Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus-G

^{PCIe 4.0 x4 Interface with Phison E18 Controller | Active-Cooling Heatsink Design | High-Density Storage Configurations}

Introduction

The Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus-G represents a specialized evolution in high-performance storage solutions, engineered explicitly for next-generation gaming and productivity workloads. Launched in 2022 and refined through 2025, this PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD distinguishes itself with firmware and hardware optimizations tailored for Microsoft’s DirectStorage API. Designed for enthusiasts seeking to maximize system responsiveness, the Rocket 4 Plus-G combines cutting-edge speed, advanced thermal management, and gaming-centric firmware to address the growing demands of modern AAA titles and content creation applications.

Product Overview

The Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus-G is a PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe 1.4 SSD available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities. Built around the Phison E18 controller and Micron’s 176-layer 3D TLC NAND, it targets gamers, streamers, and professionals requiring consistent high-speed data access. The included copper-heatpipe heatsink ensures sustained performance under heavy workloads, while Sabrent’s proprietary O₂ GO firmware prioritizes low-latency operations critical for DirectStorage-enabled environments. With sequential read/write speeds up to 7,300/6,900 MB/s and endurance ratings up to 2,800TBW (4TB model), this drive bridges the gap between raw throughput and real-world application efficiency.

Key Features

DirectStorage-Optimized Firmware

The O₂ GO firmware reduces CPU overhead by streamlining I/O queues, enabling faster asset loading and smoother scene transitions in games leveraging Microsoft’s DirectStorage API. By offloading decompression tasks to the GPU, the drive minimizes bottlenecks during data-intensive sequences, achieving up to three times faster load times compared to traditional SATA SSDs.

Advanced Thermal Management

Sabrent’s proprietary heatsink integrates three copper heatpipes and a finned aluminum body to dissipate significant thermal load. Independent testing shows peak temperatures remain below 70°C during sustained 4K random writes, ensuring consistent performance without throttling. The heatsink’s low-profile design maintains compatibility with most M.2 slots, including the PlayStation 5’s expansion bay.

High-Density TLC NAND

Micron’s 176-layer 3D TLC flash provides a balance of endurance and cost efficiency, with the 4TB variant offering 2,800TBW—equivalent to writing 1.5TB daily for five years. The eight-die-per-package configuration optimizes parallelism, allowing the Phison E18 controller to maintain peak throughput even during mixed read/write operations.

Performance Analysis

Sequential Speeds

The Rocket 4 Plus-G achieves sequential read/write speeds of 7,300/6,900 MB/s in synthetic benchmarks, outperforming competing drives such as the WD Black SN850X and Samsung 990 Pro in sustained write scenarios. Real-world transfers of a 100GB game folder complete in approximately 14 seconds, compared to 18 seconds on PCIe 3.0 SSDs.

Random Performance

Testing reveals random 4K read/write performance of 1,050K/1,100K IOPS at queue depth 32, representing a measurable improvement over previous firmware iterations. This aligns with DirectStorage’s requirement for high random read performance during texture streaming.

Thermal Management

Without the heatsink, the 4TB model reaches critical temperatures under sustained load, triggering throttling within 90 seconds. With the heatsink installed, temperatures stabilize well within safe operational limits, maintaining full PCIe 4.0 x4 bandwidth indefinitely. Users opting for third-party coolers should ensure compatibility with the drive’s 22mm width.

Compatibility

PlayStation 5

Officially validated for PS5 compatibility, the Rocket 4 Plus-G meets stringent read speed requirements. The heatsink’s 8.6mm height fits within the PS5’s slot clearance, though installation requires careful alignment to avoid obstructing the console’s internal airflow.

Steam Deck and Handheld PCs

While physically compatible with the Steam Deck’s M.2 2230 slot, the Rocket 4 Plus-G’s 2280 form factor necessitates modification. The Steam Deck’s PCIe 3.0 interface limits sequential speeds to approximately 3,500 MB/s, reducing the drive’s Gen4 advantages in portable gaming scenarios.

Raspberry Pi

Incompatible due to the lack of native M.2 support. Users seeking Raspberry Pi NVMe solutions must employ USB 3.2 enclosures, which cap speeds at 10 Gbps.

Advantages and Limitations

Strengths

• DirectStorage Readiness: Demonstrates superior performance in GPU-accelerated decompression benchmarks.

• Scalable Capacity: The 4TB model provides ample space for extensive game libraries and creative projects.

• Endurance: The 2,800TBW rating significantly exceeds typical consumer workloads.

Constraints

• Heatsink Dependency: Optimal thermal performance requires proprietary cooling solutions.

• Cost Premium: Higher-tier capacities carry noticeable price premiums over non-gaming variants.

• PCIe 4.0 Requirement: Older systems with PCIe 3.0 interfaces cannot fully utilize the drive’s capabilities.

Conclusion

The Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus-G establishes itself as a niche but compelling option for DirectStorage early adopters and content creators managing large asset libraries. While its premium pricing positions it above mainstream alternatives, the combination of optimized firmware, robust thermal design, and future-proofed performance justifies consideration for high-end gaming rigs and workstation builds. Users prioritizing value over cutting-edge APIs may find non-gaming variants or competing drives more economical.

Works Cited

Downing, Shane. “Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus-G SSD Review: A DirectStorage Gaming Powerhouse.” Tom’s Hardware, 30 Nov. 2022, www.tomshardware.com/reviews/sabrent-rocket-4-plus-g-ssd-review.

“Rocket 4 Plus-G SSD 4TB.” Sabrent, www.sabrent.com/products/sb-rktg-4tb.

“Review – SSD Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus-G 2TB – The First Gen 4 Drive Optimized for Direct Storage!” The Overclock Page, 15 Mar. 2023, theoverclockingpage.com/2023/03/15/review-ssd-sabrent-rocket-4-plus-g-2tb-the-first-gen-4-drive-optimized-for-direct-storage/?lang=en.

“Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus-G Gaming SSD Review.” The SSD Review, 7 Nov. 2022, www.thessdreview.com/our-reviews/nvme/sabrent-rocket-4-plus-g-gaming-ssd-review.