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What’s the difference between the Transcend 400S, 420S and 430S?

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 DriveTranscend 420S M.2 2242 Solid State DriveTranscend 430S M.2 2242 Solid State Drive
Capacity Options32 GB

64 GB

128 GB

256 GB
120 GB

240 GB

480 GB
128 GB

256 GB

512 GB
Form FactorM.2 2242M.2 2242M.2 2242
Dimensions42.00 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")
Weight5 g (or 0.18 oz)5 g (or 0.18 oz)5 g (or 0.18 oz)
Bus InterfaceSATA III 6Gb/sSATA III 6Gb/sSATA III 6Gb/s
Memory ComponentsMLC NAND3D NAND3D NAND
Maximum Sequential Read Speed32 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 Speed32 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 Speed32 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 Speed32 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 Written32 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 Failures2,000,000 hours2,000,000 hours2,000,000 hours
General FeaturesAdvanced 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 RequirementsMicrosoft 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 Range0°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 Voltage3.3V ±5%3.3V ±5%3.3V ±5%
CertificatesBSMI

CE

FCC

KC

RCM
BSMI

CE

FCC

KC

RCM
BSMI

CE

FCC

KC

RCM
Warranty3-Year Limited Warranty3-Year Limited Warranty3-Year Limited Warranty
PricingCheck 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.

Resources: