Plextor M8Se 512GB NVMe SSD Review (2026)
The Plextor M8Se 512GB is the largest commonly available capacity in Plextor's TLC-based NVMe line — a mainstream drive with 2,400/1,000 MB/s speeds and 360 TBW endurance.
Controller & Memory
The M8Se 512GB uses the Marvell 88SS1093 "Eldora" eight-channel NVMe controller alongside Toshiba 15nm planar TLC NAND. This is the same controller Plextor deployed in the MLC-based M8Pe, but paired here with cheaper TLC flash. The drive supports NVMe 1.1 over PCIe 3.0 x4 and ships in an M.2 2280 form factor. The range also includes 128GB, 256GB, and 1TB capacities.
Tom's Hardware reviewed the M8Se 512GB and found it underwhelming compared to the MLC-based M8Pe. At launch, the M8PeG 512GB was actually selling for less than the M8SeG 512GB at several retailers, making the TLC model a tough sell. The M8Se also carries a three-year warranty versus the M8Pe's five-year coverage.
The M8Se is available as M8SeGN (bare M.2), M8SeG (with heatspreader), and M8SeY (PCIe add-in card). Competitors from the same era include the Intel SSD 600p 512GB and Samsung 960 EVO 500GB, the latter of which significantly outperforms the M8Se.
Storage Comparisons:
M8Se Series Performance & Benchmarks
Plextor rates the M8Se 512GB at up to 2,450 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 a PCIe 3.0 drive of this generation, but the 1,000 MB/s write ceiling is modest.
Plextor M8Se Series 512 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 512 GB (this drive): 2,400 MB/s read, 1,000 MB/s write
Tom's Hardware found the M8Se 512GB trailed the M8Pe in nearly every benchmark, despite sharing the same controller. The TLC NAND writes slower and has lower endurance than the MLC in the M8Pe. The Samsung 960 EVO, which uses 3D TLC with a more advanced controller, outperforms the M8Se across the board. For basic desktop use, the M8Se 512GB delivers NVMe responsiveness; for heavy workloads, the competition is clearly faster.
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 M8Se 512GB carries a 360 TBW endurance rating under a three-year limited warranty. At 20 to 50 GB of writes per day, the drive would take roughly 19 to 49 years to reach its endurance ceiling — adequate for mainstream use. The 1.5 million hour MTBF is standard. The three-year warranty is a step down from the M8Pe's five years, reflecting the M8Se's mainstream rather than enthusiast positioning.
Plextor M8Se Series 512 GB Specifications
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Capacity [?] | 512 GB |
| Interface [?] | M.2 or PCIe 3.0 x 4 |
| Controller [?] | Marvell Eldora |
| Memory type [?] | Toshiba TLC |
| DRAM [?] | 1GB LPDDR3 |
| Read speed (MB/s) [?] | 2400 |
| Write speed (MB/s) [?] | 1000 |
| Read IOPS [?] | 210000 |
| Write IOPS [?] | 175000 |
| Endurance (TBW) [?] | 360 |
| MTBF (million hours) [?] | 1.5 |
| Warranty (years) [?] | 3 |
Verdict: Is the M8Se Series Worth It in 2026?
The Plextor M8Se 512GB is a mainstream NVMe SSD that was outperformed by its own sibling — the MLC-based M8Pe — which often cost less at launch. The Samsung 960 EVO 500GB also outclasses it in every metric. The M8Se 512GB is only worth considering at a deep discount. Modern buyers can find newer 3D TLC NVMe drives with better performance, longer warranties, and similar capacity for less money.
+ Pros
- 2,450 MB/s sequential reads on PCIe 3.0
- 360 TBW endurance is adequate for the capacity
- Available as bare M.2, with heatspreader, or AIC
- Marvell 88SS1093 controller with LDPC
- Cons
- 1,000 MB/s writes — low for NVMe
- Three-year warranty versus M8Pe's five years
- Planar TLC NAND — older generation
- M8Pe with MLC was cheaper at launch
- Samsung 960 EVO outclasses it in every metric
Buy this or similar SSD Storage:
Video Review
Plextor M8Se 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
