Samsung 960 Evo 250 GB M.2-2280
Samsung
Storage

Samsung 960 Evo 250 GB M.2-2280

Key Features

3D V-NAND TLC TurboWrite AES 256-bit Encryption
MSRP: $88
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Technical Specifications

Manufacturer
Samsung
MSRP
$88
Type
SSD
Form Factor
M.2 2280
Interface
PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe
Capacity
250 GB
Read Speed
3200 MB/s
Write Speed
1500 MB/s
Cache
512 MB
Nvme
Yes

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • SSD technology delivers significant speed improvement over traditional HDDs
  • NVMe interface provides excellent performance for daily use (3K MB/s read)
  • Compact 250 GB ideal for specialized applications
  • Mainstream performance provides good daily performance (3K MB/s)
  • M.2 form factor eliminates cables and saves space
  • Perfect for compact builds and laptop upgrades
  • Samsung leader in SSD technology with excellent software suite
  • Hardware encryption provides data security

Cons

  • PCIe 3.0 interface may not fully utilize modern system capabilities
  • Limited capacity restricts game library size
  • May require frequent game uninstalling/reinstalling
  • Small SSD capacity limits its effectiveness as primary drive

Community Insights

  • Users frequently praise the 960 Evo 250GB for delivering a significant performance improvement compared to traditional SATA SSDs and HDDs. It’s widely recommended as an affordable entry point for NVMe storage, especially for users looking to upgrade older desktops or laptops.
  • A recurring discussion topic is the drive’s relatively small 250GB capacity. Many users note that while it’s great for use as a boot drive, it quickly fills up with modern OS installations, updates, and a few large applications or games. It’s often suggested as an OS-only or light-use drive rather than for storing large files or game libraries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Samsung 960 Evo 250GB compatible with my system?
The 960 Evo uses the M.2 2280 form factor and PCIe Gen3 x4 NVMe interface. It’s compatible with most modern motherboards and laptops that have an M.2 slot supporting PCIe NVMe SSDs. Always check your system’s specifications to confirm compatibility before purchasing.
Does the Samsung 960 Evo 250GB come with software for migration and management?
Yes, Samsung provides its Data Migration tool for easy cloning of your current drive, along with Samsung Magician software for firmware updates, performance monitoring, and drive management. These tools are frequently highlighted as helpful by users in the community.

Performance Guide & Use Cases

Best For
OS boot drive and critical applications (250 GB)
Cache drive for hybrid storage setups (250 GB)
Fast boot times and application loading (NVMe)
Mainstream gaming and general use (3K MB/s)
Compact builds and laptop upgrades (M.2 form factor)
Clean cable management and space-efficient builds
Potential Bottlenecks
Limited storage capacity may require frequent cleanup and management (250 GB)
Insufficient space for large game libraries (250 GB)
PCIe 3.0 interface may bottleneck on newer systems with PCIe 4.0+ support (PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe)
Requires M.2 slot support and may limit older system compatibility
Overkill Scenarios
Legacy system upgrades
Basic file storage and archival needs
Avoid For
Primary storage for modern gaming systems (250 GB capacity)
Content creation with large file requirements
Latest generation builds with PCIe 4.0+ requirements (PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe interface)
Older systems without M.2 slot support (M.2 2280 form factor)
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