MSI SPATIUM M570 PRO FROZR

Introduction

The MSI SPATIUM M570 PRO FROZR arrives as a flagship contender in the rapidly evolving PCIe Gen 5 SSD market, targeting enthusiast gamers, content creators, and high-end PC builders who refuse to compromise on storage performance. This drive represents MSI's ambitious entry into the bleeding edge of consumer storage technology, featuring a PCIe 5.0 x4 interface that promises speeds nearly double what even premium Gen 4 drives can deliver. What sets the M570 PRO FROZR apart in a crowded field of similar Gen 5 offerings is its distinctive passive cooling solution—a substantial heatsink assembly with integrated heat pipes designed to tame the considerable thermal output of modern flagship SSDs. Positioned squarely in the premium tier of the storage market, this drive competes directly with heavyweights like the Crucial T700, Corsair MP700, and Aorus Gen5 12000, all vying for the attention of users who demand the absolute fastest storage technology currently available.

Product Overview

The MSI SPATIUM M570 PRO FROZR conforms to the standard M.2 2280 form factor, making it compatible with the vast majority of modern motherboards, though its substantial cooling solution demands more consideration than a typical SSD installation. At its heart lies the Phison E26 controller, currently the dominant PCIe 5.0 controller in the consumer market and a proven performer that powers many competing flagship drives. This controller pairs with Micron's 232-layer 3D TLC NAND flash memory, representing a significant advancement over the 176-layer NAND found in earlier Gen 5 implementations. The faster 2000 MT/s NAND enables the M570 PRO FROZR to reach its impressive speed targets, while the TLC designation indicates strong endurance characteristics suitable for demanding workloads. MSI includes 4GB of LPDDR4 DRAM cache onboard, which acts as a high-speed buffer for frequently accessed data and contributes significantly to the drive's snappy responsiveness in random read and write operations. The drive is available in three capacity configurations: 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB, with the 2TB model serving as the sweet spot for most enthusiast users balancing capacity needs with budget considerations.

The FROZR cooling solution deserves special attention, as it represents one of the most substantial passive heatsinks shipped with any consumer SSD. The design features three flattened heat pipes that run the length of the drive, transferring thermal energy from the controller and NAND chips to an array of elevated aluminum fins. MSI claims this design can reduce operating temperatures by up to 20 degrees Celsius compared to running the drive without additional cooling, a meaningful improvement given that PCIe 5.0 drives can generate significant heat under sustained workloads. The heatsink stands 72mm tall when fully assembled, topped with MSI's Spatium branding for a premium aesthetic that fits well in windowed gaming builds. The flattened heat pipe surfaces maximize contact area with the drive's critical components, while the finned design allows ambient airflow from case fans, CPU coolers, and graphics cards to passively dissipate heat without introducing additional noise to the system.

Performance & Real World Speed

MSI rates the SPATIUM M570 PRO FROZR for sequential read speeds up to 12,400 MB/s and write speeds up to 11,800 MB/s, placing it among the fastest consumer SSDs available today. To put these numbers in perspective, this represents roughly 1.8 times the performance of premium PCIe Gen 4 drives like the Samsung 990 Pro or WD SN850X, and an even more dramatic leap over older SATA SSDs that max out around 550 MB/s. For gamers, this translates to dramatically reduced load times in modern titles, particularly those with large open worlds or high-resolution texture streaming. Games that took 30-40 seconds to load from a SATA drive might complete in under 10 seconds with the M570 PRO FROZR, while even compared to a decent Gen 4 drive, you can expect to shave several seconds off loading screens. Windows boot times become nearly instantaneous, with cold boots often completing in under 15 seconds on well-optimized systems.

Where PCIe Gen 5 drives truly shine is in professional workflows involving massive file transfers. If you regularly work with 8K video footage, massive Photoshop composites, or large game development assets, the M570 PRO FROZR can sustain transfer rates that move 100GB of data in less than 10 seconds under ideal conditions. This makes operations like importing camera footage, loading project files, or transferring game builds between drives dramatically faster than previous generations. Content creators working with Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve will appreciate the ability to scrub through multiple streams of high-bitrate footage without stuttering or frame drops.

