# Transcend PCIe SSD 220S 256GB Review (2026)

The Transcend PCIe SSD 220S 256GB occupies an interesting niche as a budget PCIe 3.0 NVMe drive that uses MLC NAND, a flash type increasingly rare in consumer SSDs.

Quick answer: Buy the Transcend PCIe SSD 220S 256 GB for a reliable NVMe boot drive for budget PC builds, laptop upgrades, or HTPC where MLC NAND and DRAM cache consistency matters. Skip it if you need maximum sequential throughput or are building a high-end gaming rig. Consider the WD Blue SN580 for DRAM-less designs at lower prices, or step up to the 512 GB 220S for significantly better sequential performance. For users prioritizing NAND longevity and write consistency over peak speed, this 256 GB model remains viable.

## Specifications

| Specification | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Capacity | 256 GB |
| Interface | M.2 3.0 x 4 |
| Controller | Silicon Motion SM2262EN |
| Memory type | MLC |
| DRAM cache | Samsung 512MB DDR3 |
| Sequential read | 1700 MB/s |
| Sequential write | 1500 MB/s |
| Random read IOPS | 210000 |
| Random write IOPS | 290000 |
| Endurance | 400 TBW |
| MTBF | 2000000 |
| Warranty | 5 years |

## Performance

Transcend rates this 256 GB model for 1,700 MB/s sequential reads and 1,500 MB/s writes—notably lower than the 512 GB and 1 TB variants. This is roughly 2.5x SATA SSD read speed but less than half the 1 TB 220S achieves. Random 4K performance is not officially specified, but the SM2262EN controller typically delivers strong random I/O. Expect 40–60 MB/s random reads and 80–120 MB/s random writes based on controller track record. SLC caching provides decent burst performance, but the smaller NAND capacity limits cache size. Large file transfers will eventually exhaust the cache and drop to NAND-native speeds. For boot drive use, this is not a practical limitation. Compared to SATA, responsiveness improvements are tangible for OS boot, application launches, and game loading.

## Endurance, TBW & Warranty

Transcend specifies 400 TBW endurance for the 256 GB model—equivalent to writing 220 GB daily for five years. At 40 GB/day, this drive lasts nearly 27 years. The 5-year warranty is standard for mainstream SSDs, limited by time or TBW exhaustion. 400 TBW at 256 GB is a write endurance ratio of 1,563 full drive writes—respectable for MLC NAND and higher than TLC-based variants. MTBF is not specified. Warranty service goes through Transcend directly. Keep your purchase receipt.

## Pros and Cons

**Pros:**

- MLC NAND offers higher write endurance than TLC/QLC
- 512 MB Samsung DDR3 DRAM cache—generous for 256 GB
- Silicon Motion SM2262EN controller is proven and reliable
- 400 TBW endurance is strong for this capacity
- 5-year warranty matches industry standards
- DRAM-backed design maintains consistent sustained performance
- Bare PCB fits thin laptops and compact M.2 slots
**Cons:**

- Sequential speeds (1,700/1,500 MB/s) lower than larger 220S capacities
- No included heatsink—may throttle without airflow
- Slower than newer PCIe 4.0 drives at similar price
- SLC cache size limited by 256 GB NAND capacity
- Random 4K performance not officially specified


## Verdict

Buy the Transcend PCIe SSD 220S 256 GB for a reliable NVMe boot drive for budget PC builds, laptop upgrades, or HTPC where MLC NAND and DRAM cache consistency matters. Skip it if you need maximum sequential throughput or are building a high-end gaming rig. Consider the WD Blue SN580 for DRAM-less designs at lower prices, or step up to the 512 GB 220S for significantly better sequential performance. For users prioritizing NAND longevity and write consistency over peak speed, this 256 GB model remains viable.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is the Transcend 220S 256 GB good for gaming?

