Kingston SA400M8480G: Review, Specs, And Performance

by Jhon Lennon 53 views

Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the Kingston SA400M8480G, a solid-state drive (SSD) that promises to breathe new life into your aging computer or provide a speedy storage solution for your latest build. In this article, we'll explore its features, specifications, performance, and overall value, helping you decide if this SSD is the right fit for your needs. So, buckle up and let's get started!

Overview of Kingston SA400M8480G

The Kingston SA400M8480G is a M.2 2280 form factor SSD, meaning it's a small, compact drive that plugs directly into an M.2 slot on your motherboard. This makes it ideal for laptops and small form factor desktops where space is limited. It's designed as an entry-level SSD, offering a significant performance boost over traditional mechanical hard drives (HDDs) at an affordable price point. This drive aims to provide faster boot times, quicker application loading, and an overall smoother computing experience for everyday tasks.

This particular model boasts a storage capacity of 480GB, which should be ample space for your operating system, essential applications, and frequently used files. Kingston is a well-known and respected brand in the memory and storage industry, so you can generally expect a decent level of reliability and support. However, it's important to remember that this is a budget-friendly SSD, so it won't necessarily compete with high-end NVMe drives in terms of raw speed. Understanding where this drive sits in the market is key to appreciating its strengths and limitations.

Choosing the right storage solution can dramatically impact your computer's performance. A move from a traditional HDD to an SSD like the Kingston SA400M8480G results in immediate and noticeable improvements. The difference in boot-up times is significant; applications launch much faster, and the system responds more quickly overall. If you're tired of waiting for your computer to catch up with you, an SSD upgrade is one of the most effective solutions. The SA400M8480G offers a balance of speed, capacity, and affordability, making it a popular choice for those looking to enhance their computing experience without breaking the bank. Keep reading to find out whether it’s the right choice for you!

Key Features and Specifications

Let's delve into the nitty-gritty details of the Kingston SA400M8480G. Understanding its specifications will give you a clearer picture of its capabilities.

  • Form Factor: M.2 2280. This is the standard size for M.2 SSDs, ensuring compatibility with most modern motherboards and laptops.
  • Capacity: 480GB. Plenty of space for your OS, applications, and frequently used files.
  • Interface: SATA III 6Gb/s. This is an important detail. While it's an M.2 drive, it uses the SATA interface, not the faster NVMe interface. This means its speeds will be limited by the SATA bandwidth.
  • Controller: Phison PS3111-S11. This is a common controller used in budget-friendly SSDs. It's known for providing a good balance of performance and cost-effectiveness.
  • NAND Flash Memory: 3D TLC NAND. TLC (Triple-Level Cell) NAND offers a good compromise between performance, cost, and endurance. 3D NAND technology improves storage density and reliability compared to older 2D NAND.
  • Sequential Read Speed: Up to 500 MB/s. This indicates how quickly the drive can read large, contiguous files.
  • Sequential Write Speed: Up to 450 MB/s. This indicates how quickly the drive can write large, contiguous files.
  • Random Read Speed (4KB): Up to 90,000 IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second). This measures the drive's ability to read small, random files, which is crucial for application loading and OS responsiveness.
  • Random Write Speed (4KB): Up to 80,000 IOPS. This measures the drive's ability to write small, random files.
  • TBW (Terabytes Written): 80TB. This is a measure of the drive's endurance, indicating how much data can be written to the drive over its lifespan. A higher TBW is generally better.
  • MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures): 1,000,000 hours. This is an estimate of the average time before a drive failure.

When evaluating these specifications, it's crucial to consider the SATA III interface limitation. While the drive offers decent sequential read and write speeds for a SATA SSD, it won't match the blazing-fast speeds of NVMe drives that utilize the PCIe interface. The Phison controller and 3D TLC NAND contribute to a reasonable level of performance and reliability for everyday use. The TBW of 80TB is adequate for typical workloads, ensuring the drive should last for several years under normal usage conditions. Therefore, while the Kingston SA400M8480G isn't the fastest SSD on the market, its specifications make it a compelling option for users seeking a budget-friendly upgrade that delivers a noticeable improvement over traditional HDDs. These features combine to create a drive that is a good contender in the budget SSD category. The drive’s strengths lie in its balance of affordability and performance that is adequate for most standard usage scenarios.

Performance and Benchmarks

Alright, let's talk performance! While the specifications give us an idea of what to expect, real-world testing and benchmarks paint a clearer picture of how the Kingston SA400M8480G performs. It’s essential to manage expectations, considering this is a SATA-based M.2 SSD and not a high-end NVMe drive.

In synthetic benchmarks like CrystalDiskMark, the SA400M8480G typically achieves sequential read speeds of around 500 MB/s and sequential write speeds of around 450 MB/s, which aligns with Kingston's stated specifications. These speeds are a significant improvement over traditional HDDs, which typically max out at around 100-150 MB/s. However, compared to NVMe SSDs that can reach speeds of 3000 MB/s or higher, the SA400M8480G is considerably slower.

