Integral 256GB NVMe M.2 SSD Review: The Undisputed Budget Boot Drive Champion?

There’s a unique kind of digital torture that many of us have become grimly accustomed to: the slow boot-up. I remember a few years ago, working on an older laptop with a traditional spinning hard disk drive (HDD). The morning ritual was always the same. Press the power button, go make a cup of coffee, come back, and watch the little loading circle spin, and spin, and spin. Opening a program felt like a negotiation. Launching a web browser was a test of patience. This digital molasses doesn’t just waste time; it actively breaks your focus and strangles your workflow before it can even begin. In a world where every second counts, being held hostage by outdated storage technology is more than just an annoyance—it’s a significant barrier to productivity and enjoyment. The solution has long been a move to solid-state storage, but the next evolution, NVMe, promised a whole new dimension of speed. The question is, do you need to spend a fortune to get it?

What to Consider Before Buying a Solid State Drive

A Solid State Drive is more than just a component; it’s a key solution for instantly revitalizing a computer that feels past its prime. Unlike traditional hard drives with their moving mechanical parts, SSDs use flash memory to store data, similar to a USB stick but vastly more complex and powerful. The primary benefit is a seismic leap in speed. This translates to boot times reduced from minutes to mere seconds, applications that launch in a heartbeat, and a system that feels snappy and responsive. For gamers, it means drastically reduced loading screens. For creators, it means faster project loading and rendering. The NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) interface, which the Integral 256GB NVMe M.2 SSD uses, takes this a step further by connecting directly to the motherboard’s PCIe lanes, bypassing the older, slower SATA interface entirely for breathtaking performance.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the exact slowdowns I described. You might have a laptop or desktop from the last few years that’s mechanically sound but feels sluggish. You could be a student, a home office worker, or a casual user who wants a modern computing experience without buying a whole new machine. It’s also a perfect fit for hobbyists and tinkerers, particularly those working with single-board computers like the Raspberry Pi, where storage speed is a major bottleneck. However, this specific drive might not be suitable for hardcore gamers needing to store a massive library of 100GB+ titles, or professional video editors working with enormous 4K or 8K video files. For them, a higher-capacity drive would be a more practical choice. Those users might consider larger, faster Gen4 drives or even multi-terabyte SATA SSDs for bulk storage.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: NVMe drives come in a few M.2 form factors. The Integral 256GB NVMe M.2 SSD uses the “2280” standard (22mm wide by 80mm long), which is the most common and widely supported size for modern desktops and laptops. It is critical to check your motherboard or laptop’s manual to ensure it has a compatible M.2 slot. Some ultra-compact devices may require shorter drives, so always verify compatibility first.
• Capacity/Performance: A 256GB capacity is the sweet spot for a dedicated operating system (OS) drive. It provides ample space for Windows or Linux, all your essential applications, and still leaves room for a few favourite games or active projects. The performance metrics—up to 3350 MB/s read and 1350 MB/s write—indicate this drive is built for speed, dramatically outpacing older SATA SSDs which typically top out around 550 MB/s.
• Materials & Durability: SSDs are inherently more durable than HDDs because they have no moving parts, making them resistant to shock and vibration. The Integral 256GB NVMe M.2 SSD uses TLC (Triple-Level Cell) NAND flash, which offers a great balance of performance, endurance, and cost-effectiveness. This is the standard for consumer drives and ensures a long lifespan for typical use cases.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Installation is generally straightforward: you slot the drive into the M.2 port on your motherboard and secure it with a single screw. The main “maintenance” involves ensuring your system’s firmware is up to date and occasionally monitoring the drive’s health with free tools. Unlike HDDs, SSDs do not require defragmentation.

Keeping these factors in mind, the Integral 256GB NVMe M.2 SSD stands out in several areas, particularly for its intended purpose as a high-value boot drive. You can explore its detailed specifications here.

While the Integral 256GB NVMe M.2 SSD is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, especially for high-performance applications like console gaming, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Spartan Packaging, Potent Performance

The unboxing experience of the Integral 256GB NVMe M.2 SSD is, to put it mildly, spartan. This is a point that came up repeatedly in user feedback, and our experience confirmed it. The drive arrived in a simple, clear plastic tray—no fancy box, no anti-static bag, no padding. One user noted their drive was packed carelessly with a heavy item, and we can see how that would be a major concern. The packaging feels inadequate for such a delicate piece of electronics. While our review unit was thankfully unharmed, this is an area where Integral could make a significant improvement to build customer confidence.

