Kingston NV3 500GB PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe M.2 2280
The Kingston NV3 SNV3S/500G delivers PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe speeds up to 6,000 MB/s read and 3,000 MB/s write, with a DRAM-less design that keeps power consumption and heat low. Its single-sided M.2 2280 form factor saves space in tight builds, and the included Acronis cloning software simplifies upgrades. Best for budget-conscious desktop builders or laptop owners who need fast everyday storage for games and applications without paying a premium.
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Обзор
The 30-Second Version
The NV3 is a decent budget SSD that's currently overpriced and undersized. Wait for a sale or buy a 1TB drive with DRAM instead.
Pros & Cons
Плюсы
- Easy install, single-sided M.2 2280 fits almost anything 87th
- 6000 MB/s read is well above average for the price class 76th
- Reliable in daily use according to owners 70th
- Includes Acronis cloning software 70th
Минусы
- DRAM-less design slows down on sustained writes
- 500GB fills up fast with modern games
- Price has jumped significantly, killing the value story
- Feature set is bare bones, 15th percentile
Мнение владельцев
The Word on the Street
Как менялось мнение владельцев со временем
ЭксклюзивНа основе того, когда покупатели действительно писали отзывы, - чтобы увидеть, оправдались ли первые похвалы.
На основе 8 датированных отзывов покупателей, сгруппированных по календарным кварталам. Анализ по периодам - на английском языке.
Факты
Performance
The NV3 hits 6000 MB/s sequential reads, which puts it in the 71st percentile for speed, well above average but not top of the charts. Random performance is about average at the 59th percentile, so don't expect it to feel snappy under heavy multitasking. The DRAM-less design means it leans on HMB, and owners report it slows down during sustained writes. For booting Windows and loading games, it's fine. For moving huge files around all day, it's a weak spot.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Drive
| Capacity | 500 |
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 |
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| Protocol | NVMe |
| PCIe Generation | 4 |
| External | No |
Performance
| Sequential Read (MB/s) | 5000 |
| Sequential Write (MB/s) | 3000 |
Hardware
| DRAM Cache | No |
Reliability
| Endurance (TBW) | 160 |
| MTBF (hours) | 2000000 |
| Warranty (years) | 3 |
Features
| Heatsink | No |
vs Competition
The Samsung 990 PRO and Crucial T710 both crush the NV3 on speed, endurance, and features, but they cost more. The real competition is the Lexar NM790 and Western Digital WD_BLACK SN8100. The NM790 offers similar PCIe 4.0 performance with better endurance and often a lower price per gig. The SN8100 is a stronger all-rounder if you can find it on sale. The NV3 only wins if you catch it at the bottom of its price range and you just need a simple OS drive.
| Spec | Kingston NV3 | Samsung 9100 PRO | Western Digital Black SN850X | Crucial T500 | SanDisk WD_BLACK WDS800T2XHE | Seagate FireCuda 530R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 500GB | 4TB | 4TB | 2TB | 8TB | 4TB |
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 |
| Interface | PCIe 4.0 x4 | PCIe 5.0 x4 | PCIe 4.0 x4 | PCIe 4.0 x4 | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| Seq Read | 5,000 MB/s | 14,800 MB/s | 7,300 MB/s | 7,400 MB/s | 7,200 MB/s | 7,400 MB/s |
| Nand Type | - | TLC | TLC | TLC | TLC | TLC |
| Dram Cache | false | true | true | true | true | false |
| Endurance | 160 TBW | 2400 TBW | 2400 TBW | 1200 TBW | 4800 TBW | 5050 TBW |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Товар | Speed | Random | Feature | Capacity | User Sentiment | Endurance | Отзывы пользователей | Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston NV3 | 69.5 | 61.4 | 14.6 | 26.4 | 43.3 | 69.7 | 86.8 | 76.4 |
| Samsung 9100 PRO Compare | 99.1 | 99.8 | 99.7 | 92.5 | 0 | 85.9 | 99.5 | 5.3 |
| Western Digital Black SN850X Compare | 88.5 | 95.2 | 89 | 92.5 | 94.4 | 88 | 95 | 10.7 |
| Crucial T500 Compare | 93.8 | 96.5 | 98.8 | 78.3 | 78.4 | 82.9 | 95 | 19.9 |
| SanDisk WD_BLACK WDS800T2XHE Compare | 87.1 | 96 | 93.6 | 98.1 | 0 | 88 | 95 | 3.9 |
| Seagate FireCuda 530R Compare | 92.6 | 96.4 | 53.7 | 92.5 | 64.9 | 95.6 | 77.3 | 6.9 |
Цена
Value & Pricing
This is where it gets rough. US prices range from $95 to $131, and Canadian buyers are looking at $144 to $160 CAD. That's a $36 USD spread, so shop around. The cheapest US listing is the only one worth considering. At $95 it's a decent budget drive. At $131, you're dangerously close to better options with DRAM and more capacity. The CAD spread is $16, and none of those prices feel great given the 500GB ceiling.
Подробнее
Overview
The Kingston NV3 is a budget PCIe 4.0 drive that gets the basics right but stumbles on value right now. It's DRAM-less, which is fine for everyday Windows and gaming, but the 500GB capacity feels tight and the price has crept up enough that it's no longer the no-brainer it used to be. The headline numbers, 6000 MB/s read and 3000 MB/s write, are solid for this class, but the real story is whether you can find it at a price that makes sense.
Common Questions
Q: Is the 500GB NV3 enough for Windows and gaming?
For Windows and a couple of games, yes. But modern titles eat 100GB or more, so you'll be uninstalling stuff constantly. If you play more than three or four big games, get the 1TB.
Q: Should I worry about the NV3's reliability?
Not really. The 160 TBW endurance rating and 3-year warranty are about average for this class. Some users report individual failures, but that's true of every drive. It's not a red flag.
Q: Does the lack of DRAM matter?
For everyday use, no. HMB picks up the slack and you won't notice it booting Windows or loading games. Where it hurts is sustained writes, like copying a huge folder or editing video. If that's your workload, look elsewhere.
Who Should Skip This
If you're building a system where you'll be moving large files regularly or you want to keep a big game library installed, this isn't it. The 500GB capacity and DRAM-less design will frustrate you. Go get a 1TB Lexar NM790 or WD_BLACK SN8100 instead. And if you're paying more than $100 USD for this 500GB drive, you're overpaying, full stop.
Verdict
The Kingston NV3 is a fine drive at the right price, but the right price is not what most people are paying right now. If you can grab the 500GB for under $100 USD, it's a solid budget pick for a basic build or laptop upgrade. If you're paying $130 or more, stop. Get a 1TB drive with DRAM instead. The 500GB capacity is the real killer here, it fills up faster than you think.
