Question Should I Purchase a Samsung 860 EVO 500GB SATA M.2 SSD Manufactured in January 2018?

[Ambadyvs]

Hi everyone,

I recently found a Samsung 860 EVO 500GB SATA M.2 SSD listed on Flipkart (e-commerce platform), and the product description indicates it was manufactured in January 2018. I’m considering buying it to upgrade my laptop for running Windows 10. My current setup includes:

Laptop Model: Acer Aspire A315-41-R45R with 1TB HDD
Processor Name: AMD Ryzen 5 2500U
Motherboard Model: RR Metapod_RR
Planned Setup: 500GB SSD for the OS and games, keeping a 1TB HDD for other files

Important Note: My laptop only supports the M.2 SATA interface for SSDs, so my options are limited to SATA-based drives.

The key highlights of this SSD include:

1. Endurance: 300TBW
2. Performance: Sequential read/write speeds of up to 550/520 MB/s.
3. Warranty: The original warranty was 5 years, but since the manufacturing date is from 2018, I suspect it may have expired.

My Concerns:
Storage Age: Most manufacturers stopped producing 2280 M.2 SATA SSDs years ago, meaning all such models available today are old stock. Could the age of this drive (nearly 6 years) affect its performance or longevity?

Alternatives:
I considered the WD Green SATA SSD M.2 2280 - 480GB, priced at ₹2,499 (USD 29.55). However, WD's official website doesn't mention its endurance or TBW, which makes it hard to compare.
Are there other models you would recommend that strike a good balance between price and performance?
Firmware: Would I need to update the firmware on the Samsung 860 EVO, and would this resolve any potential issues due to its age?
I like the 300TBW rating and have heard good things about the 860 EVO's reliability. However, the Flipkart price of ₹4,999 (USD 59.11) seems high for old stock.

What do you think? Should I go ahead with the 860 EVO, choose the WD Green, or look for another option? Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[USAFRet]

Avoid the WD Green.
Among mainstream SATA SSDs, that is one of the worst performers.

Is this 860 EVO verified new?

Other option might be a Crucial MX500.

 

[Ambadyvs]

The Samsung 860 EVO is listed on Flipkart as not new, and the product description confirms it's unused, so I believe it's in brand-new condition. However, I believe this model has been available since 2018 , 2019 or 2020, so it still seems like an old piece, despite being advertised as new.

As for the Crucial MX500, I checked, and it has been out of stock for a long time

 

[USAFRet]

The Samsung 860 EVO is listed on Flipkart as not new, and the product description confirms it's unused, so I believe it's in brand-new condition. However, I believe this model has been available since 2018 , 2019 or 2020, so it still seems like an old piece, despite being advertised as new.

As for the Crucial MX500, I checked, and it has been out of stock for a long time

I have 2x 860 EVO and a MX500.

I'd have no issue buying them if actually new.
Mine are transferring into the new system I am currently assembling.

But a used drive? Only if it were $10 or less.

And you can't really know if used or new until you plug it in and check.

 

[Ambadyvs]

Do you know whether the age of this drive (nearly 6 years) affects its performance or longevity?

 

[USAFRet]

Do you know whether the age of this drive (nearly 6 years) affects its performance or longevity?

To my knowledge, it does not.