Crucial MX300 525GB SSD Review

Storage/SSD by stefan @ 2016-09-25

The MX300 525GB SSD from Crucial is marketed as a mainstream product and unlike the regular TLC drives where we have experienced high write performance drops (to about 90MB/s) when transferring large files, the 3D TLC NAND is able to deliver higher writes even after the cache is filled. This is Crucial’s first 3D NAND generation in cooperation with Intel and we expect further to see improvements with firmware upgrades.

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Packaging, A Closer Look

The MX300 SSD series from Crucial is featuring the next generation of NAND Flash which is 3D NAND and intends on remaining a mainstream product, which can be also judged by the sale prices. In order to switch to the new generation, Crucial has partnered with Intel and incorporates a floating gate design. While the first showcased model was the 750GB limited edition, the manufacturer is back now with more variants: 525GB and 1050GB but also one 2TB model.

 

The MX300 525GB we have received for testing did arrive in a cardboard enclosure similar to the previous models from the same manufacturer; the top cover has a photo of the actual product and here we will also get the total capacity listed:

 

 

 

On the back, Crucial did list the package contents, but also the web link from where we can access additional resources:

 

 

 

Besides the previously-mentioned cardboard enclosure, the SSD is secured inside a custom black plastic mold:

 

 

 

The product is also accompanied by a 7mm to 9.5mm spacer (compatibility reasons), but also an Acronis True Image HD data migration software free license:

 

 

 

MX300 does come with a solid aluminum chassis and a product sticker is attached on the top:

 

 

 

The bottom area reveals a screw-less design, which are a bit difficult to take apart in order to check out the internal components; the middle area does also house a central sticker with the product code name, serial number, supported interface, power rating but also installed firmware code:

 

 

 

Next we can spot the SATA Data/Power connectors:

 

 

 

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