Kingston SSDNow SA400S37 120GB: Review & Performance
Let's dive into the Kingston SSDNow SA400S37 120GB, a solid-state drive (SSD) that promises to breathe new life into older systems or serve as a budget-friendly storage solution. In this article, we’ll explore its features, performance, and overall value to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your needs. We'll break down everything you need to know in a way that's easy to understand, even if you're not a tech expert. So, let's get started and see what this SSD has to offer!
Overview of the Kingston SSDNow SA400S37 120GB
The Kingston SSDNow SA400S37 120GB is designed as an entry-level SSD, aiming to provide a significant speed boost over traditional mechanical hard drives (HDDs) without breaking the bank. This drive utilizes a 2.5-inch form factor, making it compatible with most laptops and desktops. It boasts read speeds of up to 500MB/s and write speeds of up to 320MB/s, which, while not the fastest on the market, are still a substantial improvement over HDDs. The SA400S37 series is part of Kingston's broader range of SSDs, known for their reliability and affordability.
One of the key features of this SSD is its shock and vibration resistance, which makes it more durable than traditional HDDs. This is particularly beneficial for laptops, where drives are more susceptible to physical impacts. Additionally, the SA400S37 consumes less power than HDDs, leading to longer battery life in laptops and reduced energy costs in desktops. The drive also supports TRIM, which helps maintain performance over time by optimizing data management. It's important to note that this is a SATA III drive, meaning it uses the SATA interface for connectivity, which is a standard interface found in most modern computers.
The Kingston SSDNow SA400S37 is also designed with ease of installation in mind. It's a simple plug-and-play device, requiring no special drivers or software. This makes it an ideal upgrade for users who are not particularly tech-savvy. Furthermore, Kingston provides a limited warranty for the drive, offering peace of mind in case of any manufacturing defects. Overall, the Kingston SSDNow SA400S37 120GB is a solid option for those looking to upgrade to SSD technology without spending a lot of money. It offers a good balance of performance, reliability, and affordability, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious consumers.
Key Features and Specifications
When evaluating an SSD, it's crucial to understand its key features and specifications. The Kingston SSDNow SA400S37 120GB comes with several notable attributes that make it a competitive option in its class. Let's break down the specifics to give you a clearer picture. The form factor, as mentioned earlier, is 2.5 inches, which is the standard size for most laptops and desktops. This ensures compatibility with a wide range of systems. The interface is SATA III (6Gbps), which is backward compatible with SATA II, though you'll get the best performance on a SATA III connection.
The drive offers sequential read speeds of up to 500MB/s and sequential write speeds of up to 320MB/s. These speeds are significantly faster than traditional HDDs, which typically offer read/write speeds of around 100MB/s. This translates to quicker boot times, faster application loading, and improved overall system responsiveness. The SA400S37 uses a 3D NAND flash memory, which offers better density and reliability compared to older 2D NAND technology. This helps the drive maintain its performance and longevity over time.
Another important specification is the Total Bytes Written (TBW), which indicates the amount of data that can be written to the drive before it may start to degrade. The 120GB version of the SA400S37 typically has a TBW of around 40TB, which is sufficient for most general usage scenarios. The drive also supports S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology), which allows you to monitor the drive's health and detect potential issues before they become critical. In terms of power consumption, the SA400S37 is quite efficient, typically consuming less than 2W during active use. This makes it a good choice for laptops, where power efficiency is crucial for battery life. Finally, the drive comes with a limited warranty from Kingston, providing coverage for manufacturing defects and ensuring peace of mind for the user. Overall, the key features and specifications of the Kingston SSDNow SA400S37 120GB make it a solid contender in the entry-level SSD market.
Performance Benchmarks and Testing
To truly understand the capabilities of the Kingston SSDNow SA400S37 120GB, it's essential to look at its performance benchmarks and testing results. These tests provide objective data on how the drive performs under various workloads, giving you a better idea of what to expect in real-world usage. Benchmarking tools like CrystalDiskMark, AS SSD Benchmark, and ATTO Disk Benchmark are commonly used to measure sequential and random read/write speeds, as well as access times. These metrics are crucial for evaluating the overall performance of an SSD.
In CrystalDiskMark, the SA400S37 typically achieves sequential read speeds of around 500MB/s and sequential write speeds of around 320MB/s, which align with Kingston's advertised specifications. Random read and write speeds, which are important for tasks like application loading and file access, are also significantly faster than those of a traditional HDD. AS SSD Benchmark provides a comprehensive overview of the drive's performance, including sequential read/write speeds, random read/write speeds, and access times. It also provides an overall score, which can be used to compare the SA400S37 to other SSDs.
ATTO Disk Benchmark measures the drive's performance at various file sizes, providing insights into how it handles different types of data. The SA400S37 typically performs well in this test, demonstrating consistent read and write speeds across a range of file sizes. Real-world testing involves using the SSD in a typical computing environment and measuring its performance in everyday tasks. This includes boot times, application loading times, file transfer speeds, and overall system responsiveness. In these tests, the SA400S37 provides a noticeable improvement over traditional HDDs, making the system feel snappier and more responsive. However, it's important to note that the SA400S37 is an entry-level SSD, and its performance may not be as impressive as that of high-end NVMe SSDs. Nevertheless, for users upgrading from an HDD, the Kingston SSDNow SA400S37 120GB offers a significant performance boost that can greatly enhance their computing experience.
