GameStop 2TB NVMe SSD Review: Budget PS5 Drive Performs Well
▼ Summary
– The GameStop NVMe SSD is a surprisingly capable and good-value budget drive with reliable performance and a PS5-compliant heatsink.
– It uses a standard Silicon Motion controller paired with high-quality Samsung flash memory, avoiding unusual or low-grade components.
– A notable drawback is the lack of published specifications for random performance, TBW endurance, and clear warranty details.
– The drive offers competitive pricing, especially at its 2TB and 4TB capacities, making it a strong deal among SSDs with heatsinks.
– It lacks official software support for management or firmware updates, requiring users to rely on third-party utilities.
The GameStop NVMe SSD presents a compelling budget storage upgrade for the PS5, a surprising but welcome entry from a retailer not typically associated with component manufacturing. This drive combines a capable heatsink with reliable internal hardware, offering strong performance at competitive price points. For users seeking to expand their console’s capacity without breaking the bank, this drive warrants serious consideration.
Available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities, the drive features a Silicon Motion SM2268XT2 controller paired with Samsung 236-layer TLC NAND flash. This hardware combination is proven in other value-oriented drives, providing a solid foundation. The included heatsink is PS5-compliant and can be removed for use in a laptop or desktop PC. Sequential performance is rated at up to 7,400 MB/s for reads and 6,400 MB/s for writes, figures that held up in testing.
Pricing is a key strength, particularly for the higher capacities. At the time of review, the 2TB model was priced at $237.49 and the 4TB at $427.49, undercutting much of the direct competition. The 1TB model, at $175.74, is positioned slightly above some rivals but includes the value of a pre-installed heatsink. The drive carries a standard five-year warranty, though official endurance ratings (TBW) are not published. This lack of detailed specification is the product’s main drawback, potentially giving pause to power users who plan intensive workstation tasks.
Internally, the design is straightforward and single-sided. The four-channel, DRAM-less controller utilizes Host Memory Buffer (HMB) technology, a common approach for cost-effective PCIe 4.0 SSDs. The use of Samsung flash is a positive sign for component quality. For the 2TB model, the flash utilizes 1Tb dies, which is an optimal configuration for the four-channel controller to achieve its peak performance potential.
The drive lacks dedicated software for management or firmware updates. Users must rely on third-party utilities like CrystalDiskInfo for health monitoring and tools like Clonezilla for data migration. This is typical for many OEM drives and is rarely a practical issue for most consumers, though enthusiasts who prioritize firmware control may want to look elsewhere.
In performance testing, the drive delivered consistent results without unexpected bottlenecks. It operates efficiently enough for use in a laptop without its heatsink, and the cooling solution proved adequate for sustained PS5 gameplay. It strikes a sensible balance between higher-end drives with dedicated DRAM and the most basic budget options.
Ultimately, the GameStop NVMe SSD is a reliable and cost-effective expansion solution. Its strongest use case is for PS5 owners or PC gamers seeking high-capacity storage on a tight budget. While the absence of published endurance specs is a minor concern, the use of quality components from Silicon Motion and Samsung provides confidence in its everyday reliability for gaming and general use.
(Source: Tom’s Hardware UK)