The CS2150 family makes a useful argument for checking the capacity beside a speed claim. The 2 TB version is rated at up to 10,300 MB/s for reads. PNY’s 4 TB version holds twice as much but has a lower peak read and write specification.
In depth
PNY CS2150 review
Published
Best forBuilders who want a straightforward Gen 5 internal drive and are comparing more than one capacity.
At a glance
- Capacity
- 1TB2TB4TB
- Interface
- PCIe 5.0 ×4 NVMe
- Form factor
- M.2 2280
- Sequential read
- 1TBUp to 10,200 MB/s2TBUp to 10,300 MB/s4TBUp to 9,200 MB/s
- Sequential write
- 1TBUp to 8,300 MB/s2TBUp to 8,600 MB/s4TBUp to 7,900 MB/s
Pros
- Three capacity choices for a standard 80 mm NVMe slot.
- The 2 TB model combines high transfer ratings with a low-profile installation.
Cons
- 4 TB has lower peak throughput than 2 TB.
- Full Gen 5 speed requires a suitable four-lane host connection.
Performance
- 2 TB: up to 10,300 / 8,600 MB/s
- 4 TB: up to 9,200 / 7,900 MB/s
The figures cover sequential reads and writes in that order. A larger drive can still be a better work purchase if the smaller one forces mid-project archiving. The speed difference matters most when the other end of a large transfer is fast enough to expose it.
Design & Installation
- M.2 2280
- PCIe 5.0 ×4
Tom’s Hardware examined the 2 TB drive and found a DRAM-less controller and no attached heatsink. That leaves space for a compatible motherboard heat spreader. Its observations concern that tested drive; they do not establish identical internal parts for every capacity. 1
Security & Ownership
- TCG Opal 2.0
- Limited warranty
Opal support can serve a managed encryption setup. Check the computer and management software before treating it as protection for your files. For a home upgrade, a migration plan and a separate, readable backup matter immediately.
Alternatives
The Crucial P510 offers standard and factory-heatsink versions if your build calls for one already fitted. For a Gen 4-only laptop, compare capacity and actual purchase price with a Gen 4 model before paying for an interface the socket cannot fully use.
Verdict
The CS2150 is a useful fit for a newer desktop or compatible notebook. The 2 TB model is the speed pick within the documented range; choose 4 TB when space is what keeps interrupting your work.
About this review
This is a research-based review. The Fasit has not physically tested this product.
Sources & Research
1 reference
Independent sources cited in this article.
- Tom’s HardwarePNY CS2150 2TB SSD review: More 'budget' PCIe 5.0 SSD goodness (opens in a new tab)https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/ssds/pny-cs2150-2tb-ssd-review
Controller, lack of discrete DRAM and heatsink on the tested 2 TB CS2150.