# Kingmax PX4480 500GB — PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD Review (2026)

The Kingmax PX4480 500GB is the entry-level capacity of Kingmax's Phison E16-powered PCIe 4.0 lineup, offering decent read speeds but noticeably lower write performance than the 1TB and 2TB models.

Quick answer: The Kingmax PX4480 500GB is a budget PCIe 4.0 NVMe drive that makes sense only at a significant discount. The 3-year warranty and 2,500 MB/s write speed are the main drawbacks. For a similar price, the ADATA XPG Gammix S50 Lite 500GB offers a 5-year warranty and better write performance. If you're set on the PX4480, the 1TB model is a much better value with significantly higher write speeds.

## Specifications

| Specification | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 500 GB |
| Interface | M.2 4.0 x 4 |
| Controller | Phison PS5016-E16 |
| Memory type | 3D Nand |
| DRAM cache | DDR4 Cache |
| Sequential read | 5000 MB/s |
| Sequential write | 2500 MB/s |
| Random read IOPS | 500000 |
| Random write IOPS | 400000 |
| Endurance | 300 TBW |
| MTBF | 2 |
| Warranty | 3 years |

## Performance

The Kingmax PX4480 500GB is rated at up to 5,000 MB/s sequential reads and 2,500 MB/s sequential writes over PCIe 4.0 x4. Random 4K performance reaches up to 500,000 IOPS reads and 400,000 IOPS writes. Those sequential numbers put it at the lower end of the PCIe 4.0 spectrum — the Phison E16 reference design typically delivers closer to 5,000 MB/s reads, and the 500GB capacity here is the main bottleneck on writes.

The write speed gap between capacities is significant: the 1TB and 2TB PX4480 models achieve 4,300–4,400 MB/s writes, nearly double the 500GB variant. This is a common pattern with Phison E16 drives, where smaller capacities have fewer NAND packages to write to in parallel. For everyday use — OS boots, app launches, game loads — the difference is imperceptible. It only shows up during large sequential transfers.

The PX4480 uses an SLC caching layer for burst writes, which handles short spikes well. Once the cache exhausts, writes fall back to the direct-to-TLC speed of roughly 2,500 MB/s — adequate but not competitive with later PCIe 4.0 drives like the Samsung 980 Pro. The Phison E16 controller is known to run warm under sustained load; Kingmax applies a copper heat spreader label, but a motherboard M.2 heatsink is recommended for heavy workloads.

Compared to other first-gen PCIe 4.0 E16 drives like the Gigabyte Aorus Gen4 or the Corsair MP600, the PX4480 is competitively positioned on read speeds but lags on writes at this capacity. Independent reviews place it in the middle of the pack for real-world file copy and game install benchmarks.

## Endurance, TBW & Warranty

Kingmax backs the PX4480 500GB with a 3-year limited warranty and a 300 TBW endurance rating. The 3-year warranty is shorter than the 5-year standard offered by most competitors. At 30 GB of writes per day, the 300 TBW rating gives roughly 27 years of theoretical endurance.

## Pros and Cons

**Pros:**

- 5,000 MB/s reads — competitive Gen4 performance
- 300 TBW endurance
- Phison E16 controller with 3D TLC NAND
- AES 256-bit encryption support
**Cons:**

- 3-year warranty vs 5 years from competitors
- 2,500 MB/s writes — slowest in PX4480 lineup
- 500GB capacity is limiting for modern use


## Verdict

The Kingmax PX4480 500GB is a budget PCIe 4.0 NVMe drive that makes sense only at a significant discount. The 3-year warranty and 2,500 MB/s write speed are the main drawbacks. For a similar price, the ADATA XPG Gammix S50 Lite 500GB offers a 5-year warranty and better write performance. If you're set on the PX4480, the 1TB model is a much better value with significantly higher write speeds.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Does the Kingmax PX4480 have DRAM?

Yes. The PX4480 includes a DRAM cache for FTL mapping. The exact capacity is not publicly specified, but it is sufficient for maintaining consistent random I/O performance.

### Is the Kingmax PX4480 good for gaming?

It works as a boot drive, but the 2,500 MB/s write speed is lower than the 1TB and 2TB PX4480 models (4,300–4,400 MB/s). Game loads are fine, but game installs and updates will be slower. For a similar price, the ADATA S50 Lite offers better write performance.

### What is the TBW endurance of the PX4480 500GB?

Kingmax rates the PX4480 500GB at 300 TBW. The 1TB model is rated at 600 TBW and the 2TB at 1,200 TBW.

### Is the Kingmax PX4480 compatible with the PS5?

The PX4480 meets Sony's PCIe 4.0 x4 requirement and its 5,000 MB/s read speed is below the 5,500 MB/s Sony recommends, so it may not deliver the full PS5 storage experience. It physically fits the M.2 2280 slot, but you will need a low-profile heatsink. For the best PS5 performance, consider a drive rated at 5,500 MB/s or higher, such as the WD Black SN850 or Samsung 980 Pro.

### How does the Kingmax PX4480 compare to the Samsung 980 Pro?

The Samsung 980 Pro is a next-generation PCIe 4.0 drive with Samsung's own controller and V-NAND, delivering up to 7,000 MB/s reads on the 1TB model — significantly faster than the PX4480's 5,000 MB/s. The 980 Pro also has better sustained write performance, superior thermals, and more consistent firmware support. The PX4480 is typically cheaper, but the Samsung offers better overall performance and reliability for a modest price premium.

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Last updated: 2026-05-17. Source: https://ssdrive.net/kingmax-px4480-500-gb