The SX8200 Pro’s key differentiator is the Silicon Motion SM2262EN — a full 8-channel NVMe controller paired with dedicated on-die DRAM. This is a meaningful upgrade over HMB (Host Memory Buffer) designs like the WD SN530, which borrow system RAM as a substitute for real DRAM cache. With intelligent SLC caching and a dedicated DRAM cache buffer, the SX8200 Pro accelerates both sequential and 4K random read/write speeds to shorten system response time — and crucially, it maintains that performance consistently without relying on the host system’s RAM allocation.

Tiered Caching — SLC, DRAM, and Beyond

The SX8200 Pro uses both an ultra-fast SLC NAND cache as well as a DRAM cache buffer to keep transfer rates high. The two work in concert: incoming writes land first in the DRAM buffer, then spill into the SLC cache, before eventually being folded into the TLC NAND. The SLC cache once full sees writes complete at around 1,200MB/s — still faster than any SATA drive and more than adequate for sustained workloads on a 256GB drive.

LDPC ECC and E2E Data Protection

The SX8200 Pro supports LDPC error correcting code technology and E2E (End-to-End) Data Protection to ensure data safety and integrity. LDPC ECC is the gold standard for NVMe error correction — a significantly more capable algorithm than basic BCH ECC, and essential for maintaining data integrity over the lifespan of TLC NAND.

Heat Spreader Included

ADATA includes a stick-on heat spreader in the package, with thermal adhesive already applied for easy installation. It helps dissipate heat more efficiently, though it is not required for long-term drive health — a welcome inclusion on a drive that can run warm under sustained load.

256GB Write Speed — Know What to Expect

The 256GB model will write quite a bit slower than the 1TB variant due to less cache and fewer NAND chips, and will dip in performance sooner than higher-capacity models due to less cache headroom. Real-world sequential write on the 256GB sits around 1,150–1,200MB/s rather than the 3,000MB/s headline figure — still significantly faster than SATA, but buyers expecting the full rated write speed should consider the 512GB or 1TB model. For an OS and applications drive the 256GB is perfectly capable; for large sustained writes, capacity matters.

Multi-Variant Drive — Important Note

The SX8200 Pro has been the subject of controversy over component switching post-review, with some units shipping with different NAND and DRAM combinations from different manufacturers. All variants perform within the advertised spec, but internal hardware — including NAND brand and DRAM type — may vary between production runs. This is an industry-wide issue not unique to ADATA, but worth knowing.

256GB write speed — the headline 3,000MB/s write figure applies to the 1TB model. The 256GB variant delivers around 1,150–1,200MB/s sustained sequential write due to fewer NAND dies. Still well ahead of any SATA drive, and entirely adequate for OS and application use.

Multi-variant drive — internal components (NAND and DRAM) may vary between production batches. All variants meet the advertised performance spec.

Heat spreader — the included heat spreader requires clearance above the M.2 slot. In some small form factor builds or laptops, this may conflict with adjacent components or the chassis. Check clearance before installing.

Key Highlights

• Capacity: 256GB
• Form Factor: M.2 2280
• Interface: PCIe Gen3 x4 / NVMe 1.3
• Sequential Read/Write: Up to 3,500 / 3,000 MB/s (rated); ~1,150–1,200 MB/s sustained write at 256GB
• Random Read/Write IOPS: Up to 290,000 / 280,000 (256GB)
• NAND: Micron 64-layer 3D TLC (may vary by production run)
• Controller: Silicon Motion SM2262EN (8-channel)
• DRAM Cache: Yes (dedicated on-die DDR3/DDR4; ~256MB for 256GB model; may vary)
• SLC Cache: Yes (tiered SLC + DRAM caching)
• Error Correction: LDPC ECC, E2E Data Protection
• Accessories: Heat spreader with pre-applied thermal adhesive
• TBW: 160TB
• Warranty: 5-year limited

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The P300 sits at the entry point of the NVMe market — and it’s worth being clear about what that means. Sequential read performance reaches 1,700MB/s and writes 1,100MB/s, with random 4K IOPS rated at up to 290,000 read and 260,000 write. Those numbers won’t trouble the XPG SX8200 Pro or WD SN530, but they comfortably outpace every SATA drive in this range — and for booting Windows, loading applications, and everyday desktop tasks, the real-world improvement over SATA is immediately noticeable.

