Kingston SA400S37/480G SSD: Specs & Review

by Jhon Lennon 43 views

Hey tech enthusiasts! Today, let's dive deep into the Kingston SA400S37/480G SSD. This solid-state drive has been making waves in the entry-level storage market, and we're here to give you the lowdown on its specifications, performance, and overall value. Whether you're considering upgrading your old hard drive or building a budget-friendly PC, understanding the ins and outs of this SSD is crucial. We'll explore everything from its technical specifications to real-world performance, so you can make an informed decision. So, buckle up and let’s get started!

Overview of Kingston SA400S37/480G

The Kingston SA400S37/480G is a 480GB solid-state drive designed as a cost-effective upgrade for traditional mechanical hard drives. Aimed at everyday users, it promises faster boot times, quicker application loading, and improved overall system responsiveness. This SSD utilizes a 2.5-inch form factor, making it compatible with most laptops and desktops. Its key features include a SATA III interface for high-speed data transfer, a DRAM-less architecture to keep costs down, and a focus on providing a noticeable performance boost over traditional HDDs. The SA400S37 series is known for its reliability and affordability, making it a popular choice for those looking to breathe new life into older systems without breaking the bank. With its decent read and write speeds, it caters to users who need faster data access for general computing tasks like browsing, office work, and multimedia consumption. Kingston has built a reputation for producing reliable storage solutions, and the SA400S37/480G is no exception, offering a balance of performance and value for budget-conscious consumers. The drive is also designed to be energy-efficient, consuming less power than traditional hard drives, which can lead to longer battery life in laptops. Furthermore, its resistance to physical shocks and vibrations makes it a more durable option compared to mechanical drives, reducing the risk of data loss due to physical damage. All these factors combine to make the Kingston SA400S37/480G a compelling choice for users seeking a simple and effective storage upgrade.

Key Specifications

Delving into the key specifications of the Kingston SA400S37/480G is essential for understanding its capabilities and limitations. This SSD boasts a storage capacity of 480GB, providing ample space for your operating system, applications, and frequently accessed files. It uses the SATA III interface, which has a theoretical maximum bandwidth of 6 Gbps, allowing for fast data transfer rates. The drive's form factor is 2.5 inches, with a slim 7mm thickness, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices, including ultra-thin laptops. The controller used in this SSD is typically a Phison or Marvell controller, depending on the production batch, which influences its overall performance. One notable aspect of the SA400S37/480G is its DRAM-less design, meaning it doesn't have dedicated cache memory. This helps reduce the cost but can impact performance in certain scenarios. In terms of performance metrics, the drive offers sequential read speeds of up to 500 MB/s and sequential write speeds of up to 450 MB/s, which are significantly faster than traditional hard drives. The random read and write IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second) are also important, as they affect the drive's ability to handle multiple small tasks simultaneously. While the exact IOPS figures may vary, they generally provide a substantial improvement over HDDs. The SSD also supports features like TRIM, which helps maintain performance over time by optimizing data management. Its Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) is rated at 1 million hours, indicating its reliability. Power consumption is relatively low, contributing to energy efficiency and longer battery life in portable devices. Understanding these key specifications allows users to assess whether the Kingston SA400S37/480G meets their specific needs and performance expectations.

Detailed Specs List

Here's a detailed rundown of the Kingston SA400S37/480G's specifications, presented in a clear and concise list:

  • Capacity: 480GB
  • Form Factor: 2.5 inch
  • Interface: SATA III 6Gb/s
  • Controller: Phison or Marvell (depending on batch)
  • NAND Flash Memory: TLC (Triple-Level Cell)
  • Sequential Read Speed: Up to 500 MB/s
  • Sequential Write Speed: Up to 450 MB/s
  • Random Read IOPS (4KB): Varies, typically around 60,000
  • Random Write IOPS (4KB): Varies, typically around 70,000
  • DRAM Cache: None (DRAM-less)
  • Operating Temperature: 0°C to 70°C
  • Storage Temperature: -40°C to 85°C
  • Power Consumption (Active): Typically around 1.5W
  • Power Consumption (Idle): Typically around 0.2W
  • TBW (Total Bytes Written): 160TB
  • MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures): 1,000,000 hours
  • Dimensions: 100.0mm x 69.9mm x 7.0mm
  • Weight: 41g
  • Warranty: Limited 3-year warranty

This comprehensive list provides a clear picture of what the Kingston SA400S37/480G offers in terms of storage, performance, and reliability. The use of TLC NAND flash memory allows for higher storage density at a lower cost, making the drive affordable for budget-conscious consumers. The sequential read and write speeds indicate how quickly the drive can transfer large files, while the random IOPS figures reflect its ability to handle multitasking and everyday computing tasks. The absence of DRAM cache is a trade-off, but it helps keep the price down. The TBW rating indicates the total amount of data that can be written to the drive over its lifespan, and the MTBF rating provides an estimate of its reliability. These detailed specifications are essential for anyone looking to evaluate the Kingston SA400S37/480G and determine if it meets their specific needs and expectations. The drive's compact dimensions and lightweight design make it suitable for a wide range of devices, from desktop computers to laptops and ultrabooks.

