The Seagate FireCuda 540 2TB is the objective winner of this comparison, securing a victory in four out of seven measured specifications. Its most significant advantage over the competition is its endurance rating, which offers a 67% improvement in total bytes written. While the Crucial T500 2TB falls behind in overall spec count, it remains a viable alternative for budget-conscious buyers, providing a 38% better MSRP compared to the Seagate drive.

Choose the Seagate FireCuda 540 2TB if your primary requirement is long-term reliability and high write endurance for heavy workloads. Conversely, select the Crucial T500 2TB if your priority is minimizing initial expenditure. By weighing the superior durability of the former against the significant cost advantage of the latter, you can align your purchase with either a focus on hardware longevity or immediate financial savings.