Expert’s Rating 4/5
Pros
- Outstandingly affordable
- Very good real-world performance
Cons
- Short three-year warranty with low TBW rating
- 150MBps writing off cache
Our Verdict
If you’re in pursuit of the most budget-friendly PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, look no further than the Kingston NV2. Topping the list in terms of affordability, this SSD delivers more than enough performance for the average user. However, it’s worth noting that it might not be the ideal choice for professionals engaging in heavy data usage.
Affordable, but Slow:
Kingston’s NV2 claims the title of the most affordable PCIe 4.0 SSD, but it comes with a trade-off – it’s slower than most competitors. While its NVMe architecture ensures adequacy for everyday tasks, its performance raises questions. Let’s dissect the features, pricing, and performance of this budget-friendly SSD.
Under the Hood:
The NV2 sports a PCIe 4.0 x4, 2280 form factor with a DRAM-less design, managed by a Silicon Motion SM2267XTV controller. The use of 144-layer Kingston-labeled QLC NAND might be a concern for those eyeing longevity. Capacities vary, with performance ranging from 3GBps reading/1.3GBps writing for the 250GB model to 3.5GBps/2.8GBps for the 2TB and 4TB variants. Warranty stands at three years or 320TBW per terabyte of capacity.
Pricing Roulette:
As of the moment, the NV2’s price on Amazon is significantly lower than Kingston’s MSRP, making it a tempting proposition. The 1TB variant, for instance, is a steal at just $52. But as the saying goes, you get what you pay for.
Performance Plunge:
In our tests, the NV2 secured the dubious title of the slowest PCIe 4.0 SSD ever tested, lagging notably behind its peers. Despite surpassing Kingston’s ratings in certain aspects, the 4K performance was lackluster, especially in sustained write speed, dropping to 140MBps.
Buyer’s Dilemma:
For those on a shoestring budget or seeking external storage without demanding top-tier speeds, the NV2 is a viable choice. However, enthusiasts and heavy data users might want to reconsider. Its lackluster performance in critical areas and potential endurance concerns with QLC NAND might outweigh the cost savings.
Under the Magnifying Glass:
Testing was conducted on Windows 11, using a PCIe 4.0/5.0 motherboard with an i5-12400 CPU and Kingston Fury DDR5 RAM. Various integrated ports, including 20Gbps USB and Thunderbolt 4, were employed for transfers. A 450GB file was transferred from a 2TB Samsung 990 Pro, with tests conducted on freshly formatted and TRIM’d drives.