Crucial T710 Gen5 2 TB NVMe SSD Review

The Crucial T710 Gen5 2 TB NVMe SSD is a significant leap forward in high-performance storage. Building on the success of the T700 and T705, Crucial’s T710 raises the bar by leveraging Silicon Motion’s SM2508 SSD controller alongside Micron’s new G9 NAND flash technology.

With impressive sequential read and write speeds of up to 14,900 MB/s and 13,800 MB/s, respectively, the T710 is poised to become the go-to choice for enthusiasts and gamers seeking unparalleled SSD performance.

What sets the T710 apart is the combination of the new SM2508 controller and Micron’s G9 TLC NAND, featuring up to 276 layers for a boost in performance and capacity. The G9 NAND offers a 50% improvement in IO speeds compared to previous generations, delivering speeds of up to 3.6 GB/s. Additionally, the T710 is available in 1 TB, 2 TB, and 4 TB capacities, catering to various needs.

The T710 is also engineered to be more power-efficient, offering 42% higher random writes and a 24% reduction in average power consumption. This is particularly beneficial for those who need high performance without excessive heat, as the T710 comes with a heatsink variant to maintain optimal temperatures. Crucial also offers a non-heatsink version for users who don’t require additional cooling.

For gamers and professionals handling large files, the T710’s speed is ideal. However, for those with more standard needs, a PCIe Gen4 SSD might still be sufficient. Despite the extraordinary read and write speeds, there’s an ongoing debate about whether these Gen5 speeds are truly necessary for most consumer applications. Many users argue that Gen4 SSDs are fast enough for everyday tasks like gaming, file transfers, and OS boot times. Ultimately, the T710 shines in specific scenarios that demand top-tier performance, such as large-scale data transfers, video editing, or gaming on high-end setups.

At a price point of $279.99 for the 2 TB model, the Crucial T710 is competitively priced compared to other Gen5 SSDs. While it’s not the cheapest option available, it offers an excellent balance of speed, power efficiency, and reliability, making it an attractive choice for users looking for the latest in storage technology.