PNY Technologies has announced the CS3250, a new M.2 NVMe solid-state drive utilizing the PCIe 5.0 interface, with sequential read speeds of up to 14,900 MB/s and write speeds reaching 14,000 MB/s on the 2TB model. The drive launched on October 28, 2025, with 1TB and 2TB capacities available immediately. A 4TB version is planned for future release.
Performance and Specifications
| Specification | 1TB Model | 2TB Model | 4TB Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interface | PCIe 5.0 x4 | PCIe 5.0 x4 | PCIe 5.0 x4 |
| Form Factor | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 | M.2 2280 |
| Sequential Read Speed | Up to 14,900 MB/s | Up to 14,900 MB/s | N/A |
| Sequential Write Speed | Up to 13,500 MB/s | Up to 14,000 MB/s | N/A |
| NAND Type | BiCS8 218L (unconfirmed) | BiCS8 218L (unconfirmed) | BiCS8 218L (unconfirmed) |
| Controller | Phison E28 (unconfirmed) | Phison E28 (unconfirmed) | Phison E28 (unconfirmed) |
| DRAM Cache | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| TBW Endurance | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Warranty | 5-year limited | 5-year limited | 5-year limited |
| Launch Price | $125.99 | $219.99 | Not announced |
| Availability | October 28, 2025 | October 28, 2025 | Coming soon |
As a PCIe 5.0 x4 SSD, the CS3250 offers a significant performance increase over leading PCIe 4.0 drives, which typically max out around 7,500 MB/s. The 1TB model has a slightly lower maximum write speed of 13,500 MB/s compared to the 2TB variant’s 14,000 MB/s, while both models share the same 14,900 MB/s read speed rating.
The drive comes in the standard M.2 2280 form factor and – based on its similarity with the recently announced Team Group T-Force Z54E – likely uses Phison’s E28 controller paired with BiCS8 218-layer TLC NAND flash, though PNY has not officially confirmed these components. This would make the CS3250 among the first retail PCIe 5.0 drives using the Phison E28 controller to reach the market, as the TeamGroup Z54E is not yet widely available.
PNY includes a “thermal-coated” controller designed to manage heat output and maintain performance during sustained workloads. At $125.99 for 1TB and $219.99 for 2TB, the CS3250 enters the market at approximately 13 cents per gigabyte and 11 cents per gigabyte respectively. This pricing positions it competitively within the PCIe 5.0 segment, which remains at a hefty premium compared to most PCIe 4.0 alternatives. However, more affordable PCIe Gen5 SSDs are also starting to arrive, such as the TeamGroup NV10000.
PNY markets the CS3250 toward AI developers, content creators, gamers, and performance-oriented professionals. The company specifically highlights applications including AI image generation, AAA gaming titles, 4K and 8K video editing, 3D rendering, and machine learning workloads. The drive’s high sequential speeds are particularly beneficial for applications involving large file transfers.
For gaming, PNY emphasizes faster load times and improved performance in titles that use dynamic world streaming, where assets are loaded on-demand during gameplay. Of course, the drive’s full performance potential requires a motherboard with PCIe 5.0 support, which remains primarily available on newer platforms.
Several technical specifications remain undisclosed by PNY, including random read/write IOPS performance, specific TBW endurance ratings, the exact NAND flash configuration, and DRAM cache specifications. The absence of official TBW ratings is notable, as this metric helps users understand drive longevity under write-intensive workloads. PNY’s warranty documentation refers users to visit their website for complete details, though comprehensive endurance specifications were not available on the product pages at the time of this writing.
The 1TB and 2TB models of the CS3250 are available now through PNY’s website and Amazon. PNY has confirmed that a 4TB version is in development but has not provided a specific release date.
Conclusion
The PNY CS3250 represents a competitive entry in the PCIe 5.0 SSD market, offering performance that substantially exceeds PCIe 4.0 drives at pricing that is accessible relative to other Gen5 options. The drive appears well-suited for users with compatible hardware who require high sequential transfer speeds for professional or enthusiast applications. However, potential buyers should be aware that some technical specifications remain unconfirmed, and the drive’s full performance requires both a PCIe 5.0-capable motherboard and adequate thermal management.