What To Know
- Samsung provides a 5-year limited warranty for the 860 EVO, while Kingston offers a 3-year limited warranty for the A400.
- However, if you’re on a tighter budget and don’t need the most extreme performance, the A400 is a solid option that will provide a significant upgrade over an HDD.
- The A400 is not recommended for users who frequently write large amounts of data, as it has a lower endurance rating than the 860 EVO.
In the realm of budget-friendly storage solutions, the Samsung 860 EVO 500GB and Kingston A400 480GB solid-state drives (SSDs) have emerged as formidable contenders. Both offer a significant upgrade over traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) in terms of speed and performance. But which one is the better choice for your needs? Let’s dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you make an informed decision.
1. Storage Capacity and Price
The Samsung 860 EVO comes with a storage capacity of 500GB, while the Kingston A400 offers 480GB. This difference may seem insignificant, but it could be crucial for users who need to store large amounts of data. In terms of pricing, the 860 EVO is slightly more expensive than the A400, but the price difference is often negligible.
2. Performance
Performance is a key factor to consider when choosing an SSD. The 860 EVO boasts impressive read and write speeds of up to 550 MB/s and 520 MB/s, respectively. The A400, on the other hand, has slightly slower speeds of up to 500 MB/s and 450 MB/s. This difference is noticeable in real-world applications, such as loading games and software.
3. Endurance and Reliability
Endurance refers to the amount of data that can be written to an SSD before it fails. The 860 EVO has a rated endurance of 150 TBW (terabytes written), while the A400 has an endurance rating of 100 TBW. This means that the 860 EVO is expected to last longer if you frequently write large amounts of data to your SSD.
4. Cache and Controller
The cache and controller play a vital role in SSD performance. The 860 EVO utilizes a 512MB LPDDR4 cache and a Samsung MJX controller, which are both known for their speed and efficiency. The A400 uses a 128MB LPDDR3 cache and a Silicon Motion SM2258XT controller, which are less powerful but still provide decent performance for everyday tasks.
5. Form Factor and Interface
Both the 860 EVO and A400 come in the standard 2.5-inch form factor and use the SATA III interface. This means that they can be easily installed in most laptops and desktops. However, the 860 EVO also offers an M.2 form factor option, which is more compact and offers faster speeds when used with compatible motherboards.
6. Warranty and Support
Samsung provides a 5-year limited warranty for the 860 EVO, while Kingston offers a 3-year limited warranty for the A400. This difference in warranty duration can be a deciding factor for users who value long-term reliability.
7. Conclusion: Which SSD is Right for You?
The choice between the Samsung 860 EVO 500GB and Kingston A400 480GB ultimately depends on your specific needs and budget. If you need the highest possible performance, endurance, and reliability, the 860 EVO is the clear winner. However, if you’re on a tighter budget and don’t need the most extreme performance, the A400 is a solid option that will provide a significant upgrade over an HDD.
FAQs
Q: Which SSD is faster for gaming?
A: The Samsung 860 EVO has slightly faster read and write speeds, making it the better choice for gaming.
Q: How long will the 860 EVO last?
A: The 860 EVO has a rated endurance of 150 TBW, which means it can handle a significant amount of data writes before failing.
Q: Is the A400 suitable for heavy data usage?
A: The A400 is not recommended for users who frequently write large amounts of data, as it has a lower endurance rating than the 860 EVO.
Q: Can I install the 860 EVO in a laptop?
A: Yes, the 860 EVO comes in both 2.5-inch and M.2 form factors, making it compatible with most laptops.
Q: Which SSD has a longer warranty?
A: The Samsung 860 EVO has a 5-year limited warranty, while the Kingston A400 has a 3-year limited warranty.
