Corsair MP600 Mini, the overview of the NVMe SSD for Steam Deck, ROG Ally and different handheld PCs

PCIe Gen4 x4 NVMe SSDs in M.2 2230 format have a easy purpose: to permit us to extend the capability of handheld PCs and small units with out sacrificing excessive knowledge studying and writing speeds. A lot in order that a number of have emerged throughout 2023 to fulfill the challenges wants of Steam Deck and ROG Ally house owners.

One of many newest so as of distribution is the Corsair MP600 Mini. An SSD that arrives a number of months after the competitors and that now we have had the chance to check within the editorial workplace in latest weeks. However along with rising capability, is it additionally helpful for bettering the efficiency of handheld PCs like Steam Deck? Let’s discover out in ours overview of the Corsair MP600 Mini in 1TB format.

Technical options

Corsair MP600 Mini comes with high-level specs for an NVMe M.2 2230 SSD with PCIe Gen4 x4 connection. The truth is, let’s speak about 4,800 MB/s sequential learn and 4,800 MB/s sequential write, whereas random studying and writing stand at 850 thousand and 1100 thousand IOPS respectively. The SSD, of the M.2 2230 sort with PCIe 4.0 interface, is at present offered solely within the 1 TB model, with out heatsink, at an inventory worth ranging from €124.99.

Corsair implements the confirmed Phison E21T controller right here, whereas longevity stands at 600 TB written. A completely common worth for a 1 TB SSD, which now we have additionally seen in drives of extra conventional codecs.

Corsair MP600 Mini knowledge sheet

• Kind: PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe M.2 2230
• Controller: Phison E21T
• Reminiscence: 3D NAND TLC
• Sequential studying: 4800 MB/s
• Sequential writing: 4800 MB/s
• 4K random playback: 850.000 IOPS
• 4K random write: 1.100.000 IOPS
• Longevity: 600 THB
• Guarantee: 2 years
• Value and storage: 124,99€

Efficiency

As talked about, for this overview we examined the 1 TB mannequin of the Corsair MP600 Mini SSD, the one one at present in the marketplace. And since it could make little sense to apply it to a desktop PC, our check centered on Steam Deck, Valve’s handheld PC which, greater than another gadget, is the goal for such a SSD.

The assessments confirmed attention-grabbing peak speeds, though naturally inferior to the prime quality M.2 2280 format examined on PCIe Gen4 x4. With KDiskMark we’re at 3500 MB/s in sequential studying pace and 3000 MB/s in sequential writing pace. Values ​​decrease than these declared, however not shocking: the highest tier variations of Steam Deck have PCIe Gen 3 x4, with bandwidth as much as 3,940 MB/s. Nonetheless, this can be a considerably larger pace than the inventory SSD, which stops at 2300 MB/s studying. A distinction that turns into much more marked in sequential writing, the place the worth of the bottom unit fluctuates between 590 MB/s for small recordsdata and 790 MB/s recorded with bigger ones.

This clear distinction, nevertheless, is barely typically perceived within the major use of the console, i.e. gaming. In the course of the’beginning video games in actual fact, no vital advantages are seen, whereas when loading saves the distinction is obvious. Utilizing The Witcher 3 as a benchmark title, the information is obvious: the general startup (which, keep in mind, additionally passes via the GOG display) takes about 30 seconds each with the Corsair SSD and with the inventory one. The loading savesnevertheless, exhibits considerably higher occasions: lower than 30 seconds with the Corsair, in comparison with virtually 48 seconds with the inventory unit.