Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB ($465) vs Crucial T710 1TB ($265). $/TB analysis, performance, and use-case recommendations.
Both run on Gen 5 hardware but at different capacities: 2 TB for the Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB versus 1 TB for the Crucial T710 1TB. Whether the larger drive's $/TB advantage justifies the higher upfront cost depends on how much you actually need.
Hardware-wise, the Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB runs on Samsung's Presto controller — built in-house to push V-NAND to its Gen 5 ceiling. The Crucial T710 1TB pairs the SMI SM2508 — a 6nm Gen 5 controller running notably cooler than first-gen Phison E26 designs.
The cheaper drive — Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB at $232.50/TB — saves you $32.50 per TB versus the Crucial T710 1TB. Worth it if you're capacity-constrained; either works if you just want one fast drive.
Endurance leans toward the Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB at 1,200 TBW (versus 600 TBW for the Crucial T710 1TB). For most consumers this never becomes a real concern — 600 TBW lasts a decade of normal writes — but heavy daily writers should weight it.
For PS5 expansion, both are PCIe Gen 4 M.2 2280 drives that meet Sony's minimum spec (14,700 MB/s read). The console can't take advantage of speeds beyond that, so save money by choosing the Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB. Video editors will gravitate toward the Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB for its write headroom (13,400 MB/s sustained). Project saves and proxies move faster, which compounds across a workday. Heads-up — these are full-length 2280 drives. Steam Deck and most current handhelds require shorter 2230 modules, so check capacity-specific 2230 variants if that's your target platform.
The Samsung 9100 PRO 2TB is the right call if better $/TB economics ($232.50/TB), higher sustained writes (13,400 MB/s), and a higher TBW endurance rating (1,200 TBW) 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.
The Crucial T710 1TB is the right call if the lower retail price ($265 vs $465) matter to you. Crucial drives benefit from being a direct Micron product — the same NAND that powers competitors' drives, but at lower margins.