Kingston vs PNY: Nvme SSDs Compared by Specs
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This kingston vs PNY nvme SSD comparison looks at two popular 2.5-inch drives. Both Kingston A400 and PNY CS900 use SATA III interfaces for desktop and laptop upgrades. They share the same physical form factor. The main difference lies in their storage capacity and sequential transfer speeds. PNY offers slightly higher read and write rates. Kingston provides a lower price point for 480GB. You need to check which specs match your system requirements.
Key differences
| Aspect | Kingston A400 480GB 2.5-Inch SATA SSD | PNY CS900 500GB 2.5-Inch SATA SSD |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Capacity | 480GB | 500GB |
| Max Read Speed | 500MB/s | 550MB/s |
| Max Write Speed | 450MB/s | 500MB/s |
| Form Factor | 2.5-inch | 2.5-inch |
| Interface | SATA Rev. 3.0 (6Gb/s) | SATA III |
Which one should you choose?
Choose Kingston A400 480GB 2.5-Inch SATA SSD if
- You need a drive that fits strictly within a 480GB capacity limit.
- You prioritize a lower cost for a basic system upgrade.
- You want a drive with a documented operating temperature range of 0°C to 70°C.
Choose PNY CS900 500GB 2.5-Inch SATA SSD if
- You need slightly higher sequential read speeds up to 550MB/s.
- You prefer a higher sequential write speed of 500MB/s.
- You want 500GB of storage space instead of 480GB.
Verdict: Choose the Kingston A400 if you need a reliable, budget-friendly SATA drive for general computing. Pick the PNY CS900 if you want marginally faster transfer speeds and an extra 20GB of storage. Both drives offer significant performance gains over traditional hard drives for everyday tasks.
Kingston A400 vs PNY CS900 Specs
Transfer Speed
The PNY CS900 offers slightly faster sequential performance than the Kingston A400. PNY lists maximum read speeds of 550MB/s and write speeds of 500MB/s. Kingston rates its A400 at 500MB/s for reads and 450MB/s for writes. Both drives use the SATA Rev. 3.0 interface, which caps bandwidth at 6Gb/s. In practice, this means file transfers and large copy operations will be marginally quicker on the PNY model. The difference is small but consistent across both read and write tasks. If maximum throughput is your priority, the PNY CS900 holds a slight advantage.
Storage Capacity
You are comparing specific models with different base capacities. The Kingston A400 shown here provides 480GB of usable storage. The PNY CS900 model listed offers 500GB. While 20GB may seem negligible, it represents a small but definite increase in space for your operating system and applications. Both brands offer variations in their product lines, with options ranging from smaller 120GB or 240GB drives up to 1TB or higher. However, strictly comparing these two specific SKUs, the PNY drive gives you more room to store data without needing to manage space as tightly.
Form Factor
Both drives share the exact same physical dimensions and form factor. The Kingston A400 and PNY CS900 are both 2.5-inch drives. Their height is identical at 0.28 inches, allowing them to fit into the same drive bays in laptops and desktops. The length and width measurements are also the same at 3.94 inches by 2.75 inches. This means you can swap one for the other in any standard 2.5-inch drive bay without needing adapters or modifying your computer case. For compatibility with existing hardware, neither drive has an advantage.
Interface
Both the Kingston A400 and the PNY CS900 utilize the SATA Rev. 3.0 interface. This standard provides a maximum theoretical bandwidth of 6Gb/s. Both drives are also backward compatible with SATA Rev. 2.0 (3Gb/s) ports, ensuring they will work in older systems. This common interface means you will not see a difference in connectivity or protocol support between the two. The speed limitations are dictated by the SATA standard itself, not the drive manufacturer. Since both adhere to the same interface specification, the connection type offers no distinguishing benefit to either product.
Build Weight
The physical weight of the drives differs slightly due to internal component variations. The Kingston A400 weighs 1.44 ounces. The PNY CS900 is slightly heavier at 1.9 ounces. For a desktop installation, this weight difference is irrelevant. However, for laptop users concerned with overall system weight, the Kingston drive is lighter. Both drives are encased in standard metal or plastic housings typical for 2.5-inch SSDs. The weight variance is minimal and unlikely to impact performance or durability. If you are building a very lightweight portable system, the Kingston A400 is the lighter choice.
Which SSD should you choose
User needing maximum storage space
The PNY CS900 provides 500GB of storage, which is slightly more than the Kingston A400’s 480GB. This extra capacity allows you to store more files, applications, or media without needing to manage space as strictly. If every gigabyte matters for your library, the PNY drive offers a small but tangible advantage in total usable storage.
User prioritizing faster transfer speeds
The PNY CS900 lists higher sequential read and write speeds than the Kingston A400. With maximum reads of 550MB/s and writes of 500MB/s, it moves data quicker than the Kingston’s 500MB/s read and 450MB/s write rates. If you frequently transfer large files or load heavy applications, the PNY drive’s superior throughput will reduce wait times.
User seeking reliable budget performance
The Kingston A400 is a well-established option for standard SATA upgrades. It delivers consistent 500MB/s read speeds, which is sufficient for most everyday tasks like web browsing and office work. Its 7mm form factor fits easily into slimmer notebooks. If you want a proven, straightforward drive for general use without needing the absolute highest specs, the Kingston is a solid choice.
