1
Samsung EVO PLUS 970 M.2
250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB
Best 500GB PCIe 3.0 Samsung TLC SSDs
500GBPCIe 3.0SamsungTLC
There are 7 500GB PCIe 3.0 Samsung TLC SSDs in our database — each linked via an Amazon search on its part number. The fastest is the Samsung 980 at 3500 MB/s read, and the highest-rated for endurance is the Samsung EVO PLUS 970 M.2 (1200 TBW). Sequential reads across the group span 3000–3500 MB/s.
Why this configuration
A 500GB PCIe 3.0 Samsung TLC SSD is an affordable NVMe step up from SATA. Gen3 is roughly six times SATA's throughput yet often costs little more, making it the easy default for a first NVMe drive or a laptop that only supports Gen3. Samsung specifically tends to be chosen here for its firmware track record and warranty support.
500GB is a sensible OS-plus-a-few-games size.
Usually chosen for: budget builders, laptop upgraders and anyone leaving SATA behind.
Good fit: everyday all-rounder use, from OS drive to game library.
Ranked list
Ranked by tier, then link type, then sequential read. Drives we hold a product link for show a price button; the rest open an Amazon search on the manufacturer part number. Stock and prices are not shown here — they change too often.
2
Samsung PM981A
250GB, 500GB, 1TB
3
Samsung EVO 970 M.2
250GB, 500GB, 1TB
4
Samsung 960 EVO
250GB, 500GB, 1TB
5
Samsung PM981
250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB
6
Samsung 980
250GB, 500GB, 1TB
7
Samsung PM961
128GB, 250GB, 500GB, 1TB
The parts, explained
500GB is a comfortable OS-and-games starting point.
PCIe 3.0 x4 reaches about 3,500 MB/s — plenty for everyday use and gaming, and cheaper than Gen4.
TLC NAND is the mainstream choice — a solid balance of endurance, speed and cost.
Staying with Samsung means consistent firmware, tooling and warranty handling across the range.
Common questions
How do the links to Amazon work here?
5 of the 7 drives listed have a direct product link; for the rest we link an Amazon search on the manufacturer part number, which lands on the right listing. We deliberately don't display stock or prices on this page — check both on Amazon, they change constantly.