- Up to 2,200 MB/s read and 1,600 MB/s write throughput via PCIe Gen3 x4 interface
- Low maximum power draw of 3.5W prevents thermal throttling in tight chassis
- Integrated LDPC error correction, End-to-End data protection, and hardware RAID engine
- Single-sided M.2 2280 form factor fits easily into thin laptops and compact motherboards
- DRAM-less architecture relies on host system RAM via Host Memory Buffer (HMB)
- Sustained sequential write throughput declines once the dynamic SLC cache is exhausted
Overview
Targeting entry-level system builds and straightforward storage refreshes, this M.2 solid-state drive focuses on low-overhead throughput for standard desktop and mobile platforms. Built around the Silicon Motion SM2263XT controller paired with Micron 64-layer 3D TLC NAND flash, the drive leverages a DRAM-less topology that routes lookup tasks through the host system’s memory via Host Memory Buffer (HMB) technology. Dynamic SLC caching accelerates burst operations to reach sequential ratings up to 2,200 MB/s read and 1,600 MB/s write speeds, though sustained large-file transfers inevitably taper once the temporary write buffer is saturated.
From a physical and thermal perspective, the single-sided 3.15 x 0.87 in (80 x 22 mm) form factor provides clean mechanical clearance, seating effortlessly into cramped laptop bays and crowded desktop motherboards without snagging neighboring components. The hardware operates with a rated maximum power draw of 3.5W across an operating temperature range of 32°F to 158°F (0°C to 70°C). Because the controller generates modest heat under standard compute workloads, it maintains stable operating parameters even in configurations without auxiliary aluminum heatsinks or dedicated chassis airflow.
Long-term data integrity is handled through integrated low-density parity-check (LDPC) error correction and end-to-end data protection backed by a hardware RAID engine. While heavy multi-queue continuous workloads highlight the architectural limits of a DRAM-less controller, the drive functions reliably as an agile boot device or secondary drive for daily computing, office tasks, and casual gaming installations.
Technical Specifications
| Brand | Silicon Power |
| Model | 256GB NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen3x4 2280 SSD SP256GBP34A60M28CA |
| Capacity | 256GB |
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 |
| Interface | PCIe Gen 3.0 x4, NVMe 1.3 |
| Controller | Silicon Motion SM2263XT |
| Flash Memory Type | Micron 64-layer 3D TLC |
| Memory Architecture | DRAM-less (Host Memory Buffer supported) |
| Sequential Read Speed | 2,200 MB/s |
| Sequential Write Speed | 1,600 MB/s |
| Random Read (4K) | 240,000 IOPS |
| Random Write (4K) | 250,000 IOPS |
| Caching Architecture | Dynamic SLC Cache, Host Memory Buffer (HMB) |
| Error Correction | LDPC ECC |
| Data Protection | End-to-End (E2E) Data Protection, RAID Engine |
| Dimensions | 3.15 x 0.87 in (80 x 22 mm) |
| Max Power Consumption | 3.5W |
| Operating Temperature Range | 32°F to 158°F (0°C to 70°C) |
Primary Sources & Audited Citations
Recommended Alternatives in Storage (SSDs & HDDs)
At a Glance
How reliable is the Silicon Power 256GB NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen3x4 2280 SSD SP256GBP34A60M28CA according to Mizex audits?
A capable, budget-friendly NVMe boot drive upgrade for daily computing and light productivity, provided you do not require sustained write performance for massive continuous transfers.
What are the known quirks or drawbacks of the Silicon Power 256GB NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen3x4 2280 SSD SP256GBP34A60M28CA?
Our reliability audit identified the following documented caveats:
- DRAM-less architecture relies on host system RAM via Host Memory Buffer (HMB)
- Sustained sequential write throughput declines once the dynamic SLC cache is exhausted
What are the key engineering highlights of the Silicon Power 256GB NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen3x4 2280 SSD SP256GBP34A60M28CA?
The top strengths recorded in our evaluation include:
- Up to 2,200 MB/s read and 1,600 MB/s write throughput via PCIe Gen3 x4 interface
- Low maximum power draw of 3.5W prevents thermal throttling in tight chassis
- Integrated LDPC error correction, End-to-End data protection, and hardware RAID engine
- Single-sided M.2 2280 form factor fits easily into thin laptops and compact motherboards