SABRENT ROCKET 4 PLUS

Introduction

If you're a PC gamer tired of loading screens, a content creator moving massive files, or simply someone upgrading from an aging SATA drive, the SABRENT ROCKET 4 PLUS deserves serious consideration. This PCIe Gen 4.0 NVMe drive punches well above its weight class, delivering flagship-tier performance without the Samsung or WD price premium. It's designed for enthusiasts who understand that storage speed directly impacts daily computing—whether you're booting into Windows in seconds, loading Cyberpunk 2077 faster than your squadmates, or rendering 4K video projects.

In today's market hierarchy, this drive sits firmly in the "performance flagship" tier, competing head-to-head with drives costing 20-30% more.

Product Overview

The SABRENT ROCKET 4 PLUS comes in the standard M.2 2280 form factor, meaning it'll fit virtually any modern desktop or laptop with an available M.2 slot. It uses the PCIe 4.0 x4 interface—the current sweet spot for high-speed storage before Gen 5 drives (which most users don't need yet) enter mainstream pricing.

Under the hood, you'll find the Phison E18 controller, a battle-tested chipset known for reliability and consistent performance across demanding workloads. Paired with 3D TLC NAND, this combination strikes the ideal balance between speed, endurance, and cost. TLC (Triple-Level Cell) NAND is the industry standard for consumer drives—it's durable enough for years of heavy use while keeping prices reasonable. Translation: This isn't cutting corners; it's smart engineering.

Performance & "Real World" Speed

SABRENT rates this drive at up to 7,300 MB/s sequential read and up to 6,900 MB/s sequential write speeds. Let's translate those numbers into actual benefits:

For gamers: A game like Baldur's Gate 3 or Starfield that takes 45 seconds to load on a SATA SSD drops to 12-15 seconds here. Open-world titles with heavy asset streaming see smoother texture pop-in and faster fast-travel.

For Windows users: Cold boot times shrink to under 10 seconds on a well-maintained system. App launches feel instantaneous—Adobe Premiere, Photoshop, or even Chrome with 50 tabs recover from sleep mode in the blink of an eye.

For creators: Moving a 50GB 4K video project from this drive to another Gen 4 device takes roughly 8 seconds instead of the 90+ seconds you'd endure on a SATA drive. These aren't marginal gains—they're workflow changers.

Compared to older PCIe Gen 3 drives (typically maxing around 3,500 MB/s), you're seeing roughly 2x the theoretical bandwidth, though real-world differences vary by task. Against SATA SSDs (capped at 550 MB/s), this is nearly 13x faster on paper—and genuinely transformative in practice.

Thermal Management

Here's the reality: PCIe Gen 4 drives run hot under sustained loads. The ROCKET 4 PLUS is no exception. When pushed hard—say, during a large file copy or game installation—temperatures can climb into the 70-80°C range, and thermal throttling kicks in to prevent damage. When throttled, speeds can drop by 30-50%, negating the performance you paid for.

Your cooling options:

• Built-in motherboard heatsinks: Most modern motherboards (especially gaming boards from the last 3-4 years) include M.2 heatsinks. These are usually sufficient for typical mixed workloads.

• SABRENT's own heatsink version: The company offers versions with pre-installed aluminum heatsinks. If your motherboard slot lacks cooling, this is the smarter buy.

• Aftermarket solutions: Third-party M.2 heatsinks with thermal pads work well and cost $10-15.

Bottom line: Don't skip cooling. A $12 heatsink protects a $150+ investment.

Compatibility: PC, PS5 & Consoles

PC Compatibility: Universal. Any desktop or laptop with an M.2 2280 slot and PCIe 3.0 or 4.0 support will work. You'll get full Gen 4 speeds only if your motherboard and CPU support PCIe 4.0 (most AMD Ryzen 3000+ and Intel 11th-gen Core+ systems do). On Gen 3 systems, the drive still works—it just operates at Gen 3 speeds.

PlayStation 5 Compatibility: Yes, this drive IS fully compatible with the PS5. Sony requires Gen 4 drives with read speeds of at least 5,500 MB/s, and the ROCKET 4 PLUS exceeds this at 7,300 MB/s. Critical requirement: You must install a heatsink before inserting it into the PS5's expansion slot—Sony's design expects this, and the console's airflow won't adequately cool a bare drive. Purchase the heatsink version or add one separately.

Xbox Series X/S Compatibility: No. This drive is NOT compatible with Xbox internal storage expansion. Microsoft's consoles require proprietary Seagate Expansion Cards. You can use this drive as external USB storage for older Xbox One games, but not for native Series X/S titles.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths:

• Elite sequential speeds that rival Samsung 990 Pro and WD SN850X

• Strong endurance ratings (TBW varies by capacity but exceeds most competitors)

• PS5-ready with proper cooling—no compromises

• Competitive pricing often $20-40 less than flagship competitors

• Phison E18 controller with proven track record for stability

Weaknesses:

• Price volatility—sales fluctuate more than major brands; patience pays off

• Higher power consumption than some competitors (matters for laptops)

• Brand recognition—SABRENT lacks Samsung/WD's household name status, though product quality matches

• No proprietary software suite like Samsung Magician (though third-party tools fill this gap)

Verdict: Should You Buy It?

Buy this if:

• You're building a gaming PC and want Gen 4 speeds without overpaying

• You're upgrading your PS5 storage and value performance per dollar

• You prioritize raw throughput for content creation workflows

• You're comfortable with a less mainstream brand in exchange for savings

Skip this if:

• You need Xbox Series X/S internal storage (buy Seagate's proprietary card)

• You're using an older PCIe Gen 3 system (save money; buy a Gen 3 drive)

• You demand proprietary software for drive management (Samsung's ecosystem is superior here)

• Your laptop has thermal constraints (consider lower-power alternatives like the WD SN740)

Market Positioning: The SABRENT ROCKET 4 PLUS competes directly with the Samsung 990 Pro and WD SN850X. In synthetic benchmarks, they trade blows—the Samsung edges ahead in random 4K performance, while the SABRENT matches or exceeds sequential speeds. For most users, these differences are academic. The ROCKET 4 PLUS wins on value, often delivering 95% of flagship performance at 70-80% of the cost.

If you're spending your own money and prioritize smart value, this is one of the best Gen 4 drives you can buy today.