89
Samsung
Samsung 990 Pro 2TB
- Blazing 7,450 MB/s read speed
- Excellent endurance (1,200 TBW)
- Optional heatsink model
PNY
PNY CS3030 2TB NVMe SSD
Best Value
0 /100
Our Verdict
The PNY CS3030 strikes a solid balance between performance and value, making it ideal for professionals and gamers who need reliable, fast storage without breaking the bank. While it doesn't match top-tier speeds, its consistent performance and competitive pricing make it a smart choice for most users.
Detailed Scores
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fast PCIe 3.0 performance with up to 5,100 MB/s read speeds
- 2TB capacity provides ample storage for large files and applications
- 5-year warranty and DRAM cache ensure reliability and consistent performance
- Competitive pricing compared to premium alternatives
- Low power consumption and excellent thermal efficiency
Cons
- Slower than newer PCIe 4.0 drives, though still highly capable
- Not suitable for extreme gaming or professional 8K video workflows requiring maximum speed
- Limited to older motherboards without PCIe 4.0 support, though backward compatible
Specifications
Capacity 2TB
Interface PCIe 3.0 NVMe
specs.sequentialReadSpeed 5,100 MB/s
specs.sequentialWriteSpeed 4,100 MB/s
specs.cache 1GB DRAM
specs.formFactor M.2 2280
Warranty 5 years
specs.powerConsumption 5W typical
specs.MTBF 2,000,000 hours
specs.encryption AES 256-bit
Where to Buy
Amazon.co.uk
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Compare With
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SanDisk
SanDisk Extreme Pro 256GB microSD Card
- Exceptional write speeds up to 140MB/s for uninterrupted 4K video recording
- Military-grade durability with temperature, X-ray, and drop protection
- Comes with RescuePRO Deluxe for data recovery
88
Crucial
Crucial T700 2TB PCIe Gen5
- Blazing-fast PCIe 5.0 speeds up to 12,400 MB/s for rapid data transfers
- Excellent sustained performance with efficient thermal management
- Competitive pricing for high-performance Gen5 storage
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the PNY CS3030 compatible with PS5?
The PNY CS3030 is a PCIe 3.0 drive, but PS5 requires PCIe 4.0 drives. This model is not compatible with PlayStation 5.
What warranty does the CS3030 come with?
The PNY CS3030 includes a comprehensive 5-year limited warranty covering manufacturing defects and failures.
How does the CS3030 compare to the Samsung 980?
Both are excellent mid-range drives. The CS3030 offers slightly better value pricing, while the Samsung 980 has marginally faster speeds. Choice depends on budget and specific needs.
Does it work with older computers?
Yes, the CS3030 is backward compatible with PCIe 2.0 and PCIe 1.0 systems, though it will operate at the speed of the slower interface.
What software does PNY provide?
PNY provides the SSD Toolkit software for monitoring drive health, firmware updates, and performance optimization.