Which is better, Crucial T710 1TB or TeamGroup Z540 1TB? September 2026 side-by-side with prices, specs, and verdict.
A like-for-like comparison: both drives target the same buyer segment at the same Gen 5 1 TB class. The interesting question becomes which manufacturer's implementation aged better.
Hardware-wise, the Crucial T710 1TB runs on the SMI SM2508 — a 6nm Gen 5 controller running notably cooler than first-gen Phison E26 designs. The TeamGroup Z540 1TB pairs an original Phison E26 chip that defined the Gen 5 reference design.
For PlayStation 5 builds, the console's internal M.2 slot tops out around 5,500 MB/s sustained, so both Crucial T710 1TB and TeamGroup Z540 1TB hit the same wall — pick whichever is cheaper at the moment you buy. Both drives use the 2280 form factor, which is too long for Steam Deck or ROG Ally — you'd need a 2230 variant if either manufacturer offers one, or a dedicated handheld-format drive instead.
How do these two fit the wider Gen 5 1 TB field? Out of 6 tracked drives, the Crucial T710 1TB is #6 on $/TB and the TeamGroup Z540 1TB is #4. Neither is a value leader right now — if $/TB is your priority, check the cheaper alternatives below before committing.
As of September 7, 2026, these tracked drives undercut both the Crucial T710 1TB and TeamGroup Z540 1TB on $/TB:
Lean toward the Crucial T710 1TB when meaningfully faster reads (14,900 MB/s) top your priority list. Crucial drives benefit from being a direct Micron product — the same NAND that powers competitors' drives, but at lower margins.
Lean toward the TeamGroup Z540 1TB when the lower retail price ($253 vs $264), and better $/TB economics ($253.00/TB) top your priority list. Budget-tier drives like the TeamGroup Z540 1TB have closed the gap with premium NVMes — the MAP1602 controller is genuinely competitive for everyday workloads at half the price.