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PNY XLR8 CS3030 500GB M.2 PCIe NVMe Gen3 x4 Internal Solid State Drive (SSD), Read up to 3,500 - M280CS3030-500-RB
PNY

PNY XLR8 CS3030 500GB M.2 PCIe NVMe Gen3 x4 Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

Bottom line: The PNY XLR8 CS3030 500GB M.2 PCIe NVMe Gen3 x4 Internal Solid State Drive ($299.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-06): Up to 3,500MB/s sequential read over PCIe Gen3 x4; main trade-off: 500GB fills fast if you install modern AAA games.

$299.99

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Buy on Amazon — $299.99 Compare to similar ssds & storage

By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

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.

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ Up to 3,500MB/s sequential read over PCIe Gen3 x4
  • ✓ 5-year warranty with 24/7 US-based tech support
  • ✓ PNY rates boot and app loads up to 6x faster than SATA
  • ✓ Ultra-low power draw suits laptop upgrades

Cons

  • ✗ 500GB fills fast if you install modern AAA games
  • ✗ Gen3 x4 ceiling, not a PCIe Gen4 or Gen5 drive
  • ✗ 2,000MB/s write trails the 3,500MB/s read figure
  • ✗ M.2 slot required; no fit for SATA-only systems

Manufacturer description

The PNY XLR8 CS3030 500GB is an M.2 2280 NVMe drive built as a direct replacement for a SATA SSD in any NVMe-ready PC or Mac desktop or laptop. Running over a PCIe Gen3 x4 interface, PNY rates it at up to 3,500MB/s sequential read and 2,000MB/s sequential write, which is where the real-world gain shows up: PNY says boot, shutdown, and application loads run up to 6 times faster than a SATA-based SSD. That bandwidth headroom and the lower latency of NVMe matter most when you are launching large games, scrubbing video timelines, or moving big project files, not just idling at the desktop. With…

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored PNY XLR8 CS3030 500GB M.2 PCIe NVMe Gen3 x4 Internal Solid State Drive 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 500GB?

PNY rates it at up to 3,500MB/s sequential read and 2,000MB/s sequential write over a PCIe Gen3 x4 NVMe interface.

Will this work in my laptop or Mac?

It is designed as an NVMe upgrade for NVMe-enabled PC or Mac desktop and laptop computers. Confirm your machine has a free M.2 NVMe slot before ordering.

Is it actually faster than the SATA SSD I have now?

Yes. PNY states boot times, power-down, and application loads run up to 6 times faster than a SATA-based SSD thanks to the higher NVMe bandwidth and lower latency.

What warranty does PNY offer on this drive?

PNY lists a 5-year warranty backed by 24/7 US-based technical support. Check the product listing for current warranty terms in your region.

Is 500GB enough for a gaming boot drive?

It is enough for Windows plus a handful of titles, but large modern games can run 100GB or more each, so many buyers pair it with a second drive for the rest of the library.

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 Backed by 24/7 us based technical support

Full Specifications

BrandPNY
ColorBlack
Model NameCS3030
Read Speed3500 Megabytes Per Second
Form FactorM2
Media Speed3500 megabytes_per_second
Model NumberM280CS3030-500-RB
CompatibilityPC, Mac
Built-In MediaSSD
Hard Disk Size500 GB
Item Type NameSeries: CS3030
Hard-Drive Size500 GB
Mfr Part NumberM280CS3030-500-RB
Number of Items1
Special FeaturePortable
Hardware Platformdefault_no_selection_value
Installation TypeInternal Hard Drive
Compatible DevicesDesktop Computers, Laptop computers, Network Attached Storage (NAS), Server
Additional FeaturesPortable
Hard Disk InterfaceNVMe
Full listing titlePNY XLR8 CS3030 500GB M.2 PCIe NVMe Gen3 x4 Internal Solid State Drive (SSD), Read up to 3,500 - M280CS3030-500-RB

Ready to buy?

PNY XLR8 CS3030 500GB M.2 PCIe NVMe Gen3 x4 Internal Solid State Drive (SSD), Read up to 3,500 - 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.

Buy on Amazon — $299.99

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.

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PNY XLR8 CS3030 500GB M.2 PCIe NVMe Gen3 x4 Internal Solid State Drive (SSD), Read up to 3,500 - M280CS3030-500-RB
$299.99
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