The Crucial P310 1TB is Crucial’s newer mainstream PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD, built around the Phison E27T controller and Micron’s own 3D TLC NAND. At around $69 it pairs sequential reads up to 7,100 MB/s with a compact, single-sided, DRAM-less HMB design — designed to deliver near-flagship Gen 4 speeds at a notably accessible price. The P310 has become one of the most-recommended budget Gen 4 picks of 2026, frequently winning on price-per-gigabyte against larger-brand rivals. This Crucial P310 1TB review covers the speeds, the E27T controller, real-world use, PS5 compatibility, value and verdict.
Crucial P310 1TB SSD, PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 2280, Up to 7,100MB/s, for Laptop, Desktop (PC), & Handheld Gaming Consoles, Includes Acronis Data Recovery Software, Solid State Drive - CT1000P310SSD801
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Quick answer: Our top pick in 2026 is the Form factor — our #1 rated choice. See the full ranked comparison, alternatives and buying advice below.
Crucial P310 1TB at a Glance
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Form factor | M.2 2280, single-sided |
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe |
| Capacity | 1TB (also 500GB and 2TB) |
| Sequential read | Up to 7,100 MB/s |
| Sequential write | Up to 6,000 MB/s |
| Random read IOPS | Up to 1,000K (4K QD32) |
| DRAM cache | No — Host Memory Buffer (HMB) |
| NAND type | Micron 3D TLC (232-layer) |
| Warranty | 5-year limited / 220 TBW for 1TB |
| Approx price | around $69 |
Speeds & Performance
The P310 is built around the well-regarded Phison E27T DRAM-less controller, paired with Crucial parent company Micron’s own 232-layer 3D TLC NAND — a strong combination at this tier. Sequential reads are quoted up to 7,100 MB/s with writes up to 6,000 MB/s, which puts the P310 firmly in the upper Gen 4 mainstream band and within striking distance of flagship drives at the headline figures. Random reads are around 1,000K IOPS.
Real-world feel is very good for the price. Windows boots, application launches and game loads feel fast, and DirectStorage texture streaming runs smoothly. The P310 is one of the better-balanced budget-flagship picks of 2026 — clearly better than older Gen 4 budget drives but at a notably lower price than the SN850X or 990 PRO. For broader context see our best NVMe SSDs for gaming guide.
The Phison E27T controller deserves a bit more attention. It is the newer 6 nm replacement for the older E21T DRAM-less controller and is built specifically for high-speed HMB designs without DRAM. Phison’s reference designs using the E27T are now in production with multiple SSD vendors, which means the controller has a wide installed base and mature firmware support across the industry. For a budget-positioned drive this kind of broad ecosystem support is a real advantage.
DRAM Cache & Endurance
The P310 is a DRAM-less design using Host Memory Buffer (HMB). The Phison E27T controller is one of the better DRAM-less controllers shipping today and pairs well with Micron’s newer 232-layer 3D TLC NAND for typical consumer workloads. As with all HMB drives, the trade-off vs DRAM-cached flagships only really appears under sustained concurrent writes — for gaming and mainstream productivity the P310 feels essentially as fast as more expensive drives.
Endurance at 1TB is rated at 220 TBW over a 5-year limited warranty — lower than the SN850X 1TB’s 600 TBW. That is the main spec-sheet trade-off and reflects the budget positioning. For normal gaming and productivity use 220 TBW is still well in excess of what most users will reach in five years, but heavy write workloads should consider higher-rated drives. Crucial’s reputation for steady firmware support and Micron’s vertical NAND supply also make the P310 a low-risk consumer choice despite the more modest endurance number.
Gaming & Workstation Use Cases
For pure gaming, the P310 1TB is an excellent budget-flagship pick — the speeds are competitive, DirectStorage performance is smooth and the price is hard to beat. 1TB comfortably holds Windows, a handful of AAA games and your productivity apps. Heavy collectors should look at the 2TB or consider a higher-tier drive instead.
