Patriot P300 M.2 PCIe Gen 3 x4 256GB Low-Power Consumption SSD
Want the best price and purchase timing?
Our AI advisor analyzes real-time pricing across all channels to find you the best deal.
AI Verdict
This 256GB PCIe Gen 3 x4 NVMe drive with 1,700MB/s read and 1,100MB/s write speeds is for basic boot drive needs or light storage in older systems.
This drive is a situational fit because its 256GB capacity and PCIe Gen 3 x4 interface with 1,700MB/s read and 1,100MB/s write speeds are entry-level for NVMe. It works for basic boot drive needs or light storage in compatible older systems, but struggles with demanding tasks or larger storage requirements.
If you need more storage or faster performance, look for NVMe drives with 500GB+ capacity, PCIe Gen 4 interface, and dedicated DRAM cache.
Regret Score™
High RiskLower is better — measures purchase-regret risk from real buyer complaints, review credibility, and product maturity
Issues discovered after purchase
Critically weak dimension
Amazon rating vs actual quality
Chance this product isn't for you
Pros
- Includes end-to-end data path protection, SmartECC, and Thermal throttling technology for data integrity and drive health.
- Supports LDPC and NANDXtend ECC technology to extend the lifespan of NAND Flash components.
- Offers sequential read speeds up to 1,700MB/s, which is faster than SATA SSDs.
- Backed by a 5-year warranty, providing extended coverage for potential issues.
- Features low-power consumption, which can be beneficial for laptops or power-conscious systems.
Cons
- Lacks a dedicated software suite for monitoring or management, unlike some competitors.
- Utilizes a DRAMless architecture with Host Memory Buffer (HMB), which can impact performance in certain scenarios, especially with external enclosures.
- Exhibits poor low Queue Depth (QD) read performance, potentially affecting responsiveness in everyday tasks.
- The SLC write cache is small, meaning sustained large writes can see a significant speed drop after the cache is filled.
- Performance can be inconsistent and the drive may throttle under heavy loads, despite thermal throttling technology.
Dimension Scores
The sequential read speed of 1,700MB/s and write speed of 1,100MB/s are average for an entry-level PCIe Gen 3 x4 NVMe drive, but below Gen 4 speeds.
While it has a 5-year warranty and data protection features, some users report early failures and inconsistent performance, balancing out its reliability claims.
A 256GB capacity is very small for modern operating systems, applications, and user data, quickly becoming a bottleneck for general use.
Its M.2 2280 form factor and PCIe Gen 3 x4 NVMe interface are widely supported in most modern desktops and many laptops, though some older motherboards might require adapters.
Best For
- As a primary boot drive for a Windows 7/8/10/11 installation in a desktop PC.
- Upgrading an older laptop or desktop with an available M.2 PCIe Gen 3 slot for faster boot times.
- Light office work or web browsing systems where large file transfers are infrequent.
- Use in an external NVMe enclosure for basic, portable file storage, though HMB limitations apply.
Not Recommended For
- Gaming rigs or systems requiring fast loading times for large game files.
- Workstations involved in heavy video editing, large database operations, or sustained large file transfers.
- Users who frequently move large files (tens of GBs) and expect consistent high speeds.
- Systems where advanced features like hardware encryption are a requirement.
Watch Out For
- The 256GB capacity is often considered too small for general use in modern systems, quickly filling up with an OS and a few applications.
- Some users have reported inconsistent performance, stating that advertised speeds of 1,700MB/s read and 1,100MB/s write are not consistently achieved in real-world usage.
- There are user reports of drive failures within a few months of use, raising concerns about long-term reliability for some batches.
- Installation can be a hassle for some users, as the M.2 form factor may not be compatible with all motherboards, potentially requiring additional adapters.
- The lack of a software suite means you won't get advanced monitoring or secure erase utilities that some other brands offer.
Full Specifications
| ASIN | B082BWY2C2 |
| Brand | Patriot Memory |
| Color | Black |
| Series | P300P256GM28 |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. |
| Hard Drive | 256 GB Solid State Drive |
| Item Weight | 0.317 ounces |
| Manufacturer | Patriot Memory |
| Special Feature | Shock Resistant |
| Flash Memory Size | 256 GB |
| Hardware Platform | PC |
| Installation Type | Internal Hard Drive |
| Item model number | P300P256GM28 |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop |
| Product Dimensions | 0.15 x 3.15 x 0.87 inches |
| Hard Disk Interface | NVMe |
| Computer Memory Type | DIMM |
| Hard Drive Interface | NVMe |
| Hard Disk Description | Solid State Drive |
| Hard Disk Form Factor | 2.5 Inches |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 0.15 x 3.15 x 0.87 inches |
| Connectivity Technology | NVMe |
| Digital Storage Capacity | 256 GB |
What Buyers Say
Many users picked this drive for its low price, expecting a basic upgrade from older storage, and found it delivered noticeable speed improvements for booting Windows and general tasks. However, a recurring theme in user feedback is the inconsistency of its advertised speeds, with some reporting that the 1,700MB/s read and 1,100MB/s write are not always met in real-world scenarios. The 256GB capacity is frequently mentioned as a limiting factor, quickly filling up, and there are scattered but concerning reports of early drive failures for some users.
“Look, I just needed something cheap to get Windows off my old hard drive, and this did the trick. It's fast enough for opening Chrome and Word, but don't expect to install more than a couple games on it, and I hope it doesn't die on me like some people said theirs did.”
