# Kingmax PX4480 512GB Review — Phison E16 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD (2026)

The Kingmax PX4480 512GB is a first-gen PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD built around the Phison E16 controller and 3D TLC NAND with DDR4 DRAM caching for 5000 MB/s reads.

Quick answer: The Kingmax PX4480 512GB is a capable first-generation PCIe 4.0 SSD that leverages the proven Phison E16 controller and DDR4 DRAM caching to deliver solid performance at a mid-range price point. The 3D TLC NAND and DRAM cache are advantages over DRAM-less QLC alternatives. The three-year warranty is shorter than the enthusiast five-year standard, and the 3,600 TBW endurance claim is difficult to verify without independent confirmation. For buyers who want PCIe Gen4 compatibility with DRAM caching at a budget price, the PX4480 is a reasonable option from a heritage Taiwanese memory brand.

## Specifications

| Specification | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 512 GB |
| Interface | M.2 4.0 x 4 |
| Controller | Phison PS5016-E16 |
| Memory type | 3D TLC |
| DRAM cache | DDR4 Cache and SLC Caching |
| Sequential read | 5000 MB/s |
| Sequential write | 4400 MB/s |
| Random read IOPS | 750000 |
| Random write IOPS | 700000 |
| Endurance | 3600 TBW |
| MTBF | 2000000 |
| Warranty | 3 years |

## Performance

Sequential performance peaks at 5,000 MB/s read and 4,400 MB/s write — the characteristic ceiling of the Phison E16 controller. These numbers were flagship-level in 2019 but sit in the mid-tier of the PCIe 4.0 stack today, well below the 7,000+ MB/s that the E18 and InnoGrit IG5236 achieve. For everyday desktop use, the difference is imperceptible: OS boot, application launches, and game loading all feel instantaneous at 5,000 MB/s.

The DDR4 DRAM cache is the PX4480's performance advantage over DRAM-less mid-range drives. It keeps random 4K latency low and maintains consistent mixed-workload performance even as the drive approaches capacity. The 28 nm E16 controller runs warm — all E16-based drives benefit from a heatsink, and the PX4480 is no exception. Without adequate cooling, the controller will thermally throttle during sustained writes, dropping speeds to protect the silicon. After SLC cache exhaustion, direct TLC write speeds typically land in the 500–800 MB/s range for this platform.

## Endurance, TBW & Warranty

Kingmax covers the PX4480 with a three-year warranty, which falls short of the five-year standard offered by Samsung, WD, and Corsair on their enthusiast SSDs. The published endurance figure of 3,600 TBW for the 512 GB capacity is unusually high compared to typical 512 GB TLC SSDs from major manufacturers that carry ratings in the 300 to 400 TBW range. Without access to Kingmax official endurance documentation, this figure should be treated with caution. MTBF is not stated. For typical consumer use of 20 to 40 GB written per day, any reasonable endurance estimate would comfortably exceed the three-year warranty period.

## Pros and Cons

**Pros:**

- Phison E16 controller with DDR4 DRAM cache
- 5,000 MB/s read on PCIe 4.0 x4 interface
- 3D TLC NAND for better endurance than QLC
- Consistent random performance with DRAM buffering
- M.2 2280 form factor for wide compatibility
**Cons:**

- Three-year warranty versus five-year standard
- E16 controller runs hot on 28 nm process
- Endurance rating appears inflated for 512 GB
- Slower than second-gen PCIe 4.0 controllers


## Verdict

The Kingmax PX4480 512GB is a capable first-generation PCIe 4.0 SSD that leverages the proven Phison E16 controller and DDR4 DRAM caching to deliver solid performance at a mid-range price point. The 3D TLC NAND and DRAM cache are advantages over DRAM-less QLC alternatives. The three-year warranty is shorter than the enthusiast five-year standard, and the 3,600 TBW endurance claim is difficult to verify without independent confirmation. For buyers who want PCIe Gen4 compatibility with DRAM caching at a budget price, the PX4480 is a reasonable option from a heritage Taiwanese memory brand.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What controller does the Kingmax PX4480 use?

The Phison PS5016-E16, the first consumer PCIe 4.0 x4 controller. It uses a 28 nm process, supports DDR4 DRAM caching, and was the foundation for early Gen4 SSDs from multiple brands starting in late 2019.

### Does the PX4480 512GB have DRAM?

Yes, it includes a DDR4 DRAM cache buffer following the E16 reference design. The DRAM cache improves random read/write performance and maintains consistent address translation efficiency as the drive fills.

### What is the TBW endurance rating?

The listed figure is 3,600 TBW for the 512 GB model, which is significantly higher than the 300–400 TBW typical for 512 GB TLC drives. Without official documentation from Kingmax, this figure should be treated with caution.

### Is the Kingmax PX4480 compatible with PS5?

It uses PCIe 4.0 x4 with 5,000 MB/s sequential reads. Sony recommends a minimum of 5,500 MB/s for PS5 expansion, so this drive falls slightly short of the recommendation. Verify with Sony's current compatibility list.

### How does the PX4480 compare to newer PCIe 4.0 SSDs?

At 5,000 MB/s read, it is slower than second-generation PCIe 4.0 drives using the Phison E18 (7,000+ MB/s). The E16 also runs warmer due to its 28 nm process. For everyday use, the real-world performance gap is modest.

### Does the PX4480 need a heatsink?

Yes. The E16 controller runs warm even at idle and can thermally throttle under sustained writes. A heatsink is essential — verify whether this specific SKU ships with one pre-installed or requires a motherboard M.2 thermal plate.

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Last updated: 2026-05-23. Source: https://ssdrive.net/kingmax-px4480-512-gb