Corsair rolls out dynamic duo of chart-topping PCIe 5.0 SSDs — MP700 Pro XT for performance enthusiasts and MP700 Micro for compact systems

Corsair has broadened its SSD lineup to compete with the best SSDs on the market. The MP700 Pro XT establishes itself as the new flagship PCIe 5.0 drive, while the MP700 Micro caters to ultra-thin devices and compact systems.

The MP700 Pro XT 1TB is priced at $159.99, while the MP700 Pro XT 2TB and MP700 Pro XT 4TB are priced at $249.99 and $459.99, respectively. Concurrently, Corsair offers the MP700 Micro 4TB at $484.99 and the MP700 Micro 2TB at $209.99.

The MP700 Pro XT, similar to the PNY CS3250 and TeamGroup Z54E, is part of Phison's new E28 army, designed to trade blows with SSDs equipped with the rivaling Silicon Motion SM2508 controller. Corsair integrates the E28 PCIe 5.0 SSD controller into the MP700 Pro XT alongside Sandisk's BiCS8 218-layer TLC NAND. This robust combination enables the MP700 Pro XT to deliver the highest performance levels available with PCIe 5.0 technology.

Corsair offers the MP700 Pro XT in capacities of 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB. The sequential read speeds reach a maximum of 14,900 MB/s across all capacities. Conversely, the sequential write performance varies among the models, with the 2TB version achieving the highest at 14,500 MB/s, followed by the 4TB and 1TB versions at 14,400 MB/s and 14,200 MB/s, respectively.

Regarding random write performance, the scenario differs. All three capacities exhibit identical random write performance, rated at 3,300,000 IOPS. In terms of random read performance, the 4TB and 2TB SKUs reach a maximum of 2,700,000 IOPS, whereas the 1TB SKU achieves 1,500,000 IOPS.

Corsair MP700 Pro XT and MP700 Micro Specifications

The endurance of the MP700 Pro XT doubles proportionally with its capacity. It commences at 700 TBW for the 1TB model and increases accordingly, reaching a maximum of 2,800 TBW for the 4TB variant. Notably, the endurance figures are marginally higher than those of the TeamGroup Z54E, which begins at 600 TBW.

While the MP700 Pro XT is a standard M.2 2280 drive, the MP700 Micro, as its name suggests, adopts a more compact form factor. The SSD arrives in an M.2 2242 form factor, making it ideal for lightweight devices such as ultra-thin laptops, tablets, and certain mini-PCs. The MP700 Micro Phison's E31T PCIe 5.0 SSD controller with Kioxia's BiCS8 218-layer TLC flash memory, but with a DRAM-less HMB design. Naturally, it does not match the MP700 Pro XT's performance levels.

The MP700 Micro demonstrates commendable performance, with the SSD achieving sequential read and write speeds of up to 10,000 MB/s and 8,500 MB/s, respectively, in the 2TB model. The 4TB version, while offering double the capacity, sacrifices some performance, reaching maximum sequential read speeds of 9,400 MB/s and sequential write speeds of 8,100 MB/s.

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The MP700 Micro exhibits uniform random write performance at 1,400,000 IOPS across all storage capacities. As anticipated, the 2TB variant demonstrates marginally superior random read performance at 1,300,000 IOPS in comparison to the 4TB model, which achieves 1,200,000 IOPS. The endurance levels are appropriate for a drive of this nature, with the 2TB SSD rated for up to 1,200 TBW, a value that is doubled in the 4TB variant.

Corsair's limited five-year warranty accompanies both the MP700 Pro XT and MP700 Micro. Naturally, pricing varies due to differences in SSD characteristics and market segments. Both PCIe 5.0 SSDs are currently available for purchase on Corsair's official website; they will soon be available at all U.S. retail outlets.

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