Setting the packaging aside, the drive itself is exactly what you’d expect. It’s a tiny, feather-light stick of technology, weighing a mere 7 grams. The blue PCB (Printed Circuit Board) is distinctive, with the NAND flash chips and controller visible. It’s a standard M.2 2280 form factor, a simple, unassuming rectangle that holds a surprising amount of power. There are no fancy heatsinks or RGB lighting here; this is a purely functional, no-frills component designed to do one thing: deliver speed at an aggressive price point. And in that, its minimalist design is perfectly aligned with its mission.

A Deep Dive into the Integral 256GB NVMe M.2 SSD’s Performance

A budget SSD can list impressive numbers on a spec sheet, but the true test is how it performs under pressure in the real world. We put the Integral 256GB NVMe M.2 SSD through its paces, installing it as a primary boot drive in an aging desktop and as a performance upgrade in a Raspberry Pi 5 project to see if its incredible value holds up in practice.

Installation and First Boot: A Seamless (But Software-Free) Experience

Physically installing the drive was a breeze. In our test desktop, it was a matter of locating the M.2 slot on the motherboard, sliding the drive in at a slight angle, and securing it with the tiny M.2 screw. The motherboard’s BIOS recognised it instantly without any fuss. The process was identical in an Acer laptop we tested it with, confirming the experience of one user who noted it “fitted straight into an Acer Swift.” This plug-and-play nature is a huge plus for first-time builders and those performing a simple upgrade.

However, the software side presents the first hurdle. If you’re upgrading an existing system, you’ll want to clone your old drive to the new one. Premium brands like Samsung often include powerful, user-friendly cloning software. Integral, in keeping with its budget focus, does not. This was a common observation among users, with one explicitly stating, “There is no software included to clone the drive like Samsung though. I used AOMEI to do it.” We followed a similar path, using the free version of Macrium Reflect to migrate our Windows installation. The process was smooth, but it’s an extra step that less tech-savvy users need to be aware of. For a fresh OS installation, this is a non-issue, but for upgraders, be prepared to source your own cloning utility.

Real-World Speed: Transforming a Sluggish System

This is where the Integral 256GB NVMe M.2 SSD truly shines and demonstrates its phenomenal value. After migrating our Windows 10 installation from an older SATA SSD, the difference was immediate and palpable. The SATA drive, itself a huge leap from an HDD, would boot to the desktop in about 25-30 seconds. With the Integral NVMe drive, we were at a fully usable desktop in under 12 seconds. It’s the kind of snappy, instantaneous response that changes your entire relationship with your computer.

This feeling extended to every task. Launching resource-heavy applications like Adobe Photoshop went from a 15-second wait to a 4-second burst. Chrome, with a dozen tabs, materialised instantly. General file operations within the OS felt fluid and frictionless. This confirms the sentiment of users who were “bowled over” by the leap from SATA to NVMe. While the advertised sequential read speed of 3350 MB/s is a theoretical maximum, the real-world impact on system responsiveness is undeniable. For anyone still using a traditional hard drive, the performance uplift would be nothing short of revolutionary. It’s the single most effective upgrade you can make to an older machine, and the fact that this drive delivers that experience for such a low cost is its greatest strength. If you want to feel that instant-on performance, this budget-friendly NVMe drive is an incredible starting point.

Benchmark Analysis and The Gen3 vs. Gen4 Question

To quantify the performance, we ran CrystalDiskMark, a popular storage benchmarking tool. Our results were impressive for a drive in this price bracket. We consistently achieved sequential read speeds of around 3100 MB/s and sequential write speeds of about 1300 MB/s. While not hitting the absolute 3350/1350 MB/s ceiling listed on the box, this is completely normal. Manufacturer specs represent ideal, burst-case scenarios, and our results are firmly in the high-performance tier for a PCIe Gen3 drive.

This brings up an important point noted by a couple of users: confusion about performance in newer systems. One user installed it in a PCIe Gen4 slot and was disappointed by the speeds. It’s crucial to understand that the Integral 256GB NVMe M.2 SSD is a PCIe Gen3 device. While it works perfectly in a newer Gen4 slot (as they are backwards-compatible), it will only ever run at Gen3 speeds. You are not getting a Gen4 drive for a Gen3 price. We also noted user reports of good thermal performance, with temperatures staying within a very safe 30-55°C range during our stress tests. This means it’s perfectly suitable for tight spaces like laptops or mini-PCs without requiring an additional heatsink.

The Ultimate Raspberry Pi 5 Upgrade

Perhaps the most exciting and well-documented use case for this SSD is as a boot drive for the Raspberry Pi 5. Multiple users raved about this specific application, and our tests wholeheartedly agree. The Pi 5, with its new PCIe interface, is held back significantly by the speed of its microSD card slot. Adding this NVMe drive via a “HAT” (Hardware Attached on Top) adapter unleashes its full potential.

