Corsair MP700 Micro 4TB: The most powerful ultra-compact PCIe Gen 5 SSD.
The Corsair MP700 Micro boasts a groundbreaking 4TB capacity in an M.2 2242 form factor. With PCIe Gen 5, it's a leading high-performance storage solution for compact devices.
The Corsair MP700 Micro is a testament to the remarkable advancements in storage technology, perfectly combining performance, large capacity, and power efficiency in an ultra-compact design. It's the fastest drive in its M.2 2242 size class currently available, offering an ideal upgrade option for high-performance laptops and mobile devices.
The Corsair MP700 Micro boasts impressive specifications.
This product stands out for its ability to achieve capacities up to 4TB with a single-sided design. Below is a detailed comparison table between the two capacity versions of this hard drive series:
| Characteristic | 2TB version | 4TB version |
|---|---|---|
| Selling price | 219.99 USD | 484.99 USD |
| Size | M.2 2242 (One side) | M.2 2242 (One side) |
| Interface | PCIe 5.0 x4 / NVMe 2.0 | PCIe 5.0 x4 / NVMe 2.0 |
| Controller | Phison E31T | Phison E31T |
| Flash memory | Kioxia TLC 218 layers (BiCS8) | Kioxia TLC 218 layers (BiCS8) |
| Read sequentially | 10,000 MB/s | 9,400 MB/s |
| Record sequentially | 8,500 MB/s | 8,100 MB/s |
| Total Weight (TBW) | 1,200 TB | 2,400 TB |
Breakthrough hardware design and architecture
The biggest selling point of the MP700 Micro is its ability to maintain a single-sided design even at 4TB capacity. This allows for maximum compatibility with narrow slots in mobile devices or home entertainment PCs (HTPCs). Although it uses the M.2 2242 standard, users can still install it into standard M.2 2280 slots via expansion kits.
In terms of internal components, Corsair equips the device with a DRAM-less Phison E31T controller, combined with Kioxia's 218-layer BiCS8 TLC NAND flash memory chips. This combination delivers excellent random read performance without compromising power efficiency.
Real-world performance and user experience
In real-world tests with 3DMark Storage Benchmark, the MP700 Micro delivered impressive results with extremely low latency. This translates into faster game loading speeds and a smoother experience in demanding games. Even when compared to competitors using QLC chips, the MP700 Micro with its TLC chip demonstrated superior stability as the drive gradually filled with data.
Using DiskBench, the PCIe 5.0 interface gives the MP700 Micro a 15% lead over its Gen 4 competitors in file transfer speeds. The switch from a 12nm to a 7nm controller manufacturing process also significantly contributes to energy savings, a crucial factor for battery-powered devices.
Energy efficiency and temperature management
Testing with the Quarch HD Programmable Power Module shows that the MP700 Micro is one of the most power-efficient hard drives currently available. Its extremely high performance-per-watt (PERW) allows the device to complete tasks faster and return to idle mode sooner, thereby extending laptop battery life.
In terms of temperature, the drive reaches a maximum of approximately 67°C under extreme conditions, still below the nominal throttling threshold (83°C). Thanks to the larger surface area of the 2242 standard compared to the 2230, the product's heat dissipation is also significantly improved when used with existing thermal pads or heatsinks in the system.
Summary
The Corsair MP700 Micro 4TB is a leading product in the M.2 2242 SSD segment. While the price for the 4TB version is a significant investment, its PCIe Gen 5 speeds and storage density are undeniable. It's the "holy grail" for professional users demanding maximum performance in a small form factor.
