SAMSUNG 860 EVO SSD 250GB - M.2 SATA Internal Solid State Drive with V-NAND Technology (MZ-N6E250BW)
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AI Verdict
This 250GB M.2 SATA SSD delivers sequential read/write speeds up to 560MB/s and 530MB/s, suitable for basic OS and application storage.
This 250GB M.2 SATA SSD is a situational fit because its 560MB/s sequential read speed and M.2 2280 form factor are suitable for specific upgrade scenarios, particularly older laptops or desktops with M.2 SATA slots. However, its limited 250GB capacity and SATA interface mean it's not ideal for modern primary storage or high-performance needs.
If you need more speed or capacity, look for an NVMe M.2 SSD with at least 1TB capacity and sequential read speeds exceeding 3000MB/s.
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Pros
- Sequential read speeds reach up to 560MB/s, with some tests showing 562.5MB/s.
- Sequential write speeds are up to 530MB/s, with tests showing 532MB/s.
- The 250GB model offers 150 TBW endurance, double the 75 TBW of its 850 Evo predecessor.
- Utilizes V-NAND Technology and 3-bit per cell (TLC) flash for performance and affordability.
- Includes hardware encryption support with TCG Opal and Microsoft's eDrive.
- Compatible with a wide range of operating systems including Windows 8/7/Vista/XP, MAC OSX, and Linux.
Cons
- The 250GB capacity is considered small for modern main storage, especially for gaming.
- Performance is limited by the SATA 6Gbit/s interface, meaning it won't match NVMe speeds.
- Only offers a minor performance improvement over the older 850 EVO, around a couple of percent.
- The M.2 SATA form factor can be confusing, as M.2 slots also support faster NVMe drives, which this is not.
Dimension Scores
Sequential read/write speeds of 560MB/s and 530MB/s are at the upper limit for the SATA III interface, but are surpassed by NVMe drives.
The 250GB model boasts 150 TBW endurance, which is double its predecessor and indicates a robust lifespan for typical consumer use.
250GB is frequently cited by users as being too small for modern operating systems, applications, and especially games, making it a limited choice for primary storage.
It supports a broad range of Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems, and its M.2 SATA form factor is common in many older laptops and desktops.
Best For
- Upgrading an older laptop or desktop with a SATA M.2 slot for faster boot times.
- A dedicated drive for a lightweight operating system and essential productivity applications.
- Use as a cache drive in a network-attached storage (NAS) setup.
- Revitalizing an older system where NVMe isn't an option or budget is tight.
Not Recommended For
- Primary storage for a gaming PC with a large game library.
- Workstations requiring sustained high-speed data transfers for large files.
- New PC builds where NVMe M.2 slots are available and preferred for performance.
- Users needing significant storage capacity for media editing or extensive software.
Watch Out For
- The 250GB capacity fills up quickly if used for an operating system, applications, and a few modern games, with users often recommending at least 1TB for main storage.
- Despite being an M.2 form factor, this is a SATA drive, meaning its performance is capped by the SATA 6Gbit/s interface and won't reach NVMe speeds, which can be misleading if you're expecting faster M.2 performance.
- While it offers improved endurance over its predecessor, the burst performance benefits of the EVO series are typically for short durations, not sustained heavy workloads.
Full Specifications
| ASIN | B07864V6CK |
| Brand | Samsung |
| Color | Black |
| Series | 860 EVO |
| Hard Drive | 250 GB Solid State Drive |
| Item Weight | 0.28 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Samsung Electronics DAV |
| Special Feature | Portable |
| Operating System | Windows 8/Windows 7/Windows Server 2003 (32-bit and 64-bit), Vista (SP1 and above), XP (SP2 and above), MAC OSX, and Linux |
| Flash Memory Size | 250 GB |
| Hardware Platform | PC, Mac |
| Installation Type | Internal Hard Drive |
| Item model number | MZ-N6E250BW |
| Compatible Devices | Laptop |
| Product Dimensions | 3.15 x 0.87 x 0.09 inches |
| Hard Disk Interface | Solid State |
| Hard Drive Interface | Solid State |
| Hard Disk Description | Solid State Drive |
| Hard Disk Form Factor | 2280 Inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 3.15 x 0.87 x 0.09 inches |
| Connectivity Technology | SATA |
| Digital Storage Capacity | 250 GB |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
What Buyers Say
Many users point out that while this M.2 form factor looks modern, it's still a SATA drive, meaning its speeds are capped and won't compete with NVMe drives, which can be confusing for some buyers. The 250GB capacity is a recurring concern, with numerous comments suggesting it's too small for today's software and games, pushing users towards larger drives like 1TB or more. Despite the capacity limitation, the drive is frequently praised for its ease of installation and noticeable speed boost over traditional hard drives in older systems.
