by 195 reviews.
Kingston 480GB A400 SATA 3 2.5" Internal SSD Review: A Budget-Friendly Performance Booster
If you’re looking to breathe new life into an aging computer or simply want to upgrade your system’s performance, the Kingston 480GB A400 SATA 3 2.5" Internal SSD (Model: SA400S37/480G) is a solid choice. This SSD promises faster boot times, quicker file transfers, and enhanced durability compared to traditional hard drives. With read speeds of up to 500MB/s and write speeds of up to 450MB/s, it’s designed to deliver a noticeable performance boost for everyday computing, gaming, and professional tasks.
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 Performance
One of the standout features of the Kingston A400 SSD is its speed. Customers rave about how it transforms their systems, making boot times nearly instantaneous and significantly speeding up file transfers. One reviewer noted, “Booting up my system now takes seconds, and file transfers are incredibly quick, saving me tons of time on everyday tasks.”
The advertised read and write speeds hold up in real-world usage, making it a reliable choice for users who want to upgrade from a traditional HDD.
2. Compact and Versatile Design
The 7mm form factor makes this SSD ideal for slim notebooks and systems with limited space. A customer shared, “I installed it in a smaller laptop, and the process was seamless—no more worrying about finding the right-sized drive.” Its compact size and lightweight design make it a versatile option for a wide range of devices.
3. Reliability and Durability
Unlike traditional hard drives with moving parts, the Kingston A400 SSD is built with Flash memory, making it more resistant to shock and vibration. This durability is a major selling point for users who need a reliable storage solution. One reviewer mentioned, “It has been running smoothly in a range of temperatures without any hiccups.”
4. Ample Storage Capacity
With 480GB of storage, this SSD strikes a balance between affordability and capacity. It’s perfect for storing applications, files, and multimedia without breaking the bank. A customer shared, “The 480GB capacity is a sweet spot for most users, offering enough space for applications, files, and even as a primary drive replacement.”
5. Easy Installation
Even for novice users, installing the Kingston A400 SSD is a breeze. One reviewer said, “Very easy install, even for a novice.” Whether you’re upgrading a desktop or a laptop, the straightforward installation process ensures a hassle-free experience.
Cons: Areas for Improvement
1. Lack of DRAM Cache
While the Kingston A400 SSD performs well for everyday tasks, it lacks a DRAM cache, which is found in higher-end SSDs. This omission can lead to slower performance under heavy workloads and may reduce the drive’s longevity over time. One reviewer explained, “Better SSDs have a small chunk of DRAM to run file location functions while operating. This SSD does that directly on the flash storage, which is slower and can wear out the memory.”
2. Heat Generation Under Heavy Use
Some users have reported that the SSD tends to get warm during extended periods of heavy use. While this isn’t a dealbreaker, it’s something to keep in mind if you plan to use the drive for intensive tasks like gaming or video editing.
3. Not Ideal for High-Intensity Workloads
The Kingston A400 SSD is best suited for general computing, backups, and light gaming. It may not be the best choice for high-intensity workloads or professional use. As one reviewer pointed out, “It’s perfectly fine for backups and transfers, but not a great choice for an internal drive in a high-use machine.”
Real-World Use Cases
Reviving an Old Laptop
One customer installed the Kingston A400 SSD in a 22-year-old laptop and was amazed by the results. “It’s like a whole new machine! Boot times are crazy fast now, and apps pop open in a blink.” While the installation took several hours, the performance boost was well worth the wait.
Budget-Friendly Upgrade
For users on a tight budget, this SSD offers excellent value. A reviewer shared, “Best $20 I’ve spent in a while. It’s not the fastest or most durable, but it’s cheap and reliable.” If you’re looking for an affordable way to upgrade an older system, the Kingston A400 SSD is a solid choice.
Final Verdict
The Kingston 480GB A400 SATA 3 2.5" Internal SSD is a budget-friendly, reliable, and fast storage solution for users looking to upgrade from traditional hard drives. Its compact design, ample storage capacity, and ease of installation make it a versatile choice for a wide range of applications.
However, it’s not without its limitations. The lack of a DRAM cache and its tendency to warm up under heavy use may deter users with more demanding workloads. For general computing, backups, and light gaming, though, it’s an excellent option.
If you’re looking to breathe new life into an older system or simply want a faster, more reliable storage solution, the Kingston A400 SSD is a no-brainer. Just keep in mind its limitations if you plan to use it for high-intensity tasks.
