78

KC3000 1TB SSD

PCIe 4.0 x4 · M.2 2280 · 1TB · TLC

$80

MSRP

62

T7 Shield 2TB

USB 3.2 Gen 2 · Portable · 2TB · Rugged

$160

MSRP

Our verdict

The KC3000 1TB SSD takes the performance lead with a 26% higher overall score, driven by its more shader cores, more of memory, and higher TFLOPS of compute power. In gaming benchmarks at 1440p, it delivers roughly 0% more frames per second across demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake 2.

However, the KC3000 1TB SSD tells a compelling value story. At $80 versus the T7 Shield 2TB's $160 price tag, it costs 100% less while delivering performance that's only 26% behind. Its of memory is still more than enough for 1440p and even 4K gaming in most titles.

Our recommendation: for the majority of gamers targeting 1440p or even 4K with upscaling enabled, the KC3000 1TB SSD is the smarter purchase. The T7 Shield 2TB only makes sense if you need the absolute maximum performance for native 4K ray tracing, professional 3D rendering, or AI workloads where the extra VRAM and compute power provide a tangible advantage.

Performance winner

KC3000 1TB SSD

26% faster overall

Best value for money

KC3000 1TB SSD

21% better value per dollar

KC3000 1TB SSD best for

Raw performance

26% faster overall

Endurance

Endurance TBW
800 TB
1,500 TB
Warranty
5 years
3 years

Performance

Sequential Read
7,000 MB/s
1,050 MB/s
Sequential Write
6,000 MB/s
1,000 MB/s
Random Read 4K IOPS
1,000,000 IOPS
65,000 IOPS
Random Write 4K IOPS
900,000 IOPS
55,000 IOPS

Power

Active Power
5.0W
2.5W

Storage

Capacity
1,024 GB
2,048 GB
Interface
PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe
USB 3.2 Gen 2
Form Factor
M.2 2280
Portable
NAND Type
TLC
TLC
Controller
Phison E18
Samsung Custom
DRAM Cache
Yes
Yes

Value

Price per TB
$80/TB
$80/TB

Frequently asked questions

Is the T7 Shield 2TB worth $80 more than the KC3000 1TB SSD?

It depends on your needs. The T7 Shield 2TB scores 78 overall vs 62 for the KC3000 1TB SSD. If you need the extra performance for demanding tasks, the premium is justified. For most users gaming at 1440p or below, the KC3000 1TB SSD offers better value.

Which GPU is better for 1440p gaming, the KC3000 1TB SSD or T7 Shield 2TB?

The KC3000 1TB SSD delivers higher frame rates at 1440p, but both GPUs handle 1440p gaming well. The KC3000 1TB SSD provides more headroom for ray tracing and future titles, while the T7 Shield 2TB still maintains smooth gameplay in current games.

Can the T7 Shield 2TB handle 4K gaming?

The T7 Shield 2TB can handle 4K gaming in less demanding titles and with upscaling technologies like DLSS or FSR. For native 4K at ultra settings in demanding games, the KC3000 1TB SSD is the better choice with its higher performance ceiling.

Which should I buy, the KC3000 1TB SSD or T7 Shield 2TB?

Choose the KC3000 1TB SSD if you want the best value for money and primarily game at 1080p or 1440p. Choose the T7 Shield 2TB if you need maximum performance, play at 4K, or do professional workloads like video editing and 3D rendering.

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