Performance Analysis

Let's get into the performance analysis of the Kingston SA400S37/480G. When evaluating an SSD, it’s crucial to look beyond just the advertised read and write speeds. Real-world performance often tells a more complete story. In benchmark tests, the SA400S37/480G typically achieves sequential read speeds close to its advertised 500 MB/s, making it significantly faster than traditional hard drives. Sequential write speeds usually hover around 400-450 MB/s, which is also a substantial improvement. However, keep in mind that these speeds can vary depending on the testing environment and the specific controller used in the drive. The absence of DRAM cache can sometimes affect performance, especially when dealing with sustained write operations or heavy multitasking. In such scenarios, the drive might experience slight slowdowns as it relies solely on the host system's memory. Random read and write IOPS are critical for everyday tasks like booting up the operating system, launching applications, and accessing small files. The SA400S37/480G delivers a noticeable improvement in these areas compared to HDDs, resulting in a snappier and more responsive user experience. Boot times are significantly reduced, and applications load much faster. During file transfers, the drive performs admirably, quickly moving large files from one location to another. However, when transferring a large number of small files, the absence of DRAM cache might become more apparent. Over time, the performance of the SSD can be affected by factors like wear leveling and garbage collection. The TRIM command helps mitigate these effects by optimizing data management and ensuring consistent performance. Overall, the Kingston SA400S37/480G provides a solid performance boost for general computing tasks, making it a worthwhile upgrade for users looking to improve their system's responsiveness without breaking the bank.

Pros and Cons

To give you a balanced view, here’s a look at the pros and cons of the Kingston SA400S37/480G SSD.

Pros:

  • Affordable Price: One of the most significant advantages of this SSD is its budget-friendly price point. It offers excellent value for users looking to upgrade their storage without spending a lot of money.
  • Improved Performance: Compared to traditional hard drives, the SA400S37/480G provides a noticeable performance boost, resulting in faster boot times, quicker application loading, and improved overall system responsiveness.
  • Easy Installation: The 2.5-inch form factor and SATA III interface make it easy to install in most laptops and desktops. It’s a straightforward upgrade that can be done with minimal technical expertise.
  • Energy Efficiency: SSDs consume less power than traditional hard drives, which can lead to longer battery life in laptops and reduced energy costs in desktop computers.
  • Durability: Solid-state drives are more resistant to physical shocks and vibrations compared to mechanical drives, reducing the risk of data loss due to physical damage.

Cons:

  • DRAM-less Design: The absence of dedicated cache memory can impact performance in certain scenarios, especially when dealing with sustained write operations or heavy multitasking.
  • Limited TBW: The Total Bytes Written (TBW) rating is relatively low compared to some other SSDs, which means it might not be the best choice for users who write a lot of data to their drives on a daily basis.
  • Controller Variability: The use of different controllers (Phison or Marvell) depending on the production batch can lead to performance variations between different drives.
  • Not Ideal for High-Intensity Workloads: While it offers a significant improvement over HDDs, it may not be the best choice for users with high-intensity workloads like video editing or gaming at high settings.

Is It Worth Buying?

So, is the Kingston SA400S37/480G worth buying? The answer largely depends on your specific needs and budget. If you're looking to upgrade from a traditional hard drive to an SSD without breaking the bank, then this drive is definitely worth considering. It offers a significant performance boost for everyday computing tasks like browsing, office work, and multimedia consumption. The faster boot times and quicker application loading will make your system feel much more responsive. However, if you have more demanding needs, such as video editing, gaming at high settings, or running complex applications, you might want to consider a higher-end SSD with a dedicated DRAM cache and a higher TBW rating. While the SA400S37/480G provides a solid performance improvement, its DRAM-less design and relatively low TBW rating might limit its suitability for more intensive workloads. Also, keep in mind that the performance can vary depending on the controller used in the drive. If you can find it on sale at a competitive price, it’s an even better value. Ultimately, the Kingston SA400S37/480G is a great choice for users who want a simple and affordable storage upgrade that provides a noticeable improvement in system performance. Just be sure to weigh its pros and cons against your specific needs before making a final decision.

Alternatives to Consider

If the Kingston SA400S37/480G doesn't quite meet your needs, there are several alternatives to consider. For those seeking a similar budget-friendly option, the Crucial BX500 and WD Green SSD offer comparable performance and features. The Crucial BX500 is known for its reliability and consistent performance, while the WD Green SSD provides a balance of affordability and efficiency. If you're willing to spend a bit more for better performance, the Samsung 870 EVO and Crucial MX500 are excellent choices. The Samsung 870 EVO is renowned for its exceptional speed and reliability, making it ideal for demanding tasks like video editing and gaming. The Crucial MX500 offers a great balance of performance, features, and price, with a dedicated DRAM cache for improved responsiveness. For users who need even faster speeds, NVMe SSDs like the Samsung 970 EVO Plus and WD Black SN750 are worth considering. These drives use the NVMe interface, which offers significantly higher bandwidth compared to SATA, resulting in lightning-fast boot times and application loading. However, NVMe SSDs typically come at a higher price point. Another alternative is the SanDisk Ultra 3D, which provides a good balance of performance and value, with 3D NAND technology for improved reliability and endurance. When choosing an alternative, consider factors such as your budget, the types of tasks you'll be performing, and the storage capacity you need. Each of these alternatives offers a slightly different set of features and performance characteristics, so it's important to do your research and choose the one that best fits your needs.