Crucial P310 1TB 2230 NVMe SSD: specs, compatibility and who it suits

The Crucial P310 (model CT1000P310SSD2) is a small PCIe Gen4 NVMe solid state drive in the M.2 2230 size. Crucial markets it for handheld gaming consoles and compact laptops, where space for storage is tight and a bigger game library is useful.

What M.2 2230 means

M.2 drives are named by size. "2230" means 22 mm wide and 30 mm long, noticeably shorter than the common 2280 size used in most desktops and laptops. The listing shows dimensions of about 1.2 x 0.9 x 0.9 inches. Because it is compact, it fits devices built around short drives, but it will not suit a slot that only holds a 2280 module unless the slot has a 2230 mounting position.

Gen4 NVMe speeds

NVMe drives talk to the system over PCIe, which is far faster than SATA. Crucial rates the P310 at up to 7,100 MB/s reads and 6,000 MB/s writes, measured with CrystalDiskMark under specific conditions, and notes that your results will vary with the system. Crucial also says it is 40% faster than other Gen4 SSDs, based on a comparison of published top speeds. Real-world load times depend on the game, the processor and the device.

Capacity

This is the 1TB model; Crucial says the range goes up to 2TB. Some capacity is used for formatting, so the usable space is a bit smaller than the label, and Crucial counts 1GB as one billion bytes.

Memory and power

Crucial says the drive is built with Micron 3D NAND and highlights power efficiency to limit battery drain on the go. Efficiency matters in a handheld, where a drive that draws less power can help with battery life and heat, though results vary by device.

Installing it

The listing says some devices can take the drive in about five minutes, naming certain handhelds such as the Valve Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally, and certain laptops such as the Microsoft Surface or select Dell models. Crucial advises consulting your device maker about warranty before installing an SSD. Follow the device's own guide for opening it.

Who it suits

It suits owners of compatible handhelds or compact laptops who want more game or file storage in the same slot, and anyone building a small system that uses 2230 drives.

What to check before you buy

• Slot size: confirm your device uses M.2 2230, not 2280.
• Interface: check it supports PCIe NVMe, and which PCIe generation it provides.
• Compatibility list: confirm your exact model is on the maker's list.
• Warranty: ask the device manufacturer whether opening it affects coverage.
• Data: back up or clone your existing drive before swapping.

The short version

• 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD in the compact M.2 2230 size.
• Rated at up to 7,100/6,000 MB/s read/write by Crucial.
• Micron 3D NAND, with power efficiency for portable devices.
• Aimed at handheld consoles and certain laptops.
• Check slot size and compatibility first.

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