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What’s the difference between Kingston A2000, KC2000 and KC2500?

Kingston currently has three similar NVMe PCIe Internal Solid State Drives on the market with the A2000, KC2000 and KC2500. So, which of these is the best out of the group?

You can find out in this comparison guide between the three SSDs.

Quick Summary

The Kingston KC2500 NVMe PCIe SSD easily has the best performance as it is the fastest in maximum sequential read speed, maximum sequential write speed, maximum random read speed and maximum random write speed.

In terms of durability, the A2000, KC2000 and KC2500 have identical TBW and MTBF specifications.

A2000 vs. KC2000 vs. KC2500 Comparison Charts

You can take a look at Seeking Tech’s comparison tables between the A2000, KC2000 and KC2500 SSDs below.

250 GB A2000 SSD vs. 250 GB KC2000 SSD vs. 250 GB KC2500 SSD

250 GB A2000 SSD250 GB KC2000 SSD250 GB KC2500 SSD
Weight6.6 g8 g8 g
Dimensions80 mm x 22 mm x 3.5 mm80 mm x 22 mm x 3.5 mm80 mm x 22 mm x 3.5 mm
Form FactorM.2 2280M.2 2280M.2 2280
InterfaceNVMe PCIe Gen 3.0 x 4 LanesNVMe PCIe Gen 3.0 x 4 LanesNVMe PCIe Gen 3.0 x 4 Lanes
NAND3D96-layer 3D TLC96-layer 3D TLC
EncryptionXTS-AES 256-bitXTS-AES 256-bitXTS-AES 256-bit
Maximum Sequential Read SpeedUp to 2,000 MB/sUp to 3,000 MB/sUp to 3,500 MB/s
Maximum Sequential Write SpeedUp to 1,100 MB/sUp to 1,100 MB/sUp to 1,200 MB/s
Maximum Random Read SpeedUp to 150,000 IOPSUp to 350,000 IOPSUp to 375,000 IOPS
Maximum Random Write SpeedUp to 180,000 IOPSUp to 200,000 IOPSUp to 300,000 IOPS
Total Bytes Written150 TB150 TB150 TB
Mean Time Between Failures2,000,000 hours2,000,000 hours2,000,000 hours
Power Consumption.0032W Idle

.08W Avg

1.7W (MAX) Read

4.5W (MAX) Write
.003W Idle

.2W Avg

2.1W (MAX) Read

7W (MAX) Write
.003W Idle

.2W Avg

2.1W (MAX) Read

7W (MAX) Write
Storage Temperature-40°C to 85°C-40°C to 85°C-40°C to 85°C
Operating Temperature0°C to 70°C0°C to 70°C0°C to 70°C
Operating Vibration2.17 G Peak (7-800Hz)2.17 G Peak (7-800Hz)2.17 G Peak (7-800Hz)
Non-Operating Vibration20 G Peak (20-1000Hz)20 G Peak (20-1000Hz)20 G Peak (20-1000Hz)
Warranty5-year limited warranty with free technical support5-year limited warranty with free technical support5-year limited warranty with free technical support
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500 GB A2000 SSD vs. 500 GB KC2000 SSD vs. 500 GB KC2500 SSD

500 GB A2000 SSD500 GB KC2000 SSD500 GB KC2500 SSD
Weight6.8 g10 g10 g
Dimensions80 mm x 22 mm x 3.5 mm80 mm x 22 mm x 3.5 mm80 mm x 22 mm x 3.5 mm
Form FactorM.2 2280M.2 2280M.2 2280
InterfaceNVMe PCIe Gen 3.0 x 4 LanesNVMe PCIe Gen 3.0 x 4 LanesNVMe PCIe Gen 3.0 x 4 Lanes
NAND3D96-layer 3D TLC96-layer 3D TLC
EncryptionXTS-AES 256-bitXTS-AES 256-bitXTS-AES 256-bit
Maximum Sequential Read SpeedUp to 2,200 MB/sUp to 3,000 MB/sUp to 3,500 MB/s
Maximum Sequential Write SpeedUp to 2,000 MB/sUp to 2,000 MB/sUp to 2,500 MB/s
Maximum Random Read SpeedUp to 180,000 IOPSUp to 350,000 IOPSUp to 375,000 IOPS
Maximum Random Write SpeedUp to 200,000 IOPSUp to 250,000 IOPSUp to 300,000 IOPS
Total Bytes Written300 TB300 TB300 TB
Mean Time Between Failures2,000,000 hours2,000,000 hours2,000,000 hours
Power Consumption.0032W Idle

