If you want to give your computer a speed boost, upgrading to a solid-state drive (SSD) is one of the easiest ways to enhance the performance of your system. Unlike traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), SSDs have no moving parts, which means they offer much faster boot times, quicker file transfers, and better overall system responsiveness. They’re also more durable, energy-efficient, and quieter than HDDs, making them ideal for desktops and laptops alike. Whether you’re a gamer, a creative professional, or just someone who wants a faster and more responsive system, an SSD can make a huge difference in your daily experience. For an SSD that can deliver exceptionally high performance without requiring a heatsink, the new PNY CS2150 stands among the best budget-friendly options on the market.
The PNY CS2150 is a high-performance SSD for desktops and laptops featuring an NVMe Gen5 x4 interface that delivers performance of up to 10,300MB/s seq. read and 8,600MB/s seq. write speeds, which is powered by a 218-layer 3D TLC NAND flash memory, and up to 2TB storage.
This SSD requires no heatsink, supports Gen4 and Gen3 systems, works with Intel Core 12th-14th Gen and AMD RYzen 7000 Series CPUs, and is compatible with Microsoft DirectStorage, which allows for shorter game load times, faster texture renders, and reduced CPU load for a more fluid gameplay. It’s also integrated with TCG Opal 2.0 hardware encryption software for maximum storage security.
Designed to deliver strong, all-around performance and superior power efficiency, this high-performance SSD is a great option for PC users, hardcore gamers, and passionate content creators looking to upgrade to the latest in NVMe technology.
Here’s our comprehensive review of the PNY CS2150, where we have a more detailed rundown of all the specifications and features this high-performance SSD has to offer.
CONNECTIVITY & HARDWARE SPECS
Starting with its form factor, this SSD has an M.2 2280 form factor and is single-sided, which makes it a suitable option for systems that best fit thinner drives. Single-sided drives are usually easier to cool, particularly since this form factor generates less heat output, so an SSD like the PNY CS2150 is a great choice for laptops.
This particular drive integrates no DRAM. Just like most DRAM-less drives, it only uses a four-channel controller (specifically the Phison PS5031-E31), rather than an eight-channel controller.
The E31T is the first model of a new generation of budget PCIe 5.0 controllers created using a smaller process node to handle higher I/O speeds with superior power efficiency, making it one of the top choices for laptop users especially (although more efficient, higher-end drives and controllers are coming in the near future).
The SSD also does not come with a heatsink nor does it require one to operate, as it is designed to deliver a cool-running performance. As such, it offers a simple plug-and-play installation. Nevertheless, a heatsink can still be applied during its installation, whether you’re using the stock one from your motherboard (if included) or a third party heatsink that’s purchased separately.
For its connectivity, the PNY CS2150 SSD features an NVMe PCI-Express 5.0 x4 interface, which offers excellent performance.
Its PCI-Express 5.0 interface can deliver sequential read speeds of up to 10,300MB/s and sequential write speeds of up to 8,600MB/s. This makes the drive capable of booting up in seconds, achieve rapid application launches, and an outstanding system performance overall.
The SSD performed relatively closely to the read/write speed values it’s rated to deliver, staying in line with speeds offered by similar SSDs from more expensive brands, making it a decent alternative for PC and laptop users with a tight budget.
For powering its interface, the PNY CS2150 uses a Kioxia 218-layer BiCS 8 3D TLC NAND flash memory, which offers notable performance (rated to be up to 30 times more robust than HDDs) and great power-efficiency.
To improve its writing speed, the SSD also uses a pseudo-SLC cache, so bursts of incoming writes are processed more quickly.
As for its storage capacity, the CS2150 is available with either 1TB or 2TB of storage, for which the drive is rated to have an endurance rating of up to 600TB of writes per TB capacity (a typical value for consumer-level SSDs), along with an estimated lifespan of 1.5 million hours MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures).
COMPATIBILITY
Despite being designed for Gen5 systems, the PNY CS2150 is also compatible with Gen4 and Gen3 systems.
When it comes to its CPU support, know that the drive works with Intel Core 12th-14th Gen CPUs as well as with AMD RYzen 7000 Series CPUs.
What’s more is that this SSD is also compatible with Microsoft DirectStorage, which allows for shorter load times with compatible games, faster texture renders in real-time without performance dips, and reduced CPU load for optimized performance, thus allowing for more fluid gameplay.
OTHER NOTABLE FEATURES
TCG Opal 2.0 Hardware Encryption
Lastly, this SSD is also integrated with TCG Opal 2.0 hardware encryption software to provide maximum storage security, whether you’re working or gaming.
PRICING & AVAILABILITY
If you’re interested in purchasing the PNY CS2150 M.2 NVMe SSD, know that the 1TB model is priced at $98.99, while the 2TB model goes for $181.99. Each purchase also comes with a 5-year warranty.
You can order it online either directly from PNY’s official shopping page, or you can buy it on Amazon.
