This thumb-sized accessory gave my old PC an instant speed boost (and twice the storage)

Source: ZDNet

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• PNY 1 TB CS3150 M.2 storage drive – around $169.99 on Amazon.
• Fast M.2 drive with active cooling that keeps temperatures below the maximum rated limit.
• The heatsink makes the drive bulky and requires a 4‑pin fan header on the motherboard to power the two fans.

Buy it for $169.99 on Amazon

Why an M.2 upgrade matters

In the past, boosting a sluggish PC meant adding RAM or upgrading the CPU. Today, the quickest performance gain comes from installing a modern M.2 SSD.

If you’re after high‑end performance and stability, the PNY CS3150 is worth a look. It stands out because its heatsink is equipped with two fans to dissipate heat efficiently.

Compatibility

• Check your motherboard manual, the manufacturer’s website, or open the case to locate an M.2 slot.
• The drive requires a Gen 5 M.2 slot and works best with at least an Intel 13th/14th‑gen or AMD Ryzen 7000 CPU.

Performance & Thermals

• Sequential read: up to 11,500 MB/s
• Sequential write: up to 8,500 MB/s

During testing with CrystalDiskMark and temperature monitoring via CrystalDiskInfo, the drive never exceeded its 70 °C (158 °F) maximum operating temperature, confirming the effectiveness of the active cooling.

Note: The built‑in fans need a free 4‑pin fan header on the motherboard, and the system should have good overall airflow to keep temperatures low.

Physical considerations

• The heatsink makes the CS3150 bulky. It will fit most desktop M.2 slots but won’t fit in standard external enclosures unless the heatsink is removed (not recommended).
• If you do remove the heatsink, proceed carefully to avoid damaging the PCB or chips.

Optional RGB version

A version with RGB lighting built into the heatsink is also available:

PNY CS3150 1 TB with RGB heatsink (Amazon)

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ZDNET’s Buying Advice

I can’t fault this drive. It’s a solid, fast, well‑made product that takes cooling to the next level with active cooling for when the drive is pushed hard.

While the PNY CS3051 isn’t the fastest drive on the market, its read and write speeds are good enough to keep all but the most performance‑hungry users happy.

PNY CS3051 on Amazon (affiliate link)

PNY CS3150 M.2 – Key Specifications