Best 500GB OCZ MLC SSDs
There are 12 500GB OCZ MLC SSDs compared here. The fastest is the OCZ RD400 at 2600 MB/s read, and the highest-rated for endurance is the OCZ VX500 (592 TBW). Sequential reads across the group span 490–2600 MB/s at 500GB.
Why this configuration
A 500GB OCZ MLC SSD is a legacy endurance choice. MLC stores two bits per cell instead of three, so these older drives take far more rewriting than a modern budget drive, at a much higher cost per gigabyte. OCZ 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: write-heavy secondary roles and keeping older machines useful.
Good fit: mainstream desktop and laptop builds.
Ranked list
| # | Model | Tier | Controller | Read MB/s (at 500GB) | TBW | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  OCZ RD400 128GB, 250GB, 500GB | Mid-range | TOSHIBA TC56NCP070GSB (POSSIVELMEN | 2600* | 296 | Find on Amazon |
| 2 |  OCZ RD400 AIC 128GB, 250GB, 500GB, 1TB | Mid-range | TOSHIBA TC56NCP070GSB (POSSIVELMEN | 2600* | 592 | Find on Amazon |
| 3 |  OCZ RevoDrive 350 250GB, 500GB, 960GB | Mid-range | 2 x Sandforce 2282 controllers | 1800* | 54.75 | Find on Amazon |
| 4 |  OCZ VERTEX 4 128GB, 250GB, 500GB | Mid-range | Indilinx(IDX400M00-BC) Everest 2 | 560* | — | Find on Amazon |
| 5 |  OCZ VECTOR 128GB, 250GB, 500GB | Mid-range | Indilinx IDX500M00-BC Barefoot 3 | 550* | 36.5 | Find on Amazon |
| 6 |  OCZ VECTOR 150 128GB, 250GB, 500GB | Mid-range | Indilinx IDX500M00-BC Barefoot 3 | 550* | 91 | Find on Amazon |
| 7 |  OCZ VECTOR 180 128GB, 500GB, 960GB | Mid-range | OCZ Barefoot 3 M00 | 550* | 91 | Find on Amazon |
| 8 |  OCZ VERTEX 3 128GB, 250GB, 500GB | Value | SandForce SF-2281VA1-SDC-ES | 550* | — | Find on Amazon |
| 9 |  OCZ VX500 128GB, 250GB, 500GB, 1TB | Value | Toshiba TC358790 | 550* | 592 | Find on Amazon |
| 10 |  OCZ RADEON R7 128GB, 250GB, 500GB | Value | OCZ Barefoot 3 M00 | 550* | 43.8 | Find on Amazon |
| 11 |  OCZ VERTEX 460 128GB, 250GB, 500GB | Value | Indilinx Barefoot 3 M10 | 545* | 21.9 | Find on Amazon |
| 12 |  OCZ ARC 100 128GB, 250GB, 500GB | Value | OCZ Barefoot 3 M10 | 490* | 22 | Find on Amazon |
* family rating — the manufacturer does not publish a 500GB figure for this drive.
The parts, explained
500GB is a comfortable OS-and-games starting point.
MLC NAND is older and costs more per gigabyte, but is very durable.
Staying with OCZ means consistent firmware, tooling and warranty handling across the range.