Best 500GB SATA TeamGroup DRAM-less SSDs
There are 4 500GB SATA TeamGroup DRAM-less SSDs compared here. The fastest is the TeamGroup EX2 at 550 MB/s read. Sequential reads across the group span 500–550 MB/s at 500GB.
Why this configuration
A 500GB SATA TeamGroup DRAM-less SSD is a budget and compatibility choice. SATA won't win benchmarks, but it's the cheapest way to add solid-state speed and fits essentially any PC or laptop with a 2.5-inch bay. TeamGroup 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: reviving older machines, cheap capacity upgrades and second drives.
Good fit: value builds and gaming where cost per gigabyte matters; budget upgrades, older PCs and second drives.
Look elsewhere for: databases, virtual machines and other sustained random-write workloads; large-file creative work where NVMe pulls ahead.
Ranked list
| # | Model | Tier | Controller | Read MB/s (at 500GB) | TBW | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  TeamGroup EX2 500GB, 1TB, 2TB | Value | Silicon Motion SM2258XT (1-Core, 4 | 550* | 1600 | Find on Amazon |
| 2 |  TeamGroup MS30 128GB, 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB | Value | Silicon Motion SM2258XT (1-Core, 4 | 550* | 480 | Find on Amazon |
| 3 |  TeamGroup Team Group GX1 128GB, 250GB, 500GB, 960GB | Value | — | 530* | 240 | Find on Amazon |
| 4 |  TeamGroup L3 EVO 128GB, 250GB, 500GB, 960GB | Low-end | PHISON PS310B-S8 | 500* | 240 | 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.
SATA III tops out around 550 MB/s, but it is the cheapest interface and fits any 2.5-inch bay or older laptop.
DRAM-less drives use the Host Memory Buffer (HMB) instead — cheaper, and fine for everyday use and gaming, with a small penalty under heavy random writes.
Staying with TeamGroup means consistent firmware, tooling and warranty handling across the range.
Common questions
Is a DRAM-less 500GB SSD good enough?
For gaming and everyday use, yes — HMB covers those workloads well. If you run sustained heavy random writes (databases, VMs), a drive with a DRAM cache stays more consistent.
Is SATA fast enough in 2026?
For an OS, apps and most games you won't notice the difference versus NVMe in daily use. NVMe pulls ahead mainly on large file transfers and load-heavy creative work.