PNY CS2241 500GB

The PNY CS2241 500GB is an entry-level PCIe 4.0 NVMe drive that aims to exceed PCIe 3.0 bandwidth limits while using cost-effective components. It typically uses the Phison PS5021-E21T controller, a DRAM-less design that employs Host Memory Buffer (HMB) to store mapping tables in system RAM rather than on-board DRAM. The controller is paired with high-density 3D QLC NAND—commonly Micron 176-layer QLC in early batches—producing a profile that favors sequential read throughput over sustained write performance. The 500GB capacity highlights QLC limitations when fewer NAND channels are used: the drive’s 4,700 MB/s read and 1,700 MB/s write specs reflect heavy reliance on a dynamic pseudo-SLC (pSLC) cache, and once that cache is exhausted during large transfers native QLC write speeds can fall dramatically. PNY allows component changes without revising model numbers, so later revisions could use different controller/NAND combinations (for example, Silicon Motion or Maxio alternatives) while targeting similar performance characteristics.

Key Specifications

• Interface: PCIe Gen4 x4 / NVMe 1.4
• Sequential Read/Write: 4,700 MB/s Read / 1,700 MB/s Write
• Controller: Phison PS5021-E21T (DRAM-less)
• NAND Flash: 3D QLC (Quad-Level Cell)
• Endurance: 160 TBW (Total Bytes Written)
• MTBF: 1,500,000 Hours
• Physical Configuration: Single-sided M.2 2280 PCB

Hardware Alternatives

• Crucial P3 Plus: The closest architectural relative. It shares the Phison E21T controller and QLC NAND reference design, offering a nearly identical performance profile regarding pSLC cache behavior and endurance ratings.
• Kingston NV2: A direct functional competitor in the entry-level Gen4 segment. Many units ship with similar DRAM-less controllers and QLC NAND, resulting in comparable input/output operations per second (IOPS).
• Solidigm P41 Plus: Functions as a direct market alternative. It utilizes a Silicon Motion (SMI) controller rather than Phison but shares the QLC-based, DRAM-less configuration optimized for read-heavy consumer workloads.