TEAMGROUP MS30 1TB M.2 SATA SSD (TM8PS7001T0C101): features and specs

The TEAMGROUP MS30 is a 1TB internal solid state drive in the M.2 2280 format, using the SATA III interface. It is made to be fitted to a laptop or desktop motherboard that has a compatible M.2 slot, replacing a slower hard drive or adding fast storage without a cable. This page covers what its listed specs mean and, importantly, a compatibility point that catches many buyers out.

M.2 2280 and SATA: the compatibility question

M.2 is a physical shape and connector, not a speed. The name "2280" means the card is 22mm wide and 80mm long, which is the most common size on motherboards. But an M.2 slot can carry either a SATA signal or an NVMe (PCIe) signal, and a drive made for one will not work in a slot that supports only the other. The MS30 is a SATA drive, so it needs an M.2 slot that supports SATA. Many motherboards and laptops do, but some slots are NVMe-only, so check the manual.

Speeds

TEAMGROUP rates the drive at read speeds up to 530 MB/s and write speeds up to 480 MB/s, and states it uses SATA III at 6Gb/s. These numbers are near the practical ceiling of the SATA connection, which is why SATA drives of this kind generally land in the same range. NVMe drives use a different interface and can be considerably faster, but a SATA M.2 drive is still a big step up from a mechanical hard drive in boot times and load times.

3D NAND TLC and the SLC cache

The title says the MS30 uses 3D NAND TLC flash with an SLC cache. In general:

• 3D NAND stacks memory cells in layers to increase capacity in a small space.
• TLC stores three bits per cell, which allows large capacity at a modest size.
• An SLC cache uses part of the drive temporarily as faster single-bit storage, so short bursts of writing complete quickly. Once the cache is full during a very long transfer, speeds typically settle lower.

Size and fit

The listing gives dimensions of about 3.1 x 0.9 x 0.1 inches (roughly 8 x 2.3 x 0.3 cm), consistent with the 2280 format, and the drive weighs only a few grams. The listing gives no further detail on features beyond the model number TM8PS7001T0C101, so for exact warranty, endurance and operating limits, refer to TEAMGROUP's own documentation.

Who it suits

TEAMGROUP describes the drive as compatible with laptops and desktop PCs. In practice it suits a machine whose M.2 slot accepts SATA, such as a slim laptop upgrade, a small-form-factor PC with no room for a 2.5-inch drive, or a second drive in a desktop.

What to check before you buy

• That your M.2 slot supports SATA, not just NVMe, and takes the 2280 length.
• Whether the slot is shared with a SATA port, which can disable one of them on some motherboards.
• Whether you need a small mounting screw, which is often supplied with the board or laptop rather than the drive.
• How you will move your data: cloning software, or a fresh operating system install.
• Whether heat is a concern in a tightly packed laptop; consult the manufacturer's information.
• Keep backups of anything important.

The short version

• A 1TB M.2 2280 SSD that uses the SATA III interface, not NVMe.
• Rated by TEAMGROUP at up to 530 MB/s reads and 480 MB/s writes.
• Built on 3D NAND TLC with an SLC cache.
• The key check is whether your M.2 slot supports SATA drives.

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