Overview

The KIOXIA EXCERIA NVMe GEN 2 is an entry-to-mid-range internal SSD featuring an NVMe Gen 3.0 x4 interface. This 2TB model adopts the M.2 2280 form factor, making it suitable for storage expansion in both desktop and laptop PCs. With sequential read speeds up to 2,100MB/s and write speeds up to 1,700MB/s, users upgrading from SATA SSDs can expect a noticeable improvement in everyday responsiveness. The drive utilizes KIOXIA's proprietary BiCS FLASH TLC NAND, balancing reliability and cost-effectiveness. This SSD is ideal for daily computing, gaming storage, and file server applications. It is particularly attractive for users who want a large-capacity NVMe drive without breaking the bank.

Compatibility Guide

The M.2 2280 form factor (22mm x 80mm) fits into any standard NVMe M.2 slot on modern motherboards. It uses a PCIe Gen 3.0 x4 interface, delivering full speed on PCIe 3.0 slots. It is backward compatible with PCIe 4.0 slots but will be limited to Gen 3.0 bandwidth. Compatible with Windows 10/11, macOS, and Linux via standard NVMe drivers. Heat output is relatively low, so a heatsink is not strictly required. However, in cases with poor airflow, a basic heatsink is recommended for sustained workloads.

Product Info

Released around 2021, the KIOXIA EXCERIA NVMe GEN 2 2TB sits in the entry-to-mid-range NVMe SSD segment. As of May 2026, the 2TB model is priced at approximately 57,000 JPY on . The drive comes with a standard 5-year warranty or until the TBW (Total Bytes Written) limit is reached, whichever comes first. The official TBW rating is 400TB, which translates to roughly 219GB of writes per day over five years. In the market, it competes with drives like the Samsung 980 and WD Blue SN570. While it cannot match the peak speeds of Gen 4 SSDs, it offers a compelling balance of capacity, speed, and price for budget-conscious builders.

Best Use Cases

Gaming storage expansion: The 2TB capacity allows installing multiple AAA titles without worry. The 2,100MB/s read speed reduces game load times by about 30?40% compared to SATA SSDs. Creative data drive: Ideal for storing photo and video editing project files or as a cache drive. The 1,700MB/s write speed handles 4K video exports and RAW photo processing comfortably. Budget PC builds: Perfect for users who want NVMe performance without the premium price. It costs about the same as a SATA SSD but offers significantly faster sequential transfers.

Things to Consider

This is a PCIe Gen 3.0 drive, so its sequential speeds are lower than Gen 4.0 SSDs. However, for everyday random access tasks, the difference is minimal. The 400TB TBW rating is modest compared to high-end models like the Samsung 990 Pro (1,200TB). Heavy write workloads (e.g., server caching, video editing scratch) may exhaust the endurance faster. The controller may be DRAM-less (official specs do not confirm DRAM), which can cause performance drops during sustained large-file writes. If you plan to use it as an OS drive, consider DRAM-equipped alternatives like the Samsung 980 or WD SN570.

Product Disclosure (Amazon)

  • Manufacturer: KIOXIA
  • Seller: trippodoshop
  • Fulfilled by: trippodoshop
  • ASIN: B09NS16N8X
  • Note: This article covers a manufacturer-made product based on Amazon listing details.