Kingston KC3000 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD

KingstonPCIe 4.0desktop

PCIe 4.0 x4 · M.2 2280 · 1TB · TLC

The Kingston KC3000 1TB delivers the same symmetrical 7,000 MB/s read and write performance as its larger sibling in a more affordable package. The Phison E18 controller with Micron TLC NAND and DRAM cache provides flagship-level PCIe 4.0 throughput alongside strong random I/O performance. At approximately $80 for 1TB, it competes aggressively against the Samsung 990 Pro and SK hynix Platinum P41 on both price and performance. The endurance rating remains generous for the 1TB tier, inheriting the KC3000 line's reputation for write durability. The graphene aluminum heat spreader provides passive thermal management in a low-profile form factor. Kingston's extensive compatibility testing and five-year warranty add reliability assurance. The drive works well as a primary system drive, game storage, or PS5 expansion option. The equal read and write speeds set it apart from many competitors that have notably lower write performance. For builders seeking balanced, high-speed 1TB PCIe 4.0 storage at a competitive price with excellent endurance, the KC3000 delivers strong all-around performance.

78

Overall

76

Performance

82

Value

74

Efficiency

Endurance

Endurance TBW800 TB
Warranty5 years

Performance

Sequential Read7,000 MB/s
Sequential Write6,000 MB/s
Random Read 4K IOPS1,000,000 IOPS
Random Write 4K IOPS900,000 IOPS

Power

Active Power5.0W

Storage

Capacity1,024 GB
InterfacePCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe
Form FactorM.2 2280
NAND TypeTLC
ControllerPhison E18
DRAM CacheYes

Value

Price per TB$80/TB $/TB

Random

CrystalDiskMark RND4K Q32T1 Read
1,340 MB/s
CrystalDiskMark RND4K Q32T1 Write
1,160 MB/s

Real-World

Adobe Premiere Export
60.2 seconds
File Copy 50GB
16 seconds
Game Load Time Cyberpunk 2077
5.2 seconds

Sequential

CrystalDiskMark SEQ1M Q8T1 Read
7,000 MB/s
CrystalDiskMark SEQ1M Q8T1 Write
6,400 MB/s

Sustained

Sustained Write after SLC Cache
2,500 MB/s

Thermal

Max Temperature Under Load
65 °C

Use case fit

Gaming
83/100

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