Kingston NV1
Expert rating6.7 / 10
- Interface:
- PCIe 3.0 x4, NVMe
- Sequential Read:
- Up to 2,100 MB/s
- Capacity Options:
- 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB
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Manufacturer: Kingston Last updated: 2026-09-12
Where to buy
- AmazonGo to store
Kingston NV1 Review
Kingston NV1 PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD, added as a replacement after the originally planned Kingston NV2 turned out to already be in the catalog; an entry-level NVMe predecessor to the NV2.
Before the NV2 arrived with PCIe 4.0 support, the NV1 was Kingston's answer to "the cheapest NVMe drive that still beats SATA." It succeeds at that narrow goal but doesn't try to do much more, no DRAM cache, modest PCIe 3.0 speeds, and a NAND controller tuned purely for cost. It still shows up in budget prebuilt systems and older motherboard upgrades where PCIe 4.0 bandwidth wouldn't be usable anyway.
Comparison to Alternatives
Against its own successor, the Kingston NV2 already in this catalog, the NV1 is noticeably slower thanks to its PCIe 3.0 interface, making the NV2 the better buy on any PCIe 4.0-capable board. Compared with the Crucial P2, the two are close rivals in the entry-level NVMe tier, with performance differences that rarely matter for basic desktop use.
Our verdict
Reviewed by Burooj Alam. Rated by us, not by users.
Expert rating6.7 / 10
An entry-level NVMe drive now effectively discontinued in favor of the faster NV2, but still found in budget builds.
Best for
- Basic NVMe upgrades on older motherboards
- Budget secondary storage
- Light everyday computing
Not for
- Gaming or creative work
- PCIe 4.0 systems wanting full bandwidth
- Sustained large file transfers
Specifications
What these specs meanIdentity
| Brand | Kingston |
|---|---|
| Model Number | NV1 |
| Series | NV1 |
Interface and form
| Drive Type | Internal |
|---|---|
| Bus Interface | PCIe 3.0 x4 |
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 |
| Console Compatibility | None Stated |
Sequential performance
| Sequential Read | 2100 MB/s |
|---|---|
| Sequential Write | 1700 MB/s |
Controller and cache
| DRAM Cache | DRAM-less |
|---|
Power and thermals
| Heatsink | Not Included |
|---|---|
| Max Operating Temp | 70 C |
Features
| Toolbox Software | Kingston SSD Manager |
|---|
Physical and commercial
| Warranty | 3 Years |
|---|
FAQs
What are the key specifications of the Kingston NV1 (PCIe 3.0 NVMe/Entry-Level Predecessor to the NV2)?
Key specs for the Kingston NV1: Sequential Read 2100 MB/s, Sequential Write 1700 MB/s, Capacity Options 250GB, 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, Bus Interface PCIe 3.0 x4, DRAM Cache DRAM-less, Form Factor M.2 2280.
Who is the Kingston NV1 (PCIe 3.0 NVMe/Entry-Level Predecessor to the NV2) best suited to?
Best suited to: Basic NVMe upgrades on older motherboards; Budget secondary storage; Light everyday computing.
What are the drawbacks of the Kingston NV1 (PCIe 3.0 NVMe/Entry-Level Predecessor to the NV2)?
Not the best fit for: Gaming or creative work; PCIe 4.0 systems wanting full bandwidth; Sustained large file transfers.
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