Crucial P510 1TB ($169) vs Samsung 990 PRO 1TB ($135). $/TB analysis, performance, and use-case recommendations.
When generations cross paths in a comparison like this one, the older-spec drive almost always wins on value while the newer one wins on benchmarks. Whether that benchmark advantage matters depends entirely on what you do with the drive.
Hardware-wise, the Crucial P510 1TB runs on Phison's E31T — a four-channel Gen 5 controller targeting the value tier. The Samsung 990 PRO 1TB pairs Samsung's Pascal controller, fabricated on the company's 8nm process.
The cheaper drive — Samsung 990 PRO 1TB at $135.00/TB — saves you $34.00 per TB versus the Crucial P510 1TB. Worth it if you're capacity-constrained; either works if you just want one fast drive.
In the read department, the Crucial P510 1TB leads by roughly 3 GB/s. The difference is more academic than practical for typical use, but it does matter for video editors moving multi-GB project files.
Cache architecture differs: Samsung 990 PRO 1TB has DRAM hardware, Crucial P510 1TB uses HMB. For OS, gaming, browsing — indistinguishable. For databases, large file ops, or 4K video editing — DRAM has a small but consistent edge.
For PS5 expansion, both are PCIe Gen 4 M.2 2280 drives that meet Sony's minimum spec (7,450 MB/s read). The console can't take advantage of speeds beyond that, so save money by choosing the Samsung 990 PRO 1TB. The Gen 5 Crucial P510 1TB pulls ahead on sequential bandwidth, but Gen 5 advantages rarely surface during everyday tasks — most software hasn't been rewritten to exploit 14,000+ MB/s pipelines. For content creators routinely rendering 4K or 8K video, the Crucial P510 1TB's 9,500 MB/s sustained write is the deciding factor — multi-GB project files land noticeably faster than on the alternative. Note for handheld gamers: M.2 2280 is the desktop/laptop standard. Steam Deck and the ROG Ally line need 2230 drives — neither Crucial P510 1TB nor Samsung 990 PRO 1TB fits without modification.
The Crucial P510 1TB is the right call if meaningfully faster reads (11,000 MB/s), and higher sustained writes (9,500 MB/s) matter to you.
The Samsung 990 PRO 1TB is the right call if the lower retail price ($135 vs $169), better $/TB economics ($135.00/TB), and a dedicated DRAM cache chip matter to you. Samsung backs the PRO series with one of the strongest warranty experiences in consumer storage — RMAs typically process within 5 business days globally.