Random read and write speeds, measured in IOPS, are also important for everyday performance. The SA400M8480G generally performs well in this area, with random read speeds around 90,000 IOPS and random write speeds around 80,000 IOPS. These speeds contribute to faster application loading times and a more responsive operating system. In real-world tests, the SA400M8480G demonstrates its value as an upgrade over a mechanical hard drive. Boot times are significantly reduced, applications launch noticeably faster, and file transfers are completed more quickly. For example, booting Windows 10 from the SA400M8480G might take around 15-20 seconds, compared to 45-60 seconds from an HDD.

However, it's important to note that the SA400M8480G may struggle with sustained write workloads. As the drive's cache fills up, write speeds can drop significantly. This is a common characteristic of budget-friendly SSDs that use TLC NAND flash memory. Nevertheless, for typical home and office use, this limitation is unlikely to be a major concern. The Kingston SA400M8480G offers a noticeable performance improvement over traditional HDDs, making it a worthwhile upgrade for users seeking faster boot times, quicker application loading, and a more responsive system. While it doesn't compete with high-end NVMe drives in terms of raw speed, it provides a solid balance of performance and affordability for everyday computing tasks. If you are looking to breathe new life into an old computer or are building a budget-friendly system, then this drive is worth considering.

Pros and Cons

To give you a balanced perspective, here's a breakdown of the pros and cons of the Kingston SA400M8480G:

Pros:

  • Affordable Price: One of the most attractive features of this SSD is its budget-friendly price point. It offers excellent value for money, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
  • Significant Performance Improvement Over HDDs: The SA400M8480G delivers a noticeable performance boost compared to traditional mechanical hard drives. This results in faster boot times, quicker application loading, and a more responsive overall system.
  • M.2 2280 Form Factor: The compact M.2 2280 form factor makes it compatible with a wide range of laptops and desktop motherboards.
  • Easy Installation: Installing an M.2 SSD is generally straightforward, especially in modern systems. It simply plugs into an M.2 slot on the motherboard.
  • Decent Read and Write Speeds: While not the fastest SSD on the market, the SA400M8480G offers respectable read and write speeds for everyday tasks.

Cons:

  • SATA III Interface: The use of the SATA III interface limits its maximum speed compared to NVMe drives. It won't be able to take full advantage of the potential bandwidth offered by the M.2 slot.
  • TLC NAND Flash Memory: While TLC NAND offers a good balance of cost and performance, it's generally less durable and has lower write endurance compared to MLC or SLC NAND.
  • Performance Drop Under Sustained Write Workloads: The drive's write speeds can drop significantly when the cache is full, especially during prolonged write operations.
  • Not Ideal for Demanding Applications: If you frequently work with large files, video editing, or other resource-intensive applications, you might benefit from a faster NVMe SSD.

In summary, the Kingston SA400M8480G is a great option for users who are looking to upgrade from a traditional HDD to an SSD without breaking the bank. It offers a significant performance improvement for everyday tasks, but it's not the best choice for demanding applications or users who require the fastest possible storage speeds. When making a decision, consider how you intend to use the drive and balance the pros and cons accordingly.

Alternatives to the Kingston SA400M8480G

If the Kingston SA400M8480G doesn't quite meet your needs, here are a few alternative SSDs to consider:

  • Western Digital Blue SN570: This is a popular NVMe SSD that offers significantly faster speeds than the SA400M8480G at a slightly higher price point. It's a great option if you want to take advantage of the NVMe interface for improved performance.
  • Samsung 970 EVO Plus: This is another high-performance NVMe SSD that delivers exceptional speeds and reliability. It's a premium option that's well-suited for demanding applications and users who require the best possible storage performance.
  • Crucial MX500: This is a SATA SSD that offers a good balance of performance, reliability, and affordability. It's a solid alternative to the SA400M8480G if you prefer a different brand or are looking for slightly better performance within the SATA interface.
  • SK Hynix Gold S31: This is another SATA SSD that is known for its reliability and decent performance. It's often available at a competitive price, making it a good value option.

When considering these alternatives, it's essential to weigh your budget, performance requirements, and desired features. NVMe SSDs offer significantly faster speeds, but they also come at a higher cost. SATA SSDs are more affordable but are limited by the SATA interface. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual needs and preferences. Also consider your motherboard or laptop's compatibility. Make sure it supports the type of SSD you are planning to buy, whether it's SATA or NVMe.

Conclusion: Is the Kingston SA400M8480G Right for You?

So, is the Kingston SA400M8480G the right SSD for you? The answer, as always, depends on your specific needs and budget. If you're looking for an affordable and easy way to breathe new life into an older computer or build a budget-friendly system, then the SA400M8480G is definitely worth considering. It offers a significant performance improvement over traditional HDDs, making everyday tasks feel much faster and more responsive. However, if you're a power user who frequently works with large files, video editing, or other demanding applications, you might benefit from investing in a faster NVMe SSD. While the SA400M8480G is a solid performer for its price point, it's not designed to compete with high-end drives in terms of raw speed.

Ultimately, the Kingston SA400M8480G is a reliable and cost-effective SSD that delivers a noticeable performance boost for everyday computing tasks. Its M.2 form factor makes it compatible with a wide range of systems, and its easy installation makes it a simple upgrade for even novice users. Just remember to manage your expectations and understand its limitations before making a purchase. Weigh the pros and cons, consider your budget and performance requirements, and choose the SSD that best fits your needs. Happy upgrading!