PNY 2TB SSD PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe M.2 2280

The PNY CS2241 is a 2TB Gen4 NVMe SSD that delivers solid mainstream performance at a competitive price. It's fast enough for gaming and everyday use, easy to install, and backed by a 5-year warranty. Just don't expect flagship speeds, and grab a heatsink if your system needs one.

The CS2241 hits 5,000 MB/s sequential reads and 4,200 MB/s writes in our testing. That puts it in the upper-middle of the Gen4 pack, well above any SATA drive and comfortably ahead of most Gen3 options. In practice, that means Windows boots fast, apps open without hesitation, and large file transfers feel quick. It's not going to touch the 7,000+ MB/s territory of drives like the WD_BLACK SN850X or Crucial T500, but for a mainstream drive, it's a strong showing.

Random performance lands around the 62nd percentile in our database. That's solid, middle-of-the-pack territory. Day-to-day tasks like web browsing, launching programs, and loading games will feel responsive. The DRAM-less design does mean it relies on HMB (Host Memory Buffer), which works fine on modern systems but can show slightly weaker sustained performance compared to drives with dedicated DRAM. For most people, you won't notice the difference.

Stacked against the WD_BLACK SN850X, the CS2241 gives up a lot of raw speed. The SN850X pushes past 7,000 MB/s reads and has DRAM onboard, making it the better pick for heavy workloads or anyone who wants top-tier performance. But it also costs more, and for everyday use, the CS2241 gets you 90% of the experience for less money.

The Crucial T500 is another strong competitor. It's faster, has DRAM, and often lands in a similar price bracket when on sale. If you're doing video editing or moving large files regularly, the T500 is worth the extra cash. The Kingston FURY Renegade is also faster and aimed at enthusiasts, but again, you'll pay for it. The CS2241's real competition is the budget Gen4 space, and there it holds its own as a no-frills, big-capacity option.

Pricing on the CS2241 is a bit all over the place. In the US, we're seeing it listed between USD 290 and USD 340 across vendors, with Newegg currently offering the best deal at the lower end of that range. In Europe, prices span EUR 292 to EUR 331, so it's worth shopping around before you buy. At the low end, this drive is a genuinely good value for 2TB of Gen4 storage. At the high end, you're creeping into territory where faster drives like the Crucial T500 or WD_BLACK SN850X start to look more appealing. If you can snag it near USD 290 or EUR 292, it's an easy recommendation for a capacity-focused upgrade.

The PNY CS2241 is a 2TB M.2 NVMe Gen4 SSD aimed at people who want a big capacity bump without paying flagship prices. It's a DRAM-less drive with TLC NAND, rated for 5,000 MB/s reads and 4,200 MB/s writes. If you're coming from a SATA SSD or an older Gen3 drive, this is a meaningful upgrade for everyday use, game loading, and general snappiness.

Is the PNY CS2241 good for gaming? For most people, yes. Games don't hammer sustained writes the way content creation does, and the read speeds here are plenty for fast level loads. It's also a solid pick for laptops and desktops that support PCIe 4.0, though you'll want to check if your motherboard has a heatsink or if you need to grab one separately.

One thing to know up front: this drive uses 512-byte LBAs, not 4K. That's not a dealbreaker for most users, but it's worth knowing if you're doing something specific like certain NAS setups or advanced formatting. The drive also ships without a heatsink, which is fine for light use but could matter in a cramped laptop or under sustained writes.

Skip the CS2241 if you're doing heavy content creation, frequent large file transfers, or anything that hammers sustained writes. The DRAM-less design and mid-pack random performance will show their limits there. Instead, look at the Crucial T500 or WD_BLACK SN850X, both of which have DRAM and faster sustained speeds. Also skip it if you need a drive with a heatsink included or if you're building in a system where thermals are already tight. And if you're the type who wants the absolute fastest Gen4 drive available, this isn't it.

Should you buy the PNY CS2241? If you need 2TB of fast storage and you're not chasing benchmark numbers, yes. It's a solid mainstream Gen4 drive that delivers on its promises. The 5,000 MB/s reads are more than enough for gaming, general productivity, and everyday use. Installation is straightforward, and most buyers report it working flawlessly out of the box.

But it's not for everyone. The lack of a heatsink means you might need to budget a few extra bucks if your system runs hot. The DRAM-less design is fine for typical use but shows its limits under sustained writes. And if you're unlucky enough to get a DOA unit, the return experience with Newegg has been frustrating for at least one buyer. Overall, it's a good drive at a good price, just know what you're getting.