Common Praise
- Noticeably faster boot times for Windows compared to traditional hard drives or even SATA SSDs.
- Easy to install in compatible M.2 slots, making it a straightforward upgrade.
- The low price point makes it an accessible option for budget builds or older system upgrades.
- Runs cool and has low power consumption, which is good for laptops.
- Some users reported actual speeds exceeding the advertised specifications in benchmarks.
Common Complaints
- Inconsistent performance, with speeds often not reaching the advertised 1,700MB/s read and 1,100MB/s write in daily use.
- The 256GB capacity is too small for modern operating systems and a few applications, requiring frequent data management.
- Lack of a dedicated software utility for drive health monitoring or secure erase features.
- Some users experienced drive failures within a few months of purchase, raising reliability concerns.
- The drive can throttle under heavy, sustained loads, impacting performance.
Ownership Tips
- After a few weeks, the 256GB capacity feels really tight once Windows updates and a few essential programs are installed.
- The drive can get warm during large file transfers, and I suspect it throttles, though I don't have monitoring software to confirm.
- Boot times are consistently fast, but opening larger applications still has a slight delay.
- I noticed a performance dip when copying a single large file (over 10GB) compared to smaller files, likely due to the small SLC cache.
- The blue PCB is visible in some builds, which isn't the prettiest if you care about aesthetics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this SSD compatible with my laptop?
It uses the M.2 2280 form factor and NVMe interface. You'll need to check your laptop's specifications to ensure it has an M.2 slot that supports NVMe PCIe Gen 3 x4 drives.
Can I use this as a gaming drive?
While it will load games faster than a traditional HDD, its 256GB capacity is very limited for modern games, and its PCIe Gen 3 speeds and DRAMless architecture mean it won't offer the fastest loading times compared to higher-end NVMe drives.
Does this drive come with a heatsink?
No, the Patriot P300 does not come with a pre-installed heatsink. You would need to purchase one separately if your system requires it or if you experience thermal throttling under heavy use.
What operating systems does this SSD support?
It officially supports Windows 7, 8.0, 8.1, 10, and 11. Linux users have also reported it working without issues, though without a dedicated software suite.
Will this be faster than my old SATA SSD?
Yes, with sequential read speeds up to 1,700MB/s and write speeds up to 1,100MB/s, it will be significantly faster than most SATA SSDs, which typically max out around 550MB/s read/write.
Buying Guide
When you're looking at an SSD like this, you're mainly thinking about how fast your computer starts up and how quickly programs open. This drive uses something called NVMe, which is like a super-fast highway for data compared to the older SATA roads. It also plugs directly into your motherboard via an M.2 slot, which is a tiny stick, not a bulky box like older hard drives. The 'PCIe Gen 3 x4' part tells you it's using a specific version of that highway, which is fast, but not the absolute fastest available today.
Capacity (256GB)
This is how much stuff you can store on the drive. Think of it like a small closet. 256GB is enough for your operating system (like Windows) and a handful of essential programs, but you'll quickly run out of space if you plan on installing many games or storing lots of photos and videos.
Interface (NVMe PCIe Gen 3 x4)
This describes the connection type and speed. NVMe is a protocol designed for SSDs to be much faster than older SATA drives. PCIe Gen 3 is the third generation of this connection, and 'x4' means it uses four data lanes. It's like a 4-lane highway; it's fast, but newer Gen 4 drives are like 8-lane highways, offering even more speed.
Sequential Read/Write Speeds (up to 1,700MB/s Read, 1,100MB/s Write)
These numbers tell you how fast the drive can move large, continuous files. Think of it as how quickly you can copy a big movie. 1,700 megabytes per second read and 1,100 megabytes per second write are significantly faster than older hard drives or SATA SSDs, meaning your computer will feel much snappier for everyday tasks.
Alternatives
If 256GB isn't enough or you need more consistent performance, look for NVMe drives with 500GB or 1TB capacity, and consider models with PCIe Gen 4 interfaces for significantly faster speeds, especially if your motherboard supports it.
You Might Also Like
Seagate IronWolf Pro SATA III 3.5" Internal NAS Hard Drive, 2-Pack - 8TB
$300-$599A 2-pack of 8TB 7200 RPM CMR internal hard drives with 256MB cache, built for 24/7 multi-bay NAS environments.
QNAP TS-453E-8G-US 4 Bay High-Performance Desktop NAS with Intel Celeron Quad-core Processor, 8 GB DDR4 RAM and Dual 2.5GbE (2.5G/1G/100M) Network Connectivity (Diskless)
$600+A 4-bay diskless NAS with an Intel Celeron J6412, 8GB DDR4 RAM, dual 2.5GbE, and M.2 NVMe slots for businesses needing long-term support.
Seagate Exos 28TB Internal Hard Drive HDD - 3.5 in CMR SATA 6Gb/s, 7200 RPM, 512MB Cache, 2.5M MTBF - ST28000NM000C (Renewed)
$300-$599This 28TB, 7200 RPM, 3.5-inch CMR SATA 6Gb/s renewed hard drive is for serious data hoarders needing massive capacity at a lower price point.
1TB G-Drive ArmorATD Rugged, Durable Portable External HDD, Up to 130MB/s, USB-C (5Gbps), USB 3.2 Gen 1 – SDPHE1G-001T
$50-$99A 1TB mechanical hard drive with a 130MB/s read speed and USB-C (5Gbps) connectivity, built for users needing rugged, portable storage for school or creative projects.