Samsung Spinpoint M8 500 GB

This is a 500GB 2.5" HDD on the SATA interface. Sequential throughput tops out at 550 MB/s reads and 520 MB/s writes, backed by 8MB of cache. At roughly $0.6 per gigabyte it sits in the premium tier. SATA throughput caps near 550 MB/s — fine for game libraries and backups, slower for heavy scratch work.

At $299.99 it sits in the premium drive bracket. Use the PlanMyPC system builder to verify it works alongside your other components and to watch live retailer pricing. Support and warranty service run through Samsung, with terms that vary by region. Scroll down for the complete spec table; the builder's compatibility checker will warn you about any conflicts with components you have already picked.