Introduction
The Lexar PLAY 2280 SE 4TB PCIe 4.0 SSD is a brand new SSD launching from Lexar, July 30th, with the official announcement. The Lexar PLAY 2280 SE is not to be confused with the already launched and available Lexar PLAY 2280 SSD; this version, the “SE” is a brand new standalone model geared for the likes of the PS5, or mobile platforms with only a 4TB capacity option, for gaming. In addition, it differs from the Lexar PLAY 2280 by utilizing a different controller altogether, NAND flash, and a DRAM-less design with an integrated heatsink. The Lexar PLAY 2280 SE 4TB has a quoted up to 7,000MB/s sequential read performance and up to 6,000MB/s sequential write performance, with PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe 1.4 support.
Lexar is not a stranger around here, as we have come to evaluate many Lexar SSDs up and down their lineup. Lexar is well known for its memory components, including memory cards, USB flash drives, portable drives, card readers, RAM, and SSDs. In Lexar’s PCIe 4.0 SSD lineup, the models consist of, at the top, the NM790 and NM800 PRO, while toward the lower-end sit the NM710 and NQ780.
The Lexar PLAY 2280 sits in a middling position in the lineup, but is geared to offer SSD storage for a different kind of user, a user who is more inclined to install it into a PS5, for example. The Lexar PLAY 2280 is all about providing the best PS5 gaming experience, though this does not exclude desktop DIY gamers, of course. The Lexar PLAY 2280 also works great for desktop DIY usage, and with the integrated heatsink, makes installation very easy and trouble-free.
The Lexar PLAY 2280 SE 4TB SSD (LNMPL8S004T-RNNNU) is a TLC-based SSD, PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe 1.4, utilizing an InnoGrit IG5236CAA controller, Longsys 3D NAND flash, and HMB in a DRAM-less design. It has a sequential read speed of up to 7,000MB/s and a sequential write speed of up to 6,000MB/s in a 4TB capacity. The Lexar PLAY 2280 SE 4TB SSD has an MSRP and available price at launch of $224.99. Be sure to click the links in the pricing widget below to see the current available pricing.
Lexar PLAY 2280 SE 4TB
As the name implies, the Lexar PLAY 2280 is an M.2 2280-sized SSD, and the design goal of this particular SSD from Lexar is for easy integration into the PS5. The Lexar PLAY 2280 SE is a tested and approved storage device for the PS5 console, and lets you play directly from the drive with no need to transfer or delete games from your console. It’s built with an integrated heatsink that fits well inside the PS5, sized correctly, and allows it to maintain efficiency with cooling. With the large 4TB capacity, it has room for large game storage.
The only capacity the Lexar PLAY 2280 SE is offered in is 4TB, and the sequential read speed is rated up to 7000MB/s, and the sequential write speed is rated at up to 6000MB/s. However, due to PS5-specific limitations, when this SSD is installed in a PS5, the maximum speed is capped at 6300MB/s, so you will get a reduction on PS5, but on desktop DIY PCs, you’ll get the full speed. The Lexar PLAY 2280 SE 4TB SSD has an endurance of 3200TBW, which is fine for a gaming SSD. Lexar offers a five-year limited warranty.
The Lexar PLAY 2280 SE 4TB SSD is based on the value-oriented InnoGrit IG5236 (RainierPC) controller made for lower-cost DRAM-less SSDs. The InnoGrit IG5236 controller has been around quite a while, this is an 8-channel PCIe 4.0 Gen4 x4 NVMe 1.4 controller. The 3D TLC NAND flash is made by Longsys, and as you may or may not know, Longsys now owns Lexar, so Longsys and Lexar SSDs go hand-in-hand. Note that the Lexar Professional NM800 PRO SSD also utilizes the InnoGrit IG5236 controller, with 176-Layer Micron TLC NAND flash. Therefore, in our review today, you are going to want to pay close attention to the performance of the Lexar PLAY 2280 SE 4TB SSD in comparison to the Lexar Professional NM800 PRO data in our review, which is technically rated at a higher sequential read and write speed.
The Lexar PLAY 2280 SE 4TB SSD comes in a very good-looking white box, displaying the SSD clearly so you know what it looks like. It shows prominently the capacity and the rated speeds clearly on the front in big bold lettering. It also indicates the primary use of being compatible with the PS5. Inside the box is the SSD, a booklet, and a Lexar stamped mini-screwdriver! This is useful if you decide to dismantle the heatsink, in order to use your own, so that is very useful that this tool is included for the tiny screws on the heatsink sled. The only thing missing is an M.2 screw, though this is mostly included with your motherboard accessories.
The Lexar PLAY 2280 SE 4TB SSD with Heatsink has the heatsink sled already integrated and installed inside the box, which is great to see. The bottom sled and top heatsink both utilize thermal pads, even though the SSD is a one-sided device, which provides thorough cooling on both sides of the chips. The heatsink is raised on top, with a channel groove that directs airflow across it, if you have external airflow inside your system. The entire SSD feels solid in the hands and well put together with adequate cooling for the performance. It’s a very nice package.
Using the included mini-screwdriver, we can take the SSD completely apart easily and then reassemble. You will see that the Lexar PLAY 2280 SE 4TB SSD is a one-sided SSD, with all the components on one side, making cooling easier and viable inside a PS5. The 4TB of NAND flash are configured in 1TB chips each, and the InnoGrit IG5236 controller sits at the top; there are no DRAM chips on board. Installation is simple, and it fits well into the PC with no concern for the height it is taking up. It’s very slim and will fit into any PC, small or big, perfect for small form factor builds.
