PNY

M280CS3030-500-Rb

Name: M280CS3030-500-Rb
Brand: PNY
SKU: B07MW9M2CQ

Status: M280CS3030-500-Rb: Unavailable on Amazon as of 2026-10-06 16:15 UTC. SpecPicks has no in-stock listing with matching specs on file; the search below lists current offers. eBay sellers may still list this model new or used.

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Bottom line: The PNY M280CS3030-500-Rb: Rated up to 3,500MB/s read and 2,000MB/s write over PCIe Gen 3x4; main trade-off: 500GB fills fast if you install modern games or 4K video projects.

Unavailable on Amazon as of 2026-10-06 16:15 UTC

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By Mike Perry, Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated 2026-10-06

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For SSDs and PC storage upgrades, synthesises manufacturer specs and independent reviews rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference. About the author →

Pros & Cons

Pros

✓ Rated up to 3,500MB/s read and 2,000MB/s write over PCIe Gen 3x4
✓ 5-year PNY warranty with 24/7 US-based technical support
✓ Drop-in M.2 NVMe upgrade path for PCs and Macs with an NVMe slot
✓ Low power draw suits laptop upgrades as well as desktops

Cons

✗ 500GB fills fast if you install modern games or 4K video projects
✗ Gen 3x4 interface, so no benefit on a PCIe Gen 4 or Gen 5 board
✗ 2,000MB/s write trails the 3,500MB/s read on large file copies
✗ Requires an NVMe-capable M.2 slot; SATA-only M.2 slots will not work

Manufacturer description

The PNY XLR8 CS3030 (M280CS3030-500-Rb) is a 500GB M.2 NVMe drive built to replace an aging SATA SSD in any NVMe-enabled PC or Mac desktop or laptop. Over a PCIe Gen 3x4 interface, PNY rates the CS3030 at up to 3,500MB/s sequential read and 2,000MB/s sequential write, so Windows boots, application launches, and large file transfers land well ahead of what a SATA drive can deliver. PNY states the drive loads applications up to 6 times faster than SATA-based SSDs, which is the difference you notice most when a project file, game level, or OS image is the thing you are waiting on. The higher…

SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored PNY M280CS3030-500-Rb using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the ssds & storage category. PNY's ssds & storage lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.

Common buyer scenarios for ssds & storage of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast is the PNY XLR8 CS3030 compared to a SATA SSD?

PNY rates the CS3030 at up to 3,500MB/s sequential read and 2,000MB/s sequential write over PCIe Gen 3x4, and states it boots and loads applications up to 6 times faster than SATA-based SSDs.

Will this SSD work in my laptop or Mac?

It is an M.2 NVMe drive designed as an upgrade for NVMe-enabled PC or Mac desktops and laptops. Confirm your machine has an NVMe-capable M.2 slot, since M.2 slots wired only for SATA will not accept it.

What warranty and support does PNY provide?

PNY covers the CS3030 with a 5-year warranty and 24/7 US-based technical support. Check the product listing for current terms in your region.

Is 500GB enough capacity for a boot drive?

500GB comfortably holds Windows or macOS plus applications and a handful of games, but large modern titles and 4K video libraries will fill it quickly. Many buyers pair it as a boot drive with a larger secondary drive.

Does it need a heatsink?

No heatsink is included with this model. Many motherboards supply an M.2 heatsink, and PNY highlights the drive's low power consumption; check your board manual for thermal guidance.

Key Features

Nvme upgrade from a SATA based Solid State Drive (SSD) in NVMe enabled PC or Mac computers For super-fast OS Boot times and application loads
The NVMe PCIe Gen 3x4 interface delivers exceptional performance of up to 3, 500MB/s seq. Read and 2, 000MB/s seq. Write speeds
The enhanced bandwidth of the NVMe interface allows for extreme performance and low latency, making it superior to SATA based SSD's
Premium performance and Ultra low power consumption ideal for demanding applications and high-end games
Competitive 5 Year Warranty Backed by 24/7 us based technical support

Full Specifications

Brand	PNY
Color	Black
Model Name	CS3030
Read Speed	3500 Megabytes Per Second
Form Factor	M.2
Media Speed	3500 megabytes_per_second
Model Number	M280CS3030-500-RB
Compatibility	PC, Mac
Built-In Media	SSD
Hard Disk Size	500 GB
Item Type Name	Series: CS3030
Hard-Drive Size	500 GB
Mfr Part Number	M280CS3030-500-RB
Number of Items	1
Special Feature	Portable
Hardware Platform	default_no_selection_value
Installation Type	Internal Hard Drive
Compatible Devices	Desktop Computers, Laptop computers, Network Attached Storage (NAS), Server
Data Transfer Rate	3500 Megabits Per Second
Additional Features	Portable

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M280CS3030-500-Rb is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.

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