Kingston
Kingston NV3 500GB M.2 2280 NVMe SSD | PCIe 4.0 Gen 4x4 | Up to 5000 MB/s | SNV3S/500G
Bottom line: The Kingston NV3 500GB M.2 2280 NVMe SSD ($99.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-06): PCIe 4.0 Gen 4x4 interface rated up to 6,000 MB/s read, 5,000 MB/s write; main trade-off: 500GB fills fast once modern games are installed.
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ PCIe 4.0 Gen 4x4 interface rated up to 6,000 MB/s read, 5,000 MB/s write
- ✓ Single-sided M.2 2280 board fits low-clearance laptop and mini-PC slots
- ✓ Low power draw and reduced heat, per Kingston, for compact builds
- ✓ Same NV3 family scales to 4TB if you outgrow 500GB
Cons
- ✗ 500GB fills fast once modern games are installed
- ✗ No heatsink included - you supply one if your board lacks a shield
- ✗ Kingston lists no DRAM cache, so sustained large writes may slow
- ✗ Speed ratings are peak sequential figures, not sustained or random
Manufacturer description
The Kingston NV3 500GB is a single-sided M.2 2280 NVMe SSD built on a PCIe 4.0 Gen 4x4 controller, rated by Kingston for read speeds up to 6,000 MB/s and writes up to 5,000 MB/s. That puts it in Gen 4 territory rather than the entry-level Gen 3 tier, so game loads, project file transfers, and boot times land closer to what you would expect from a current-generation drive. Kingston positions the NV3 around low power draw and reduced heat output, which matters in laptops, mini-PCs, and handhelds where there is no room for a heatsink and thermal headroom is tight. The single-sided 22x80mm board…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Kingston NV3 500GB M.2 2280 NVMe SSD using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the ssds & storage category. Kingston'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 Kingston NV3 500GB?
Kingston rates the NV3 at up to 6,000 MB/s read and 5,000 MB/s write over its PCIe 4.0 Gen 4x4 NVMe interface. Actual speeds depend on your motherboard slot and workload.
Will the NV3 fit my laptop?
It is a single-sided M.2 2280 drive measuring 22x80mm, so it fits standard M.2 2280 slots including low-clearance laptop sockets that reject double-sided drives. Confirm your system takes M.2 2280 NVMe, not SATA M.2.
Does the Kingston NV3 work in a PCIe 3.0 slot?
PCIe is backward compatible, so the drive will run in a Gen 3 slot at Gen 3 speeds rather than its rated Gen 4x4 figures. Check your motherboard manual for the slot generation.
Is 500GB enough, or should I get a larger NV3?
500GB handles a Windows install plus applications and a handful of large games. Kingston offers the NV3 in capacities from 500GB up to 4TB if you need more room for video, photos, or a bigger game library.
What warranty does the Kingston NV3 come with?
Warranty terms vary by region and retailer. Check the current product listing and Kingston's support page for the coverage period and claim process that apply to your purchase.
Key Features
- Ideal for high speed, low power storage
- Gen 4x4 NVMe PCle performance
- Capacities up to 4TB
Full Specifications
| Brand | Kingston |
|---|---|
| Color | blue |
| Weight | 500g |
| Model Name | SNV3S-500G |
| Read Speed | 5000 megabytes_per_second |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 |
| Media Speed | 3000 |
| Model Number | SNV3S/500G |
| Built-In Media | SSD |
| Hard-Drive Size | 500 GB |
| Mfr Part Number | SNV3S/500G |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Special Feature | Shock Resistant |
| Hardware Platform | Kingston |
| Installation Type | Internal Hard Drive |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop, Laptop |
| Data Transfer Rate | 5000 megabytes_per_second |
| Enclosure Material | Nand |
| Additional Features | Shock Resistant |
Ready to buy?
Kingston NV3 500GB M.2 2280 NVMe SSD | PCIe 4.0 Gen 4x4 | Up to 5000 MB/s | SNV3S/500G 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.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
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