# 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.

Quick answer: 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.

## Specifications

| Specification | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 128 GB |
| Interface | M.2 or PCIe 3.0 x 4 |
| Controller | Marvell Eldora |
| Memory type | Toshiba TLC |
| DRAM cache | 256MB LPDDR3 |
| Sequential read | 2400 MB/s |
| Sequential write | 1000 MB/s |
| Random read IOPS | 210000 |
| Random write IOPS | 175000 |
| Endurance | 80 TBW |
| MTBF | 1.5 |
| Warranty | 3 years |

## Performance

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.

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, 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.

## Pros and Cons

**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


## Verdict

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.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is the Plextor M8Se 128GB good for gaming?

For basic game loading, the M8Se 128GB delivers NVMe-level read performance that beats SATA SSDs. However, the 128GB capacity is too small for more than the OS and one or two games. If gaming is the primary use case, the 256GB or 512GB M8Se variant is a more practical choice.

### Does the Plextor M8Se use MLC or TLC NAND?

The M8Se uses Toshiba 15nm planar TLC (Triple-Level Cell) NAND. This is a different product from the Plextor M8Pe, which uses Toshiba 15nm MLC (Multi-Level Cell) NAND. The TLC flash reduces cost but offers lower endurance and generally lower write performance than the MLC used in the M8Pe.

### What is the TBW endurance of the Plextor M8Se 128GB?

The M8Se 128GB is rated at 80 TBW (Terabytes Written), covered by a three-year limited warranty. At a typical consumer write workload of 10 to 30 GB per day, the endurance would take roughly 7 to 21 years to exhaust. This is on the lower end for a consumer SSD but adequate for light desktop use.

### How does the Plextor M8Se compare to the Plextor M8Pe?

The M8Se uses Toshiba TLC NAND while the M8Pe uses Toshiba MLC NAND. Both use the same Marvell 88SS1093 controller. The M8Pe generally outperforms the M8Se in write-heavy benchmarks thanks to the MLC flash. At launch, the M8Pe was sometimes cheaper than the M8Se, making the M8Pe the better buy. The M8Pe also carries a five-year warranty versus the M8Se's three years.

### Is the Plextor M8Se 128GB compatible with the PS5?

No. The PS5 requires a PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD with a recommended read speed of 5,500 MB/s or higher. The M8Se is a PCIe 3.0 drive from 2017 with a maximum of 2,400 MB/s reads, far below Sony's requirements.

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Last updated: 2026-05-23. Source: https://ssdrive.net/plextor-m8se-series-128-gb