.08W Avg

1.7W (MAX) Read

4.5W (MAX) Write
.003W Idle

.2W Avg

2.1W (MAX) Read

7W (MAX) Write
.003W Idle

.2W Avg

2.1W (MAX) Read

7W (MAX) Write
Storage Temperature-40°C to 85°C-40°C to 85°C-40°C to 85°C
Operating Temperature0°C to 70°C0°C to 70°C0°C to 70°C
Operating Vibration2.17 G Peak (7-800Hz)2.17 G Peak (7-800Hz)2.17 G Peak (7-800Hz)
Non-Operating Vibration20 G Peak (20-1000Hz)20 G Peak (20-1000Hz)20 G Peak (20-1000Hz)
Warranty5-year limited warranty with free technical support5-year limited warranty with free technical support5-year limited warranty with free technical support
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1 TB A2000 SSD vs. 1 TB KC2000 SSD vs. 1 TB KC2500 SSD

1 TB A2000 SSD1 TB KC2000 SSD1 TB KC2500 SSD
Weight6.6 g10 g10 g
Dimensions80 mm x 22 mm x 3.5 mm80 mm x 22 mm x 3.5 mm80 mm x 22 mm x 3.5 mm
Form FactorM.2 2280M.2 2280M.2 2280
InterfaceNVMe PCIe Gen 3.0 x 4 LanesNVMe PCIe Gen 3.0 x 4 LanesNVMe PCIe Gen 3.0 x 4 Lanes
NAND3D96-layer 3D TLC96-layer 3D TLC
EncryptionXTS-AES 256-bitXTS-AES 256-bitXTS-AES 256-bit
Maximum Sequential Read SpeedUp to 2,200 MB/sUp to 3,200 MB/sUp to 3,500 MB/s
Maximum Sequential Write SpeedUp to 2,000 MB/sUp to 2,200 MB/sUp to 2,900 MB/s
Maximum Random Read SpeedUp to 250,000 IOPSUp to 350,000 IOPSUp to 375,000 IOPS
Maximum Random Write SpeedUp to 220,000 IOPSUp to 275,000 IOPSUp to 300,000 IOPS
Total Bytes Written600 TB600 TB600 TB
Mean Time Between Failures2,000,000 hours2,000,000 hours2,000,000 hours
Power Consumption.0032W Idle

.08W Avg

1.7W (MAX) Read

4.5W (MAX) Write
.003W Idle

.2W Avg

2.1W (MAX) Read

7W (MAX) Write
.003W Idle

.2W Avg

2.1W (MAX) Read

7W (MAX) Write
Storage Temperature-40°C to 85°C-40°C to 85°C-40°C to 85°C
Operating Temperature0°C to 70°C0°C to 70°C0°C to 70°C
Operating Vibration2.17 G Peak (7-800Hz)2.17 G Peak (7-800Hz)2.17 G Peak (7-800Hz)
Non-Operating Vibration20 G Peak (20-1000Hz)20 G Peak (20-1000Hz)20 G Peak (20-1000Hz)
Warranty5-year limited warranty with free technical support5-year limited warranty with free technical support5-year limited warranty with free technical support
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2 TB KC2000 SSD vs. 2 TB KC2500 SSD

2 TB KC2000 SSD2 TB KC2500 SSD
Weight11 g11 g
Dimensions80 mm x 22 mm x 3.5 mm80 mm x 22 mm x 3.5 mm
Form FactorM.2 2280M.2 2280
InterfaceNVMe PCIe Gen 3.0 x 4 LanesNVMe PCIe Gen 3.0 x 4 Lanes
NAND96-layer 3D TLC96-layer 3D TLC
EncryptionXTS-AES 256-bitXTS-AES 256-bit
Maximum Sequential Read SpeedUp to 3,200 MB/sUp to 3,500 MB/s
Maximum Sequential Write SpeedUp to 2,200 MB/sUp to 2,900 MB/s
Maximum Random Read SpeedUp to 250,000 IOPSUp to 375,000 IOPS
Maximum Random Write SpeedUp to 250,000 IOPSUp to 300,000 IOPS
Total Bytes Written1200 TB1200 TB
Mean Time Between Failures2,000,000 hours2,000,000 hours
Power Consumption.003W Idle

.2W Avg

2.1W (MAX) Read

7W (MAX) Write
.003W Idle

.2W Avg

2.1W (MAX) Read

7W (MAX) Write
Storage Temperature-40°C to 85°C-40°C to 85°C
Operating Temperature0°C to 70°C0°C to 70°C
Operating Vibration2.17 G Peak (7-800Hz)2.17 G Peak (7-800Hz)
Non-Operating Vibration20 G Peak (20-1000Hz)20 G Peak (20-1000Hz)
Warranty5-year limited warranty with free technical support5-year limited warranty with free technical support
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Capacity Options

The Kingston A2000 comes in three capacity options: 250 GB, 500 GB and 1 TB.

