Plextor M8Se 128GB NVMe SSD Review
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.
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:
🚀 Performance and 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.
🖥️ Endurance and 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.
📊 Specs
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Capacity [?] | 128 GB |
| Interface [?] | M.2 or PCIe 3.0 x 4 |
| Controller [?] | Marvell Eldora |
| Memory type [?] | Toshiba TLC |
| DRAM [?] | n/a |
| 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 |
Conclusion
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]
