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Crucial BX500 2TB 2.5-inch SATA SSD (CT2000BX500SSD1): specs explained
A 2TB 2.5-inch SATA solid state drive from Crucial with Micron 3D NAND and reads up to 540MB/s. What the specs mean and what to check before fitting one.
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The Crucial BX500 2TB (CT2000BX500SSD1) is an internal solid state drive in the 2.5-inch SATA format. It is designed as a straightforward upgrade for a laptop or desktop that still uses a hard disk, or as extra storage for one that already has an SSD. Here is what its specs mean.
Why swap a hard drive for an SSD
A hard disk spins platters and moves a read head; an SSD stores data in flash memory with no moving parts. Crucial says the BX500 helps a computer boot faster, load files quicker and improve overall responsiveness, and it describes the drive as 300% faster than a typical hard drive. Its explanation is that your phone feels fast because it uses flash memory, and the BX500 adds the same kind of memory to a laptop or desktop.
Those comparisons are Crucial's, and the real result depends on the system and workload. In general, the gain from moving from a hard disk to any SSD is one of the most noticeable upgrades for an older computer.
Speed: up to 540MB/s
The listing says up to 540MB/s. That is close to the limit of the SATA III interface, around 600MB/s, so SATA drives share similar top speeds. NVMe drives in M.2 slots are faster on paper, but a SATA drive is more than adequate for everyday use, and it is the format that older machines support.
2TB capacity and Micron 3D NAND
2TB is a large capacity for a SATA SSD. It holds an operating system, applications, a games library and a sizable photo collection. The drive uses Micron 3D NAND, memory cells stacked in layers, which is how high capacities fit in a small package. As a general rule, SSDs work best with some free space, so don't plan to fill them completely.
Energy use
Crucial states the drive is 45 times more energy efficient than a typical hard drive and says it improves battery life. In general, SSDs draw less power than spinning disks, particularly at idle, which can help a laptop run longer. How much depends on the machine.
Warranty
Crucial gives a 3-year limited warranty. Read the terms on Crucial's site for what it covers.
Size and fit
The listing gives dimensions of about 3.9 x 2.8 inches, the standard 2.5-inch drive footprint. It fits the 2.5-inch bays of most laptops, and desktops with 2.5-inch mounts. For a 3.5-inch bay, you need a mounting bracket. Check the thickness your laptop bay accepts, as many support 7 mm drives.
Who it suits
It suits owners of older laptops, desktops and small-form-factor PCs with a SATA connection; people building a backup or media machine; and anyone who wants to add a large second drive without noise. People with a modern machine that has a free M.2 slot may prefer an NVMe drive for higher speeds.
What to check before you buy
- Connection: confirm your device has a SATA port and a free 2.5-inch bay.
- Thickness: compare the drive to your laptop's limit.
- Cables and brackets: a desktop needs a SATA data cable, a power connector, and possibly a bracket.
- Moving your files: decide between cloning your old drive or a clean install, and back up first.
- Capacity: consider whether 2TB meets your needs for the next few years.
The short version
- A 2TB 2.5-inch SATA SSD from Crucial, model CT2000BX500SSD1.
- Up to 540MB/s, using Micron 3D NAND.
- Crucial says it is 300% faster than a typical hard drive and 45x more energy efficient.
- 3-year limited warranty.
- Needs a SATA connection and a 2.5-inch bay.
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