Phison E13T / SMI SM2263XT — HMB-Assisted DRAM-less Design

The P300 is available in two regional variants: the US market receives a Phison PS5013-E13T controller, while the rest of the world receives a Silicon Motion SM2263XT. Both are 4-channel, DRAM-less NVMe controllers that use Host Memory Buffer (HMB) technology, which lets the controller utilise a portion of the host system’s RAM as a DRAM cache for accelerating flash translation layer interaction — offering improved performance compared to operating without any cache at all. HMB is active on Windows 10 and later with NVMe drivers; older operating systems may not benefit from it.

Strong Power Efficiency for Laptops

The P300 features support for APST, ASPM, and L1.2 power saving modes to maximise notebook battery life. At 2.07W under full load and just 0.37W at idle, the P300 is among the more power-efficient NVMe drives available — a genuine advantage for thin-and-light laptops where thermal budget and battery life are a concern.

SmartECC, E2E Data Protection, and Thermal Throttling

The P300’s advanced firmware includes SmartECC technology, end-to-end data path protection, and thermal throttling. Thermal throttling actively reduces drive speed before temperature becomes a reliability issue — useful in compact systems with limited airflow. LDPC ECC provides improved drive reliability and prevents data corruption while maintaining peak performance.

TBW note — important — the 256GB P300 carries an 80TBW endurance rating, which is the lowest in our NVMe range and lower than most competing 256GB NVMe drives. For a light daily use OS drive — booting, browsing, office applications — this is workable, but it is not a drive for write-intensive workloads. If endurance matters, the ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro (160TBW) or Kingston KC600 SATA (150TBW at 256GB) are stronger choices.

DRAM-less design — the P300 uses HMB rather than dedicated on-drive DRAM. HMB performance benefits are active on Windows 10 and later; ensure your system is running a compatible OS and NVMe driver to get the best from it.

Controller variant — units shipped outside the US market typically use the Silicon Motion SM2263XT controller. Both regional variants perform within the same advertised spec.

3-year warranty — the P300 is backed by a 3-year warranty, with the warranty determined by TBW limit or the warranty period, whichever occurs first.

Key Highlights

• Capacity: 256GB
• Form Factor: M.2 2280
• Interface: PCIe Gen3 x4 / NVMe 1.3
• Sequential Read/Write: Up to 1,700 / 1,100 MB/s
• Random 4K Read/Write IOPS: Up to 290,000 / 260,000
• NAND: Kioxia BiCS4 96-layer 3D TLC
• Controller: Silicon Motion SM2263XT (regional) / Phison PS5013-E13T (US) — 4-channel, DRAM-less
• DRAM Cache: None (HMB supported)
• Error Correction: SmartECC (LDPC), E2E Data Path Protection
• Features: HMB, Wear-Leveling, Thermal Throttling, APST/ASPM/L1.2 power saving
• Power (Full / Idle): 2.07W / 0.37W
• Operating Temp: 0°C – 70°C
• Dimensions: 80 × 22 × 3.8mm
• Weight: 9g
• TBW: 80TB
• Warranty: 3-year limited (TBW or period, whichever first)

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The LEGEND 710 heatsink works to lower operating temperatures by 15% for optimal performance and stability. At this price tier, shipping a heatsink in the box is unusual and genuinely useful — most M.2 drives at this level leave thermal management entirely to the user. The heatsink uses a royal blue colour scheme with gold accents, and adds only a few millimetres of height. Check clearance against your motherboard’s M.2 slot before installing, particularly in laptops.