Yes, the Transcend PCIe SSD 220S 256 GB is adequate for gaming. NVMe provides marginal benefits over SATA for actual gameplay—most games load assets where the speed difference between 1,700 MB/s and SATA 560 MB/s translates to a second or two on level loads. The 512 MB DRAM cache helps maintain consistent load times, but 256 GB capacity fills quickly with modern games (many exceed 100 GB). Consider 512 GB or higher for more than 2–3 large titles.

### Is the Transcend 220S 256 GB compatible with the PS5?

The Transcend 220S 256 GB meets minimum PCIe requirements but falls short of recommended speeds. Sony specifies PCIe Gen4 with 5,500+ MB/s reads as optimal; this drive is PCIe 3.0 at 1,700 MB/s. It will function but load times will not match recommended spec. No heatsink is included—a third-party M.2 heatsink fitting PS5 dimensions (110 x 25 x 11.25 mm) is required. Most users should choose a PCIe 4.0 drive validated for PS5 use.

### Does the Transcend 220S 256 GB have DRAM cache?

Yes, this drive includes 512 MB of Samsung DDR3 DRAM. DRAM serves as a fast cache for the NAND flash mapping table. DRAM-backed drives maintain more consistent performance under sustained workloads compared to DRAM-less designs using Host Memory Buffer or NAND portion. The 512 MB allocation is generous for 256 GB—many competitors use 256 MB or no DRAM at all.

### What is the TBW endurance of the 256 GB Transcend 220S?

Transcend rates the 256 GB model for 400 TBW—total data writable before warranty expiration. At 400 TBW, you could write 220 GB daily for five years. At a realistic 40 GB/day workload, the drive lasts nearly 27 years. The 256 GB variant 400 TBW compares favorably to TLC-based drives at similar capacity, which often rate 150–200 TBW.

### Is the 256 GB version slower than the 512 GB Transcend 220S?

Yes, the 256 GB is significantly slower than the 512 GB variant. The 256 GB rates 1,700/1,500 MB/s reads/writes, while the 512 GB achieves 3,500/2,100 MB/s. This gap stems from different NAND (MLC vs 3D TLC) and likely fewer active NAND channels on the smaller capacity. The 256 GB also has lower TBW (400 vs 800). If sequential throughput matters, the 512 GB or 1 TB models offer better performance per dollar.

### How does the Transcend 220S compare to the WD Blue SN580?

The Transcend 220S 256 GB and WD Blue SN580 250 GB target the same budget NVMe tier. The SN580 is DRAM-less using Host Memory Buffer, while Transcend includes 512 MB dedicated DDR3 DRAM—giving Transcend sustained write consistency advantage. The SN580 has higher sequential speeds (4,150 MB/s reads on PCIe 4.0), but real-world boot drive differences are modest. Transcend MLC NAND offers higher endurance (400 TBW vs 300 TBW). Choose Transcend for DRAM-backed consistency and endurance, SN580 for higher peak speeds.

### Is the Transcend 220S good for video editing?

The Transcend 220S 256 GB is adequate for light 4K editing but capacity is the primary limitation. Sequential write speeds (1,500 MB/s) and DRAM cache handle 4K streams requiring 300–600 MB/s. However, 256 GB leaves little headroom for media files and projects. The SLC cache exhausts during large exports, dropping speeds. Serious editors should consider 512 GB or 1 TB with higher speeds. Works for hobbyist editing, not ideal for professional workflows.

### Does the Transcend 220S 256 GB work in laptops?

Yes, the Transcend 220S 256 GB uses standard M.2 2280 form factor and works in any laptop with M.2 NVMe slot. Ships as bare PCB without heatsink, keeping height low for thin laptops. Some ultraportables use shorter 2230 or 2242 formats—this 2280 drive will not fit. Supports NVMe power management including DevSleep and APSM for battery life. Verify laptop accepts M.2 2280 NVMe drives before purchasing.

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Last updated: 2026-05-23. Source: https://ssdrive.net/transcend-pcie-ssd-220s-256-gb