Best M.2 drive?

[Loveluk]

I was thinking about upgrading the SSD in my laptop recently, currently it's a SM951 256GB. I am almost running out of space. I am considering upgrading to a 500GB M.2 drive. So I did some researching on the internet, but it only confuse me more that it help. There is so many bench mark and each one will have a different result from another. I normally play games with my computer and it's going to be my boot drive, I want some fast loading time. I will also do some light video editing from time to time. I don't really have a budget, but I don't want to spent more than $300 unless the cost can be justifies with performance gain. Which one should I get? Here is some that I am considering. I will include link to manufacture and review I saw. Most review out there is for top capacity model only, which on paper is faster that smaller models. How does the around 500 GB model compares?

 

High end

Samsung 960 Pro 512GB

Link to manufacture: http://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/minisite/ssd/product/consumer/960pro.html

Review: http://www.anandtech.com/show/10754/samsung-960-pro-ssd-review

Samsung 950 Pro 512GB

Link to manufacture: http://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/minisite/ssd/product/consumer/950pro.html

Review: http://www.anandtech.com/show/9702/samsung-950-pro-ssd-review-256gb-512gb

 

There is the Corsair MP500 480GB

It has a theoretical better performance, but from review I have seen it is not quite as fast the those about in benchmarks and in real life. Some say it's just the driver, but I am not sure.

Link to manufacture: http://www.corsair.com/en/landing/mp500

Review: https://www.kitguru.net/components/ssd-drives/simon-crisp/corsair-force-mp500-480gb-ssd-review/

 

Mid Range

Samsung 960 EVO 500GB

Link to manufacture: http://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/minisite/ssd/product/consumer/960evo.html

Review: http://www.anandtech.com/show/10833/the-samsung-960-evo-1tb-review

Plextor M8Pe 512GB

Link to manufacture: http://www.goplextor.com/Product/Detail/M8Pe(G)#/Features

Review: http://www.anandtech.com/show/10909/the-plextor-m8pe-512gb-ssd-review

OCZ RD400 512GB

Link to manufacture: https://ocz.com/us/ssd/rd400-ssd.html

Review: http://www.anandtech.com/show/10328/the-toshiba-ocz-rd400-pcie-ssd-review

 

Low end PCie and SATA

Intel 600p 512GB

Link to manufacture: http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/solid-state-drives/solid-state-drives-600p-series.html

Review: http://www.anandtech.com/show/10850/the-intel-ssd-600p-512gb-review

Samsung 850 EVO 500GB

Link to manufacture: http://www.samsung.com/us/computing/memory-storage/solid-state-drives/ssd-850-evo-m-2-500gb-mz-n5e500bw/

Review: http://www.anandtech.com/show/9023/the-samsung-ssd-850-evo-msata-m2-review

Crucial MX300 525GB

Link to manufacture: http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/storage-ssd-mx300

Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/crucial-mx300/review/

*review is for 2.5", I can find review for M.2, but it should be similar

 

Which one should I get or is there a better option out there? any help would be appreciated.

[hconverse02]

I don't think on your laptop you are going to notice a huge difference between m.2 ssds because they will all be fast enough to tell its an m.2 but from m.2 to m.2 I don't think its a huge difference.  Choose one with good reviews and a less expensive price.  Also, there's not that huge difference between drives like the 950 and 960 that you would notice

[Eddie Current]

I upgraded my MSI GE72 Apache Pro-070 to a Samsung 950 Pro 256gb (M.2) as my OS drive and a SAMSUNG 850 PRO 2.5" 1TB as my storage drive and I could not be happier.

[brighttail]

Honestly the answer is "depends" on what you are using it for.  Just normal gaming and regular windows 10 stuff, then you aren't going to see much difference between a Samsung 960 pro to EVO.   Intel and corsair has new M.2 drives that in benchmarks will be slower than the Samsung, but you don't do benchmarks all day you do real life computing, which in the end, they all run about the same.   You may get some faster boots with the Samsungs but for day to day stuff, chances are you won't notice a thing.

 

If you are moving large sized files or doing video editing, then the Samsungs will win out because they move larger sized files faster.

 

Otherwise it is then about warranty, software functions and price vs capacity.  I have a Samsung 950 pro and 961 (the oem version)  While benchmarkings show the 961 is faster, I can't tell the difference in  normal windows 10 use.  I got a really good deal on two Samsungs 961 256gb drives so I got them.  If I were to do it all over again, i'd probably get the Samsung 960 EVOs which have a little less warranty but are very solid.  For me Samsung is top of the line when it comes to the m.2 drives.