The Crucial BX300 is a SATA III solid-state drive (SSD) manufactured by Micron Technology under its Crucial brand. It was launched in August 2017 as the third generation of Crucial’s budget-oriented BX series, succeeding the BX100 and BX200 models. Unlike its predecessor which used TLC NAND, the BX300 notably returned to using MLC NAND flash memory, making it unusual for an entry-level product during a period when most manufacturers were transitioning to TLC for cost-cutting reasons. It was speculated that Crucial may have used 3D TLC NAND chips that failed to meet TLC specifications but could function reliably as MLC, allowing Micron to utilize otherwise discarded silicon while providing consumers with a higher-performing product at competitive prices.
As an entry-level SSD it competed with established products like the Samsung 850 EVO, Western Digital Blue 3D, and SanDisk Ultra 3D. Despite its entry-level positioning, the drive’s use of MLC NAND allowed it to deliver performance comparable to more expensive offerings. The drive was available in three capacities: 120GB, 240GB, and 480GB, with launch MSRPs of $60, $90, and $150 respectively.
| BX300 Specs | 120GB | 240GB | 480GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model Number | CT120BX300SSD1 | CT240BX300SSD1 | CT480BX300SSD1 |
| Interface | SATA III 6 Gb/s, AHCI | SATA III 6 Gb/s, AHCI | SATA III 6 Gb/s, AHCI |
| Form Factor | 2.5-inch 7mm thickness | 2.5-inch 7mm thickness | 2.5-inch 7mm thickness |
| Controller | Silicon Motion SM2258 (4-channel) | Silicon Motion SM2258 (4-channel) | Silicon Motion SM2258 (4-channel) |
| NAND Type | Micron 32-layer 3D MLC (256Gbit dies) | Micron 32-layer 3D MLC (256Gbit dies) | Micron 32-layer 3D MLC (256Gbit dies) |
| DRAM Cache | 256MB DDR3 | 256MB DDR3 | 512MB DDR3 |
| SLC Cache Size | 4GB | 8GB | 16GB |
| Sequential Read | 555 MB/s | 555 MB/s | 555 MB/s |
| Sequential Write | 510 MB/s | 510 MB/s | 510 MB/s |
| Random Read (4K QD32) | 45,000 IOPS | 84,000 IOPS | 95,000 IOPS |
| Random Write (4K QD32) | 93,000 IOPS | 95,000 IOPS | 95,000 IOPS |
| Endurance (TBW) | 55 TB | 80 TB | 160 TB |
| Daily Write (DWPD) | 30GB/day (5 years) | 44GB/day (5 years) | 88GB/day (5 years) |
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 years | 3 years |
| Launch MSRP | $59.99 | $89.99 | $149.99 |
Controller
The BX300 uses the SM2258 controller from Silicon Motion, a four-channel design featuring a 32-bit RISC CPU. This controller supports Silicon Motion’s proprietary NANDXtend technology for error correction and data protection. The SM2258 was a popular choice for pairing with 3D NAND and includes support for TCG Opal encryption, though Crucial disabled this feature on the BX300.
Cache Architecture
The BX300 features both DRAM cache and SLC write acceleration:
- DRAM Cache: 256MB of DDR3 for 120GB and 240GB models; 512MB for the 480GB model
- SLC Write Cache: Fixed-size pseudo-SLC cache that varies by capacity:
- 120GB model: 4GB SLC cache
- 240GB model: 8GB SLC cache
- 480GB model: 16GB SLC cache
NAND Type
The drive employs Micron’s first-generation 32-layer 3D MLC NAND flash memory, specifically using 256Gbit (32GB) dies manufactured on a 16nm process. The NAND packages carry the FBGA marking NW818, corresponding to Micron part number MT29F512G08CECBBJ4-5M:B. Each capacity uses eight NAND packages distributed evenly across both sides of a half-length PCB, ensuring all four controller channels are utilized even in the smallest 120GB model.
Power Consumption
The BX300 was marketed as 90x more energy efficient than typical hard drives
- Active Power: Typically 1.5-2.5W during operations
- Active Idle: Approximately 400mW with SATA link power management disabled
- Slumber State: Better than average idle power draw with SATA link power management enabled
Reviews
The BX300’s peak performance is on average slightly below top-tier SATA drives like Samsung’s 850 PRO and EVO and the Intel 545s, and it is outperformed by other 3D TLC drives like the MX300 and ADATA SU800 when they’re able to make good use of their SLC caches.
The BX300, all things being equal, and by that we mean available at or near the same price as TLC NAND SSDs, is the better drive. You might not notice the performance difference in everyday use, but the first time you write a large batch of files to it you’ll be happy you opted for it.
The Crucial BX300 is a great addition to the budget-friendly SSD line, as it offers an inexpensive option for consumers looking to upgrade their HDD rig to solid state technology.
Crucial’s latest BX drive, aimed at the value end of the market brings very strong performance thanks to its 3D MLC NAND …
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