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INLAND TN320 256GB NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen3x4 2280 Internal SSD Review: A Budget-Friendly Speed Demon
If you're looking to upgrade your laptop or desktop storage without breaking the bank, the INLAND TN320 256GB NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen3x4 2280 Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) is a compelling option. With sequential read/write speeds of up to 2000MB/s and 1600MB/s, this SSD promises to deliver 5x the performance of traditional SATA III drives. Built with 3D NAND technology, it offers durability, stability, and a 6-year warranty, making it a reliable choice for gamers, professionals, and everyday users.
But does it live up to the hype? Let’s dive into the pros and cons based on real customer experiences.
Pros: What Customers Love
1. Blazing-Fast Speeds
One of the standout features of the INLAND TN320 is its speed. Customers consistently praise its performance, with many noting that it delivers on its promise of 2000MB/s read speeds. One user mentioned using it in their GPD Win Max and found the speeds to be on par with the advertised specifications. Another customer highlighted its ability to handle 1Gbps download speeds without breaking a sweat, making it ideal for gaming and large file transfers.
2. Affordable Price for NVMe Performance
The INLAND TN320 strikes a perfect balance between performance and affordability. Several reviewers appreciated that it was only $5 more expensive than non-NVMe drives, making it a no-brainer for those seeking faster speeds. One user even upgraded to the 1TB version for just $9 more, calling it "one of the best larger drives for the money on the market."
3. Easy Installation
For those who are new to hardware upgrades, the INLAND TN320 is surprisingly user-friendly. A self-proclaimed "primitive" user successfully installed it in their Omen 15 laptop by following a YouTube tutorial. They reported no issues with formatting or setup, and the drive worked flawlessly right out of the box.
4. Reliable and Durable
Many customers have used the INLAND TN320 for years without issues. One reviewer has had the 1TB model in their laptop for over 2 years and recently added a 2TB model for additional storage. They described the drive as fast, reliable, and trouble-free, making it a solid choice for long-term use.
5. Compact and Versatile
The M.2 2280 form factor makes this SSD compatible with a wide range of devices, from laptops to desktops. Its compact size and 1500G/0.5ms shock resistance ensure durability, even in portable setups.
Cons: Areas for Improvement
1. Not Ideal for External Enclosures
While the INLAND TN320 excels as an internal drive, it’s not recommended for use in external enclosures. One user pointed out that NVMe drives like this tend to get hot quickly, and the exposed components make them less suitable for external setups.
2. Low Endurance Rating for Heavy Use
The 200TBW (Terabytes Written) endurance rating is on the lower side for heavy workloads. A customer who used the drive in a Raid 0 array noted that while it performed well, they wouldn’t recommend it for users who frequently uninstall and reinstall large files, such as games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.
3. Packaging Issues
Some users found the packaging to be less than ideal. One reviewer described the sealed plastic as "terribly hard to cut open even with scissors." While this doesn’t affect the drive’s performance, it’s a minor inconvenience worth noting.
4. Potential for Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)
A few customers reported encountering blue screen of death (BSOD) issues after prolonged use. One user experienced this after 18 months of mild gaming and daily work. While they plan to activate the 6-year warranty, this highlights the importance of regular backups and monitoring for potential hardware conflicts.
Final Verdict: Is the INLAND TN320 Worth It?
The INLAND TN320 256GB NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen3x4 2280 SSD is an excellent choice for budget-conscious users seeking a significant performance boost. Its blazing-fast speeds, affordable price, and ease of installation make it a standout option for upgrading laptops and desktops.
However, it’s not without its drawbacks. The low endurance rating and potential for overheating in external enclosures may deter heavy users. Additionally, while most customers have had positive experiences, the occasional BSOD issue suggests that reliability may vary over time.
Who Should Buy It?
- Gamers looking for faster load times and smoother gameplay.
- Professionals needing reliable storage for work applications.
- Everyday users seeking a cost-effective upgrade for their system.
Who Should Avoid It?
- Heavy users who frequently write and rewrite large files.
- External storage enthusiasts planning to use it in an enclosure.
