Plextor M8Se 128GB NVMe SSD Review (2026)
The Plextor M8Se 128GB is the smallest capacity in Plextor's mainstream NVMe line — a Toshiba TLC drive that undercuts the MLC-based M8Pe on price but also on write performance.
Controller & Memory
The M8Se 128GB uses the Marvell 88SS1093 "Eldora" NVMe controller paired with Toshiba 15nm planar TLC NAND. The 88SS1093 is an eight-channel triple-core controller that supports NVMe 1.1 with LDPC error correction. This is the same controller used in the MLC-based M8Pe, but Plextor pairs it here with cheaper planar TLC flash to hit a lower price point.
The M8Se is available in three form factors: M8SeGN (bare M.2 2280), M8SeG (M.2 with a thin heatspreader), and M8SeY (PCIe add-in card with a large heatsink and LED lighting). All three use the same M.2 module underneath. The 128GB is the smallest capacity; the range also includes 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB variants.
At the time of its 2017 launch, the M8Se occupied an awkward middle ground. Tom's Hardware noted that the MLC-based M8PeG was actually cheaper than the M8Se at several capacities — making the TLC model difficult to recommend. The M8Se carries a three-year warranty, shorter than the M8Pe's five-year coverage.
Competitors from the same era include the Intel SSD 600p, Samsung 960 EVO, and MyDigitalSSD BPX.
Storage Comparisons:
M8Se Series Performance & Benchmarks
Plextor rates the M8Se 128GB at up to 2,400 MB/s sequential reads and 1,000 MB/s sequential writes, with 210,000 read IOPS and 175,000 write IOPS. The read speed is competitive for the PCIe 3.0 generation, but the 1,000 MB/s write ceiling is modest — comparable to early NVMe entry-level drives.
Plextor M8Se Series 128 GB vs M.2 or PCIe 3.0 x 4 peers
Switch between sequential throughput and random IOPS to see how this drive stacks up against other M.2 or PCIe 3.0 x 4 SSDs in our database. The highlighted bar is the drive on this page — click any other bar to open that drive.
- Kingston KC2000 1 TB: 3,200 MB/s read, 2,200 MB/s write
- Kingston KC2000 2 TB: 3,200 MB/s read, 2,200 MB/s write
- Plextor M9Pe Series 512 GB: 3,200 MB/s read, 2,000 MB/s write
- Plextor M9Pe Series 1 TB: 3,200 MB/s read, 2,100 MB/s write
- Plextor M8Se Series 128 GB (this drive): 2,400 MB/s read, 1,000 MB/s write
Tom's Hardware found the M8Se 512GB performed below expectations for a drive with the Marvell 88SS1093 controller, trailing the MLC-based M8Pe in most benchmarks. The 128GB model, with fewer NAND dies, will show even lower sustained write performance once the SLC cache fills. For basic desktop use — boot, browsing, office applications — the M8Se 128GB delivers NVMe-level responsiveness. For sustained writes or heavy multitasking, the M8Pe or a Samsung alternative is the stronger choice.
Plextor M8Se Series vs Competitors
See how the M8Se Series stacks up against other M.2 or PCIe 3.0 x 4 drives in our database:
Compare with rival drives:
Endurance, TBW & Warranty
The Plextor M8Se 128GB carries an 80 TBW endurance rating under a three-year limited warranty. The warranty is limited by whichever comes first: the three-year term or exceeding the TBW allowance. At a typical consumer write volume of 10 to 30 GB per day, the endurance ceiling is roughly 7 to 21 years away. The 1.5 million hour MTBF rating is standard. The three-year warranty is notably shorter than the five-year coverage on the M8Pe, reflecting the M8Se's positioning as a mainstream rather than performance product.
Plextor M8Se Series 128 GB Specifications
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Capacity [?] | 128 GB |
| Interface [?] | M.2 or PCIe 3.0 x 4 |
| Controller [?] | Marvell Eldora |
| Memory type [?] | Toshiba TLC |
| DRAM [?] | 256MB LPDDR3 |
| Read speed (MB/s) [?] | 2400 |
| Write speed (MB/s) [?] | 1000 |
| Read IOPS [?] | 210000 |
| Write IOPS [?] | 175000 |
| Endurance (TBW) [?] | 80 |
| MTBF (million hours) [?] | 1.5 |
| Warranty (years) [?] | 3 |
Verdict: Is the M8Se Series Worth It in 2026?
The Plextor M8Se 128GB is an entry-level NVMe SSD that delivers basic PCIe 3.0 performance at a budget price. Its Toshiba TLC NAND and Marvell 88SS1093 controller provide reliable NVMe speeds for everyday use, but the 1,000 MB/s write ceiling and three-year warranty put it behind the MLC-based Plextor M8Pe, which often sold for less at launch. Modern buyers looking for a small NVMe boot drive should consider newer options with five-year warranties and 3D TLC NAND for similar or lower prices.
+ Pros
- 2,400 MB/s sequential reads on PCIe 3.0
- Marvell 88SS1093 controller with LDPC
- Available as bare M.2, with heatspreader, or AIC
- Single-sided M.2 2280 fits most systems
- Cons
- Only 1,000 MB/s writes for the 128GB capacity
- 80 TBW endurance is low
- Three-year warranty versus five years on the M8Pe
- TLC NAND with planar process — older generation
Buy this or similar SSD Storage:
Video Review
PLEXTOR M9Pe NVMe SSD [Global]
