# Transcend PCIe SSD 110S 512GB Review (2026) The Transcend PCIe SSD 110S 512GB is a budget NVMe drive that offers a step up from SATA speeds at a price point that competes with entry-level SSDs. Quick answer: The Transcend PCIe SSD 110S 512GB is a serviceable entry-level NVMe drive that delivers a tangible upgrade over SATA SSDs without a premium price tag. The 1,700/1,500 MB/s sequential speeds are modest by NVMe standards but represent a real improvement in daily use. Buy it if you are on a strict budget and need more capacity than speed, or if you are upgrading an older system from SATA to NVMe for the first time. ## Specifications | Specification | Value | | --- | --- | | Capacity | 512 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 | 150000 | | Random write IOPS | 250000 | | Endurance | 800 TBW | | MTBF | 2000000 | | Warranty | 5 years | ## Performance The Transcend PCIe SSD 110S 512GB is rated at 1,700 MB/s sequential reads and 1,500 MB/s sequential writes. These speeds place it firmly in the entry-level NVMe tier, roughly 3x faster than SATA SSDs in sequential throughput but well below the 3,000+ MB/s that premium PCIe 3.0 drives achieve. The gap versus SATA is most noticeable during large file transfers, OS installation, and game loading. The DRAM-less architecture means random 4K performance is modest compared to drives with dedicated DRAM caches. For typical desktop workloads like web browsing, document editing, and application launches, the difference is barely noticeable. The drive leverages the NVMe Host Memory Buffer to maintain acceptable random I/O consistency. In sustained write scenarios, the SLC cache absorbs initial bursts before performance settles to native NAND write speeds. For users moving from a SATA SSD or mechanical HDD, the 110S 512GB delivers a meaningful improvement in everyday responsiveness. Boot times, application launches, and file operations all feel snappier. However, users accustomed to high-end NVMe drives like the Samsung 970 EVO Plus or WD Black SN750 will notice the lower sequential throughput and reduced random I/O performance under heavy multitasking. ## Endurance, TBW & Warranty Transcend backs the PCIe SSD 110S series with a 5-year limited warranty. The 512GB model is rated at 800 TBW, which is the total bytes written endurance metric. In practical terms, writing 50 GB per day would take roughly 43 years to reach 800 TBW. Even power users writing 100 GB daily would need over 21 years to exhaust the endurance rating. The 5-year warranty is standard for consumer NVMe drives and matches offerings from Samsung, WD, and Crucial. Transcend handles warranty claims through its regional support channels. The drive includes built-in S.M.A.R.T. health monitoring and wear-leveling to distribute writes evenly across NAND cells, maximizing the effective lifespan. ## Pros and Cons **Pros:** - 1,700 MB/s reads, 1,500 MB/s writes — 3x faster than SATA - 512GB capacity sufficient for OS plus moderate application library - 800 TBW endurance generous for the price segment - M.2 2280 single-sided form factor fits laptops - 5-year warranty **Cons:** - DRAM-less design limits random I/O consistency - 1,700 MB/s well below premium PCIe 3.0 drives (3,000+ MB/s) - Entry-level performance tier for NVMe - No dedicated software toolbox from Transcend ## Verdict The Transcend PCIe SSD 110S 512GB is a serviceable entry-level NVMe drive that delivers a tangible upgrade over SATA SSDs without a premium price tag. The 1,700/1,500 MB/s sequential speeds are modest by NVMe standards but represent a real improvement in daily use. Buy it if you are on a strict budget and need more capacity than speed, or if you are upgrading an older system from SATA to NVMe for the first time. Skip it if you can spend a bit more, because drives like the Kingston NV2, WD Blue SN580, or Team Group MP33 offer better performance per dollar in the current market. The 110S 512GB is best suited as a drop-in upgrade for laptops or prebuilt systems where the cheapest NVMe option is the priority. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is the Transcend PCIe SSD 110S 512GB good for gaming? It is adequate for gaming but not ideal. The 1,700 MB/s read speed is fast enough for game loading, and the 512GB capacity can hold a few modern titles alongside Windows. However, the DRAM-less architecture may cause minor stutter in games that stream assets heavily. For budget gaming builds, it works, but drives with DRAM caches like the Samsung 970 EVO Plus or Kingston A2000 deliver more consistent frame pacing in open-world titles. ### Does the Transcend PCIe SSD 110S 512GB have DRAM? No. The 110S uses a DRAM-less controller that relies on the NVMe Host Memory Buffer (HMB) feature. HMB borrows a small portion of system RAM to store the flash translation layer mapping tables. This approach works well for typical desktop use but can introduce slight latency under heavy random write workloads compared to drives with dedicated DRAM. The trade-off is lower cost, which is why most budget NVMe drives use this architecture. ### What controller does the Transcend PCIe SSD 110S use? The Transcend 110S is believed to use a Silicon Motion SM2263XT or similar entry-level NVMe controller. This is a popular DRAM-less controller found in many budget NVMe drives from various manufacturers. It supports PCIe 3.0 x4 and NVMe 1.3, providing adequate performance for everyday computing tasks. The controller handles basic SLC caching and wear leveling but lacks the sophisticated thermal management and over-provisioning features of higher-end controllers. ### Is the Transcend PCIe SSD 110S 512GB compatible with PS5? Physically it fits the PS5 M.2 slot and will function, but it is not recommended for PS5 use. Sony recommends PCIe 4.0 NVMe drives with at least 5,500 MB/s read speeds. The 110S is a PCIe 3.0 drive limited to 1,700 MB/s, which is far below the PS5 internal storage performance. For PS5 expansion, look at PCIe 4.0 drives like the WD Black SN850X or Samsung 980 Pro with at least 1TB capacity. ### How does the Transcend 110S compare to SATA SSDs? The 110S is roughly 3x faster than SATA SSDs in sequential throughput (1,700 vs 550 MB/s). In real-world use, this translates to faster large file transfers and quicker game installations. Boot times and application launches are modestly improved but not dramatically different, since those workloads are dominated by random 4K reads where NVMe and SATA drives are closer in performance. The main advantage of choosing the 110S over a SATA SSD is the M.2 form factor, which saves space and eliminates cable clutter. ### Is 512GB enough storage in 2026? 512GB is tight for most users in 2026. Windows 11 consumes 80-100 GB with updates and hibernation files. Common applications like Microsoft Office, a web browser, and creative tools add another 30-50 GB. This leaves roughly 350 GB for games and media. Modern AAA games routinely exceed 100 GB each, so you can store 2-3 large titles before running low. Consider 1TB the comfortable minimum for most users, with 512GB reserved for budget builds or dedicated OS drives paired with secondary storage. --- Last updated: 2026-05-23. Source: https://ssdrive.net/transcend-pcie-ssd-110s-512-gb