# Transcend PCIe SSD 110S 128GB Review (2026)

The Transcend PCIe SSD 110S 128GB is the smallest capacity in the lineup, offering NVMe speeds at the lowest possible price for basic computing needs.

Quick answer: The Transcend PCIe SSD 110S 128GB is a niche product best suited for ultra-budget builds, lightweight computing, or as a secondary cache drive. The 1,700/1,500 MB/s speeds are technically faster than SATA, but the 128GB capacity severely constrains real-world usefulness after Windows installation. Buy it only if the budget is absolute rock-bottom and you have no other storage options.

## Specifications

| Specification | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 128 GB |
| Interface | PCIe 3.0 x 4 |
| Controller | Silicon Motion SM2263XT |
| Memory type | MLC |
| DRAM cache | HMB |
| Sequential read | 1700 MB/s |
| Sequential write | 1500 MB/s |
| Random read IOPS | 90000 |
| Random write IOPS | 250000 |
| Endurance | 800 TBW |
| MTBF | 2000000 |
| Warranty | 5 years |

## Performance

The Transcend PCIe SSD 110S 128GB is rated at 1,700 MB/s sequential reads and 1,500 MB/s sequential writes. These speeds are consistent across all capacities in the 110S lineup, which is unusual for 128GB drives that typically have reduced write speeds due to fewer NAND die for parallelization. The 1,700 MB/s read speed is roughly 3x faster than SATA SSDs.

As a DRAM-less drive, the 110S relies on the NVMe Host Memory Buffer for flash translation layer management. Random 4K performance is the most affected by the DRAM-less design, though for basic computing tasks like web browsing and document editing, the impact is minimal. The 128GB capacity has the smallest SLC cache of the lineup, meaning sustained write performance will drop to native NAND speeds more quickly than on larger models.

In practical terms, the 128GB capacity limits the types of workloads you can run. Large file transfers are constrained by available space rather than drive speed. The performance advantage over SATA SSDs is real but difficult to leverage fully when the drive is nearly full after a Windows installation.

## Endurance, TBW & Warranty

Transcend backs the PCIe SSD 110S series with a 5-year limited warranty. The 128GB model carries the same 800 TBW endurance rating as larger capacities. Given that a nearly full 128GB drive has very little free space for write amplification, the endurance rating is more than adequate. Most users will replace this drive for capacity reasons long before endurance becomes relevant.

Transcend handles warranty claims through its regional support network. The drive includes S.M.A.R.T. monitoring for health tracking and built-in wear-leveling to maximize NAND lifespan.

## Pros and Cons

**Pros:**

- 1,700 MB/s reads, 1,500 MB/s writes — faster than SATA
- Same speed ratings as larger capacities
- Ultra-low price point for NVMe
- M.2 2280 single-sided fits any NVMe slot
- 5-year warranty with 800 TBW endurance
**Cons:**

- 128GB is impractically small for most users in 2026
- Only 20-40 GB free after Windows 11 installation
- DRAM-less design limits random I/O performance
- Better value at 256GB for minimal extra cost
- SLC cache very small at this capacity


## Verdict

The Transcend PCIe SSD 110S 128GB is a niche product best suited for ultra-budget builds, lightweight computing, or as a secondary cache drive. The 1,700/1,500 MB/s speeds are technically faster than SATA, but the 128GB capacity severely constrains real-world usefulness after Windows installation. Buy it only if the budget is absolute rock-bottom and you have no other storage options.

Skip it for nearly any other use case. The 256GB model costs only slightly more and provides enough space for a comfortable Windows installation plus applications. Even the cheapest SATA SSD with 256GB or more would be more practical for most users. The 128GB 110S is essentially a disposable boot drive for kiosk systems, thin clients, or emergency replacements.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is the Transcend PCIe SSD 110S 128GB good for gaming?

No. The 128GB capacity makes it unsuitable for gaming in 2026. After Windows 11 consumes 80-100 GB, you have roughly 20-40 GB remaining. Most modern games require 50-150 GB each, meaning you cannot install even a single large AAA title. Even indie games and older titles would quickly fill the remaining space. For gaming, consider at minimum a 512GB NVMe drive, with 1TB being the recommended capacity.

### Is 128GB enough for a Windows 11 boot drive?

Technically yes, but just barely. Windows 11 requires at least 64 GB of storage to install, and a full installation with updates, hibernation file, and page file consumes 80-100 GB. This leaves only 20-40 GB free for applications, documents, and temp files. Windows Update can fail if free space drops below 20 GB. The drive will be constantly near-full, which degrades SSD performance and can cause system instability. Consider 256GB the realistic minimum for a comfortable Windows 11 experience.

### Does the Transcend PCIe SSD 110S 128GB have DRAM?

No. The 110S is a DRAM-less NVMe drive that uses the Host Memory Buffer (HMB) feature to borrow system RAM for mapping tables. This is standard for budget NVMe drives and keeps costs low. For the light workloads suited to a 128GB drive like basic web browsing and document editing, the DRAM-less design has minimal practical impact. The performance difference versus DRAM-equipped drives becomes more noticeable under heavy multitasking or sustained write workloads.

### What is the Transcend 110S 128GB best used for?

The 128GB capacity limits it to specific use cases: lightweight Linux installations, thin client operating systems, network-attached storage cache drives, or emergency boot drives for system recovery. It can serve as a basic boot drive for office machines that run only a web browser and productivity suite. For anything beyond basic computing, the capacity is insufficient. Consider the 256GB or 512GB model for general-purpose use.

### How does the Transcend 110S 128GB compare to a SATA SSD?

On paper, the 110S is faster with 1,700 MB/s reads versus 550 MB/s for SATA. In practice, the 128GB capacity negates much of this advantage because the drive will be nearly full, which reduces performance on any SSD. For the same price, a 256GB SATA SSD would provide more usable space with only slightly slower speeds that are barely noticeable in everyday tasks. The 110S wins on sequential speed and form factor convenience, but a larger SATA SSD wins on practical usability.

### Can I use the Transcend 110S 128GB in a laptop?

Yes, as long as the laptop has an M.2 2280 NVMe slot. The 110S is single-sided and fits thin laptops. However, replacing a laptop drive with a 128GB model usually means reducing available storage. Only do this if the laptop currently has a failed drive or a smaller SATA M.2 SSD and you need a quick, cheap replacement. Most laptops would benefit more from a 256GB or 512GB drive to ensure comfortable usable space.

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Last updated: 2026-05-23. Source: https://ssdrive.net/transcend-pcie-ssd-110s-128-gb