Kingston’s NV3 is a PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSD that began shipping on September 3, 2024. Its lineup includes a 4TB M.2 2280 model; the shorter M.2 2230 version is listed only up to 2TB. Before choosing one, check your device’s supported drive size and interface: Kingston’s speed figures are manufacturer ratings, not guaranteed results on every computer.
What is the Kingston NV3?
The NV3 is Kingston’s consumer SSD for desktop and notebook workloads. Kingston also describes its M.2 2230 version as an option for compatible handheld gaming systems and small-form-factor devices. The company’s September 3, 2024 launch announcement said the drive was shipping and positioned it for creators and gamers, including editing and gaming workloads. Kingston says the drive is not intended for server environments.
The NV3 uses a PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe interface and 3D NAND. Its maximum listed capacity depends on the physical format: 4TB is available in M.2 2280, not M.2 2230.
Which capacities and form factors are available?
Kingston lists four capacities for the M.2 2280 lineup and three for M.2 2230. Both versions share the 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacities; only the 2280 listing includes 4TB.
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- Ideal for high speed, low power storage
- Gen 4x4 NVMe PCle performance
- Up to 6,000MB/s read, 5,000MB/s write
- Includes Acronis cloning software
- 5-year limited warranty
| Capacity | Kingston sequential read/write rating | TBW endurance rating | Listed form factors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500GB | 5,000/3,000MB/s | 160TB | 2280 and 2230 |
| 1TB | 6,000/4,000MB/s | 320TB | 2280 and 2230 |
| 2TB | 6,000/5,000MB/s | 640TB | 2280 and 2230 |
| 4TB | 6,000/5,000MB/s | 1,280TB | 2280 only |
These are Kingston’s published specifications, not independent benchmark results. Kingston says the sequential figures are based on out-of-box performance with a PCIe 4.0 motherboard; actual performance may vary with host hardware, software, and usage. Kingston attributes the TBW methodology to the JEDEC Client Workload (JESD219A).
Listed capacity is not the same as available space after installation. Kingston notes that formatting and other functions use some flash storage, so usable capacity is lower than the advertised figure.
Rank #2
- Ideal for high speed, low power storage
- Gen 4x4 NVMe PCle performance
- Up to 6,000MB/s read, 5,000MB/s write
- Includes Acronis cloning software
- 5-year limited warranty
How fast is the NV3?
Ratings vary by capacity: the 500GB model is rated up to 5,000MB/s read and 3,000MB/s write; 1TB is rated up to 6,000/4,000MB/s; and 2TB and 4TB are rated up to 6,000/5,000MB/s. These sequential read/write numbers describe Kingston’s stated peak performance under its specified test setup. They do not establish how quickly a particular application, game, or computer will run, and they are not a comparison against competing drives.
Will an NV3 fit and work in your computer or handheld?
Check the physical format and host support before buying. M.2 2280 measures 22mm × 80mm × 2.3mm; M.2 2230 measures 22mm × 30mm × 2.3mm. A drive that fits physically must also be supported by the device’s slot and system. Kingston advises consulting the device manufacturer to confirm compatibility.
Rank #3
- Ideal for high speed, low power storage
- Gen 4x4 NVMe PCle performance
- Up to 6,000MB/s read, 4,000MB/s write
- Includes Acronis cloning software
- 5-year limited warranty
- Choose M.2 2280 only if your device supports that 80mm drive length; this is the format listed at 4TB.
- Choose M.2 2230 only for a device designed for the shorter 30mm module; Kingston lists it through 2TB.
- Confirm that the system supports an NVMe PCIe drive in the relevant M.2 slot. An M.2 connector alone does not establish compatibility.
Kingston lists an operating temperature range of 0–70°C for both sizes. The drive is intended for consumer client systems, not server environments.
What do the endurance ratings and warranty cover?
Kingston’s listed endurance ratings are 160TBW for 500GB, 320TBW for 1TB, 640TBW for 2TB, and 1,280TBW for 4TB. TBW means terabytes written; Kingston says these figures are derived from the JEDEC Client Workload (JESD219A). They are endurance specifications, not a prediction of how long a particular drive will last in a particular workload.
Rank #4
- [4TB] Exceptional performance up to 7400MB/s read, 6500MB/s write; 3000TBW
- 2x faster than PCIe Gen 3 SSDs
- Designed with a heatsink to keep your rig cool for better performance and power efficiency
- Up to 40% less power consumption than DRAM cache-enabled PCIe Gen 4 SSDs
- Host Memory Buffer (HMB) 3.0 activates the DRAM cache function of your device for a smoother transfer speed and seamless performance
Kingston’s current product page and datasheet state a limited five-year warranty with free technical support. The datasheet says the warranty is based on five years or “Percentage Used”; Kingston SSD Manager can display Percentage Used, and the datasheet says a drive that reaches its warranty limit shows 100% or more. The original September 3, 2024 launch release instead stated a limited three-year warranty. Because the published materials differ, check the current warranty terms that apply in your region and purchase circumstances.
What was included with the 2024 launch?
Kingston’s September 2024 announcement said the NV3 would include one year of Acronis True Image for Kingston software. It also described Kingston SSD Manager for monitoring drive health and usage, firmware updates, and secure erase. The launch-era software bundle is not confirmation that the same offer applies to purchases today.
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Best Value
- Incredible PCIe Gen 4x4 NVMe performance. Speeds up to 7300MB/s.
- Available with heatsink or low-profile heat spreader
- Slim M.2 2280 form factor
- High capacities up to 4TB
- PS5 Ready
How to decide whether an NV3 is the right capacity
Start with the device’s supported M.2 length and interface, then compare capacity, the applicable speed rating, and TBW rating. A 2230 drive is the relevant NV3 format only where the shorter module is required, and its listed capacity tops out at 2TB. For a system that supports 2280, the 4TB NV3 is Kingston’s largest listed capacity. No independent price comparison or test results are established here, so assess current pricing and performance needs separately.
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