80

KC3000 2TB SSD

PCIe 4.0 x4 · M.2 2280 · 2TB · TLC

$145

MSRP

60

870 EVO 1TB SSD

SATA III · 2.5-inch · 1TB · V-NAND TLC

$65

MSRP

Our verdict

The KC3000 2TB SSD takes the performance lead with a 33% 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 870 EVO 1TB SSD tells a compelling value story. At $65 versus the KC3000 2TB SSD's $145 price tag, it costs 123% less while delivering performance that's only 33% 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 870 EVO 1TB SSD is the smarter purchase. The KC3000 2TB SSD 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 2TB SSD

33% faster overall

Best value for money

870 EVO 1TB SSD

5% better value per dollar

KC3000 2TB SSD best for

Raw performance

33% faster overall

Endurance

Endurance TBW
1,600 TB
600 TB
Warranty
5 years
5 years

Performance

Sequential Read
7,000 MB/s
560 MB/s
Sequential Write
7,000 MB/s
530 MB/s
Random Read 4K IOPS
1,000,000 IOPS
98,000 IOPS
Random Write 4K IOPS
1,000,000 IOPS
88,000 IOPS

Power

Active Power
5.5W
2.5W

Storage

Capacity
2,048 GB
1,024 GB
Interface
PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe
SATA III
Form Factor
M.2 2280
2.5-inch
NAND Type
TLC
V-NAND TLC
Controller
Phison E18
Samsung MKX
DRAM Cache
Yes
Yes

Value

Price per TB
$72.50/TB
$65/TB

Frequently asked questions

Is the KC3000 2TB SSD worth $80 more than the 870 EVO 1TB SSD?

It depends on your needs. The KC3000 2TB SSD scores 80 overall vs 60 for the 870 EVO 1TB SSD. If you need the extra performance for demanding tasks, the premium is justified. For most users gaming at 1440p or below, the 870 EVO 1TB SSD offers better value.

Which GPU is better for 1440p gaming, the KC3000 2TB SSD or 870 EVO 1TB SSD?

The KC3000 2TB SSD delivers higher frame rates at 1440p, but both GPUs handle 1440p gaming well. The KC3000 2TB SSD provides more headroom for ray tracing and future titles, while the 870 EVO 1TB SSD still maintains smooth gameplay in current games.

Can the 870 EVO 1TB SSD handle 4K gaming?

The 870 EVO 1TB SSD 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 2TB SSD is the better choice with its higher performance ceiling.

Which should I buy, the KC3000 2TB SSD or 870 EVO 1TB SSD?

Choose the 870 EVO 1TB SSD if you want the best value for money and primarily game at 1080p or 1440p. Choose the KC3000 2TB SSD if you need maximum performance, play at 4K, or do professional workloads like video editing and 3D rendering.

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