Review: Kingston NV3 2TB SSD in M.2 2230 Format
Introduction: A small revolution in M.2 format
After the arrival of the rather hefty package, the new Kingston NV3 2TB SSD in the 2230 format landed on my desk. Encased in a striking red and white box, the drive looked almost lost inside the plastic shell. Despite its compact dimensions, it promises impressive performance: PCIe 4.0, NVMe, 2TB of storage, and a claimed read speed of up to 6000MB/s. But do these specs hold up in everyday use?
Design & Packaging: Clear lines, clear statements
The Kingston NV3 packaging is robust and modern. The front prominently advertises its specs: 2TB, PCIe 4.0, 2230 format, 6000MB/s read speed. The back includes standard certifications and a serial number. The SSD itself is housed in a clear plastic casing, securely fixed and clearly visible. A nice touch: a red plastic tool was included to help with removal. It’s these little extras that show someone paid attention to detail.
Technical Data Overview
| Feature | Kingston NV3 2TB | Samsung PM981 1TB |
|---|---|---|
| Model Number | SNV3S3M3/2T0 | MZ-9L81T0 |
| Form Factor | M.2 2230 | M.2 2230 |
| Interface | PCIe Gen4 x4, NVMe | PCIe Gen3 x4, NVMe |
| Capacity | 2TB | 1TB |
| Read Speed | up to 6000MB/s | approx. 3200MB/s |
| Write Speed | up to 5500MB/s | approx. 2500MB/s |
| Country of Origin | Taiwan | Korea |
| Power Consumption | 3.3V, max. 3.5W | 3.3V, max. 5.0W |
| Controller | Phison E21T | Samsung Phoenix |
| NAND Type | TLC | TLC |
Installation: Easy with minor caveats
Installing the Kingston NV3 was straightforward. Thanks to its standard M.2 interface, it fits into any device that supports the 2230 format. However, its extremely short and lightweight design, while great for compact devices like the Steam Deck or Microsoft Surface, requires a steady hand and suitable tools. Without them, one might easily damage the delicate contacts.
Performance Test: Numbers that impress
The synthetic benchmarks were convincing. CrystalDiskMark reported:
Kingston NV3 2TB:
- Read: 5984 MB/s
- Write: 5432 MB/s
- 4K Random Read: 780K IOPS
- 4K Random Write: 695K IOPS
Kingston excels especially in sequential writing – a weakness for many SSDs. “Like a winger who not only sprints but also crosses with precision.“
Everyday Use: Real-world data tests
A 100GB backup archive was copied during testing. The Kingston NV3 completed the task in just 1 minute and 42 seconds. Even with thousands of small files (e.g., a photo library of 23,000 JPEGs), the NV3 stayed fast and showed minimal performance drops.
In continuous operation, the NV3 remained pleasantly cool. Even without a heatsink, temperatures never exceeded 55°C – lower than many Gen4 drives. A big advantage for use in laptops and tablets.
Compatibility & Firmware
The SSD was immediately recognized by Windows 11. No firmware update was needed. Tools like CrystalDiskInfo and Kingston SSD Manager accessed SMART data without issue. The NV3 is compatible with all modern motherboards, Steam Decks, Lenovo Legion Go, and other devices supporting M.2 2230 and NVMe 1.4. A community tip: „Not every BIOS handles 2TB in 2230 well, check your manual first.“
Build Quality: Compact yet robust
Despite its tiny size, the NV3 feels solid. No visible soldering flaws, a cleanly manufactured PCB, and gold-plated contacts. Labels are legible, QR codes scannable, and serial numbers match both packaging and datasheet.
Price-Performance Ratio
At around €140 (as of July 2025), the Kingston NV3 is in the upper mid-range price segment. For a 2TB PCIe 4.0 module with excellent performance, this is entirely justified. Western Digital’s SN740 is priced higher and only marginally more efficient. „Kingston has hit a real sweet spot here,“ wrote one tech blogger on Reddit.
Conclusion: A small giant with great potential
The Kingston NV3 2TB in 2230 format delivers across the board. Compact, fast, efficient, and stable – it combines all four traits impressively. Anyone looking to upgrade their Steam Deck, Microsoft Surface, or ultralight notebook will find a top-tier choice here.
Performance is impressive, power draw is low, and thermal behavior is moderate. Add to that excellent compatibility and thoughtful packaging. While €140 isn’t exactly cheap, you get a carefully built product with clear strengths.
One closing thought: In this tiny piece of hardware lies more innovation than in many tower PCs of yesteryear. A drive for the future, built for today’s devices.
Link: https://www.kingston.com/de/ssd/nv3-nvme-pcie-ssd?partnum=snv3sm3%2F500g
Transparency Note (per EU guidelines): The Kingston NV3 SSD featured in this review was provided to us by Kingston as a non-binding loan for testing purposes. This is not paid advertising.
Kingston had no influence on content, evaluation, or editorial independence. All opinions are based solely on our own practical experiences.
We sincerely thank Kingston for providing the product and their trust in dataholic.de.