Overview

The Kingston NV1 (Phison E13T + Micron N18A) 500 GB is an entry-level NVMe SSD built for budget-conscious users who want to jump into PCIe 3.0 storage without breaking the bank. With a 500GB capacity, M.2 2280 form factor, and NVMe 1.3 interface, it fits most modern desktops and notebooks. It uses a Phison E13T controller paired with Micron QLC NAND and operates without a dedicated DRAM cache, relying on Host Memory Buffer (HMB) to keep costs down.
This drive is positioned squarely in the value tier, making it a sensible choice for basic system upgrades, secondary storage, or light gaming loads. It offers noticeable speed gains over SATA SSDs while remaining one of the most affordable NVMe options on the market.

Compatibility Guide

  • Form factor: M.2 2280 (single-sided), compatible with most desktop motherboards and many laptops that have an M.2 slot.
  • Interface: PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe 1.3; works in PCIe 4.0 slots with backward compatibility.
  • No additional power cables required—powered directly through the M.2 slot.
  • Operating system support: Windows 8.1/10/11, macOS, Linux with NVMe driver.
  • Ensure your motherboard supports NVMe boot if using as OS drive; older chipsets may require UEFI update.

Product Info

Launched in May 2021, the Kingston NV1 500 GB is still widely available at around ¥19,758 (as of September 10, 2026 via Yahoo Shopping). It carries a manufacturer's warranty of 3 years.
Market positioning: entry-level. The QLC NAND and DRAM-less design keep the price low, but performance and endurance trail behind TLC-based DRAM drives. It's ideal for users who prioritize upfront savings over peak write speed or heavy endurance.

  • Capacity: 500 GB
  • Interface: PCIe 3.0 x4 (NVMe 1.3)
  • Form factor: M.2 2280
  • Controller: Phison E13T
  • NAND flash: Micron 96-layer QLC
  • DRAM: None (uses HMB, 64 MB)

Best Use Cases

  • First-time NVMe upgraders – If you're moving from a SATA SSD or HDD and want the simplest, cheapest NVMe option, this drive delivers a clear speed bump for boot times and everyday app loading.
  • Secondary storage for documents and media – For storing photos, videos, or game libraries that don't demand constant heavy writes, the NV1 is perfectly adequate and very cost-effective.
  • Notebook expansion – In a laptop with a free M.2 slot, this low-power drive adds fast storage without significant battery drain.
    The NV1 is not ideal for users who regularly write large files (e.g., video editing proxies, database workloads) or need sustained high write performance. For those tasks, a TLC SSD with DRAM is a better investment.

Things to Consider

  • QLC NAND means write speeds drop significantly after the pSLC cache fills up; sequential writes of 50GB+ can slow to below SATA HDD speeds.
  • The DRAM-less design impacts random write performance during heavy multi-threaded writes; HMB helps in Windows, but it's not a full substitute for a real DRAM cache.
  • Official sequential read/write numbers are not published; actual performance can be expected to be modest (typical QLC NVMe ~1800 MB/s read, ~800 MB/s write after cache). Always look at real-world reviews for exact numbers.
  • At 500GB, storage runs out quickly for modern games (many exceed 100GB each). Consider 1TB or larger if you plan to keep multiple AAA titles installed.

FAQ

Q: Can I use this SSD as a boot drive for Windows?
A: Yes, it works perfectly as an OS drive. Boot times will be much faster than an HDD and slightly faster than a SATA SSD. Ensure your system supports NVMe boot and UEFI mode; older BIOS may need an update.
Q: Is it compatible with the PlayStation 5?
A: No. The PS5 requires a PCIe 4.0 x4 SSD with minimum 5500 MB/s read speed—this drive is PCIe 3.0 and much slower. Not recommended.
Q: How does the lack of DRAM affect everyday use?
A: For typical desktop tasks (web browsing, office work, light gaming), you won't notice a difference. Issues arise only during sustained heavy writes—for example, copying 40GB+ of data or installing a large game while the system is under load. In those scenarios, the drive can become sluggish compared to a DRAM-equipped SSD.