Transcend has three similar M.2 2242 solid state drives currently available on the market. So, what are main differences between the 400S, 420S and 430S?
You can find out in this comparison guide between these internal Transcend storage drives.
Quick Summary
When it comes to maximum sequential read speed, the 430S is generally the fastest when compared to the 400S and 420S.
For maximum sequential writing, the 420S should be the fastest.
As for random reading, the 400S is the fastest when you compare the same or similar capacities. However, the 512 GB Transcend 430S is fastest overall.
When it comes to random writing, the 430S is the fastest at the 120 GB/128 GB and 480 GB/512 GB capacities while the 420S is the fastest at the 240Gb/256 GB capacity.
The 400S easily has the best endurance out of the three as you can write more data on this model when compared to the 430s model and especially the 420S model.
400S vs. 420S vs. 430S Comparison Chart
You can take a look at Seeking Tech’s comparison table for the 400S, 420S and 430S models below.
| Transcend 400S M.2 2242 Solid State Drive | Transcend 420S M.2 2242 Solid State Drive | Transcend 430S M.2 2242 Solid State Drive | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity Options | 32 GB 64 GB 128 GB 256 GB | 120 GB 240 GB 480 GB | 128 GB 256 GB 512 GB |
| Form Factor | M.2 2242 | M.2 2242 | M.2 2242 |
| Dimensions | 42.00 mm x 22.00 mm x 3.58 mm (or 1.65" x 0.87" x 0.14") | 42.00 mm x 22.00 mm x 3.58 mm (or 1.65" x 0.87" x 0.14") | 42.00 mm x 22.00 mm x 3.58 mm (or 1.65" x 0.87" x 0.14") |
| Weight | 5 g (or 0.18 oz) | 5 g (or 0.18 oz) | 5 g (or 0.18 oz) |
| Bus Interface | SATA III 6Gb/s | SATA III 6Gb/s | SATA III 6Gb/s |
| Memory Components | MLC NAND | 3D NAND | 3D NAND |
| Maximum Sequential Read Speed | 32 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 280 MB per second 64 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 520 MB per second 128 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 530 MB per second 256 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 530 MB per second | 120 GB Transcend 420S: Up to 500 MB per second 240 GB Transcend 420S: Up to 500 MB per second 480 GB Transcend 420S: Up to 530 MB per second | 128 GB Transcend 430S: Up to 560 MB per second 256 GB Transcend 430S: Up to 530 MB per second 512 GB Transcend 430S: Up to 560 MB per second |
| Maximum Sequential Write Speed | 32 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 50 MB per second 64 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 100 MB per second 128 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 200 MB per second 256 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 400 MB per second | 120 GB Transcend 420S: Up to 350 MB per second 240 GB Transcend 420S: Up to 430 MB per second 480 GB Transcend 420S: Up to 480 MB per second | 128 GB Transcend 430S: Up to 350 MB per second 256 GB Transcend 430S: Up to 400 MB per second 512 GB Transcend 430S: Up to 500 MB per second |
| Maximum Random Read Speed | 32 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 25,000 IOPS 64 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 50,000 IOPS 128 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 70,000 IOPS 256 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 70,000 IOPS | 120 GB Transcend 420S: Up to 28,000 IOPS 240 GB Transcend 420S: Up to 40,000 IOPS 480 GB Transcend 420S: Up to 50,000 IOPS | 128 GB Transcend 430S: Up to 35,000 IOPS 256 GB Transcend 430S: Up to 45,000 IOPS 512 GB Transcend 430S: Up to 80,000 IOPS |
| Maximum Random Write Speed | 32 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 10,000 IOPS 64 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 25,000 IOPS 128 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 50,000 IOPS 256 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 70,000 IOPS | 120 GB Transcend 420S: Up to 75,000 IOPS 240 GB Transcend 420S: Up to 75,000 IOPS 480 GB Transcend 420S: Up to 75,000 IOPS | 128 GB Transcend 430S: Up to 80,000 IOPS 256 GB Transcend 430S: Up to 70,000 IOPS 512 GB Transcend 430S: Up to 85,000 IOPS |
| Terabytes Written | 32 GB Transcend 400S: 90 TBW 64 GB Transcend 400S: 180 TBW 128 GB Transcend 400S: 360 TBW 256 GB Transcend 400S: 740 TBW | 120 GB Transcend 420S: 40 TBW 240 GB Transcend 420S: 80 TBW 480 GB Transcend 420S: 160 TBW | 128 GB Transcend 430S: 70 TBW 256 GB Transcend 430S: 140 TBW 512 GB Transcend 430S: 280 TBW |
| Mean Time Between Failures | 2,000,000 hours | 2,000,000 hours | 2,000,000 hours |
