Unlike the previous BX series from Crucial, which was based on the cheaper TLC NAND, the new BX300 series uses Micron's 256Gbit 32-layer 3D MLC in combination with the Silicon Motion SM2258 controller. It will be available in 120GB, 240GB, and 480GB capacities and come with 256MB to 512MB of DDR3 cache.

According to Crucial's specification sheet, the BX300 series SSDs will offer a sequential performance of up to 555MB/s for read and up to 510MB/s for write, on all three models. The 4K random read performance ranges from up to 45K IOPS on the 120GB model, up to 84K IOPS on the 240GB model and up to 95K IOPS on the 480GB model while 4K random write performance peaks at up to 90K IOPS on all three models.

The BX300 series 120GB, 240GB and 480GB SSDs also use SLC caching with 4GB, 8GB and 16GB cache, and offer write endurance of 55TB, 80TB, and 160TB, respectively.

The Crucial BX300 is a bit strange as it is somewhat similar and even superior to the available MX300 series. Although it does not come in higher capacities, those that are available offer better performance, better endurance and even come at a lower price point.

Crucial states that the BX300 series will be available as of today and come with a three-year warranty and the price set at US $59.99 for the 120GB, US $89.99 for the 240GB and US $149.99 for the 480GB model. It is not clear if there will be higher capacity models in the near future.