The drive features an SLC cache sized at 205GB on the 2TB model, and once this cache fills during sustained writes, performance drops to approximately 3500 MB/s, which remains faster than most PCIe Gen 4 drives. For typical consumer use cases involving file transfers under 200GB, you'll consistently experience the full rated speeds. The post-cache performance remains strong enough that even heavy users are unlikely to notice the transition during everyday computing tasks. Random performance, measured in Input/Output Operations Per Second, should land around 1.5 million IOPS for both reads and writes based on the Phison E26 controller's typical behavior, though MSI doesn't publish official figures. This random performance is what makes the drive feel snappy when opening applications, loading game textures, or working with databases.

It's worth noting that these speeds represent theoretical maximums under optimal conditions. Real-world performance depends heavily on your system configuration, including motherboard chipset efficiency, CPU overhead, and even ambient case temperatures. You'll need a modern motherboard with a PCIe 5.0-capable M.2 slot to realize the full potential of this drive—installing it in a PCIe 4.0 slot will limit performance to Gen 4 speeds, though it will still function perfectly well. For users interested in Microsoft's DirectStorage API for gaming, the M570 PRO FROZR offers plenty of headroom, though current game implementations don't yet fully leverage Gen 5 speeds, making this more of a future-proofing consideration than an immediate benefit.

Thermal Management

PCIe Gen 5 NVMe drives generate significantly more heat than their Gen 4 predecessors, with flagship models like the M570 PRO FROZR capable of drawing up to 11.5 watts under full load—more than many previous-generation drives consume at peak. This increased thermal output means that adequate cooling isn't just recommended, it's essential for maintaining advertised performance levels. Modern NVMe drives implement thermal throttling to protect components from damage, automatically reducing performance when internal temperatures exceed safe thresholds. Without proper cooling, a Gen 5 drive can throttle from its rated 12,000+ MB/s speeds down to 3,000-4,000 MB/s or lower, effectively wasting the performance premium you paid for.

MSI clearly understood this challenge when designing the FROZR cooling solution. The substantial heatsink assembly addresses thermal concerns through a multi-faceted approach. The three integrated heat pipes feature flattened surfaces that make direct contact with the drive's controller chip and NAND packages through a quality thermal pad, ensuring efficient thermal transfer from the hottest components. These pipes distribute heat along the entire length of the heatsink structure, preventing localized hot spots that could trigger throttling. The elevated aluminum fin array then provides ample surface area for heat dissipation through passive airflow, with the vertical fin orientation designed to work with the natural airflow patterns inside most PC cases.

The heatsink's considerable size does introduce important compatibility considerations. At 72mm tall, the FROZR assembly requires significantly more clearance than a bare M.2 drive or even many motherboard-integrated heatsinks. You'll need to carefully verify clearance if you're installing this drive in an M.2 slot positioned directly under your graphics card, as many modern GPUs extend close enough to the motherboard to interfere with taller coolers. This is particularly important in smaller form factor builds or cases with tight component spacing. Additionally, you'll need to remove any existing heatsink that came with your motherboard for the M.2 slot you're using, as the FROZR solution replaces rather than supplements motherboard cooling.

Installation requires removing thermal tape from the drive's mounting notch and carefully securing the drive with the appropriate standoff screw, which can be slightly more finicky than installing a bare drive due to reduced visibility. However, once properly installed in a system with reasonable airflow from case fans, the FROZR heatsink performs admirably at maintaining temperatures well below throttling thresholds even during extended file transfers or intensive workloads. Users report drive temperatures typically staying in the 50-60°C range under load with decent case airflow, which is excellent for a Gen 5 drive and well within safe operating parameters.

One important consideration: the M570 PRO FROZR is not compatible with PlayStation 5 internal expansion. While it uses the correct M.2 2280 form factor and exceeds the PS5's 5500 MB/s minimum speed requirement by a considerable margin, the FROZR heatsink far exceeds Sony's strict 11.25mm total height limitation for drives installed in the PS5's internal expansion slot. If you're specifically shopping for PS5 storage expansion, you'll need to look at drives with low-profile cooling solutions or plan to use an aftermarket heatsink designed to fit within the console's dimensional constraints.

Compatibility

The MSI SPATIUM M570 PRO FROZR requires a modern motherboard equipped with an M.2 slot supporting PCIe connectivity, specifically using the M key interface standard that's universal on current NVMe drives. To achieve the drive's full performance potential, you'll need a motherboard with PCIe 5.0 support, which currently means a relatively recent platform like Intel's 12th generation Alder Lake or newer, or AMD's Ryzen 7000 series or newer with X670E, X670, or B650E chipsets. The good news is that PCIe maintains backward compatibility, so the M570 PRO FROZR will function perfectly in PCIe 4.0 or even 3.0 slots—you'll just be limited to the maximum speeds those interfaces support, which means Gen 4 speeds around 7000 MB/s or Gen 3 speeds around 3500 MB/s respectively.