“Man, I thought M.2 meant super fast, but this is just SATA speed. It's fine for my old laptop's OS, but 250GB is tiny, already almost full just with Windows and a few programs, should've gone bigger.”
Common Praise
- Noticeably faster boot times and application loading compared to a hard drive.
- Simple installation process for systems with M.2 SATA slots.
- Good for breathing new life into older laptops or desktops.
- Offers improved endurance (TBW) over previous Samsung SATA SSD generations.
Common Complaints
- 250GB capacity is quickly outgrown, especially for users with multiple applications or games.
- Performance is limited by the SATA interface, not matching faster NVMe M.2 drives.
- Some users mistake it for a faster NVMe drive due to the M.2 form factor.
- The performance difference from the older 850 EVO is minimal, making it less of an upgrade for some.
Ownership Tips
- The drive's actual usable capacity after formatting is slightly less than 250GB, which becomes critical quickly.
- For older systems, the speed difference from a hard drive is immediately apparent and appreciated.
- Monitoring software often shows the drive performing consistently at its advertised SATA limits.
- The physical installation is straightforward, but verifying M.2 SATA compatibility with the motherboard is crucial before purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this SSD faster than a traditional hard drive?
Yes, significantly. This SSD offers sequential read speeds up to 560MB/s, which is many times faster than a typical hard drive, resulting in quicker boot times and application loading.
Will this M.2 SSD work in any M.2 slot?
No, not necessarily. This is an M.2 SATA SSD. Your motherboard's M.2 slot must support M.2 SATA drives; some newer motherboards only support M.2 NVMe, or have specific slots for each type.
Is 250GB enough for a gaming PC?
For a gaming PC, 250GB is generally considered too small for primary storage, especially with modern game sizes. Users often recommend at least 1TB for gaming to accommodate the OS and multiple titles.
What is V-NAND Technology?
V-NAND (Vertical NAND) is Samsung's proprietary flash memory architecture that stacks memory cells vertically, allowing for higher density, improved performance, and better endurance compared to traditional planar NAND.
How does the 860 EVO compare to the 850 EVO?
The 860 EVO offers only a marginal performance improvement (a couple of percent) over the 850 EVO, but it significantly doubles the endurance (TBW) for the 250GB model.
Buying Guide
When you're looking at an SSD, you need to think about how much space you actually need and how fast you want things to load. This drive is an M.2 form factor, which looks sleek, but it's important to know if it's a SATA or NVMe type. SATA drives are faster than old hard drives but slower than NVMe. The capacity, like this 250GB, dictates how many programs and files you can store.
Capacity (250 GB)
This is how much data the drive can hold, like the size of a closet. 250GB is like a small closet – enough for your essentials, but it'll get cramped fast if you start throwing in lots of games or big files.
Interface (M.2 SATA)
This is how the drive connects to your computer and how fast data can travel. M.2 is a physical shape, but 'SATA' means it uses the same speed limits as older 2.5-inch SSDs, like a two-lane highway. There are faster 'NVMe' M.2 drives, which are like a six-lane superhighway.
Sequential Read/Write Speeds (up to 560MB/s / 530MB/s)
These numbers tell you how quickly the drive can read and write large files, like copying a big movie. Higher numbers mean faster transfers, making your computer feel snappier when loading big programs or booting up.
Alternatives
If you need more speed, search for M.2 NVMe SSDs with sequential read speeds above 3000MB/s. If you need more storage, look for SATA or NVMe drives with capacities of 1TB or more.
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