Forbes Magazine Likes the MSI Spatium M580 FROZR. Should You?

Forbes Magazine reviewed the new MSI Spatium M580 FROZR and they liked what they saw. But how well will it work for your use cases? Although not as established as the Seagate or Western Digital brands, the MSI Spatium M580 FROZR is making waves in the world of computer storage, particularly among gamers and content creators. This PCIe 5.0 NVMe M.2 SSD is designed to deliver unparalleled performance, making it an ideal upgrade for those looking to enhance their gaming rigs, content creation workflows, or general computer performance.

Let's dive in and see what people are talking about.

Specifications

• Form Factor: M.2 2280 (Double-Sided)

• Interface: PCIe 5.0 x4

• Protocol: NVMe 2.0

• Controller: Phison PS5026-E26

• NAND Memory: Micron 232-layer TLC

• DRAM Cache: 4GB LPDDR4-4266

• Sequential Read Speed: Up to 14,600 MB/s

• Sequential Write Speed: Up to 13,000 MB/s

• Endurance: 1400 TBW (Terabytes Written)

• MTBF: 2.0 Million Hours

• Warranty: 5 Years

• Power Draw: 2.2 W (Idle), 4.8 W (Avg), 11.2 W (Max)

• Cooling: Large heatpipe-equipped heatsink with three heat pipes

• Dimensions: 22 x 80 mm

Unmatched Performance

The new MSI Spatium M580 FROZR is equipped with the latest Phison E26 controller and 2400MT/s 232-layer NAND memory, enabling it to achieve staggering read speeds of up to 14.6 GB/s and write speeds of 12.7 GB/s. Others with similar performance specifications include the Crucial T705 and the SABRENT Rocket 5 Plus. These speeds are significantly higher than those of PCIe 4.0 SSDs, making it a top contender for anyone needing blazing-fast data transfer rates. Whether you're loading large game files, editing high-resolution videos, or running complex simulations, this SSD ensures minimal lag and maximum efficiency.

Advanced Thermal Management

The Spatium M580 FROZR integrates the M850 SSD with the FROZR heatsink, creating a powerful combination. FROZR is an advanced thermal management system supported by a substantial heatsink with heatpipes and aluminum fins. The heatsink can reduce operating temperatures by as much as 20 degrees Celsius. This cooling solution is essential for maintaining performance under heavy loads, preventing thermal throttling, and ensuring the SSD operates at peak efficiency. For gamers and creators who push their systems to the limit, this cooling capability is transformative.

Backward Compatibility and Motherboard Requirements

While the MSI Spatium M580 FROZR is designed for PCIe 5, it is backward compatible with PCIe 4. Although some experts do not recommended this practice, but the M580 should work with PCIe 4.0 motherboards and you may see a benefit from the SSD's superior performance. But you won't achieve the maximum speeds possible with PCIe 5. For optimal performance,  it's recommended to use a motherboard that supports PCIe 5.0. Popular choices include the MSI MAG Z790 Edge Ti Max WiFi and other high-end motherboards from both Intel and AMD that offer PCIe 5.0 support.

Gaming Console Compatibility

For gamers looking to upgrade their consoles, it's important to note that the MSI Spatium M580 FROZR is not compatible with current-generation gaming consoles like the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X. These consoles are designed to work with PCIe 4.0 SSDs, and the physical dimensions and thermal requirements of the Spatium M580 FROZR make it unsuitable for console use. However, for PC gamers, this SSD is a powerhouse that can significantly reduce game load times and improve overall gaming performance.

Who Should Consider the MSI Spatium M580 FROZR?

The MSI Spatium M580 FROZR is tailored for a specific audience:

1. High-Performance Gamers: If you're a gamer with a high-end desktop and you want to experience the fastest load times and smoothest gameplay, this SSD is for you.

2. Content Creators: For those working with large media files, such as 4K video editing or high-resolution photo editing, the Spatium M580 FROZR offers the speed and reliability needed to handle demanding tasks without lag.

3. Tech Enthusiasts: If you enjoy having the latest and greatest technology and have a motherboard that supports PCIe 5.0, this SSD will ensure your system is future-proof and performing at its best.

Bottom Line

The MSI Spatium M580 FROZR pushes the bar up in storage performance with its exceptional speed, advanced thermal management, and robust design. While it comes at a premium price, the benefits it offers in terms of performance and reliability make it a worthwhile investment for gamers, content creators, and tech enthusiasts.

Currently it has limited availability in 2TB and 4TB models, but if you're looking to upgrade your system and want the best SSD available, the MSI Spatium M580 FROZR is a choice worth considering.