Your motherboard's BIOS or UEFI firmware must support NVMe boot devices if you plan to use this drive as your primary system drive, though this has been standard on virtually all motherboards released in the past seven years. The drive complies with the NVMe 2.0 specification, ensuring compatibility with modern operating systems including Windows 10, Windows 11, and current Linux distributions. macOS support exists for systems that can physically accommodate standard M.2 drives, though Apple's proprietary storage implementations in their own hardware means this is primarily relevant for Hackintosh builders or external enclosures. Power consumption at 11.5 watts maximum is well within the capabilities of any modern motherboard's M.2 slot power delivery, so you won't need to worry about power-related compatibility issues.

Console compatibility requires explicit clarification to avoid disappointment. For PlayStation 5 internal storage expansion, the M570 PRO FROZR is not suitable despite meeting the speed requirements, as explained in the thermal section—the heatsink simply doesn't fit within Sony's dimensional restrictions. For Xbox Series X and Series S, the situation is even more clear-cut: these consoles require proprietary Seagate Storage Expansion Cards for internal storage expansion of optimized Xbox Series games. Standard M.2 NVMe drives like the M570 PRO FROZR cannot be installed internally in Xbox consoles at all. You could theoretically use this drive in a USB enclosure for external storage of Xbox One generation games on Xbox Series consoles, but this severely limits the drive's performance potential and wastes its Gen 5 capabilities, making it an impractical and expensive solution for that use case.

The physical installation location matters more for this drive than most others due to its substantial heatsink. Ideally, you should install it in a motherboard M.2 slot that can accommodate longer 22110 form factor drives, even though the M570 PRO FROZR itself is the standard 2280 length. This recommendation stems from ensuring adequate clearance around the drive for the heatsink assembly, particularly regarding graphics card proximity. Many modern graphics cards extend very close to the primary PCIe 5.0 M.2 slot on current motherboards, and the tall FROZR heatsink can interfere with GPU backplates or heat spreaders. Check your motherboard manual for M.2 slot specifications and carefully measure clearances in your specific build before purchase if you're planning to populate a slot near your graphics card.

Strengths & Weaknesses

The MSI SPATIUM M570 PRO FROZR delivers genuinely impressive sequential performance that represents the current state of the art in consumer SSD technology. Transfer speeds reaching up to 12,400 MB/s read and 11,800 MB/s write place this drive among the absolute fastest options available, and those speeds translate into real-world benefits for users who regularly move large files or work with demanding applications. The Phison E26 controller has proven itself reliable across multiple manufacturer implementations, and paired with faster Micron NAND, it delivers on MSI's performance promises. The inclusion of DRAM cache ensures responsive random performance that makes the system feel snappy during everyday use, avoiding the sluggishness that can plague DRAM-less budget drives during multitasking scenarios.

The FROZR cooling solution deserves recognition as one of the most thoughtful thermal designs in the PCIe Gen 5 space. While some competitors opt for active cooling with small fans that introduce noise and complexity, MSI's passive approach with substantial heat pipe integration provides effective cooling without audible noise or additional points of failure. The design can reduce temperatures by up to 20 degrees Celsius compared to uncooled operation, which translates to sustained performance during heavy workloads and potentially improved longevity through reduced thermal stress on components. The aesthetic presentation is attractive without being garish, fitting well in windowed builds that prioritize visual appeal alongside performance.

Endurance ratings of 1400 TBW for the 2TB model represent solid specifications for a consumer drive, translating to approximately 770GB of writes per day over the five-year warranty period—far more than typical users will approach during normal operation. MSI backs the drive with a comprehensive five-year warranty, matching or exceeding the coverage offered by major competitors and providing peace of mind for this premium purchase. The drive's compliance with modern standards including NVMe 2.0 and support for features like TRIM, secure erase, and hardware encryption through TCG Opal 2.0 ensures compatibility with enterprise management tools and security-conscious users.

