Is the Fanxiang S501 fast enough for everyday use?

Yes for web browsing, office files and media. Its rated read speed is around 2,100 MB/s, which feels quick next to a hard drive or SATA SSD. It is not a good fit for large game installs or video editing.

Will it fit my laptop or desktop?

It uses the M.2 2280 form factor, the most common size. Check that your slot supports NVMe PCIe and not only SATA M.2 before buying.

Does it have a DRAM cache?

Most versions do not. Without DRAM, write speeds can drop during long transfers once the cache fills.

Is it better than a mainstream Gen3 drive?

No on speed. Drives from Samsung, WD and Crucial typically reach 3,000–3,500 MB/s and have more consistent hardware. The S501 competes on being a low-cost way to add storage.

Does it come with a heatsink or cloning software?

Usually neither. Expect the bare drive only, so plan to clone your old drive with free tools or do a clean install.

Is it good for a PS5?

No. Sony requires a Gen4 NVMe drive with a heatsink and a minimum read speed far above this drive's rating.

Where is the Fanxiang S501 1TB NVMe M.2 2280 Internal SSD cheapest?

At Newegg.com, for $52.99, as of our latest check.

Where can I buy the Fanxiang S501 1TB NVMe M.2 2280 Internal SSD?

2 stores we checked sell it, including eBay, Newegg.com.

Fanxiang S501 1TB NVMe M.2 2280 Internal SSD

Best price now

$52.99at Newegg.comChecked Nov 10

Compared across 2 stores. Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit Newegg.com

Fanxiang S501 1TB NVMe M.2 2280 Internal SSD

Best price now

$52.99at Newegg.comChecked Nov 10

Compared across 2 stores. Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit Newegg.com

Ask our agent about this product

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Price facts

Last seen at $52.99 at Newegg.com on Nov 10.
Checked at 2 stores.

Our take on the Fanxiang S501 1TB NVMe M.2 2280 Internal SSD

The Fanxiang S501 is a budget M.2 2280 NVMe drive aimed at basic builds, laptops and secondary storage. Its rated sequential read speed of around 2,100 MB/s is well below mainstream Gen3 drives, which reach 3,000–3,500 MB/s, and far below Gen4 parts. It suits light everyday use, not large game libraries or heavy file work. Buyers should check the exact capacity and controller, since Fanxiang has shipped different hardware under the same name.

Best forBudget desktop or laptop upgradesEveryday web, office and media useSecondary storage for files and photosOlder systems limited to PCIe Gen3

Pros

M.2 2280 fit works in most modern laptops and desktops
NVMe interface, no cables or 2.5-inch bay needed
Low power draw suits laptops
Simple install with no drivers on Windows and most Linux builds

Cons

Sequential read around 2,100 MB/s trails mainstream Gen3 drives
No DRAM cache on most versions, so sustained writes slow down
Hardware varies between batches under the same model name
Little independent testing or long-term reliability data
Not suited to heavy game or video workloads

Fanxiang S501 1TB NVMe M.2 2280 Internal SSD prices at every store

Newegg.comNew
In stockSold by Fanxiang Official Store
$52.99Checked Nov 10
Visit Newegg.com
eBayNew
Availability unknownSold by fanxiang-online-store (100% positive, 9,300 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.
$142.49Free shippingChecked Nov 10
Visit eBay

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Fanxiang S501 1TB NVMe M.2 2280 Internal SSD price history

Lowest price we've seen: $52.99 on Nov 10 at Newegg.com. Tracked across 1 store since Nov 10.

What reviewers say

Owner feedback on Fanxiang S501 drives is thin and mixed. Buyers who use it for basic storage report it works as expected, while others warn that the components inside vary between units and that sustained write speeds drop.

What people mention

SpeedMixedBurst reads are adequate for basic use, but sustained writes slow noticeably on large transfers.
BuildCriticisedOwners report that the controller and NAND inside vary between units sold under the same name.
ValuePraisedBuyers see it as a cheap way to add fast-enough storage to an older machine.
ReliabilityMixedThere is little long-term data on the brand, so some owners keep backups and treat it as secondary storage.

Specifications

Type: Internal
Connection: M.2
Form Factor: M.2 2280
NVMe: Yes
Capacity: 256 GB
Read Speed: 2,100 MB/s

Questions and answers

Is the Fanxiang S501 fast enough for everyday use?: Yes for web browsing, office files and media. Its rated read speed is around 2,100 MB/s, which feels quick next to a hard drive or SATA SSD. It is not a good fit for large game installs or video editing.
Will it fit my laptop or desktop?: It uses the M.2 2280 form factor, the most common size. Check that your slot supports NVMe PCIe and not only SATA M.2 before buying.
Does it have a DRAM cache?: Most versions do not. Without DRAM, write speeds can drop during long transfers once the cache fills.
Is it better than a mainstream Gen3 drive?: No on speed. Drives from Samsung, WD and Crucial typically reach 3,000–3,500 MB/s and have more consistent hardware. The S501 competes on being a low-cost way to add storage.
Does it come with a heatsink or cloning software?: Usually neither. Expect the bare drive only, so plan to clone your old drive with free tools or do a clean install.
Is it good for a PS5?: No. Sony requires a Gen4 NVMe drive with a heatsink and a minimum read speed far above this drive's rating.
Where is the Fanxiang S501 1TB NVMe M.2 2280 Internal SSD cheapest?: At Newegg.com, for $52.99, as of our latest check.
Where can I buy the Fanxiang S501 1TB NVMe M.2 2280 Internal SSD?: 2 stores we checked sell it, including eBay, Newegg.com.