Crucial P310 2280
High-Speed Gen4 Performance | Generous Storage Options | Power Efficiency
Introduction
The Crucial P310 2280 is a high-performance solid-state drive that brings Gen4 NVMe speeds to a wider audience. Launched in late 2024, this SSD aims to deliver impressive performance for gamers and content creators without breaking the bank.
Product Overview
The Crucial P310 is a PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD in the M.2 2280 form factor, designed to offer fast storage for desktop computers and laptops. It utilizes Micron's latest 232-layer 3D QLC NAND flash memory and a Phison E27T controller to achieve high speeds while maintaining power efficiency.
Key Features
High-Speed Gen4 Performance
The P310 delivers sequential read speeds up to 7,100 MB/s and write speeds up to 6,000 MB/s, providing rapid data access and transfer rates for demanding applications.
Capacious Storage Options
Available in capacities up to 2TB, the P310 offers ample space for large game libraries, 4K video projects, and extensive file collections.
Power Efficiency
Engineered with Micron's advanced 3D NAND technology, the P310 boasts up to 40% better performance-to-power ratio compared to previous generations, allowing for longer battery life in portable systems.
Performance Analysis
Sequential Speeds
The Crucial P310 excels in sequential performance, with read speeds reaching 7,100 MB/s and write speeds of 6,000 MB/s. These speeds represent a significant improvement over PCIe 3.0 SSDs and make the P310 competitive with other Gen4 drives in its class.
Random Performance
Random read and write performance is equally impressive, with the P310 capable of up to 1 million IOPS for random reads and 1.2 million IOPS for random writes. This translates to snappy system responsiveness and quick loading times for applications and games.
Thermal Management
While specific details on thermal management are limited, the P310's power-efficient design suggests good heat dissipation characteristics. A version with a heatsink is planned for release, which should further improve thermal performance, especially for sustained workloads and use in compact systems.
Compatibility
PlayStation 5
The Crucial P310 is compatible with the PlayStation 5, making it a suitable option for expanding the console's storage capacity. Its high speeds meet Sony's requirements for PS5 SSDs.
Steam Deck and Handheld PCs
While the M.2 2280 version is not compatible with the Steam Deck or most handheld PCs due to its size, Crucial offers a 2230 variant of the P310 specifically designed for these devices.
Raspberry Pi
The P310 M.2 2280 is not compatible with Raspberry Pi devices, which typically use different storage interfaces.
Advantages and Limitations
Strengths
High sequential read and write speeds
Competitive random performance
Good power efficiency
Available in capacities up to 2TB
5-year warranty
Constraints
QLC NAND may have lower endurance compared to TLC alternatives
Relatively high launch pricing
Performance may degrade when the SLC cache is full
No built-in hardware encryption
Conclusion
The Crucial P310 M.2 2280 SSD offers an attractive balance of performance and efficiency for users seeking a Gen4 NVMe drive. Its high speeds and capacity options make it suitable for gaming, content creation, and general productivity tasks. While the use of QLC NAND may raise some endurance concerns, the drive's overall performance and feature set make it a compelling option for those looking to upgrade their storage, especially if prices settle to more competitive levels over time.
Works Cited
Crucial. "Crucial P310 2280 Gen4 NVMe SSD." Crucial, www.crucial.com/ssd/p310/ct2000p310ssd8. Accessed 25 Feb. 2025.
Microcenter. "Crucial P310 2TB 232L Micron QLC NAND PCIe Gen 4 x4 NVMe M.2 Internal SSD." Microcenter, www.microcenter.com/product/685220/crucial-p310-2tb-232l-micron-qlc-nand-pcie-gen-4-x4-nvme-m2-internal-ssd. Accessed 25 Feb. 2025.
Shilov, Anton. "Crucial P310 NVMe SSD Unveiled: Micron's Play in the M.2 2230 Market." AnandTech, www.anandtech.com/show/21476/crucial-p310-nvme-ssd-unveiled-microns-play-in-the-m2-2230-market. Accessed 25 Feb. 2025.
Weech, Jonathan. "Micron Expands SSD Portfolio With New Crucial P310 2280 Gen 4 SSD." TechPowerUp, www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/micron-expands-ssd-portfolio-with-new-crucial-p310-2280-gen-4-ssd.326712/. Accessed 25 Feb. 2025.
