The PNY CS2150 is a PCIe 5.0 SSD that offers excellent performance at a competitive price. While it may not outperform top-tier DRAM-based PCIe 5.0 drives, its speed and affordability make it a compelling option for users seeking a value-driven upgrade. This review dives into its features, performance benchmarks, and overall value proposition.
Features and Design
The CS2150 is a standard 2280 form factor NVMe SSD utilizing the PCIe 5.0 x4 interface. It’s built around the Phison PS5031-E31T controller and features 218-layer Kioxia BiCS8 TLC NAND. As a host memory buffer (HMB) design, it leverages your system’s RAM for primary caching. Secondary caching is implemented through SLC caching, where a portion of the TLC NAND is treated as SLC for faster write speeds. PNY backs the CS2150 with a five-year warranty limited by a 600TBW (terabytes written) endurance rating per 1TB of capacity.
PNY CS2150 SSD
Pricing and Availability
At the time of this review, the CS2150 is priced competitively, offering significant value for its performance level within the PCIe 5.0 SSD market. The 1TB and 2TB models are available for purchase on PNY’s website and through various retailers.
Performance Analysis
The 2TB CS2150 we tested delivered impressive speeds, placing it among the fastest SSDs available. While it doesn’t quite reach the performance heights of DRAM-equipped PCIe 5.0 SSDs like the Crucial T700, it significantly outpaces PCIe 4.0 drives and offers a noticeable real-world performance boost.
We compared the CS2150 to other PCIe 5.0 SSDs, including the Corsair MP700 Elite (another HMB design), and a PCIe 4.0 HMB drive, the WD Black SN7100. Synthetic benchmarks showed the CS2150 trading blows with the MP700 Elite, highlighting the similarities in their architecture. Real-world file transfer tests demonstrated a clear advantage over PCIe 4.0 drives, though the difference was less pronounced than in synthetic tests due to Windows limitations.
CrystalDiskMark Sequential Test Results
CrystalDiskMark Random Test Results
48GB Transfer Test Results
Sustained write performance was also tested with a 450GB write test and a post-testing 900GB write test. The CS2150 performed admirably, maintaining respectable speeds even after exhausting its SLC cache.
450GB Write Test Results
Conclusion
The PNY CS2150 offers a compelling balance of performance and price. While DRAM-based PCIe 5.0 SSDs offer higher peak speeds, the CS2150 delivers excellent performance for most users at a significantly lower cost. Its competitive pricing, coupled with its strong performance, makes it an excellent choice for anyone seeking a cost-effective upgrade to PCIe 5.0 storage. If you’re looking for a fast and affordable SSD, the PNY CS2150 deserves serious consideration.