For workstation use, the P310 is best suited to mainstream tasks rather than heavy professional workloads — sustained large transfers and prolonged 4K video edits are where DRAM-cached drives and higher-endurance designs earn their premium. The single-sided, low-power form makes the P310 a strong pick for slim laptops, mini-ITX builds and budget gaming PCs. For build pairings see our gaming PC build guide.
Crucial is a wholly-owned consumer brand of Micron, which means the company owns its NAND supply outright — the Micron 232-layer TLC inside the P310 is the same flash Micron sells to other top-tier SSD vendors. This vertical integration tends to translate to consistent flash quality and reasonable supply stability through the lifetime of a product line, which is one practical reason the Crucial brand has built and held its strong reputation in consumer storage.
PS5 Compatibility & Heatsink
The Crucial P310 exceeds the PS5’s 5,500 MB/s read requirement and fits the console’s M.2 expansion slot. It is one of the more cost-effective PS5 expansion picks at the 1TB capacity. Sony requires a fitted heatsink, so plan to fit a separate M.2 heatsink from our best M.2 SSD heatsinks roundup; Crucial does offer an optional P310 heatsink variant in some regions.
For PS5-specific buyers comparing options, our best PS5 expansion SSD guide covers Sony-licensed alternatives like the WD_BLACK SN850P alongside value picks at this tier.
Value & Price Per TB
At around $69 for 1TB, the P310 works out to roughly $0.069 per gigabyte — among the best $/GB you will find on a Gen 4 NVMe SSD that pushes 7,100 MB/s. The price is what makes the P310 stand out: near-flagship headline speeds at budget-drive money. The 2TB capacity offers slightly better $/GB and is the better pick for heavier users. Crucial also discounts the P310 line aggressively during major sales events, and the 1TB is often one of the best Gen 4 SSD deals available across major retailers.
Verdict
The Crucial P310 1TB is one of the best value PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSDs of 2026. The Phison E27T controller and Micron 232-layer TLC combination delivers near-flagship headline speeds at a notably accessible price, in a compact single-sided form that suits any build. The 220 TBW endurance rating is the main spec-sheet trade-off vs the SN850X. For budget-conscious gaming PCs, slim laptops and value-focused PS5 expansion, the P310 earns a clear recommendation. See our best NVMe SSDs for gaming guide for full comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Crucial P310 as fast as the SN850X?
Headline numbers are within a small margin, and gaming feel is similar for typical use. The SN850X’s DRAM cache and Game Mode 2.0 firmware pull ahead under sustained heavy mixed writes.
Does the Crucial P310 have DRAM?
No. It is a DRAM-less design using Host Memory Buffer (HMB) with the Phison E27T controller. HMB works well for consumer workloads; DRAM-cached drives hold performance better under heavy sustained writes.
Is the P310 good for PS5?
Yes. It exceeds the PS5’s 5,500 MB/s read requirement and fits the M.2 expansion slot. You will need to fit a heatsink — either the optional P310 heatsink variant or a separate one.
What is the warranty on the Crucial P310 1TB?
Crucial covers the drive with a 5-year limited warranty or a total bytes written (TBW) limit of 220 TBW for the 1TB capacity, whichever comes first.
More NVMe SSD Reviews
- Samsung 9100 PRO 1TB Review: PCIe Gen 5 NVMe SSD (2026)
- Samsung 990 PRO 4TB Review: Flagship Gen 4 NVMe SSD
- Samsung 990 PRO 2TB Review: Premium Gen 4 NVMe SSD
- Samsung 990 PRO 1TB Review: Premium Gen 4 NVMe SSD
- Samsung 990 EVO Plus 1TB Review: Gen 4×4 / Gen 5×2 NVMe SSD
- WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB Review: Premium Gen 4 NVMe SSD
- WD_BLACK SN850X 1TB Review: Premium Gen 4 NVMe SSD
- WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB with Heatsink Review: PS5-Ready Gen 4 SSD
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