Crucial P3 Plus PCIe Gen4 NVMe 4TB SSD, Up to 4,800MB/s Read, Laptop & Desktop (PC) Compatible, Solid State Drive – CT4000P3SSD8
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AI Verdict
This 4TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD with 4,800MB/s read and 4,100MB/s write is for home users needing large, budget-friendly storage for read-heavy tasks.
This 4TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD is a situational fit because its 4,800MB/s read and 4,100MB/s write speeds are decent for everyday use and gaming, but its QLC NAND and DRAM-less design mean it won't hold up to sustained, heavy write workloads. It's a budget-friendly way to get a lot of storage, but you trade peak performance and endurance for capacity.
If you need consistent high-speed writes and better endurance for demanding tasks, look for PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSDs that use TLC NAND and include a dedicated DRAM cache.
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Pros
- Offers a large 4TB capacity for essential apps, documents, and media.
- Achieves sequential read speeds up to 4,800MB/s and write speeds up to 4,100MB/s.
- Compatible with both PCIe Gen4 and Gen3 systems, making it easy for system upgrades.
- Built with Micron 3D NAND and rated for over 1.5 million hours MTTF, indicating durability.
- The 4TB model is single-sided, which helps with compatibility in some laptops.
- Includes Acronis cloning software and a one-month Adobe Creative Cloud All-Apps subscription.
Cons
- Uses QLC NAND flash memory, which can result in slower sustained write speeds after the cache is full.
- Lacks dedicated DRAM cache, relying on Host Memory Buffer (HMB) which might impact performance in intensive workloads.
- The 800 TBW endurance rating for the 4TB model is considered low compared to other PCIe 4.0 drives.
- PCMark 10 benchmark results show unimpressive performance, sometimes similar to PCIe 3.0 drives in general tasks.
- Some users report the drive can slow down severely when it's nearly full.
Dimension Scores
The 4,800MB/s read and 4,100MB/s write speeds are at the lower end for PCIe Gen4 drives, and sustained write performance can drop due to QLC NAND.
Rated for over 1.5 million hours MTTF and backed by a 5-year warranty, but the 800 TBW endurance for 4TB is considered low for its class.
A 4TB capacity is generous for a single M.2 drive, providing ample space for most home users' applications and media.
It's compatible with both Gen4 and Gen3 systems, and the 4TB model being single-sided enhances laptop compatibility.
Best For
- Storing large game libraries or media collections on a desktop or laptop.
- Boot drive for a budget-conscious PC build where large capacity is a priority.
- Upgrading an older system from a SATA SSD or HDD for faster boot times and app launches.
- Users with read-intensive workloads like gaming or media consumption.
Not Recommended For
- Workstations or servers requiring constant, heavy write operations (e.g., virtual machines, database development).
- Users who frequently transfer extremely large files (hundreds of GBs) and need consistent top-tier write performance.
- Enthusiasts seeking the absolute fastest PCIe Gen4 performance for competitive benchmarking.
Watch Out For
- The use of QLC NAND means sustained write speeds can drop significantly once the SLC cache is exhausted, which is a common complaint for this type of flash.
- Its 800 TBW endurance rating for 4TB is on the lower end for PCIe 4.0 SSDs, meaning it might wear out faster under heavy write loads than drives with higher TBW ratings.
- Performance in general storage tasks, as measured by PCMark 10, is often on par with or only slightly better than some PCIe 3.0 drives, despite being a Gen4 drive.
- One user reported that the drive can slow down severely when it's nearly full, which is a known characteristic of QLC drives.
Full Specifications
| ASIN | B0B25M8FXX |
| Brand | Crucial |
| Color | Black |
| Series | Crucial P3 Plus NVMe SSD |
| Voltage | 1.1 Volts |
| Language | English |
| Batteries | 1 AAAA batteries required. |
| Hard Drive | 4 TB Solid State Drive |
| Item Weight | 0.243 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Crucial |
| Hard Disk Size | 4 TB |
| Special Feature | Compact |
| Flash Memory Size | 4 TB |
| Hardware Platform | Linux, Mac, PC |
| Installation Type | Internal Hard Drive |
| Item model number | CT4000P3PSSD8 |
| Compatible Devices | This drive is compatible with desktops & laptops that accept PCIe NVMe Gen 4.0 drives |
| Product Dimensions | 3.15 x 0.09 x 0.87 inches |
| Hard Disk Interface | PCIE x 4 |
| Computer Memory Type | DIMM |
| Hard Drive Interface | PCIE x 4 |
| Hard Disk Description | Solid State Drive |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 3.15 x 0.09 x 0.87 inches |
| Connectivity Technology | NVMe |
| Digital Storage Capacity | 4 TB |
| Standing screen display size | 16 Inches |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
What Buyers Say
People are mostly picking this drive up for its huge 4TB capacity at a budget price, especially when it goes on sale. While the sequential read and write speeds of 4,800MB/s and 4,100MB/s are technically PCIe Gen4, users often point out that its real-world performance, particularly for sustained writes or in benchmarks like PCMark 10, feels more like a fast Gen3 drive. The QLC NAND and DRAM-less design are frequently mentioned as reasons for this, making it a better fit for storing games or media rather than heavy-duty workstation tasks. It seems to run pretty cool, which is a plus for laptop users or those without dedicated heatsinks.