Rating: 4.5/5
Specification Kingston 480GB A400 SATA 3 2.5" Internal SSD SA400S37/480G - HDD Replacement for Increase Performance:
Comments from Amazon:
Some may say that the case seems lightweight, but modern materials are *made to be just as strong while being thiner and lighter weight, so don't let that deter you! I have been using, upgrading and repairing my own computers (as well as those of friends and family) since 1980 - and I am very picky about how I spend my money. I choose this SSD for it's relative speed, which is on par with everything else except the most expensive "cutting edge" models, as it went into a machine that is just a daily driver, not something I am expecting to be the worlds fastest. I also choose it because, even though it's being used for general day to day computing, I can not stand failures due to sub-standard hardware, and Kingston's products are very reliable! Kingston's length of warrany on this SSD bears this out. I bought this a few months ago, and it has not given me any trouble at all. It is very fast (especially compared to even the fastest mechamical hard disks). Very easy install, even for a novice. Great Warranty. I guess it would be better if it also cleaned the bath tub for me, but I suppose that would be asking a bit much, because most people don't enjoy clraning the tub, so it's safe to assume SSD's find it every bit as much of a pain in the back, right? Thanks for reading my review. I hope you find it helpful, and maybe it even made you smile!
great affordable storage the casing is durable and the performance is great for modern gaming
This SSD drive was installed on a 22-year-old laptop running a Celeron processor. It did take quite a bit of time for the installation to complete. I'm not sure why. Approximately 6 hours later when I looked at the computer in the middle of the night it was all done! Everything worked smooth from that moment forward it reads and writes very fast. Good so far!
It's not the fastest or most durable, but it's cheap. Better SSDs have a small chunk of DRAM to run file location functions while operating. DRAM is faster temporary memory which can handle loads of read/writes without wearing out. This SSD does that directly on the flash storage. It's a cheaper way to build a drive, but slower and can wear out the memory just like if you re-wrote files constantly. It actually works out OK, but not a great choice for an internal drive in a high-use machine (especially a mini server). It's worth buying something better for machines you really care about long term. However, it's perfectly fine for backups and transfers. And plenty reliable if you want to turn an older laptop into a travel device or terminal. Check specs and tests if you do look for something better, rather than comparing star ratings directly. Most people probably buy this for the low-intensity purposes I suggested, so it gets rated appropriately high. Good SSDs made for harder professional use will have similar overall ratings after being subjected to much harsher use than a backup drive which spends most of its life powered off.
Product shipped fast. Nothing fancy. Just a sata ssd. Installed and ran perfectly on an older desktop computer that had noisy and SLOW hard drives. Migrated the operating system with DiskGenius in 10 minutes and everything worked super. Best $20 I've spent in a while.
I slapped the Kingston 480GB A400 SSD into my old laptop, and wow, it’s like a whole new machine! Boot times are crazy fast now, and apps pop open in a blink. The 2.5" SATA 3 vibes at 500MB/s read and 450MB/s write—way snappier than my sluggish HDD. It’s tough too, no moving parts to bust. Plenty of room for games and files with 480GB. Only nitpick? It gets a little warm after heavy use, but nothing wild. If you wanna juice up an aging rig on the cheap, this SSD’s a no-brainer!
The A400 SSD has been a phenomenal upgrade for my system! Its performance and features make it a clear winner for anyone looking to enhance their computer’s speed and efficiency. Fast Start-Up and File Transfers: This SSD delivers exactly as advertised. Booting up my system now takes seconds, and file transfers are incredibly quick, saving me tons of time on everyday tasks. The advertised read speeds of 500MB/s and write speeds of 450MB/s hold up in real-world use, providing a noticeable performance boost. Compact Form Factor: At just 7mm thick, it’s a perfect fit for slim notebooks or systems with limited space. I installed it in a smaller laptop, and the process was seamless—no more worrying about finding the right-sized drive. Reliable and Durable: Unlike traditional hard drives, this SSD is far more reliable. I don’t have to worry about moving parts failing, and it performs consistently even under heavy usage. It has been running smoothly in a range of temperatures without any hiccups. Ample Storage: The 480GB capacity is a sweet spot for most users, offering enough space for applications, files, and even as a primary drive replacement. If you’re looking for an SSD to breathe new life into an older system or improve your current setup’s performance, the A400 is an excellent choice. It’s reliable, fast, and perfect for a wide range of applications. Highly recommend!