PNY is introducing its latest high-speed solid-state drive, the CS3250, a PCIe Gen5 M.2 SSD promising sequential read speeds of up to 14,900 MB/s and write speeds reaching 14,000 MB/s. Available in 1TB and 2TB capacities at launch, with a 4TB version planned, the CS3250 targets desktop users and professionals who work with demanding workloads such as AI training, gaming, and large-scale content creation. Sales begin on October 28, 2025, in the US, priced at $125.99 for the 1TB version and $219.99 for 2TB.
Built on the PCIe Gen5 x4 interface with NVMe support, the CS3250 uses the M.2 2280 form factor — a standard for high-end consumer and workstation motherboards. While the raw numbers are striking, they also underscore how rapidly SSD technology has evolved; the drive’s speeds roughly double what most PCIe Gen4 drives deliver, such as the WD Blue SN5100, which caps at about 7,100 MB/s reads. That leap could make a real difference for users working with 4K/8K video editing, 3D rendering, or machine learning datasets, provided their systems support the newer PCIe 5.0 interface.
PNY also emphasizes thermal management, noting that the CS3250 includes a “thermal-coated controller” designed to sustain performance under heavy or prolonged load. This is increasingly important for Gen5 SSDs, which can run significantly hotter than earlier models. The company markets the drive as “AI-ready,” but that label mainly reflects its throughput capabilities rather than specialized hardware acceleration for AI tasks.
At launch, the CS3250 will be sold through PNY’s website and Amazon, with international rollout expected to follow. The 2TB model will likely be the most balanced option for gamers and creators who want to keep their operating system, key applications, and large media projects on a single high-speed drive.
The CS3250 carries a five-year limited warranty or endurance rating based on total bytes written (TBW). While early pricing seems competitive for a Gen5 drive, real-world value will depend on system compatibility — only motherboards with PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots will unlock its full speed. For everyone else, a Gen4 SSD may still offer a better balance of performance, cost, and thermals.
