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Patriot Burst Elite 120GB Internal SSD Review: A Budget-Friendly Upgrade for Older Systems
If you’re looking to breathe new life into an older computer or need a budget-friendly storage solution, the Patriot Burst Elite 120GB Internal SSD might be just what you need. This 2.5-inch SATA III solid-state drive offers a 120GB storage capacity, making it ideal for faster boot times, improved system responsiveness, and quick file transfers. With features like dynamic and static wear leveling, low power management, and a 3-year warranty, it’s a solid choice for casual users or those on a tight budget.
But is it worth your money? Let’s dive into the pros and cons based on real customer experiences.
Pros and Cons of the Patriot Burst Elite 120GB SSD
1. Performance: Good for Older Systems, Limited for Modern Gaming
The Patriot Burst Elite SSD shines when used in older systems or as a boot drive for operating systems. Customers have praised its ability to revive aging laptops and desktops, replacing sluggish hard drives with faster, more reliable storage. One reviewer mentioned using it in a 2011 HP laptop, where it worked flawlessly and significantly improved performance.
However, for modern gaming rigs, this SSD falls short. With a small 120GB capacity and a SATA III interface, it’s not ideal for storing large games or handling demanding applications. As one user pointed out, “If you’re building a gaming rig in 2025, you probably won’t want this one.”
2. Durability and Reliability: Solid for Casual Use
The Patriot Burst Elite SSD is designed with wear leveling technology and bad block management, which help extend its lifespan. Many users have reported no issues with durability, even after months of use. One customer used it in a NAS (Network Attached Storage) setup and noted that it allowed them to access remote files faster than local ones.
That said, some users have encountered quirks when using this drive in specialized setups. For example, a TrueNAS user reported that the drive doesn’t report correctly to smartmontools, causing issues with monitoring tools. This makes it less suitable for advanced applications but perfectly fine for casual use.
3. Compatibility: Works Well with Older SATA Ports
One of the standout features of this SSD is its compatibility with older SATA II ports. While the drive is designed for SATA III, it performs well on older systems, albeit at reduced speeds. A reviewer tested it on a machine with SATA II ports and confirmed that it worked fine, though the data transfer rate was limited by the older bus.
This makes the Patriot Burst Elite a great option for retro computers or systems that still rely on SATA II. Some users have even paired it with IDE to SATA adapters to upgrade vintage machines, avoiding the hassle of dealing with used hard disks.
4. Value for Money: Affordable but Limited
At its price point, the Patriot Burst Elite 120GB SSD is a budget-friendly option for those looking to upgrade their storage without breaking the bank. Many users appreciate its affordability, especially when compared to premium brands like Samsung.
However, the small storage capacity and SATA III limitations mean it’s not the best choice for everyone. As one reviewer noted, “You won’t hate it if you don’t know the difference, but if you know what you’re buying, you probably won’t want this one.”
Conclusion: Is the Patriot Burst Elite 120GB SSD Worth It?
The Patriot Burst Elite 120GB Internal SSD is a solid choice for budget-conscious users looking to upgrade older systems or use it as a boot drive. Its compatibility with SATA II ports, wear leveling technology, and affordable price make it a practical option for casual users and retro computing enthusiasts.
However, its limited storage capacity and SATA III interface make it less suitable for modern gaming rigs or advanced applications. If you’re looking for a high-performance SSD for gaming or heavy multitasking, you might want to consider a more premium option.
Final Verdict:
- Great for: Older systems, boot drives, retro computers, and budget upgrades.
- Not ideal for: Modern gaming rigs, large storage needs, or advanced NAS setups.
If you’re on a tight budget and need a reliable SSD for basic tasks, the Patriot Burst Elite 120GB SSD is a worthy investment. But for more demanding use cases, you might want to explore other options.
Specification Patriot Burst Elite 120GB Internal SSD - SATA 3 2.5" - Solid State Drive - PBE120GS25SSDR:
Comments from Amazon:
Didn’t want to go with name brands that are good quality, just wanted a cheap 2.5 ssd to make a work computer work faster. You won’t hate it if you don’t know the difference, but if you know what you are buying, you probably won’t want this one. For the cheapest ssd on Amazon, it’s.. fine
I don't know how likely it is in 2025 that anyone is going to put this in a current gaming rig given the small capacity and SATA interface, but I find them very useful for retro computers, sometimes with an IDE to SATA adapter. Much easier than messing around with used hard disks, and the performance is much better as well. Of course, if you are on a tight budget, this could work in your gaming rig as your operating system (Windows) boot drive to offer some performance increase while retaining your existing hard disks for games. I'd probably suggest going to 240GB for that though. Giving extra life to older computers is a good use - maybe you are fixing up a friend or relative's system that has a SATA hard drive in it still.
I'm using this in a NAS and I can now access my remote files faster than I can my local files! For an OS, this drive was snappy but not as good as a Samsung SATA SSD. Its random read rate isn't as good, but it can read sequential files very fast. This is a SATA 3 SSD. I have tested this on an older machine and does work fine with SATA 2 ports. However, the data transfer rate is limited to that of the older SATA 2 bus. If you aren't getting full speed on your data transfer, your computer or adapter might have an older SATA bus. I would buy it again.
Replaced a 2011 p[latter based HDD in an HP lapto-works great!
I use it for easy data transfer and/or flashing an OS Raspberry Pi 5
I bought a pair of these 120gb drives to use as a TrueNAS Scale mirrored boot pool. No issues with the install or booting! In terms of using them for that purpose, they don't seem to want to report correctly to smartmontools. Because of that, TrueNAS reports that these drives are running 20 offline self-tests at once! You can force a test using the command-line and it will complete but it will go right back to showing 20 self-tests running at once. Kind of annoying since it breaks the multi-report script I'm running as a CRON job. I had to exclude them from being reported else I got a bunch of scripting errors each run. I'd advise against using these in pretty much anything but extra storage for a Windows install for that reason.
Bought this as a gift so the homie could fit Monster Hunter: World onto his PC. What can I say, I wasn't taking no for an answer.