PNY CS900 240GB 3D NAND 2.5 review and installation

The PNY CS900 is the ideal solution for a hard drive replacement in both MAC and PC systems. The CS900 can withstand extreme environments, and retain data even when dropped. With no moving parts and non-volatile NAND, the CS900 is 30 times more robust and less prone to failure than traditional hard drives (HDD). Get details in PNY CS900 240GB 3D NAND 2.5 review.

In the box

Upon unboxing the storage unit, you only will get a unit of PNY CS900 120GB SSD. Sadly, there are no additional screws given. I would be recommending you have to have four-extra screws to properly mount the SSD in your PC case.

Specifications

Key Specs
Hard Drive Capacity : 240 gigabytes
Storage Drive Type: SSD
Maximum Data Transfer Rate: 3500 megabytes per second

General
Product Name: 240GB Internal SATA Solid State Drive
Brand: PNY
Model Number: SSD7CS900-240-RB
Color: Black
Color Category: Black

Capacity
Hard Drive Capacity: 240 gigabytes

Performance
Storage Drive Type: SSD
Maximum Data Transfer Rate : 3500 megabytes per second
Maximum Read Speed: 535 megabytes per second
Maximum Write Speed: 2000 megabytes per second

Compatibility
Internal Or External : Internal
Desktop Or Laptop: Laptop or desktop
Form Factor : 2.5 in.
Interface(s): SATA
Bare Drive: 240GB CS900
Minimum System Requirements : Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista™, Windows XP™, Linux, Mac OS X

Feature
Security Features: None
Data Encryption: No
Encryption Algorithm: No
Usage: Everyday computing
Memory: Cache

Buffer Size: 490 megabytes

Dimension
Product Height: 3.9 inches
Product Width: 2.75 inches
Product Weight: 1.6 ounces
Included: Number Of Drives Included 1
Additional Accessories Included: Spacer

Why you should buy PNY CS900 240GB 3D NAND 2.5?

240GB storage capacity

Provides ample storage space for your music, movies and other files.

SATA lll interface

Offers simple connection to your computer.

Data transfer rates up to 500 MBps

For quick response when updating files.

Compatible with PC

For use with your existing computer.

Compare PNY CS900 240GB 3D NAND 2.5

PNY CS900 240GB 3D NAND 2.5 review

Size

The PNY CS900 120GB is an entry-level SSD storage from PNY, an American PC peripheral manufacturer. The storage unit comes in the 2.5-inch form factor providing speed up to 6 Gb/s. 

PNY CS900 240GB 3D NAND 2.5 Performance review

Looking at the overall scores plotted on Figure x on above, the PNY CS900 has a higher score compared to Galax Gamer L SSD. Being a cheaper in price, the PNY CS900 performs better than its competitor.

When it comes to acceleration time performance test, it is really important to see a true performance of a storage unit, especially SSDs. Looking at Figure 7, the acc.time of PNY CS900 is lower than the Galax Gamer 120GB. If a higher read and write speed indicates a good characteristic of an SSD, the result produced by the acc.time should be lower. In other word, lower is better.

I’ve used a few free disk benchmark tools to measure the read and write speed of PNY CS900 120GB. The first tool used is the CrystalDiskMark Standard Edition.

Based on the result above, the PNY CS900 produce a better read and write rate. The benchmark process was done three times to get a solid result before recorded down. I am really surprised to the result since the storage unit is an entry level, yet outclassed the performance of an entry level gaming SSD.

The next benchmark tool used is AS SSD Benchmark to analyse and record the performance of the storage unit, if the result produced may differ compared to the result obtained in Figure 6 above. However, the PNY CS900 still outperform the Galax Gamer 120GB.

How to do PNY CS900 240GB 3D NAND 2.5 installation?

Step 1: Turn off power

Turn off the notebook power. Disconnect all notebook power cables. Turn the notebook upside down and remove the battery. Locate the hard drive panel on the bottom of your notebook

Step 2: Unscrew and remove the panel

If there is a tab on the existing hard drive, gently pull it up and then
to the outside to remove the hard drive from the bay. If your hard drive attaches to your motherboard via a cable, hold the cable’s connector – not the cable itself – and gently remove the drive from it. If any proprietary connector or spacer bracket is attached to your existing hard drive, remove it and set it aside.

Step 3: PNY SSD

Remove the new PNY SSD from its packaging and attach the connector or spacer bracket you removed in step 8. (This helps the SSD fit securely in the drive bay.) Align the SATA connector pins on the SSD with the SATA connector in the drive bay. Slide the SSD firmly against the SATA connectors in the drive bay so that there is no space where the SATA connection and the SSD align.

Step 4: Reattach

Reattach the hard drive panel and screws you removed in step 5.
Reinstall the battery.
Reattach the power cables.
Turn the notebook power on.

Step 5: Boot up

If you cloned your drive prior to installation, your system should boot up normally. Otherwise, load your OS and drivers (Refer to your notebook or OS user manual), as well as other programs, then restore your data.
DONE! Enjoy your new PNY SSD and all its benefits

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