance. The bare SN850X is the safer fit in tight spaces.
- Which has better random performance?
- The SN850X publishes 800K read and 1.1M write random 4KB IOPS. The T500's random figures are not listed here, so the SN850X has the documented edge.
