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Acer FA100 vs Crucial MX500: Comparison
What is the difference between Acer FA100 and Crucial MX500?
On sequential read the spread is 83%, Acer FA100 3300 MB/s against Crucial MX500 560 MB/s, so Acer FA100 takes it. Speed Score backs the spec sheet up. Acer FA100 scores 6.4 to 5.1, 20% clear. Sequential write runs the same way, 2700 MB/s on the Acer FA100 versus 510 MB/s on the Crucial MX500, another win for Acer FA100. Add nand layers to that, 64 on the Acer FA100 versus 96 on the Crucial MX500, and the pattern holds. They differ on controller vendor too, InnoGrit on the Acer FA100 versus Silicon Motion on the Crucial MX500.
Which should you buy, Acer FA100 or Crucial MX500?
The Acer FA100 suits everyday laptops and desktops with a PCIe 3.0 M.2 slot. It also earns its place with budget upgrades needing 2000 GB of NVMe storage in a standard M.2 2280 slot. It is not the one for anyone wanting PCIe 4.0 speeds, since this drive tops out at 3300 MB/s reads. Take the Crucial MX500 for buyers who find this drive in stock at a genuinely competitive price against the Samsung 870 EVO. Performance-wise, either is a safe, strong choice. The same goes for anyone needing an M.2 SATA form factor specifically for an older laptop's non-NVMe M.2 slot. A genuinely useful format option not every competitor offers. It is the wrong buy for buyers who want maximum long-term availability confidence. Given this drive's phase-out status in various markets, the Samsung 870 EVO, covered elsewhere on this site, currently offers more consistent long-term sourcing.
Frequently asked questions
Do the Acer FA100 and Crucial MX500 differ on bus interface?
Yes. Bus Interface reads PCIe 3.0 x4 on the Acer FA100 versus SATA III, 2.5-Inch and M.2 Form Factors Available on the Crucial MX500.
Is the Drive Type the same on the Acer FA100 and Crucial MX500?
It is. Both are listed at Internal, so it is not a reason to pick one over the other.
Specs and benchmarks
Speed Score
- Acer FA100
- 6.4/10Best
- Crucial MX500
- 5.1/10-20%
How fast this drive is, rated from its read and write speeds, cache and NAND type. 10 is the fastest.
Brand
- Acer FA100
- Acer
- Crucial MX500
- Crucial (Micron)
Model Number
- Acer FA100
- Acer FA100 (Micron B27B)
- Crucial MX500
- MX500
Series
- Acer FA100
- FA100
- Crucial MX500
- Crucial MX500
Drive Type
- Acer FA100
- Internal
- Crucial MX500
- Internal
Bus Interface
- Acer FA100
- PCIe 3.0 x4
- Crucial MX500
- SATA III, 2.5-Inch and M.2 Form Factors Available
Sequential Read
- Acer FA100
- 3300 MB/s
- Crucial MX500
- 560 MB/s-83%
Sequential Write
- Acer FA100
- 2700 MB/s
- Crucial MX500
- 510 MB/s-81%
Controller
- Acer FA100
- IG5216
- Crucial MX500
- Silicon Motion SM2258
Controller Vendor
- Acer FA100
- InnoGrit
- Crucial MX500
- Silicon Motion
DRAM Cache
- Acer FA100
- DRAM-less (HMB)
- Crucial MX500
- DRAM
NAND Type
- Acer FA100
- TLC
- Crucial MX500
- TLC with DRAM Cache
NAND Vendor
- Acer FA100
- Micron
- Crucial MX500
- Micron
NAND Layers
- Acer FA100
- 64-33%
- Crucial MX500
- 96
Which one should you pick?
Choose Acer FA100 if you want the higher speed score (6.4 vs 5.1), the higher sequential read (3300 MB/s vs 560 MB/s) and the higher sequential write (2700 MB/s vs 510 MB/s).
Choose Crucial MX500 if you want the higher NAND layers (96 vs 64).