“I needed a ton of space for my games and didn't want to spend a fortune, and this 4TB Crucial P3 Plus totally delivered. It's not the fastest thing ever, but my games load way quicker than before and I've got room for everything now, even if it chugs a bit when I'm moving huge files around.”
Common Praise
- The 4TB capacity is a massive upgrade for storing large game libraries or media files.
- It's frequently available at a very competitive price point for a 4TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD.
- Users report it runs cool, even without an aftermarket heatsink.
- It's single-sided, which is crucial for compatibility in some laptops like ThinkPads.
- Offers a noticeable speed improvement over older SATA SSDs or HDDs for boot times and app loading.
Common Complaints
- Sustained write speeds drop significantly after the SLC cache fills up due to QLC NAND.
- Performance benchmarks, like PCMark 10, show it's often slower than other PCIe Gen4 drives and sometimes on par with Gen3 drives.
- The 800 TBW endurance rating is considered low for a 4TB Gen4 drive, raising concerns for heavy users.
- Some users experienced slowdowns when the drive approached full capacity.
- The lack of dedicated DRAM cache is a concern for some users expecting top-tier performance.
Ownership Tips
- After a few weeks, the initial 'wow' factor of Gen4 speeds settles into 'it's fast enough for daily stuff, but not mind-blowing'.
- Filling it up past 70-80% capacity definitely makes those big file transfers feel sluggish, confirming the QLC limitations.
- The bundled Acronis software is actually useful for migrating your old drive, saved me a headache.
- It really does run cool; I haven't seen any thermal throttling issues even during long gaming sessions.
- The 5-year warranty is reassuring, especially with the lower TBW rating, makes me feel a bit safer about the QLC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this SSD compatible with my PlayStation 5?
No, this drive's sequential read speed of 4,800MB/s is below the 5,500MB/s minimum recommended by Sony for the PS5. You'll need a faster Gen4 NVMe SSD for PS5 compatibility.
Does this SSD come with a heatsink?
No, the Crucial P3 Plus does not include a heatsink. However, user reports suggest it runs relatively cool, and a heatsink might not be strictly necessary for most use cases.
Will this work in a PCIe Gen3 slot?
Yes, this drive is backward compatible with PCIe Gen3 slots. It will operate at Gen3 speeds, which are typically around 3,500MB/s read, so you won't get the full 4,800MB/s performance.
What kind of NAND flash does this SSD use?
This SSD uses QLC (Quad-Level Cell) NAND flash memory. QLC allows for higher storage density and lower cost per gigabyte but generally has lower endurance and slower sustained write speeds compared to TLC (Triple-Level Cell) NAND.
Is this SSD suitable for a laptop?
Yes, it's compatible with laptops that accept PCIe NVMe Gen 4.0 drives. The 4TB model is also single-sided, which can be important for fitting into some thinner laptop chassis.
Buying Guide
When you're looking at NVMe SSDs, especially for a lot of storage like 4TB, you need to balance speed, capacity, and cost. This Crucial P3 Plus is designed to give you a huge amount of space without breaking the bank. It's fast enough for everyday tasks and gaming, but don't expect it to compete with the absolute fastest drives out there, especially if you're constantly writing massive amounts of data. Think of it as a spacious, comfortable sedan, not a race car.
PCIe Gen4 NVMe
This refers to the interface and protocol the drive uses. PCIe Gen4 is the current mainstream standard, offering theoretical speeds twice as fast as Gen3. NVMe is the language it speaks, which is much faster than the older SATA standard. It's like upgrading from a dial-up modem to fiber optic internet for your storage.
4,800MB/s Read, 4,100MB/s Write
These numbers tell you how quickly the drive can access (read) and save (write) data sequentially. Higher numbers mean faster loading times for games and applications, and quicker file transfers. For comparison, a fast SATA SSD might hit 550MB/s, so this is significantly faster.
QLC NAND
This describes the type of memory cells used. QLC (Quad-Level Cell) stores four bits of data per cell, allowing for higher capacities at a lower cost. The trade-off is generally lower endurance (how many times data can be written before cells wear out) and slower sustained write speeds compared to TLC (Triple-Level Cell) NAND, which stores three bits per cell.
DRAM-less with HMB
DRAM is a small, fast cache on the SSD that helps it manage data. 'DRAM-less' means it doesn't have this dedicated cache. Instead, it uses HMB (Host Memory Buffer), which borrows a tiny bit of your computer's system RAM. This keeps costs down but can slightly reduce performance, especially under heavy, sustained workloads, as it's not as fast as dedicated DRAM.
Alternatives
If this drive doesn't quite cut it, look for PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSDs with TLC NAND for better sustained write performance and higher endurance, and ensure they include a dedicated DRAM cache for more consistent speeds.
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