LC NAND — Know What You’re Buying

The 256GB Legend 710 uses SpecTek 232-layer QLC NAND flash paired with the Realtek RTS5766DL controller. QLC stores four bits per cell, allowing for higher storage density and lower cost per gigabyte — but carries a trade-off in raw write endurance and sustained write performance compared to TLC drives. For read-heavy everyday workloads — booting, browsing, application loading, media playback — this is largely a non-issue. For sustained heavy writes, the SLC cache will eventually exhaust and write speeds will drop. Buyers prioritising write endurance should consider the ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro (TLC, 160TBW) or Silicon Power P34A60 (TLC, 150TBW) instead.

HMB and SLC Caching

The Legend 710 is equipped for productivity with SLC caching and HMB (Host Memory Buffer) technology. The SLC cache absorbs burst writes in faster single-level cell mode before folding to QLC, while HMB borrows a portion of system RAM to supplement the lack of dedicated on-drive DRAM. Together these help maintain good burst performance for typical workloads on Windows 10 and later.

LDPC ECC and AES-256 Encryption

With LDPC (Low-Density Parity Check Code) and AES 256-bit encryption, the Legend 710 ensures accurate data transfers and data security. LDPC ECC is the gold standard for NVMe error correction — a strong inclusion at this price point. Hardware AES-256 encryption is a welcome addition for users working with sensitive data, and operates at the drive level with no CPU overhead.

ADATA SSD Toolbox

SSD Toolbox automatically ensures you have the latest firmware for optimal performance and allows you to monitor drive health and remaining lifespan through S.M.A.R.T. attributes, as well as track current operating temperature, capacity, and total used storage space. Useful for keeping tabs on a drive that’s being pushed close to its TBW limits.

QLC NAND — important to understand — the 256GB Legend 710 uses QLC flash, which has lower write endurance than TLC drives. Suited to read-heavy workloads and light daily use. For write-intensive use, consider a TLC alternative in our NVMe range.

TBW note — the 256GB Legend 710 carries a 65TBW endurance rating — the lowest in our NVMe range. Fine for light OS and application use, but not the right choice for sustained write-heavy workloads or high-turnover storage.

Heatsink clearance — the included heatsink adds approximately 1mm of height to the drive. In most desktop M.2 slots this is fine, but verify clearance against adjacent PCIe slots or the motherboard chipset heatsink before installing. Not recommended for installation in laptops where space is tighter.

256GB-specific specs — the 2,400/1,800MB/s figures widely advertised for the Legend 710 apply to the 512GB and 1TB variants. The 256GB model is rated at 2,100 / 1,000MB/s read/write with 90K/130K random IOPS.

Key Highlights

• Capacity: 256GB
• Form Factor: M.2 2280
• Interface: PCIe Gen3 x4 / NVMe 1.4
• Sequential Read/Write: Up to 2,100 / 1,000 MB/s
• Random 4K Read/Write IOPS: Up to 90,000 / 130,000
• NAND: SpecTek 232-layer QLC (Micron-derived)
• Controller: Realtek RTS5766DL (DRAM-less)
• DRAM Cache: None (HMB + SLC caching used)
• Error Correction: LDPC ECC
• Encryption: AES-256-bit hardware
• Shock Resistance: 1,500G / 0.5ms
• MTBF: 1,500,000 hours
• Operating Temp: 0°C – 70°C
• Storage Temp: -40°C – 85°C
• Dimensions (with heatsink): 80 × 22 × 3.13mm
• Weight (with heatsink): 9g
• TBW: 65TB
• Software: ADATA SSD Toolbox
• Warranty: 3-year limited

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The MTE410S is this range’s first PCIe Gen 4 drive — and its first M.2 2242 form factor. Transcend’s PCIe Gen 4×4 M.2 SSD MTE410S has a compact form factor and high-quality 3D NAND flash, making it easy to upgrade ultrabooks, lightweight notebooks, tablets, and handheld gaming PCs. PCIe Gen 4 doubles the available bandwidth over Gen 3, and while the 256GB model doesn’t reach the headline 5,000MB/s figures of the larger variants, 3,300MB/s read and 1,600MB/s write still represent a dramatic leap over any SATA drive and a solid step above Gen 3 NVMe at this capacity.