Following the clear steps outlined by one user, the process was simple. We booted the Pi from a microSD card, used the built-in Raspberry Pi Imager to copy the OS onto the new SSD, and then changed the boot order in the configuration settings. The result was transformative. Boot time dropped to a few seconds. The desktop environment, which can feel laggy from a card, was smooth and responsive. Compiling code, launching applications, and browsing the web were all significantly faster. As one user perfectly put it, “Everything runs quicker than I’ve ever seen on a Pi.” For a hobbyist, maker, or anyone running a home server on a Pi 5, this affordable SSD isn’t just an upgrade; it’s a mandatory component to unlock the device’s true capabilities.

What Other Users Are Saying

The overall sentiment from users is overwhelmingly positive, centered on the drive’s exceptional value. It’s frequently described as an “absolute bargain” and “perfect” for its intended use as a low-cost boot drive. Many, like us, were impressed by the “excellent read/write speeds” for the price, providing a tangible performance boost that revitalises older hardware. The Raspberry Pi 5 community, in particular, has embraced this drive as a go-to solution for unlocking performance.

However, the praise is not without its caveats. The most consistent and serious complaint revolves around the packaging. One user’s detailed account of the drive arriving “loose in a cheap, generic plastic tray, with no padding, no seals” was a common theme. This lack of protection during shipping is a significant concern and a notable gamble for buyers. The other main critique is the absence of bundled cloning software, which adds an extra step for users looking to upgrade an existing system rather than perform a clean installation.

Head-to-Head: Integral 256GB NVMe M.2 SSD vs. The Competition

While the Integral drive carves out a fantastic niche in the budget market, it’s important to see how it stacks up against other options. Depending on your needs for capacity, raw speed, or specific use cases, one of these alternatives might be a better fit.

1. Patriot Memory P320 512GB Internal SSD

The Patriot P320 is a direct competitor to the Integral drive, operating in the same PCIe Gen3 budget space. The primary advantage it offers is double the storage capacity at 512GB. This makes it a much better choice for users who want to store their OS, applications, and a handful of modern games on a single, fast drive. Performance is likely to be very similar, so the decision between the two comes down to capacity versus absolute lowest cost. If your budget can stretch a little further and you need more space, the Patriot P320 is an excellent alternative that offers more breathing room.

2. WD_BLACK SN850P 2TB PS5 SSD

The WD_BLACK SN850P exists in a completely different universe of performance and price. As a top-tier PCIe Gen4 drive officially licensed for the PlayStation 5, it offers sequential read speeds exceeding 7,300 MB/s—more than double that of the Integral SSD. It comes with a pre-installed heatsink and a massive 2TB capacity. This is the choice for the enthusiast gamer, the 4K video editor, or the user who demands the absolute fastest storage money can buy. It is complete overkill for a simple boot drive or a Raspberry Pi, but if your workload involves massive files and you need uncompromising speed, the SN850P is a premium solution.

3. Patriot Memory P300 1TB M.2 PCIe SSD

The Patriot P300 strikes a balance between the other two alternatives. It’s another PCIe Gen3 drive, like the Integral, but it prioritises mass capacity over peak speed. With a full 1TB of storage, it’s an ideal candidate for a secondary “game drive” or for users who need to store a large amount of data but still want faster access than a traditional hard drive can provide. Its speeds might be slightly lower than the Integral or P320, but for bulk storage of media files or a large Steam library, the sheer volume of space it offers at a budget-friendly price point makes it a very compelling option.

The Final Verdict: A Budget Upgrade That Punches Well Above Its Weight

After extensive testing, we can confidently say that the Integral 256GB NVMe M.2 SSD is a truly exceptional product for a very specific audience. It is not the fastest drive on the market, nor is it the largest. Instead, it is a masterclass in value, delivering a transformative performance upgrade for an astonishingly low price. For anyone looking to breathe new life into an aging laptop or desktop by replacing a slow HDD or SATA SSD, this drive is an absolute game-changer. Its role as a supercharger for the Raspberry Pi 5 is a killer application that elevates it from a simple component to an essential tool for the maker community.

The primary caveat remains the alarmingly minimal packaging, which is a risk you’ll have to take. However, if the drive arrives safely, you are getting performance that, just a few years ago, would have cost four or five times as much. It’s a no-frills, purpose-built speed machine. If you’ve decided the Integral 256GB NVMe M.2 SSD is the right fit, you can check its current price and purchase it here.