When it comes to upgrading an aging hard drive (HDD) or building a new budget-friendly PC, a SATA SSD is often the go-to choice. Two of the most popular options from Kingston are the KC600 and the A400. While they both use the same interface, they are designed for very different users. The Kingston A400 is known for its incredible affordability, making it a favorite for simple system revivals. The Kingston KC600, on the other hand, is a more premium SATA drive, offering enhanced performance and security features.
This guide will provide a detailed, side-by-side comparison of Kingston KC600 vs A400 these two drives, helping you understand the key differences and ultimately, decide which one is the best fit for your needs and budget.
Who is This For? KC600 or A400
Kingston KC600 is for: Performance-seekers, gamers on a budget, and professionals who need reliable, secure storage without moving to NVMe. It’s also ideal for those wanting the best possible SATA upgrade for their primary operating system drive.
Kingston A400 is for: Casual users, students, and anyone looking to revive an old laptop or desktop on the cheap. It’s perfect as a budget-friendly boot drive for an older machine or as secondary storage where ultimate speed isn’t the priority.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | Kingston KC600 | Kingston A400 |
| Interface | SATA Rev 3.0 (6Gb/s) | SATA Rev 3.0 (6Gb/s) |
| Form Factor | 2.5″ | 2.5″ |
| NAND Technology | 3D TLC | 3D NAND (TLC/QLC) |
| Controller | Silicon Motion SM2259 | Phison S11/Various |
| DRAM Cache | Yes | No (DRAM-less) |
| Sequential Read | Up to 550 MB/s | Up to 500 MB/s |
| Sequential Write | Up to 520 MB/s | Up to 450 MB/s |
| Random 4K Read | Up to 90,000 IOPS | Not specified |
| Random 4K Write | Up to 80,000 IOPS | Not specified |
| Encryption | XTS-AES 256-bit (Hardware) | None |
| Total Bytes Written (TBW) | 150TB (256GB), 300TB (512GB), 600TB (1TB) | 80TB (240GB), 160TB (480GB), 300TB (960GB) |
| Warranty | 5-Year Limited Warranty | 3-Year Limited Warranty |
| Price Point | Mid-Range SATA | Entry-Level SATA |
Quick Highlights Table
| Kingston KC600 | Kingston A400 |
| ✅ Superior Performance | ✅ Extremely Budget-Friendly |
| ✅ Hardware-Based Encryption | ✅ Great for Basic Upgrades |
| ✅ DRAM Cache Included | ✅ Solid HDD Replacement |
| ✅ Higher Endurance (TBW) | ❌ No DRAM Cache |
| ✅ Longer 5-Year Warranty | ❌ Lower Performance & Endurance |
Key Takeaways for KC600 vs A400
The most significant difference between these two drives is the inclusion of a DRAM cache on the KC600. A DRAM cache acts as a temporary map of the data on the drive, allowing the SSD to locate information much faster. This results in noticeably better performance, especially during multitasking or handling a large number of small files. The KC600 also boasts hardware-based encryption for enhanced data security and higher endurance ratings, which means it can handle more data writes over its lifetime. The A400, being a DRAM-less drive, is a more basic solution. While it’s a massive improvement over a traditional HDD, it’s not a performance powerhouse and is better suited for straightforward tasks like an OS boot drive for an older machine.
Real-World Performance
When it comes to real-world usage, the differences become clearer:
- Kingston KC600: You’ll experience snappier performance when multitasking with a dozen browser tabs open, running large applications like Photoshop, or transferring sizable video files. Boot times will be consistently fast, and the system will feel more responsive under heavier loads.
- Kingston A400: This drive is excellent for quick boot-ups and opening everyday applications like Microsoft Office or a web browser. It provides a phenomenal upgrade over an HDD for basic email and web browsing, though it might show its limitations if you frequently handle very large files or run multiple demanding programs simultaneously.