The Kingston KC2000 and Kingston KC2500 are available in four capacities: 250 GB, 500 GB, 1 TB and 2 TB.

You can check out the model numbers for each below:

A2000 NVMe PCIe SSD:

  • 250 GB: SA2000M8/250G
  • 500 GB: SA2000M8/500G
  • 1TB: SA2000M8/1000G

KC2000 NVMe PCIe SSD:

  • 250 GB: SKC2000M8/250G
  • 500 GB: SKC2000M8/500G
  • 1TB: SKC2000M8/1000G
  • 2TB: SKC2000M8/2000G

KC2500 NVMe PCIe SSD:

  • 250 GB: SKC2500M8/250G
  • 500 GB: SKC2500M8/500G
  • 1TB: SKC2500M8/100G
  • 2TB: SKC2500M8/2000G

Weight

In terms of weight, the A2000 is lighter than the other two drives in this versus guide.

When comparing similar capacity options, the KC2000 and KC2500 are identical in mass.

You can find the weight specifications below:

  • 250 GB A2000 SSD: 6.6 g
  • 500 GB A2000 SSD: 6.8 g
  • 1TB A2000 SSD: 6.6 g
  • 250 GB KC2000 SSD: 8 g
  • 500 GB KC2000 SSD: 10 g
  • 1TB KC2000 SSD: 10 g
  • 2TB KC2000 SSD: 11 g
  • 250 GB KC2500 SSD: 8 g
  • 500 GB KC2500 SSD: 10 g
  • 1TB KC2500 SSD: 10 g
  • 2TB KC2500 SSD: 11 g

Dimensions

The Kingston NVMe PCIe SSDs have the same measurements at 80 mm x 22 mm x 3.5 mm.

Form Factor

All three internal solid state drives also utilize M.2 2280 as the form factor.

Interface

Furthermore, the SSDs use the same NVMe PCIe Gen 3.0 x 4 Lanes interface.

NAND

The Kingston A2000 NVMe PCIe SSD uses 3D for NAND. Both the Kingston KC2000 SSD and Kingston KC2500 SSD use 96-layer 3D TLC.

Encryption

All the SSDs utilize XTS-AES 256-bit for encryption.

Maximum Sequential Read Speed

When comparing the same capacity options, the KC2500 provides the fastest maximum read speed with KC2000 being the second fastest and A2000 being the slowest.

You can find the max sequential read speed specs below:

  • 250 GB A2000: Up to 2,000 MB/s
  • 500 GB A2000: Up to 2,200 MB/s
  • 1TB A2000: Up to 2,200 MB/s
  • 250 GB KC2000: Up to 3,000 MB/s
  • 500 GB KC2000: Up to 3,000 MB/s
  • 1TB KC2000: Up to 3,200 MB/s
  • 2TB KC2000: Up to 3,200 MB/s
  • 250 GB KC2500: Up to 3,500 MB/s
  • 500 GB KC2500: Up to 3,500 MB/s
  • 1TB KC2500: Up to 3,500 MB/s
  • 2TB KC2500: Up to 3,500 MB/s

Maximum Sequential Write Speed

The Kingston KC2500 is also faster than the Kingston A2000 and Kingston KC2000 in maximum sequential write speed.

The 250 GB and 500 GB versions of A2000 and KC2000 have identical sequential write speeds although the 1 TB version of the A2000 is slower than the 1 TB KC2000.

You can find the max sequential write speed specifications below:

  • 250 GB Kingston A2000 SSD: Up to 1,100 MB/s
  • 500 GB Kingston A2000 SSD: Up to 2,000 MB/s
  • 1TB Kingston A2000 SSD: Up to 2,000 MB/s
  • 250 GB Kingston KC2000 SSD: Up to 1,100 MB/s
  • 500 GB Kingston KC2000 SSD: Up to 2,000 MB/s
  • 1TB Kingston KC2000 SSD: Up to 2,200 MB/s
  • 2TB Kingston KC2000 SSD: Up to 2,200 MB/s
  • 250 GB Kingston KC2500 SSD: Up to 1,200 MB/s
  • 500 GB Kingston KC2500 SSD: Up to 2,500 MB/s
  • 1TB Kingston KC2500 SSD: Up to 2,900 MB/s
  • 2TB Kingston KC2500 SSD: Up to 2,900 MB/s

Maximum Random Read Speed

The KC2500 is also the best performing solid state drive at maximum random read speed.

