Seagate
Seagate 500GB Gaming SSHD Sata 8GB NAND Sata 6Gb/s 2.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive (ST500LM000)
Bottom line: The Seagate 500GB Gaming SSHD Sata 8GB NAND Sata 6Gb/s 2.5-Inch Internal ($44.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-06): 500GB capacity holds a real game library, not a 2-3 title SSD; main trade-off: listed as an Old Model - newer SSHD and SSD options exist.
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ 500GB capacity holds a real game library, not a 2-3 title SSD
- ✓ 8GB NAND cache speeds up your most-loaded files automatically
- ✓ Standard 2.5-inch SATA 6Gb/s form factor fits most laptop bays
- ✓ Firmware-level caching means no drivers, no partitioning, no setup
Cons
- ✗ Listed as an Old Model - newer SSHD and SSD options exist
- ✗ 5400 RPM platter is slow for anything the 8GB cache misses
- ✗ 8GB of NAND fills fast if you rotate between many large games
- ✗ Bare drive only - no mounting screws, caddy, or cloning software
Manufacturer description
The Seagate ST500LM000 Gaming SSHD pairs a 500GB 5400 RPM hard disk with 8GB of onboard NAND flash, so the drive learns which files you load most and keeps them on the solid-state layer. It is a standard 2.5-inch SATA 6Gb/s bare drive, so it drops into virtually any laptop bay or console upgrade sled with no proprietary caddy required. The caching runs in the drive firmware, which means there is no driver to install and no partition to configure. Windows, macOS, and Linux all see one ordinary SATA volume. If your notebook has a single drive bay and you refuse to choose between speed and…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored (Old Model) Seagate 500GB Gaming SSHD Sata 8GB NAND Sata 6Gb/s… using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the ssds & storage category. Seagate's ssds & storage lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for ssds & storage of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is an SSHD different from a regular SSD?
An SSHD is a 500GB 5400 RPM hard disk with 8GB of NAND flash bolted on as a cache. Frequently used files land on the flash and load at SSD-like speed; everything else reads from the platter. A true SSD is all flash, faster across the board, but costs more per gigabyte.
Will this fit my laptop?
It is a standard 2.5-inch SATA 6Gb/s bare drive, which is the common laptop drive size. Confirm your bay accepts a 2.5-inch drive and check the height clearance against the listing specs before ordering.
Do I need special software or drivers to use the cache?
No. The caching logic runs inside the drive firmware, so the operating system sees one ordinary SATA volume. Seagate states it works with virtually any laptop, any OS, and any application as plug-and-play.
Is 8GB of cache enough to make a difference?
It helps most if you return to the same handful of games or applications, since the drive keeps those hot files on flash. If you constantly rotate across many large titles, the 8GB fills and more reads fall back to the 5400 RPM platter.
Is this drive still worth buying at this price?
The listing is flagged as an Old Model, and a modern 500GB SATA SSD is often competitive. The case for it is capacity in a single-bay laptop where you need the full 500GB. Check current pricing and warranty terms on the product listing.
Key Features
- 500 GB 5400 RPM SSD Hybrid Drive
Full Specifications
| Brand | Seagate |
|---|---|
| Color | Black |
| Model Name | Laptop Thin |
| Read Speed | 6 Gigabytes Per Second |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Form Factor | 2.5-inch |
| Media Speed | 1 |
| Model Number | ST500LM000 |
| Built-In Media | Laptop Thin SSHD 500GB SATA |
| Hard-Drive Size | 500 GB |
| Mfr Part Number | ST500LM000 |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Special Feature | Portable |
| Item Part Number | ST500LM000 |
| Hardware Platform | PC |
| Installation Type | Internal Hard Drive |
| Compatible Devices | Laptop |
| Data Transfer Rate | 6 Gigabits Per Second |
| Enclosure Material | Nand Flash |
| Additional Features | Portable |
Ready to buy?
(Old Model) Seagate 500GB Gaming SSHD Sata 8GB NAND Sata 6Gb/s 2.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive (ST500LM000) is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
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