The products compared
Kingston A400 480GB 2.5-Inch SATA SSD
Best for: upgrading older laptops and desktops
- Storage Capacity
- 480GB
- Interface
- SATA Rev. 3.0 (6Gb/s)
- Form Factor
- 2.5"
- Max Read Speed
- 500MB/s
- Max Write Speed
- 450MB/s
- Dimensions
- 3.94 × 0.28 × 2.75 inches
View on Amazon: Kingston A400 480GB 2.5-Inch SATA SSD Affiliate link
The Kingston A400 is a 480GB 2.5-inch SATA III SSD designed to replace traditional hard drives. It offers sequential read speeds up to 500MB/s and write speeds up to 450MB/s. The 7mm form factor fits slim notebooks and systems with limited space. You will get faster boot times and file transfers compared to mechanical drives. It operates within a 0°C to 70°C range, ensuring reliability for standard desktop and laptop use.
Pros
- SATA III 6Gb/s interface for backward compatibility
- 500MB/s max sequential read speed
- 450MB/s max sequential write speed
- Thin 7mm profile fits slimmer systems
- More durable than mechanical hard drives
Cons
- SATA III interface limits speeds compared to NVMe drives
- 480GB capacity is smaller than modern NVMe options
- No DRAM cache for sustained heavy workloads
Good fit if
- You need a reliable HDD replacement for a laptop
- You want to upgrade an older desktop with SATA ports
- You need fast boot times for everyday computing
Skip if
- You require PCIe NVMe speeds for gaming or video editing
- You need more than 480GB of storage in one drive
- You are building a new high-performance PC
Verdict: Kingston A400 480GB SATA SSD is a practical upgrade for users with older systems that only support SATA drives. It delivers noticeable performance gains over hard drives for basic tasks like web browsing and office work. It is not suitable for users needing the fastest possible data transfer rates.
PNY CS900 500GB 2.5-Inch SATA SSD
Best for: Replacing slow HDDs in 2.5-inch bays
- Storage Capacity
- 500GB
- Interface
- SATA III
- Form Factor
- 2.5"
- Max Read Speed
- 550MB/s
- Max Write Speed
- 500MB/s
- Compatibility
- Laptop
View on Amazon: PNY CS900 500GB 2.5-Inch SATA SSD Affiliate link
The PNY CS900 is a 2.5-inch SATA III internal SSD with 500GB of storage. It delivers sequential read speeds up to 550MB/s and write speeds up to 500MB/s. This drive offers significant performance gains over traditional hard drives, including faster OS boot times. It is designed for laptops and desktops that require a reliable, backwards-compatible storage solution with ultra-low power consumption.
Pros
- Sequential read speeds up to 550MB/s
- Sequential write speeds up to 500MB/s
- Backwards compatible with SATA II interfaces
- Ultra-low power consumption design
Cons
- SATA III interface limits speeds compared to NVMe drives
- 500GB capacity is smaller than modern NVMe options
- 2.5-inch form factor is bulkier than M.2 drives
Good fit if
- You need a drop-in replacement for a 2.5-inch drive bay
- You want faster boot times than a mechanical hard drive
- You are upgrading an older system with SATA II ports
Skip if
- You require the highest possible transfer speeds available
- You need more than 500GB of storage space
- Your motherboard only supports M.2 NVMe drives
Verdict: PNY CS900 500GB SATA SSD is a solid upgrade for users replacing a slow hard drive in a 2.5-inch bay. It provides reliable speed improvements for everyday tasks without requiring new hardware.
Specifications side by side
| Spec | Kingston A400 480GB 2.5-Inch SATA SSD | PNY CS900 500GB 2.5-Inch SATA SSD |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Capacity | 480GB | 500GB |
| Interface | SATA Rev. 3.0 (6Gb/s) | SATA III |
| Form Factor | 2.5" | 2.5" |
| Max Read Speed | 500MB/s | 550MB/s |
| Max Write Speed | 450MB/s | 500MB/s |
| Compatibility | not stated | Laptop |
| Size | 480 GB | 500GB |
| Dimensions | 3.94 × 0.28 × 2.75 inches | 3.94 × 2.75 × 0.28 inches |
| Weight | 1.44 ounces | 1.76 ounces |
| Color | Black | Black |
| Model | SA400S37/480G | SSD7CS900-500-RB |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kingston A400 a true NVMe drive?
No, the Kingston A400 is not an NVMe drive. It uses a SATA III interface. This means it connects via a standard SATA cable or connector rather than the PCIe lanes used by NVMe SSDs. It is designed for 2.5-inch bays, making it suitable for older systems that do not support M.2 slots.
Does the PNY CS900 support NVMe protocol?
No, the PNY CS900 does not support NVMe protocol. It relies on the SATA III interface for data transfer. Like the Kingston A400, it fits into 2.5-inch drive bays. It is built for users who need to replace a traditional hard drive without upgrading to newer motherboard standards.
Can I install these drives in an M.2 slot?
No, you cannot install these drives in an M.2 slot. Both the Kingston A400 and PNY CS900 use a 2.5-inch form factor. They are physical blocks that require a specific SATA power and data connection. M.2 slots are designed for smaller, stick-like drives that plug directly into the motherboard.
Which drive has more storage capacity?
The PNY CS900 has more storage capacity. It offers 500GB of space, while the Kingston A400 provides 480GB. This slight difference gives you a bit more room for files and applications. Both drives are available in these specific sizes within this comparison.
What is the physical size of these SSDs?
Both drives share the same physical dimensions. They measure 3.94 inches in length, 2.75 inches in width, and 0.28 inches in height. This standard 2.5-inch size allows them to fit into most desktop and laptop drive bays designed for traditional hard drives.
Are these drives suitable for gaming?
These drives can improve gaming load times compared to hard drives, but they are not NVMe solutions. They use SATA III, which limits their speed. If you need the fastest possible game loading, an NVMe drive is better. These are practical for older systems or budget builds.
Do these SSDs require special drivers?
No, these SSDs do not require special drivers. They use standard SATA III protocols supported by most operating systems out of the box. You simply connect the power and data cables, and the system should recognize them immediately. No additional software installation is needed for basic operation.