This article covers Kingston NV2 (Phison E21T) 2 TB.
Overview
The Kingston NV2 (Phison E21T) 2TB is an affordable M.2 NVMe SSD aimed at users who need large storage capacity without breaking the bank. It features a PCIe 4.0 x4 interface and offers up to 2TB of space. Powered by the Phison E21T controller and TLC NAND flash, it adopts a DRAM-less design with 64MB Host Memory Buffer (HMB) to keep costs low while delivering adequate everyday performance. Launched in September 2022, it remains a popular choice for budget-conscious builders.
Compatibility Guide
This SSD uses the standard M.2 2280 form factor, fitting into most desktop and laptop M.2 slots. It supports PCIe 4.0 x4 but is backward compatible with PCIe 3.0, where it will run at PCIe 3.0 x4 speeds. It uses the NVMe protocol, compatible with Windows 10 and later, Linux, and other modern operating systems. Always check your motherboard manual to ensure the M.2 slot supports NVMe and the physical length.
Product Info
Released in September 2022, the Kingston NV2 2TB sits in the entry-to-mid-range NVMe SSD segment. Its street price is around ¥49,800 (as of September 2026 on Yahoo! Shopping), offering a compelling price-per-gigabyte ratio. The warranty is typically 3 years (confirm with retailer). The DRAM-less design with HMB keeps the cost down while still providing decent sequential speeds for everyday tasks. It is positioned as a budget-friendly large-capacity storage solution for gaming and general use.
Best Use Cases
Gaming storage: Ideal for gamers with large libraries. PCIe 4.0 speeds reduce load times. Not recommended for heavy write workloads; consider a DRAM-equipped drive for professional use. Secondary or NAS cache: Suitable for budget secondary drives or NAS caching where cost matters. Sequential performance is sufficient for file transfers and backups. * Budget builds: Perfect for tight budgets needing high capacity. If you need top random I/O performance, look at DRAM-based alternatives.
Things to Consider
The DRAM-less design means random read/write performance is lower than DRAM-equipped SSDs, which may be noticeable in heavy multitasking or database workloads. The TBW rating of 320TB is modest; at 1TB writes per day, endurance would last about 0.9 years, though typical users will never approach that. Competitors like Crucial P3 Plus and WD Blue SN580 offer similar value with different trade-offs. Also, performance is limited to PCIe 3.0 speeds if installed in a PCIe 3.0 slot. ## FAQ
Q: Can I use this SSD in a PS5? A: The PS5 requires an NVMe SSD with at least 5500MB/s sequential read speed. The Kingston NV2 does not meet that spec, so it is not recommended for PS5 expansion. Q: Is DRAM-less a problem? A: For typical gaming and daily use, no. HMB uses system memory as cache, so you won't notice a difference. However, for heavy creative workloads with many small files, a DRAM-equipped drive is better. Q: What is the warranty? A: Kingston offers a standard 3-year warranty. Check with your retailer for exact terms.
