# Kingmax PX3480 512GB — Mid-Range PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD (2026)

The Kingmax PX3480 512GB is the middle capacity in Kingmax's Zeus Dragon PCIe 3.0 NVMe lineup, pairing the Phison E12S controller with Toshiba 64-layer TLC NAND and a Nanya DDR3 DRAM cache.

Quick answer: The Kingmax PX3480 512GB is the best variant in the PX3480 lineup, offering full-rated write performance and a single-sided PCB at a competitive price. It is a solid choice for budget builders who want a DRAM-cached NVMe boot drive with decent capacity. The 3-year warranty is the main drawback — the WD Black SN750 500GB and Samsung 970 EVO Plus 500GB offer similar performance with 5-year warranties. Buy the PX3480 512GB if it's priced noticeably below those alternatives.

## Specifications

| Specification | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 512 GB |
| Interface | M.2 3.0 x 4 |
| Controller | Phison PS5012-E12-27 |
| Memory type | Toshiba TLC |
| DRAM cache | Nanya 256 - 1GB DDR3 |
| Sequential read | 3400 MB/s |
| Sequential write | 3000 MB/s |
| Random read IOPS | 550000 |
| Random write IOPS | 550000 |
| Endurance | 400 TBW |
| MTBF | 2 |
| Warranty | 3 years |

## Performance

Kingmax rates the PX3480 512GB at up to 3,400 MB/s sequential reads and 3,000 MB/s sequential writes. At the 512GB capacity, the Phison E12S controller has enough NAND parallelism to sustain its rated write speed — unlike the 256GB model, which drops to roughly 1,000 MB/s writes under sustained loads. This makes the 512GB variant a meaningfully better performer for large file transfers, game installations, and content creation workloads.

Random 4K performance is competitive with other E12-based drives. The DRAM cache ensures low-latency random reads, making the drive responsive for OS boot, application launches, and game loading. The SLC cache absorbs burst writes effectively, and at 512GB there is more cache headroom than the 256GB model.

The Phison E12S controller runs at up to 675 MHz and supports hardware ECC, wear leveling, and bad block management. Power consumption is modest for a PCIe 3.0 x4 drive, and the single-sided PCB helps with thermal dissipation in tight spaces.

## Endurance, TBW & Warranty

Kingmax backs the PX3480 with a 3-year limited warranty and a 2 million hour MTBF rating. The 3-year warranty is shorter than the 5-year standard from most competitors. The PX3480 does not have a published TBW endurance rating, making it difficult to compare long-term durability. For typical consumer use, the 3-year warranty period is the practical limiting factor.

## Pros and Cons

**Pros:**

- 3,400 MB/s reads and 3,000 MB/s writes at 512GB
- Phison E12S controller with DRAM cache
- Single-sided PCB fits ultrabooks
- Toshiba 64-layer TLC NAND
**Cons:**

- 3-year warranty vs 5 years from competitors
- No published TBW endurance rating
- Limited regional availability
- NVMe 1.2 protocol


## Verdict

The Kingmax PX3480 512GB is the best variant in the PX3480 lineup, offering full-rated write performance and a single-sided PCB at a competitive price. It is a solid choice for budget builders who want a DRAM-cached NVMe boot drive with decent capacity. The 3-year warranty is the main drawback — the WD Black SN750 500GB and Samsung 970 EVO Plus 500GB offer similar performance with 5-year warranties. Buy the PX3480 512GB if it's priced noticeably below those alternatives.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Does the Kingmax PX3480 512GB have DRAM?

Yes. The PX3480 512GB includes a Nanya DDR3 DRAM cache for FTL mapping table storage. This dedicated cache improves random access performance and consistency compared to DRAM-less HMB designs.

### Is the Kingmax PX3480 512GB good for gaming?

Yes. With 3,400 MB/s reads and 3,000 MB/s writes, game load times and installs are fast. The 512GB capacity holds roughly 10 to 15 AAA games. The DRAM cache ensures consistent performance during game installs and updates.

### Is the PX3480 512GB single-sided or double-sided?

The PX3480 512GB is single-sided, with all components on one side of the PCB. This makes it compatible with ultrabooks and compact systems that only accept single-sided M.2 drives.

### How does the PX3480 512GB compare to the Samsung 970 EVO Plus 500GB?

The Samsung 970 EVO Plus 500GB offers similar sequential performance but with a 5-year warranty and 600 TBW endurance rating versus the PX3480's 3-year warranty and no published TBW. Samsung also provides Magician software for drive management. The PX3480 is typically cheaper, but the Samsung is the safer long-term investment.

### What is the TBW endurance of the PX3480 512GB?

Kingmax does not publish a TBW endurance rating for the PX3480 series. The drive is backed by a 3-year warranty. Without a TBW figure, it is difficult to assess long-term durability compared to competitors with explicit ratings.

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Last updated: 2026-05-23. Source: https://ssdrive.net/kingmax-px3480-512-gb