The KC2000 is the second best while A2000 is the worst.

You can find the max random read speeds below:

  • 250 GB A2000 SSD: Up to 150,000 IOPS
  • 500 GB A2000 SSD: Up to 180,000 IOPS
  • 1TB A2000 SSD: Up to 250,000 IOPS
  • 250 GB KC2000 SSD: Up to 350,000 IOPS
  • 500 GB KC2000 SSD: Up to 350,000 IOPS
  • 1TB KC2000 SSD: Up to 350,000 IOPS
  • 2TB KC2000 SSD: Up to 250,000 IOPS
  • 250 GB KC2500 SSD: Up to 375,000 IOPS
  • 500 GB KC2500 SSD: Up to 375,000 IOPS
  • 1TB KC2500 SSD: Up to 375,000 IOPS
  • 2TB KC2500 SSD: Up to 375,000 IOPS

Maximum Random Write Speed

The story is the same when it comes to the maximum random write speed with the KC2500 being the fastest, followed by KC2000 and then the A2000.

You can take a look at the max random write speed specs below:

  • 250 GB A2000 SSD: Up to 180,000 IOPS
  • 500 GB A2000 SSD: Up to 200,000 IOPS
  • 1TB A2000 SSD: Up to 220,000 IOPS
  • 250 GB KC2000 SSD: Up to 200,000 IOPS
  • 500 GB KC2000 SSD: Up to 250,000 IOPS
  • 1TB KC2000 SSD: Up to 275,000 IOPS
  • 2TB KC2000 SSD: Up to 250,000 IOPS
  • 250 GB KC2500 SSD: Up to 300,000 IOPS
  • 500 GB KC2500 SSD: Up to 300,000 IOPS
  • 1TB KC2500 SSD: Up to 300,000 IOPS
  • 2TB KC2500 SSD: Up to 300,000 IOPS

Total Bytes Written

Total Bytes Written (or TBW) is a measurement of durability as it indicates how much data can be written on a SSD during the drive’s lifespan.

When comparing identical capacities, the 250 GB, 500 GB and 1 TB versions of the A2000, KC2000 and KC2500 have the same TBW.

The 2 TB capacities of the KC2000 and KC2500 are also equal.

You can check out the full breakdown below:

  • 250 GB A2000 SSD: 150 TB
  • 500 GB A2000 SSD: 300 TB
  • 1TB A2000 SSD: 600 TB
  • 250 GB KC2000 SSD: 150 TB
  • 500 GB KC2000 SSD: 300 TB
  • 1TB KC2000 SSD: 600 TB
  • 2TB KC2000 SSD: 1200 TB
  • 250 GB KC2500 SSD: 150 TB
  • 500 GB KC2500 SSD: 300 TB
  • 1TB KC2500 SSD: 600 TB
  • 2TB KC2500 SSD: 1200 TB

Mean Time Between Failures

Another measurement for durability is Mean Time Between Failures (or MTBF), which estimates the amount of hours that a solid state drive should remain functional between two hardware failures.

The Kingston A2000, Kingston KC2000 and Kingston KC2500 have the same MTBF at 2,000,000 hours.

Power Consumption

The KC2000 and KC2500 have identical power consumption. The A2000 uses a little bit more energy while idle but a lot less power when in use.

You can take a look at the power consumption stats below:

Kingston A2000 NVMe PCIe SSD:

  • .0032W Idle
  • .08W Avg
  • 1.7W (MAX) Read
  • 4.5W (MAX) Write

Kingston KC2000 NVMe PCIe SSD and Kingston KC2500 NVMe PCIe SSD:

  • .003W Idle
  • .2W Avg
  • 2.1W (MAX) Read
  • 7W (MAX) Write

Storage Temperature

All three of the SSDs have the same storage temperature range of -40°C to 85°C.

Operating Temperature

The operating temperature range are also identical across the products at 0°C to 70°C.

Operating Vibration

The Kingston A2000, Kingston KC2000 and Kingston KC2500 have the same operating vibration at 2.17 G Peak (7-800Hz).

Non-Operating Vibration

The non-operating vibration are also identical at 20 G Peak (20-1000Hz).

Warranty

The Kingston A2000 NVMe PCIe SSD, Kingston KC2000 NVMe PCIe SSD and Kingston KC2500 NVMe PCIe SSD each come with a 5-year limited warranty in addition to free technical support.

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