PNY CS3250 1TB SSD
1TB · PCIe 5.0 NVMe · 14,900 MB/s read · PassMark #5
KIOXIA-EXCERIA PRO G2 SSD
PCIe 5.0 NVMe · 14,900 MB/s read · PassMark #6
PNY CS3250 1TB SSD takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, PNY CS3250 1TB SSD lands at 88 and KIOXIA-EXCERIA PRO G2 SSD at 87. That puts PNY CS3250 1TB SSD ahead by 1 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick PNY CS3250 1TB SSD if…
- ✓Top 5 on PassMark Disk Score — flagship-tier sequential + random performance
- ✓PCIe 5.0 interface for next-gen platforms (AM5, LGA 1851)
Pick KIOXIA-EXCERIA PRO G2 SSD if…
- ✓PassMark Disk Score top-20 (92,587) — sustained-write class-leading
- ✓Pro-tier controller and DRAM cache for sustained throughput
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testValue for money
PNY CS3250 1TB SSDSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
PNY CS3250 1TB SSD more score per dollar ($125 vs $200).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | PNY CS3250 1TB SSD | KIOXIA-EXCERIA PRO G2 SSD |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 |
| Interface | PCIe 5.0 x4 NVMe 2.0 | PCIe 5.0 x4 NVMe 2.0d |
| Sequential read | 14,900 MB/s | 14,900 MB/s |
| Sequential write | 13,500 MB/s | 13,400 MB/s |
| Controller | Phison E28 (PS5031-E28) | Silicon Motion SM2508 (8-channel) |
| NAND | 218-layer SanDisk/Kioxia BiCS8 3D TLC | 218-layer Kioxia BiCS8 3D TLC |
| DRAM | ▲ yes (E28 DRAM design) | yes (only DRAM model in Kioxia Gen5 lineup) |
| Endurance | 700 TBW | 1,200 TBW |
| Warranty | 5 years | 5 years |
| PassMark Disk Score | 92,683 | 92,587 |
| PassMark rank | #5 of 100 consumer SSDs | #6 of 100 consumer SSDs |
| Random read | — | 2,300,000 IOPS |
| Random write | — | 1,950,000 IOPS |
| Spec basis | — | 2TB reference SKU — TBW/IOPS vary by capacity |
PNY CS3250 1TB SSD
- +Top 5 on PassMark Disk Score — flagship-tier sequential + random performance
- +PCIe 5.0 interface for next-gen platforms (AM5, LGA 1851)
- −PCIe 5.0 drives run hot — heatsink or motherboard M.2 cooling recommended
- −Pricing varies — confirm current retail before purchase
KIOXIA-EXCERIA PRO G2 SSD
- +PassMark Disk Score top-20 (92,587) — sustained-write class-leading
- +Pro-tier controller and DRAM cache for sustained throughput
- −DRAM-less controllers on lower-tier variants may throttle under sustained writes
- −Pricing varies — confirm current retail before purchase
FAQ: PNY CS3250 1TB SSD vs KIOXIA-EXCERIA PRO G2 SSD
Which is better, PNY CS3250 1TB SSD or KIOXIA-EXCERIA PRO G2 SSD? +
PNY CS3250 1TB SSD scores 88 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 1. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is PNY CS3250 1TB SSD worth the price? +
At $125, PNY CS3250 1TB SSD delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in passmark_disk.
Is KIOXIA-EXCERIA PRO G2 SSD worth the price? +
At $200, KIOXIA-EXCERIA PRO G2 SSD delivers a Specdex score of 87 — strongest in passmark_disk.
Does PNY CS3250 1TB SSD or KIOXIA-EXCERIA PRO G2 SSD last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is the better value, PNY CS3250 1TB SSD or KIOXIA-EXCERIA PRO G2 SSD? +
PNY CS3250 1TB SSD — more score per dollar ($125 vs $200). Specdex score per dollar at MSRP.