| General Features | Advanced Garbage Collection DDR3 DRAM Cache DevSleep Mode S.M.A.R.T. TRIM & NCQ Command | Advanced Garbage Collection LDPC Coding RAID Engine S.M.A.R.T. TRIM & NCQ Command | Advanced Garbage Collection DDR3 DRAM Cache LDPC Coding RAID Engine S.M.A.R.T. TRIM & NCQ Command |
| Operating System Requirements | Microsoft Windows 7 Microsoft Windows 8 Microsoft Windows 10 Linux Kernel 2.6.31 or newer | Microsoft Windows 7 Microsoft Windows 8 Microsoft Windows 10 Linux Kernel 2.6.31 or newer | Microsoft Windows 7 Microsoft Windows 8 Microsoft Windows 10 Linux Kernel 2.6.31 or newer |
| Operating Temperature Range | 0°C (or 32°F) to 70°C (or 158°F) | 0°C (or 32°F) to 70°C (or 158°F) | 0°C (or 32°F) to 70°C (or 158°F) |
| Operating Voltage | 3.3V ±5% | 3.3V ±5% | 3.3V ±5% |
| Certificates | BSMI CE FCC KC RCM | BSMI CE FCC KC RCM | BSMI CE FCC KC RCM |
| Warranty | 3-Year Limited Warranty | 3-Year Limited Warranty | 3-Year Limited Warranty |
| Pricing | Check price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned) | Check price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned) | Check price on Amazon.(#CommissionsEarned) |
Capacity Options
You can also check out the available capacity options for these M.2 2242 solid state drives below:
Transcend 400S:
- 32 GB
- 64 GB
- 128 GB
- 256 GB
Transcend 420S:
- 120 GB
- 240 GB
- 480 GB
Transcend 430S:
- 128 GB
- 256 GB
- 512 GB
Form Factor
The 400S, 420S and 430S all use the M.2 2242 form factor.
Dimensions
The three SSDs are identical when it comes to size with the following measurements:
42.00 mm x 22.00 mm x 3.58 mm (or 1.65″ x 0.87″ x 0.14″)
Weight
The 400S, 420S and 430S models should also weigh the same at around 5 g (or 0.18 oz).
Bus Interface
These solid state drives utilize SATA III 6Gb/s as the bus interface.
Memory Components
You can also check out the memory components used for each product below:
- Transcend 400S: MLC NAND
- Transcend 420S: 3D NAND
- Transcend 420S: 3D NAND
Maximum Sequential Read Speed
When you compare the same or similar capacity options, the 128 GB Transcend 430S is 30 MB per second faster (or 5.66% faster) than the 128 GB Transcend 400S and 60 MB per second faster (or 12% faster) than the 120 GB Transcend 420 at maximum sequential reading.
The 128 GB Transcend 400S and 256 GB Transcend 430S have the same max read speed, which is 30 MB per second faster (or 6% faster) than the 240 GB Transcend 420S.
The 512 GB Transcend 430S is 30 MB per second faster (or 5.66% faster) than the 480 GB Transcend 420S.
You can find the maximum sequential read speeds below:
- 32 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 280 MB per second
- 64 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 520 MB per second
- 128 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 530 MB per second
- 256 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 530 MB per second
- 120 GB Transcend 420S: Up to 500 MB per second
- 240 GB Transcend 420S: Up to 500 MB per second
- 480 GB Transcend 420S: Up to 530 MB per second
- 128 GB Transcend 430S: Up to 560 MB per second
- 256 GB Transcend 430S: Up to 530 MB per second
- 512 GB Transcend 430S: Up to 560 MB per second
Maximum Sequential Write Speed
When it comes to maximum sequential writing, the 120 GB Transcend 420S and 128 GB Transcend 430S have the same top speed, which is 150 MB per second faster (or 75% faster) than the 128 GB Transcend 400S.
The 240 GB Transcend 420S is 30 MB per second faster (or 7.5% faster) than the 256 GB Transcend 400S and 256 GB Transcend 430S.
On the other hand, the 512 GB Transcend 430S is 20 MB per second faster (or 4.17% faster) than the 480 GB Transcend 420S.
You can check out the sequential write speeds below:
- 32 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 50 MB per second
- 64 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 100 MB per second
- 128 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 200 MB per second
- 256 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 400 MB per second
- 120 GB Transcend 420S: Up to 350 MB per second
- 240 GB Transcend 420S: Up to 430 MB per second
- 480 GB Transcend 420S: Up to 480 MB per second
- 128 GB Transcend 430S: Up to 350 MB per second
- 256 GB Transcend 430S: Up to 400 MB per second
- 512 GB Transcend 430S: Up to 500 MB per second
Maximum Random Read Speed
For random reading, the 128 GB Transcend 400S is 42,000 IOPS faster (or 150% faster) than the 120 GB Transcend 420S and 35,000 IOPS faster (or 100% faster) than the 128 GB Transcend 430S.