In conclusion, the INLAND TN320 offers exceptional value for its price, making it a top contender in the budget NVMe SSD market. If you’re looking for a fast, reliable, and affordable storage solution, this SSD is well worth considering.
Specification INLAND TN320 256GB NVMe M.2 PCIe Gen3x4 2280 Internal Solid State Drive SSD - Up to 2000 MB/s, 3D NAND, Storage and Memory for Laptop & PC Desktop:
Comments from Amazon:
It’s not the fastest or newest drive out there, but it’s a lot of storage and can write the data as fast as my 1gig connection can download a game. Honestly, one of the best larger drives for the money on the market. I’ve had the 1tb model in my laptop for over 2 years with never a problem, and now have added the 2tb model in as additional storage. Unless you really need the performance of the drives that are 2-6x as expensive, buy this and don’t think about it. Fast, reliable, and has never given me any issues.
I'm a bit primitive when it comes to hardware. So I was worried about installing this myself. I have an Omen 15 laptop. I followed the tutorial of a YouTube that recommended this for my laptop model. I followed the tutorial & it worked. Didn't even have to restart my laptop multiple times or anything. Got it formatted on my PC & now I can run games from it. Runs well. I have space to download games now & I don't have to worry about storage space.
I bought 2 of these for my system. Out of the box, they have zero technical defects and were immediately detected by my motherboard. They come with a 3-year warranty through Microcenter, and a 200TB endurance rating. This endurance rating is on the low side for drives this large (2TB), but that is a consideration to make when saving money. I probably wouldn't recommend them if you are the type to uninstall and reinstall COD:MW over and over again. I set these up through my motherboard (X570) as a Raid 0 array, and I use this a my primary boot drive. The process is not that straight forward, but works incredibly well (ATTO results pictured). I believe my motherboard splits lanes to one M.2 from the CPU, and the other from the chipset, so depending on your motherboard, you could probably see better results than mine. *I wouldn't recommend these as boot drives in this configuration if you're not the type to backup your data regularly*
Package is kind of bad. It's like the sealed plastic that's terribly hard to cut open even with scissors. Other than that no issues. Microcenter inland always reliable.
I did some further investigating, there was a photo editing software that I had downloaded and was using causing the computer to shut down. Most have been a driver/software conflict as my anti-virus program didn't pick up anything suspicious. Since Un-installing it, I've not had any issues. I bought this 1TB drive on Sept12, 2021. As of today, Mar4, 2023, I cannot keep the computer operational for more than an hour without getting a blue screen of death. The ad says there is a 6 year parts and labor warranty. I will be trying to reach out and activating this. I've even done a Windows reset to ensure there was not a software conflict. Until this past few weeks, it's worked great for the mild gaming and daily work I utilize this computer for.
I'm not a stranger to Inland's premium offerings. They provide excellent components at a nearly unbeatable price-point for people who need Samsung EVO-caliber performance on a budget. As you can see from my screenshot, this drive absolutely flies and is suitable for the majority of computing needs on a modern platform. I'm running this on a Ryzen 3700X on X570. $200 for a quality 2TB SSD is a pretty damn good deal. I've had this drive installed for a grand total of 3 hours, and besides cloning over my old drive, testing a few games, and running CrystalDiskMark. I haven't done much. I will be using this as a gaming, project, and Docker container drive. However, I'll go ahead and give this the benefit of the doubt since the boot SSD in my system is also an Inland Platinum and the past few years have been buttery smooth and lightning fast. I'll update this review if anything goes wrong.
Use this on my GPD Win Max to upgrade the standard SSD for more space while keeping at minimum of the same speeds. Worked like a charm and the speeds are on par with what's stated. As this was only about $5 difference from a non-nvme drive went ahead it paid a bit more just incase moved this to another system or those few scenarios that boost of speed would make a difference, I would not recommend these in enclosures as external HDD as these types of drives get hot fast as well as components are very exposed. Update: So this time decided to get the Inland Prime 1TB NVME PCIe for another notebook. And just with a $9 differnt in price it was so much worth it. Read speeds on par but Write over stated value which for my work is definitely wanted and needed.