Pros & Cons KC600 and A400
| Kingston KC600 | Kingston A400 | |
| Pros | – Excellent SATA performance, near the interface’s max. – Includes DRAM cache for superior random and small file performance. – Features hardware-based AES 256-bit encryption for security. – Higher endurance rating (TBW) for long-term reliability. – Backed by a 5-year warranty. | – One of the most affordable SSDs on the market. – Offers a huge performance boost over any HDD. – Perfectly adequate for a boot drive and general use. – Simple and reliable for basic applications. |
| Cons | – More expensive than the A400. – May be considered overkill for a very basic PC upgrade. – Still limited by the SATA III interface compared to NVMe drives. | – DRAM-less design can lead to slower performance under heavy loads. – Lower endurance rating (TBW) compared to the KC600. – Shorter 3-year warranty. – No hardware encryption. |
Buying Recommendations
- Choose the Kingston KC600 if… you are looking for the best possible performance from a SATA drive. This is ideal for a primary boot drive in a desktop or laptop, especially for users who do light content creation, multitasking, or need extra data security. The KC600 is a future-proof SATA investment that offers excellent value for its price.
- Choose the Kingston A400 if… you are on a very strict budget and simply need to replace an old hard drive. It’s the perfect choice for breathing new life into an old laptop or as a secondary storage drive for games or files where absolute top-tier performance is not a priority. Its low cost makes it an unbeatable entry point into SSD technology.
Final Verdict
The Kingston KC600 is, without a doubt, the superior drive in terms of performance, features, and longevity. The inclusion of a DRAM cache, hardware encryption, and a longer warranty makes it a high-quality SATA drive that justifies its higher price.
However, the Kingston A400 is not a bad drive; it’s just a different class of product. It excels at being a no-frills, affordable solution for basic users. If your goal is simply to get away from a slow, mechanical hard drive with the least amount of money, the A400 is a fantastic choice. For anyone who values performance and long-term reliability for their main operating system drive, the Kingston KC600 is the clear winner.
FAQ of KC600 vs A400
Q1: What is a DRAM cache and why does it matter?
Ans: A DRAM cache is a small, fast memory chip on an SSD that helps the drive manage data more efficiently, particularly with small files and concurrent tasks. A drive with a DRAM cache, like the KC600, will generally have better sustained performance and responsiveness than a DRAM-less drive like the A400.
Q2: Will I notice a big difference between the KC600 and A400 for everyday use?
Ans: For basic tasks like web browsing, document editing, and booting up the computer, both drives will feel incredibly fast compared to a hard drive. You will likely notice the KC600’s superior performance more when transferring large files or running multiple applications at once.
Q3: Is the Kingston A400 reliable?
Ans: Yes, the Kingston A400 is a reliable drive for its intended purpose. While its endurance (TBW) rating is lower than the KC600, it is more than sufficient for the vast majority of everyday users. Failures are rare and are covered by its 3-year warranty.
Q4: Can I use either of these drives in a laptop?
Ans: Yes, both the Kingston KC600 and A400 have a standard 2.5-inch form factor and a 7mm thickness, making them compatible with most laptops that use a SATA hard drive bay.
Q5: Is it worth paying more for the KC600?
Ans: It depends on your use case. If you’re a heavy user who often transfers large files, runs demanding applications, or values a longer warranty, the extra cost for the KC600 is a worthwhile investment. For simple, light use, the A400 offers better value for money.
Q6: How do these drives compare to NVMe SSDs?
Ans: Both the KC600 and A400 are significantly slower than NVMe SSDs, which use the PCIe interface. NVMe drives can offer speeds up to 10-20 times faster than SATA drives. However, they require a compatible M.2 slot on your motherboard and are generally more expensive.
Conclusion
In the battle of Kingston’s SATA drives, the Kingston A400 serves as the perfect entry-level option, providing a significant speed upgrade over traditional HDDs at an unbeatable price. However, the Kingston KC600 stands out as the premium choice, offering superior performance, enhanced security features, and greater longevity. Ultimately, your decision should come down to your budget and performance needs.
Ready to upgrade? Check the latest prices for the Kingston KC600 and A400 from our recommended retailers and get your system running faster today.
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