# Gigabyte M30 1TB — Fast PCIe 3.0 NVMe with Large Capacity (2026)

The Gigabyte M30 1TB is the larger-capacity variant of Gigabyte's PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD, offering double the storage with matching performance and higher endurance.

Quick answer: The Gigabyte M30 1TB is a strong mid-range PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD that saturates the interface with 3,500/3,000 MB/s speeds and backs it with a generous 5-year warranty and 650 TBW endurance. The 1TB capacity is practical for gamers and content creators who need ample fast storage. Gigabyte's limited track record in the SSD market is the main caveat. If you can find the M30 at a competitive price, it's a compelling alternative to the WD Black SN750 and Kingston KC2500.

## Specifications

| Specification | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 1 TB |
| Interface | M.2 3.0 x 4 |
| Controller | Silicon Motion SM2262EN |
| Memory type | 3D TLC |
| DRAM cache | 2GB DDR3l and SLC caching |
| Sequential read | 3500 MB/s |
| Sequential write | 3000 MB/s |
| Random read IOPS | 308000 |
| Random write IOPS | 332000 |
| Endurance | 650 TBW |
| MTBF | 2 |
| Warranty | 5 years |

## Performance

The Gigabyte M30 1TB is rated at up to 3,500 MB/s sequential reads and 3,000 MB/s writes. At 3,500 MB/s, the drive essentially saturates the PCIe 3.0 x4 interface — this is about as fast as a PCIe 3.0 drive can go. The 3,000 MB/s write speed is equally impressive and matches the 512GB model, indicating the controller handles both capacities well.

Random read and write IOPS are strong, though specific figures for the 1TB variant aren't separately listed from the 512GB's 308K/332K. The presence of DDR3L DRAM cache is a key factor — it maintains the flash translation layer in fast memory, reducing latency on random reads and writes. In real-world use, this translates to snappy OS responsiveness, fast application launches, and quick game loading.

The SLC cache on a 1TB drive will be generous — likely 100-200 GB or more depending on free space — meaning the M30 will sustain its advertised write speeds for extended periods. This makes the 1TB variant particularly well-suited for video editing workflows, large game libraries, and content creation tasks. Only sustained writes exceeding the SLC cache size would drop to direct TLC write speeds. Independent reviews of the M30 are limited, but the advertised speeds place it competitively against the WD Black SN750 and Kingston KC2500.

## Endurance, TBW & Warranty

The Gigabyte M30 carries a 5-year warranty — matching mainstream competitors like the WD Black SN750 and Samsung 970 EVO. The endurance rating is 650 TBW on the 1TB model, nearly double the 512GB's 350 TBW. For context, the WD Black SN750 1TB carries 600 TBW, and the Samsung 970 EVO 1TB carries 600 TBW as well. The M30's 650 TBW is slightly above these competitors. At typical consumer write loads of 20-50 GB per day, the 650 TBW rating equates to roughly 36-89 years of usage before hitting the endurance limit — well beyond the 5-year warranty period.

## Pros and Cons

**Pros:**

- 3,500 MB/s reads saturates PCIe 3.0 x4 interface
- DRAM cache for consistent random I/O performance
- 650 TBW endurance with 5-year warranty
- 1TB capacity practical for full system builds
- 3D TLC NAND (more durable than QLC)
**Cons:**

- Controller not disclosed by Gigabyte
- Limited SSD track record from Gigabyte
- Scarce independent reviews available
- PCIe 3.0 — outpaced by PCIe 4.0 alternatives
- No included heatsink for sustained workloads


## Verdict

The Gigabyte M30 1TB is a strong mid-range PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD that saturates the interface with 3,500/3,000 MB/s speeds and backs it with a generous 5-year warranty and 650 TBW endurance. The 1TB capacity is practical for gamers and content creators who need ample fast storage. Gigabyte's limited track record in the SSD market is the main caveat. If you can find the M30 at a competitive price, it's a compelling alternative to the WD Black SN750 and Kingston KC2500.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is the Gigabyte M30 1TB good for gaming?

The Gigabyte M30 1TB is excellent for gaming with 3,500 MB/s reads and DRAM cache that deliver fast, consistent game load times. The 1TB capacity fits the OS and a large game library simultaneously. For most gamers, this drive provides more than enough space and performance. However, PCIe 4.0 alternatives like the WD Black SN850X offer faster load times at similar prices.

### Does the Gigabyte M30 1TB have a DRAM cache?

Yes, the Gigabyte M30 1TB includes DDR3L DRAM cache. This is a significant advantage over DRAM-less designs like the WD Blue SN550 or Kingston NV2, as a DRAM cache maintains more consistent performance under mixed workloads and improves random I/O responsiveness. The exact DRAM size for the 1TB variant is not disclosed, but the 512GB model carries 256MB, so the 1TB likely has 512MB or more.

### What is the TBW endurance of the Gigabyte M30 1TB?

The Gigabyte M30 1TB is rated at 650 TBW (terabytes written) with a 5-year warranty, whichever comes first. This is slightly above competitors like the WD Black SN750 1TB (600 TBW) and Samsung 970 EVO 1TB (600 TBW). At typical consumer write loads of 20-50 GB per day, the 650 TBW rating equates to roughly 36-89 years of usage before hitting the endurance limit, well beyond the 5-year warranty period.

### What controller does the Gigabyte M30 use?

Gigabyte does not disclose the specific controller used in the M30. This is common for first-party branded drives that source from OEM suppliers. Based on the performance characteristics — 3,500/3,000 MB/s speeds and DRAM cache — the M30 likely uses a mid-range Silicon Motion or Phison controller from the PCIe 3.0 era. The undisclosed controller is a minor concern given the strong advertised performance and 5-year warranty.

### Does the Gigabyte M30 need a heatsink?

The Gigabyte M30 does not ship with a heatsink. As a high-performance PCIe 3.0 drive pushing near the interface ceiling, it may generate moderate heat under sustained loads. For typical consumer use, passive airflow from your case is sufficient. If your motherboard includes an M.2 heatsink, the M30 will fit under it. For sustained write workloads, a heatsink helps maintain consistent performance by preventing thermal throttling.

### Is the Gigabyte M30 1TB compatible with PS5?

No, the Gigabyte M30 1TB is not suitable for the PS5. Sony requires a PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD with sequential read speeds of at least 5,500 MB/s for PS5 storage expansion. The M30 is a PCIe 3.0 drive rated at 3,500 MB/s reads, well below Sony's threshold. For PS5 upgrades, look at PCIe 4.0 drives like the WD Black SN850X, Samsung 980 PRO, or Seagate FireCuda 530.

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Last updated: 2026-05-23. Source: https://ssdrive.net/gigabyte-m30-1-tb