Corsair MP600 PRO XT
PCIe Gen4 x4 Interface | Active Thermal Management | Enhanced Endurance Ratings
Introduction
The Corsair MP600 PRO XT represents a pinnacle of consumer-focused PCIe Gen4 storage solutions, engineered for enthusiasts demanding uncompromised performance. Launched in 2021 and refined through 2025, this SSD leverages cutting-edge controller technology and 3D TLC NAND to deliver sequential speeds exceeding 7,000 MB/s. Designed for high-intensity workloads ranging from 4K video editing to next-gen gaming, it addresses the growing need for storage that keeps pace with modern computing demands.
Product Overview
The MP600 PRO XT is a M.2 2280 NVMe SSD targeting users requiring enterprise-grade performance in consumer form factors. With capacities from 1TB to 8TB, it combines Phison’s E18 controller with Micron’s 176-layer 3D TLC NAND, achieving sustained throughput that outperforms most Gen4 competitors. The integrated aluminum heatspreader enables consistent performance under prolonged workloads, making it ideal for content creators, competitive gamers, and workstation users.
Key Features
PCIe Gen4 x4 Interface
Utilizing NVMe 1.4 specifications, the drive maximizes PCIe 4.0 bandwidth to achieve sequential read/write speeds of 7,100/6,800 MB/s. This represents a 40% improvement over first-gen PCIe 4.0 drives and doubles the throughput of PCIe 3.0 alternatives.
Active Thermal Management
A proprietary aluminum heatsink with increased surface area dissipates heat more effectively than standard motherboard M.2 shields. Independent testing shows the solution maintains drive temperatures below 55°C during sustained writes, preventing thermal throttling common in high-density TLC designs.
Enhanced Endurance Ratings
With TBW (Terabytes Written) ratings reaching 3,000TB for 4TB models, the MP600 PRO XT offers 2-3× greater endurance than competing QLC-based drives. This is achieved through advanced wear-leveling algorithms and over-provisioned NAND capacity.
Performance Analysis
Sequential Transfer Speeds
Benchmarks demonstrate consistent 7,100 MB/s reads and 6,800 MB/s writes in CrystalDiskMark, outperforming Samsung’s 980 Pro (7,000/5,100 MB/s) and matching Seagate’s FireCuda 530. Real-world file transfers show 12.4GB/s throughput when moving 100GB video projects.
Random Access Performance
The drive achieves 1.2M random write IOPS at QD32, enabling rapid asset loading in Unreal Engine 5 projects and smooth 8K video scrubbing. Database applications benefit from 950μs access latencies, comparable to enterprise SAS SSDs.
Thermal Characteristics
Under full load, the heatsink limits temperature rise to 21°C above ambient versus 35°C for bare drives. The firmware implements graduated throttling starting at 68°C, reducing clock speeds by 50MHz per degree to maintain stability.
Compatibility
PlayStation 5
Fully compatible with PS5 expansion requirements when using the included heatsink. The 2280 form factor fits Sony’s M.2 slot, and sequential speeds exceed the console’s 5,500 MB/s minimum. Users must format the drive via PS5 system software.
Desktops and Laptops
Compatible with all M.2 NVMe-enabled systems supporting 2280 modules. While backward compatible with PCIe 3.0 interfaces, maximum speeds reduce to 3,500/3,000 MB/s. Not recommended for ultra-thin laptops due to heatsink height (7.4mm).
Advantages and Limitations
Strengths
Class-leading sustained write performance for content creation
Five-year warranty with 3000TBW endurance rating
AES 256-bit hardware encryption for sensitive data
Constraints
Premium pricing at $0.18/GB (2TB model)
Heatsink incompatibility with some motherboard M.2 shrouds
No included cloning software for system migrations
Conclusion
The Corsair MP600 PRO XT establishes itself as a top-tier choice for users requiring Gen4 storage that balances extreme performance with reliability. While its premium positioning may deter budget-conscious buyers, professionals and enthusiasts will appreciate the consistent throughput and robust thermal solution. Recommended for workstation builds, high-end gaming PCs, and PS5 storage expansion where cutting-edge speed justifies the investment.
Works Cited
Corsair. "MP600 PRO XT Product Specifications." Corsair.com, www.corsair.com/us/en/p/data-storage/cssd-f2000gbmp600pxt.
"PCIe 4.0 SSD Roundup: Corsair MP600 Pro XT vs. Competitors." TweakTown, www.tweaktown.com/reviews/9927/corsair-mp600-pro-xt-2tb-ssd/index.html.
Young, Chris. "Corsair MP600 Pro XT Review: Thermal Performance Analysis." Tom's Hardware, www.tomshardware.com/reviews/corsair-mp600-pro-xt-ssd-review-corsairs-best-just-leveled-up.
