by 195 reviews.
Kingston 960GB A400 SATA3 2.5" Internal SSD Review: A Budget-Friendly Performance Boost
If you’re looking to breathe new life into an aging computer or simply want to upgrade your system’s performance, the Kingston 960GB A400 SATA3 2.5" Internal SSD might be the perfect solution. With read speeds of up to 500MB/s and write speeds of 450MB/s, this SSD promises to deliver 10x faster performance compared to traditional hard drives. Designed for both desktops and notebooks, it’s a versatile and affordable option for anyone seeking a reliable storage upgrade.
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 consistently praise how it transforms their systems, making boot times nearly instantaneous and file transfers lightning-fast.
- “Booting up my system now takes seconds, and file transfers are incredibly quick, saving me tons of time on everyday tasks.”
- “It’s very fast, especially compared to even the fastest mechanical hard disks.”
Whether you’re using it for gaming, work, or general computing, the performance boost is undeniable.
2. Compact and Easy to Install
The 2.5-inch form factor and 7mm thickness make this SSD a perfect fit for slim notebooks and desktops. Customers appreciate how easy it is to install, even for beginners.
- “Very easy install, even for a novice.”
- “I installed it in a smaller laptop, and the process was seamless—no more worrying about finding the right-sized drive.”
3. Reliable and Durable
With no moving parts, the Kingston A400 SSD is more resistant to shock and vibration than traditional hard drives. Customers have noted its reliability, even under heavy usage.
- “It has been running smoothly in a range of temperatures without any hiccups.”
- “Unlike traditional hard drives, this SSD is far more reliable. I don’t have to worry about moving parts failing.”
4. Affordable Storage Solution
At 960GB, this SSD offers ample storage for applications, games, and files. Customers love the balance of performance and capacity at a budget-friendly price.
- “Great affordable storage. The casing is durable, and the performance is great for modern gaming.”
- “Best $20 I’ve spent in a while.”
Cons: Areas for Improvement
1. Limited Durability for High-Intensity Use
While the Kingston A400 SSD is reliable for everyday use, it may not be the best choice for high-intensity tasks like running a mini server or handling constant read/write operations.
- “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. This SSD does that directly on the flash storage, which can wear out the memory over time.”
2. Gets Warm Under Heavy Load
Some users have reported that the SSD tends to get warm after prolonged heavy usage. While this isn’t a dealbreaker, it’s something to keep in mind if you’re planning to push the drive to its limits.
- “It gets a little warm after heavy use, but nothing wild.”
3. Installation Time Can Vary
A few customers noted that the installation process took longer than expected, especially on older systems.
- “It did take quite a bit of time for the installation to complete. Approximately 6 hours later, it was all done!”
Final Verdict: Is the Kingston A400 SSD Worth It?
The Kingston 960GB A400 SATA3 2.5" Internal SSD is an excellent choice for anyone looking to upgrade their system’s performance without breaking the bank. Its fast speeds, compact design, and reliability make it a standout option for everyday use, gaming, and general computing.
However, it may not be the best fit for high-intensity tasks or long-term heavy usage due to its lack of DRAM and potential for wear over time. If you’re using it for backups, travel devices, or older laptops, it’s a fantastic value.
Who Should Buy It?
- Users with older systems looking for a performance boost.
- Gamers and general users who need fast, affordable storage.
- Anyone upgrading from a traditional HDD to an SSD for the first time.
Who Should Look Elsewhere?
- Professionals or power users who need a more durable SSD for high-intensity tasks.
- Those seeking cutting-edge performance with DRAM cache.
In conclusion, the Kingston A400 SSD delivers on its promise of speed, reliability, and affordability. While it has a few limitations, it’s a solid choice for most users. If you’re ready to upgrade your system, this SSD is a no-brainer!
Specification Kingston 960GB A400 SATA3 2.5" Internal SSD SA400S37/960G - 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!