The Western Digital WD Black SN8100 4TB is the objective winner of this comparison, securing four out of six total specification victories. Its most significant advantage is its sequential write speed, which outperforms the Crucial MX500 500GB by 2645 percent. While the Crucial MX500 500GB maintains a lead in MSRP, the superior performance metrics of the Western Digital WD Black SN8100 4TB make it the more capable hardware choice across the majority of measured categories.

Users prioritizing high-performance data operations should select the Western Digital WD Black SN8100 4TB to leverage its massive advantage in sequential write speeds. Conversely, the Crucial MX500 500GB is the appropriate choice for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize a lower MSRP over raw performance capabilities. Choosing between these two components depends entirely on whether your primary requirement is the significant speed increase offered by the former or the cost efficiency provided by the latter.