Designed for Slim Devices — Single-Sided PCB

Transcend’s MTE410S is designed in the M.2 2242 form factor with a single-sided design — all components on one side of the PCB — which is essential for the tight internal clearances of ultrabooks and handheld gaming devices where double-sided M.2 drives simply won’t fit. At just 42mm in length, the MTE410S is ideal for ultrabooks, lightweight notebooks, tablets, and handheld gaming PCs while still offering up to 2TB capacity across the range.

Non-DRAM Design — Power Efficient by Intention

The MTE410S is a non-DRAM energy-efficient SSD, which effectively reduces power consumption and enhances energy efficiency at a more affordable price point. Without an on-drive DRAM chip, the MTE410S keeps thermal output and power draw low — an important consideration in thin devices where battery life and heat dissipation are at a premium. SLC caching handles burst write acceleration in the absence of dedicated DRAM.

LDPC ECC, SLC Cache, and SSD Scope

The MTE410S is designed with multiple firmware optimisation technologies, including SLC caching and the LDPC ECC mechanism, which help to improve storage reliability and extend the drive lifespan. S.M.A.R.T. functionality helps extend the lifespan of the drive by automatically monitoring it to predict and detect potential failures, while an advanced Garbage Collection protocol removes unused files and clears space automatically. Transcend SSD Scope software provides user-friendly tools to ensure your SSD always remains in top condition, covering health monitoring, firmware updates, and S.M.A.R.T. reporting.

5-Year Warranty and Outstanding MTBF

The 256GB MTE410S carries a 150TBW endurance rating and a 2,000,000 hour MTBF, backed by a 5-year limited warranty — unusually strong coverage for an entry-level PCIe 4 drive. That MTBF figure is among the highest across our entire SSD range, and the 5-year warranty matches premium drives like the ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro and Silicon Power P34A60.

M.2 2242 form factor — not 2280 — the MTE410S is 42mm long, not the standard 80mm. Confirm your motherboard or device has an M.2 2242-compatible slot before ordering. Most desktop motherboards only support 2280; 2242 support is typically found in ultrabooks, mini PCs, handheld gaming devices, and some compact SFF builds.

PCIe Gen 4 slot recommended — the MTE410S is a PCIe Gen 4 drive and will operate in a Gen 3 slot at reduced speeds (~half the rated figures). For full performance, a PCIe Gen 4 M.2 slot is required.

256GB write speed — the 256GB model is rated at 1,600MB/s write, lower than the 3,500–4,300MB/s available on the 512GB–2TB variants, due to fewer NAND dies available for parallel writes at this capacity.

Key Highlights

• Capacity: 256GB
• Form Factor: M.2 2242 (42mm; single-sided)
• Interface: PCIe Gen 4 x4 / NVMe
• Sequential Read/Write: Up to 3,300 / 1,600 MB/s
• Random 4K Read/Write IOPS: Up to 190,000 / 370,000
• NAND: 3D NAND flash
• Controller: DRAM-less (SLC caching used)
• DRAM Cache: None
• Error Correction: LDPC ECC
• Features: SLC Cache, S.M.A.R.T., TRIM, Garbage Collection
• MTBF: 2,000,000 hours
• TBW: 150TB
• Dimensions: 42 × 22 × 2.2mm
• Weight: 5g
• OS Compatibility: Windows 7 or later; Linux Kernel 2.6.31 or later
• Software: Transcend SSD Scope (download)
• Warranty: 5-year limited

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