Expert’s Rating
Pros
- Outstandingly affordable
- Very good real-world performance
Cons
- Short three-year warranty with low TBW rating
- 150MBps writing off cache
Our Verdict
For those in search of the most economical PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, the Kingston NV2 stands out as a frontrunner. Offering performance that exceeds the needs of the average user, this SSD caters well to everyday tasks. Keep in mind, though, that it may not be the go-to option for professionals dealing with substantial amounts of data.
Comprehensive Review
You won’t find a more affordable PCIe 4.0 SSD than Kingston’s NV2. Despite being slower than most of its competitors, this NVMe drive is still adequate for everyday tasks. Let’s delve into the features and performance of the Kingston NV2.
Features of Kingston NV2
The NV2 boasts a PCIe 4.0 x4, 2280 form factor M.2 design, utilizing a DRAM-less (HMB) architecture. Its 144-layer Kingston-labeled QLC NAND is managed by a Silicon Motion SM2267XTV controller. Performance varies by capacity, ranging from 3GBps reading/1.3GBps writing for the 250GB variant to 3.5GBps/2.8GBps for the 2TB and 4TB models. The NV2 comes with a three-year warranty or 320TBW per terabyte of capacity.
Endurance Considerations
While the TBW ratings may seem low, endurance for QLC drives, including the NV2, tends to be higher than vendor ratings suggest. Users often write less data than anticipated. However, it’s essential to note that NV2 and QLC drives, in general, carry a level of risk.
Pricing Details
As of now, the Kingston NV2 is impressively affordable. Prices on Amazon are notably lower than Kingston’s MSRP, with the 1TB variant available for just $52. These budget-friendly prices make it an enticing option for users on a tight budget.
Performance Insights
Despite being one of the slowest PCIe 4.0 SSDs tested, the NV2 exceeded Kingston’s ratings in some aspects. In CrystalDiskMark 8’s 4K performance tests, the NV2 lagged behind but still outperformed the PCIe 3.0 Crucial P3. Notably, the 450GB write test revealed a significant drop in sustained write speed, emphasizing its limitations.
Is It Worth Buying?
The Kingston NV2 is a suitable choice for budget-conscious users who can compromise on speed. It’s also a viable option for external storage where top-tier SSD speeds might not be fully utilized. However, enthusiasts or those regularly handling large data loads might want to explore other options due to the NV2’s relatively slow 4K performance.
Testing Methodology:
The tests were conducted on Windows 11, utilizing a PCIe 4.0/5.0 motherboard with an i5-12400 CPU, Kingston Fury DDR5 RAM, and various integrated ports. The drive tests included 20Gbps USB and Thunderbolt 4 transfers, with a 450GB file transferred from a 2TB Samsung 990 Pro. Each test was performed on a freshly formatted and TRIM’d drive for optimal results.
Amazon $29.99 VIEW DEAL
Kingston $29.99 VIEW DEAL