However, the drive's strengths come with meaningful trade-offs that potential buyers should carefully consider. The substantial heatsink, while effective at cooling, creates genuine compatibility challenges in certain system configurations. Users building in compact cases, those with M.2 slots positioned directly under full-coverage GPU backplates, or anyone hoping to use this drive in a PlayStation 5 will encounter fitment issues that either require alternative placement or make the drive entirely unsuitable. The heatsink also requires removing any existing motherboard M.2 thermal solution, and installation is slightly more involved than a simple bare drive installation due to reduced visibility of the mounting notch during the process.

From a value perspective, the M570 PRO FROZR enters a highly competitive market segment where multiple manufacturers offer essentially identical core specifications using the same Phison E26 controller and similar NAND configurations. The Crucial T700, Corsair MP700, and Aorus Gen5 12000 all deliver comparable performance, and prices fluctuate enough that the "best deal" changes frequently based on sales and regional availability. MSI doesn't offer any unique features or performance advantages that clearly differentiate the M570 PRO FROZR from these competitors—it's fundamentally an excellent execution of the standard Gen 5 formula rather than a revolutionary approach. Users should shop based on current pricing rather than brand loyalty, as real-world performance differences between these drives are negligible for consumer workloads.

The practical benefits of Gen 5 speeds remain somewhat limited for many users in late 2024. Gaming workloads rarely saturate even Gen 4 drive capabilities, with most modern titles showing minimal load time differences between a quality Gen 4 SSD and Gen 5 alternatives. Microsoft's DirectStorage API promises to better leverage ultra-fast storage, but game implementations remain sparse and don't yet justify Gen 5 speeds for most gamers. Professional users working with massive files will appreciate the speed, but casual users upgrading from a decent Gen 4 drive like a Samsung 980 Pro or WD Black SN850 might struggle to perceive meaningful differences in everyday computing. The performance delta is absolutely there in benchmarks and specific workflows, but it's not as transformative as the jump from SATA to NVMe or from Gen 3 to Gen 4 was for most users.

Power consumption at 11.5 watts under load is higher than many previous generation drives, which can impact temperatures in poorly ventilated systems and represents a consideration for laptop users, though this drive's desktop-oriented heatsink makes laptop installation impractical anyway. The post-cache write performance, while still faster than many Gen 4 drives, represents a significant drop from peak speeds during sustained writes exceeding the SLC cache size, something users regularly transferring hundreds of gigabytes should keep in mind when evaluating real-world performance for their specific workloads.

Verdict: Should You Buy It?

Buy the MSI SPATIUM M570 PRO FROZR if you're building a new high-end gaming or workstation PC with PCIe 5.0 support and want to future-proof your storage subsystem with the fastest currently available technology. This drive makes excellent sense for content creators who regularly work with massive video files, 3D rendering projects, or other workflows where sustained multi-gigabyte file transfers are routine and every second saved matters to productivity. If you're upgrading from a SATA SSD or older PCIe Gen 3 drive, the performance improvements will be dramatic and immediately noticeable across virtually all computing tasks, making the investment worthwhile if your budget accommodates flagship storage pricing. Enthusiast PC builders who prioritize having cutting-edge components and appreciate the substantial passive cooling solution will find the M570 PRO FROZR delivers on both performance and aesthetic fronts, particularly in windowed builds where the heatsink design adds visual interest without RGB overkill.

Skip the MSI SPATIUM M570 PRO FROZR if you already own a quality PCIe Gen 4 SSD from the past few years, as the performance improvements, while measurable, rarely translate to noticeable differences in everyday gaming or productivity tasks for most users—the price premium doesn't justify marginal gains. If you're shopping specifically for PlayStation 5 storage expansion, this drive simply won't fit due to the heatsink dimensions, making it a non-starter regardless of its impressive specifications. Users building in small form factor cases or systems where the primary M.2 slot has minimal clearance under the graphics card should carefully verify fitment or consider alternatives with more compact cooling solutions to avoid compatibility headaches. If current pricing shows competing Gen 5 drives from Crucial, Corsair, or other manufacturers significantly cheaper, there's no compelling reason to specifically choose the MSI over functionally identical alternatives—shop based on the best current deal rather than brand preference. Finally, if you're working with a tighter budget and considering the jump from Gen 4 to Gen 5 purely for gaming, your money is likely better spent on other system components like a more powerful GPU or additional RAM, as current games don't meaningfully benefit from Gen 5 storage speeds beyond what quality Gen 4 drives already provide.