EXPLAINING THE CORSAIR SSD LINEUP

There’s no such thing as one SSD that fits all, one that's best for everyone and every situation. There are different needs, different systems requiring a storage upgrade, and there is of course the price to consider. If you’re looking for a recommendation for the best around, then our latest, fastest drives, the MP700 PRO is the one to go for. But you’ll only unlock the full potential of that drive if you’ve got a PCIe 5.0 platform ready for it.

What if you’ve got an older system that needs a drive upgrade? A handheld gaming machine like the Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally, or the Lenovo Legion Go? Laptops have different requirements too, as do thin-and-light ultrabooks, notebooks, and portal gaming powerhouses. Plus, you have tiny systems like NUCs, NAS boxes, and mini-ITX PCs to consider.

This is why we offer so many SSDs covering a range of uses, price points, and platforms. Below you’ll find a table covering the main specifications for each CORSAIR SSD family, followed by a brief description of those drives. If you’re looking to upgrade the storage in one of your systems, then this is a great resource to help you do just that.

The MP700 PRO is one of the newest and fastest SSDs designed to make the most of the PCIe 5.0 interface to offer incredible throughput. You’re looking at maximum sequential read and write performance of 12,400MB/s and 11,800MB/s respectively, which is a significant step up from even the fastest PCIe 4.0 drives around. If you need the best storage performance around, then this is it.

The MP700 PRO is currently available with capacities of 1TB and 2TB (4TB is due later this year), and with a variety of cooling options. If your motherboard comes with a M.2 heatsink already, then the base MP700 PRO without additional cooling is a great option, although if you have any doubts on this front the MP700 PRO with Air Cooler is the way to go and ensures the drive won’t be throttled even under the heaviest of loads. If you’re a serious user, then the MP700 PRO Hydro X Series is designed to be integrated into your custom cooling loop.

You can find out more about this drive with our MP700 PRO: Everything You Should Know.

The MP700 was the fastest PCIe 5.0 SSD from CORSAIR at launch, offering peak throughput of 10,000MB/s for both reads and writes. As is the way with storage, it has since lost its performance crown to the MP700 PRO, which would be our recommendation for anyone looking to buy a cutting-edge PCIe 5.0 SSD today.

We’ve included it here for completeness, and it’s still worth considering if the price is right. It’s worth noting that the MP700 is only available as a bare drive with no additional cooling, but it will need cooling in your machine – either using one of the heatsinks that come with your motherboard, or with a third-party cooler.

You can find out more about how the MP700 PRO compares to the MP700.

The MP600 PRO moniker covers a wide range of drives, covering a variety of platforms. Importantly, while newer drives have been introduced since the MP600 PRO first saw the light of day, it still offers the best performance for anyone looking to get the most from a PCIe 4.0 platform. Sequential read and writes speeds reach up to 7,100MB/s and 6,800MB/s respectively, which means you’re pretty much maxing out the PCIe 4.0 x4 interface.

You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to capacities too. The standard 1TB and 2TB drives are available across all models, with some MP600 PRO lines also offering 4TB capacities. For those in need of more substantial storage, the MP600 PRO XT, MP600 PRO LPX, and MP600 PRO NH stand out with both offering astonishing 8TB capacity squeezed into the standard M.2 2280 form factor – an impressive feat.

The MP600 PRO LPX is tailored for use with the PS5, making it a great upgrade option for console owners looking to squeeze more games onto their beloved machine. And yes, that includes that incredible 8TB model.

For PC upgraders, the MP600 PRO lineup includes plenty of compelling choices. The MP600 PRO NH relies on the integrated motherboard cooling or a third-party cooler for efficient operation, while the MP600 PRO XT features its own substantial heatsink to offer impressive throughput as a result.

The MP600 ELITE family is the latest addition to the CORSAIR storage lineup, striking an impressive balance between performance and value for money. While you might a compromise has been made, the truth is that its performance is only slightly below that of the MP600 PRO, thanks to advancements in SSD controller design. If you're seeking robust performance on a PCIe 4.0 platform, the MP600 ELITE is a drive family worth considering.

As it's a recently released SSD line, you have various cooling options to choose from. The MP600 ELITE is available as a bare drive, intended to be used with your motherboard's integrated cooling. Alternatively, it comes with a low-profile heatsink for those concerned about potential throttling. Additionally, there's a model specifically designed for the Sony PlayStation 5, called the MP600 ELITE for PS5 that features a low-profile white heatspreader that ensures optimal cooling even in the confined space of the PS5 Slim.

For more in-depth information on this drive, please refer to the dedicated article on the MP600 ELITE.

The MP600 CORE XT SSD family is meticulously crafted to provide exceptional value for money. Anyone seeking a substantial storage without straining their budget should be delighted with what’s on offer here.

The MP600 CORE XT utilizes 3D QLC NAND flash memory, a cost-effective choice for modern SSDs. While there is a slight impact on performance compared to 3D TLC NAND flash, it's not too noticeable for regular day-to-day usage. More importantly, the MP600 CORE XT represents a significant performance boost compared to previous generation drives and SATA SSDs. It is available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities, ensuring versatility for both laptops and desktops.

If you’re looking for a cost-effective storage solution without compromising on performance, the MP600 CORE XT makes for a compelling option.

The MP600 was a remarkable drive upon its initial release, and its continued availability today is a testament to its enduring capabilities. While its throughput and features remain impressive, its inclusion here serves more for comparison with newer releases.

The likes of the MP600 ELITE outshine the original MP600, providing superior throughput at a more budget-friendly price point. This makes the MP600 ELITE the clear choice for anyone seeking a high-performance storage upgrade.

If the original MP600 is included for comparison’s sake, the MP510 takes that to another level. The MP510 stands out as the sole PCIe 3.0 drive that CORSAIR offers, and this is primarily due to legacy considerations. It's worth noting that SSDs are backward compatible, and even the latest PCIe 5.0 SSD can be plugged into a PCIe 3.0 slot, maxing out the throughput of that interface.

However, the table above provides a clear illustration of how far SSD technology has progressed. The presence of the MP510 among newer releases serves as a reminder of the advancements and improvements achieved in the realm of solid-state drives.

There are a few drives that haven’t been included in the table above, as they are physically different to the standard M.2 2280 form factor that is supported by most motherboards and laptops. If you’re in the market to upgrade the storage of the Steam Deck or ASUS ROG Ally, then you’ll want to look at the MP600 MINI or the MP600 CORE MINI, with the latter using 3D QLC NAND flash to offer impressive value for money with capacities up to 2TB. Both drives use the M.2 2230 form factor, so are ideal for plenty of thin and light notebooks too.

Alternatively, if you have a Lenovo Legion Go that you want to upgrade, then you’ll want to pick up the MP600 MICRO, which is an M.2 2242 drive. You can find a full breakdown of the differences between these drives and how they compare with this article pitching the MP600 MICRO vs MP600 MINI vs MP600 PRO NH. This will help you make an informed decision based on your specific upgrade needs and device compatibility.