Pros and Cons of the Kingston SSDNow SA400S37
Like any product, the Kingston SSDNow SA400S37 120GB has its strengths and weaknesses. Understanding these pros and cons is crucial for making an informed purchasing decision. Let's start with the pros. One of the biggest advantages of this SSD is its affordability. It's one of the most budget-friendly SSDs on the market, making it accessible to a wide range of users. The performance is significantly better than traditional HDDs, offering faster boot times, application loading, and overall system responsiveness. The SA400S37 is also shock and vibration resistant, making it more durable than HDDs, especially in mobile devices like laptops.
Another pro is its low power consumption, which can lead to longer battery life in laptops and reduced energy costs in desktops. The drive is also easy to install, requiring no special drivers or software. This makes it a simple upgrade for users of all technical skill levels. Additionally, Kingston provides a limited warranty for the drive, offering peace of mind in case of any manufacturing defects. Now, let's move on to the cons. The 120GB capacity may be limiting for some users, especially those who store a lot of large files or install many applications. While the performance is better than HDDs, it's not as fast as high-end NVMe SSDs, which offer significantly faster read and write speeds. The SA400S37 also uses the SATA III interface, which is slower than NVMe, limiting its potential performance.
Another potential con is the Total Bytes Written (TBW) rating, which is relatively low compared to some other SSDs. This means that the drive may not be suitable for heavy write-intensive workloads. Finally, the SA400S37 may not have all the advanced features found in more expensive SSDs, such as hardware encryption or advanced error correction. Overall, the Kingston SSDNow SA400S37 120GB is a good option for budget-conscious users who want to upgrade from an HDD to an SSD. It offers a significant performance boost at an affordable price, but it's important to be aware of its limitations before making a purchase.
Alternatives to the Kingston SSDNow SA400S37
If the Kingston SSDNow SA400S37 120GB doesn't quite meet your needs, there are several alternatives to consider. These alternatives offer varying levels of performance, capacity, and features, so you can find the best fit for your specific requirements. One popular alternative is the Samsung 870 EVO. This SSD offers excellent performance and reliability, making it a great choice for general use. It features sequential read speeds of up to 560MB/s and sequential write speeds of up to 530MB/s, which are faster than the SA400S37. The Samsung 870 EVO also comes with a longer warranty and a higher TBW rating, making it a more durable option.
Another alternative is the Western Digital Blue SSD. This SSD offers a good balance of performance and affordability, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious users. It features sequential read speeds of up to 560MB/s and sequential write speeds of up to 530MB/s, similar to the Samsung 870 EVO. The Western Digital Blue SSD also comes in a variety of capacities, so you can choose the size that best fits your needs. For users who want even faster performance, an NVMe SSD like the Samsung 970 EVO Plus or the Western Digital Black SN750 is a great option. These SSDs use the NVMe interface, which offers significantly faster read and write speeds compared to SATA III. However, NVMe SSDs are typically more expensive than SATA SSDs, so they may not be the best choice for budget-conscious users.
Another alternative to consider is the Crucial MX500. The Crucial MX500 is a well-regarded SATA SSD that offers a compelling mix of performance, reliability, and price. It consistently ranks among the top choices in its class, making it a strong contender if you're seeking a dependable storage upgrade. If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, consider the ADATA SU800. The ADATA SU800 is another affordable SSD that provides a noticeable performance boost over traditional hard drives. While it may not match the speeds of more expensive models, it still offers a significant improvement in boot times and application loading, making it a worthwhile upgrade for older systems. Ultimately, the best alternative for you will depend on your specific needs and budget. Consider factors like performance, capacity, reliability, and price when making your decision.
Conclusion: Is the Kingston SSDNow SA400S37 Worth It?
So, is the Kingston SSDNow SA400S37 120GB worth it? The answer depends on your specific needs and priorities. If you're on a tight budget and looking for a simple way to speed up an older computer, then the SA400S37 is a solid option. It offers a significant performance boost over traditional hard drives, making your system feel snappier and more responsive. The drive is also easy to install, making it a great choice for users who are not particularly tech-savvy. However, if you need a lot of storage space or require the fastest possible performance, then you may want to consider other options.
The 120GB capacity of the SA400S37 may be limiting for some users, especially those who store a lot of large files or install many applications. And while the performance is better than HDDs, it's not as fast as high-end NVMe SSDs. Ultimately, the Kingston SSDNow SA400S37 120GB is a good choice for budget-conscious users who want to upgrade from an HDD to an SSD. It offers a significant performance boost at an affordable price, but it's important to be aware of its limitations before making a purchase. Consider your storage needs, performance requirements, and budget when making your decision, and choose the SSD that best fits your specific needs.
In conclusion, the Kingston SSDNow SA400S37 120GB serves its purpose well as an entry-level SSD. For those seeking an affordable upgrade to breathe new life into an older system, it's a viable choice. Just be sure to weigh its pros and cons against your specific needs before making a final decision.