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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThe Micron 3500 is a client-focused M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD built with Micron’s 6th Generation 3D 232-layer TLC NAND. Micron’s reviewed product brief and technical specification do not name a Phison E25 controller, so that pairing is unverified—not an established specification. Capacity matters: the 512GB model has lower published write speed and endurance than the 1TB and 2TB versions.
What is the Micron 3500 SSD?
Micron positions the 3500 as a performance SSD for PCs and notebooks, including systems used for gaming, content creation, visual effects, scientific work, and product development. Its published configuration is M.2 Type 2280, PCIe Gen4 x4, and NVMe 2.0c. The listed capacities are 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB. These are client-drive specifications; the reviewed materials do not identify the 3500 as a data-center SSD.
Micron describes its NAND as 6th Generation 3D 232-layer TLC NAND. The company says its 232-layer NAND helps improve performance and power efficiency; that is Micron’s own characterization, not an independent benchmark conclusion. See Micron’s 3500 NVMe SSD product page and product brief.
What controller does the Micron 3500 use?
The Micron 3500 product brief and technical product specification reviewed here do not identify the drive’s controller. They therefore do not substantiate the claim that it uses Phison’s PS5025-E25. The available documentation also does not establish that the 3500 uses a different controller, so the accurate answer is that the controller identity is not specified in those Micron documents.
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#1 Best Overall
- PCIe 4.0 Performance: Delivers up to 7,100 MB/s read and 6,000 MB/s write speeds for quicker game load times, bootups, and smooth multitasking
- Spacious 1TB SSD: Provides space for AAA games, apps, and media with standard Gen4 NVMe performance for casual gamers and home users
- Broad Compatibility: Works seamlessly with laptops, desktops, and select gaming consoles including ROG Ally X, Lenovo Legion Go, and AYANEO Kun. Also backward compatible with PCIe Gen3 systems for flexible upgrades
- Better Productivity: Up to 2x faster than previous Gen3 generation. Improve performance for real world tasks like booting Windows, starting applications like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, and working in applications like Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
- Trusted Micron Quality: Built with advanced G8 NAND and thermal control for reliable Gen4 performance trusted by gamers and home users
Phison describes the PS5025-E25 as a PCIe Gen4 x4 consumer SSD controller, with controller-level claims of up to 7,200 MB/s sequential performance and 1,200K IOPS. Those figures describe Phison’s controller, not the Micron 3500 drive; they cannot be used to infer the 3500’s controller or its SSD performance. See Phison’s PS5025-E25 product materials.
Micron 3500 specs by capacity
Micron’s product brief gives the following capacity-specific figures. Sequential and random performance are published specifications, not guaranteed results in every computer or workload.
Rank #2
- Sequential performance up to approximately 7 GB/s Random performance up to 1.15 million IOPS for the series Advanced NAND technology Power-efficient design Advanced wear leveling and error correction
| Capacity | Sequential read | Sequential write | Random read | Random write | Endurance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 512GB | 7,000 MB/s | 5,100 MB/s | 680K IOPS | 700K IOPS | 300 TBW |
| 1TB | 7,000 MB/s | 6,900 MB/s | 1,050K IOPS | 1,150K IOPS | 600 TBW |
| 2TB | 7,000 MB/s | 7,000 MB/s | 1,150K IOPS | 1,150K IOPS | 1,200 TBW |
These are figures from Micron’s 3500 NVMe SSD Product Brief. Micron’s technical specification lists series-level maxima of up to 7,000 MB/s for sequential read and write and up to 1,150,000 IOPS for random read and write. Its typical I/O measurements are fresh-out-of-box (FOB); queue depth and workload affect results. Treat the table as a comparison of published ratings, not a promise of sustained throughput in a particular system.
The 512GB version is the clear capacity-specific trade-off: its listed sequential write speed is 5,100 MB/s, versus 6,900 MB/s for 1TB and 7,000 MB/s for 2TB, and its endurance rating is 300 TBW, versus 600 and 1,200 TBW. TBW is the published total bytes written rating; it is not a measure of how long every individual drive will last.
Rank #3
- Drive Type: Internal Solid State
- Storage Capacity: 1 Terabyte
- Flash Memory: 3D TLC NAND
- Form Factor: M.2 2280
- Interface: PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe
Latency, power, reliability, and operating range
Micron’s product brief lists typical read latency of 50 microseconds, typical write latency of 12 microseconds, and active read power below 8,250 mW. These values are product specifications; actual behavior depends on workload and host implementation. The technical specification lists an operating range of 0°C to +70°C, measured by SMART.
Micron gives an MTTF rating of 2 million device hours in its Rev. A technical specification from December 2023. MTTF is a population statistic and is not a prediction that an individual SSD will operate for that many hours. Micron also says it reserves the right to change products or specifications without notice, so check the latest document for the exact drive part number.
Rank #4
- With a capacity of 512 GB, you have large storage space for all your documents and data
- 256-bit encryption protects your PC from hackers and thieves by encoding all your data
- With the stunning reading speed of 6600 MB/s, get faster boot times and improved overall computing performance
- Write speed of 3600 MB/s enables you to perform write-related tasks in seconds rather than minutes
- PCI Express NVMe 4.0 interface provides quick data transfer and greater throughput
Features and security variants
The product brief lists hardware-based AES 256-bit encryption, power-loss protection for data at rest, host-controlled thermal management, accelerated caching, thermal S.M.A.R.T. via SMBus, firmware activation without reset, sanitize block and crypto erase, and power-loss signal support. It also lists TCG Opal and Pyrite support.
There is a version discrepancy worth noting if security compliance matters: Micron’s product brief lists TCG Opal 2.02 and TCG Pyrite 2.01, while the technical specification describes Opal 2.01-compliant SED and Pyrite 2.02-compliant non-SED variants. Do not assume every 3500 drive has the same security behavior. Confirm the exact part number and security variant against Micron’s technical product specification and the system vendor’s requirements.
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- Capacity: 256GB / Interface: M.2 2230 PCIe NVME SSD
- Dimension: 22mm x 30mm x 2.38mm / Key Type: M Key
- Size: Fits 2230 as is / Compatibility: Laptop & Desktop Compatible
- Bulk Packaging - Only the Drive is included. Any screws, cables, or adapter needed are sold separately
- Warranty: 1-Year Oemgenuine Warranty
The technical specification also lists field-upgradeable firmware, SMART, device self-test, wear leveling, and support for one namespace.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Are Micron’s performance and game-loading claims independent?
No. Micron’s product page and brief report comparative gains, including up to 38% faster game loading and improvements in PCMark 10 and SPECwpc workloads. These are vendor-reported, workload-specific comparisons, not independent test results or a guarantee that every PC, game, or professional application will see the same gain. The exact outcome depends on the comparison system and workload described in Micron’s materials. The brief and Micron’s product page are the sources for these claims.
Will the Micron 3500 fit my laptop or motherboard?
The drive’s M.2 2280 form factor and PCIe Gen4 x4 interface are useful starting points, but they do not confirm compatibility with a specific computer. Check the system’s manual or vendor specifications for an M.2 slot that supports NVMe PCIe SSDs, the 2280 length, available clearance and thermal provisions, and any configuration limits. A physically compatible M.2 slot may support a different interface, so confirm NVMe/PCIe support rather than relying on the connector shape alone.
Also verify the exact part number if you need a particular capacity or security feature. Micron’s published drive specification cannot establish support in a particular laptop or motherboard.
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