Hiksemi Wave(P) 128GB Gen3 M.2 NVMe SSD 3D NAND

For system builders and upgraders seeking a responsive boot drive without overspending, the Hiksemi Wave(P) 128GB M.2 NVMe SSD delivers a tangible speed boost over SATA alternatives. Installed in a desktop or laptop with an M.2 2280 slot, it accelerates Windows or Linux startup, reduces game load times, and keeps everyday multitasking fluid. The PCIe Gen3 x4 interface and NVMe 1.3 protocol unlock sequential reads up to 2100 MB/s—nearly four times faster than typical SATA SSDs—so large files transfer in seconds rather than minutes.

Key specifications

• Capacity: 128 GB (usable after formatting may vary)
• Form factor: M.2 2280 (22 mm wide, 80 mm long)
• Interface: PCIe Gen3 x4, NVMe 1.3
• NAND flash: 3D TLC
• Sequential read: up to 2100 MB/s
• Sequential write: up to 700 MB/s
• Random read IOPS (4 KB): up to 90,000
• Random write IOPS (4 KB): up to 150,000
• Endurance: 60 TBW
• MTBF: 1,500,000 hours
• Operating temperature: 0°C to 70°C
• Shock resistance: 1500G/0.5 ms
• Warranty: 3-year limited

Why choose it

This drive balances capacity, performance, and reliability for budget-conscious builds. The 3D TLC NAND offers a good mix of endurance and cost, while S.M.A.R.T. and TRIM support help maintain long-term consistency. With a 60 TBW rating, it can handle daily writes for years in typical consumer workloads. The compact M.2 2280 design frees up drive bays and reduces cable clutter, improving airflow in small form factor PCs.

Ideal use cases

• Boot drive for a budget gaming PC or office workstation
• Upgrading an older laptop from a hard drive to NVMe
• Secondary drive for frequently used applications
• Light content creation and photo editing

Good to know

Installation requires a motherboard with an M.2 M-key slot supporting PCIe NVMe. Check your system's BIOS and driver support for NVMe boot. The drive operates without a heatsink under normal conditions, but sustained heavy writes may benefit from additional airflow. Actual performance varies by system configuration and workload.