The 256 GB Transcend 400S is also 30,000 IOPS faster (or 75% faster) than the 240 GB Transcend 420S and 25,000 IOPS faster (or 55.56% faster) than the 256 GB Transcend 430S.
The 512 GB Transcend 430S is 30,000 IOPS faster (or 60% faster) than the 512 GB Transcend 430S.
You can find the random read speeds below:
- 32 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 25,000 IOPS
- 64 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 50,000 IOPS
- 128 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 70,000 IOPS
- 256 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 70,000 IOPS
- 120 GB Transcend 420S: Up to 28,000 IOPS
- 240 GB Transcend 420S: Up to 40,000 IOPS
- 480 GB Transcend 420S: Up to 50,000 IOPS
- 128 GB Transcend 430S: Up to 35,000 IOPS
- 256 GB Transcend 430S: Up to 45,000 IOPS
- 512 GB Transcend 430S: Up to 80,000 IOPS
Maximum Random Write Speed
For maximum random writing, the 128 GB Transcend 430S is 30,000 IOPS faster (or 60% faster) than the 128 GB Transcend 400S and 5,000 IOPS faster (or 6.67% faster) than the 120 GB Transcend 420S.
The 240 GB Transcend 420S is 5,000 IOPS faster (or 7.14% faster) than the 256 GB Transcend 400S and 256 GB Transcend 430S.
The 512 GB Transcend 430S is 10,000 IOPS faster (or 13.33% faster) than the 480 GB Transcend 420S.
You can find the maximum random write speeds below:
- 32 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 10,000 IOPS
- 64 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 25,000 IOPS
- 128 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 50,000 IOPS
- 256 GB Transcend 400S: Up to 70,000 IOPS
- 120 GB Transcend 420S: Up to 75,000 IOPS
- 240 GB Transcend 420S: Up to 75,000 IOPS
- 480 GB Transcend 420S: Up to 75,000 IOPS
- 128 GB Transcend 430S: Up to 80,000 IOPS
- 256 GB Transcend 430S: Up to 70,000 IOPS
- 512 GB Transcend 430S: Up to 85,000 IOPS
Terabytes Written
When it comes to endurance, you can write a lot more data with the 400S when compared to the other two SSDs.
The 430S has the second best endurance while the 420S has the lowest endurance rating.
You can check out the Terabytes Written specs:
- 32 GB Transcend 400S: 90 TBW
- 64 GB Transcend 400S: 180 TBW
- 128 GB Transcend 400S: 360 TBW
- 256 GB Transcend 400S: 740 TBW
- 120 GB Transcend 420S: 40 TBW
- 240 GB Transcend 420S: 80 TBW
- 480 GB Transcend 420S: 160 TBW
- 128 GB Transcend 430S: 70 TBW
- 256 GB Transcend 430S: 140 TBW
- 512 GB Transcend 430S: 280 TBW
Mean Time Between Failures
The Transcend 400S, 420S and 430S M.2 2242 Solid State Drives have the same Mean Time Between Failures reliability rating of 2,000,000 hours.
General Features
You can check out a list of general features for these three SSDs below:
Transcend 400S:
- Advanced Garbage Collection
- DDR3 DRAM Cache
- DevSleep Mode
- S.M.A.R.T.
- TRIM & NCQ Command
Transcend 420S:
- Advanced Garbage Collection
- LDPC Coding
- RAID Engine
- S.M.A.R.T.
- TRIM & NCQ Command
Transcend 430S:
- Advanced Garbage Collection
- DDR3 DRAM Cache
- LDPC Coding
- RAID Engine
- S.M.A.R.T.
- TRIM & NCQ Command
Operating System Requirements
The 400S, 420S and 430S models support the following system requirements:
- Microsoft Windows 7
- Microsoft Windows 8
- Microsoft Windows 10
- Linux Kernel 2.6.31 or newer
Operating Temperature Range
The three M.2 2242 SSDs have the same operating temperature range, which is from 0°C (or 32°F) to 70°C (or 158°F).
Operating Voltage
The three solid state drives also use the same operating voltage at 3.3V ±5%.
Certificates
The 400S, 420S and 430S have received the following certifications:
- BSMI
- CE
- FCC
- KC
- RCM
Warranty
The Transcend 400S M.2 Solid State Drive, Transcend 420S M.2 Solid State Drive and Transcend 430S M.2 Solid State Drive each comes with a 3-Year Limited Warranty.
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