The Corsair MP600 CORE MINI is a high-performance M.2 2230 SSD designed for compact PC systems, such as the Valve Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally, Microsoft Surface Pro, and other ultra-thin devices. It offers excellent performance, capacity, and reliability, making it a great upgrade solution for these devices.
In this review, we are putting the mini version of the Corsair MP600 to the test on the ASUS ROG Ally. As a bonus, I will also be sharing my experience on it as an external drive for the iPhone 15 Pro Max using an ESSAGER 8-in-1 USB Hub with NVMe Enclosure.
Corsair MP600Mini 1TB SSD Unboxing and Design
The Corsair MP600MINI is enclosed in a small paper box that shows all the pertinent information you need to know about it. We are reviewing is the 1TB storage capacity variant with up to Sequential Read and Write speeds of 4,800MB/s.
Apart from the SSD, Corsair also included safety and compliance information, and a QR code that leads users to the Quick Start guide. You will find instructions on how to properly install the SSD as well as copyright/legal information.
The Corsair MP600Mini is made for compact devices in mind. It perfectly fits the Steam Deck and the ROG Ally, and requires 3.3V to operate at its optimal performance. I would presume that it is using the samlabel that acts as heat spreader found on TeamGroup’s NVMe SSD. Whether it is made of graphene or not, it does seem to operate similarly compared to TeamGroup MP44S, albeit having lower SSD operating temperature threshold.
Full Specs
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Storage Temperature | -40°C to +85°C |
| Endurance | 600TBW |
| Memory Type | PCIe Gen 4.0 x4 |
| SSD Max Sequential Read CDM | Up to 4,800MB/s |
| SSD Max Sequential Write CDM | Up to 4,800MB/s |
| Max Random Read QD32 IOMeter | Up to 850K IOPS |
| Power Consumption Active | 4.3W Average |
| SSD Smart Support | Yes |
| NAND Technology | 3D TLC |
| SSD Operating Temperature | 0°C to +65°C |
| Storage Humidity | 93% RH (40° C) |
| SSD Package Contents | MP600 MINI M.2 SSD |
| SSD Shock | 1,500 G |
| Form Factor | M.2 2230 |
| Application | Consumer |
| Client | M.2 2230 Interface Connector Windows 11, Windows 10, Mac OS X |
| Voltage | 3.3V, +/- 5% |
| Vibration | 20Hz~80Hz/1.52mm, 80Hz~2000Hz/20G |
| DEVSLP | PS4: <3mW |
| Encryption | AES 256-bit Encryption |
| MTBF Hours | 1,500,000 hours |
| SSD TBW | 600 |
| Max Random Write QD32 IOMeter | Up to 1.1M IOPS |
| Weight | 0.025 |
Performance
The MP600 CORE MINI offers sequential read and write speeds of up to 4800MB/sec. These speeds are significantly faster than traditional SATA SSDs and mechanical hard drives, resulting in improved performance for tasks such as managing files, loading games, and booting up your device. However, based on benchmark that you can read at latter part of this review, the MP600 CORE MINI seems to underperform than the cheaper TeamGroup MP44S SSD that we reviewed a few months ago.
Capacity
The MP600 CORE MINI is available in two capacities: 1TB and 2TB. This gives you the flexibility to choose the right amount of storage for your needs. If you’re looking for a significant performance upgrade, the 2TB model is a great option. However, if you’re on a budget, the 1TB model is still a good choice, and it should be sufficient for most users.
Reliability
The MP600 CORE MINI uses high-density 3D QLC NAND flash memory, which offers excellent data integrity and reliability. The drive is also backed by a five-year warranty, giving you peace of mind knowing that your investment is protected.
Compatibility
The MP600 CORE MINI is fully compatible with all major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and even iOS.
Apart from the ROG Ally, I managed to mount this as well on the iPhone 15 Pro Max using APFS, and use it as an external drive when shooting Apple ProRes Log. Since the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s max USB speed is compatible up to USB 3.2 Gen 2, I am able to maximize the SSD’s speed when connected via the phone’ Type C port. Just be sure that you are using a reliable USB hub that supports the speeds of the SSD and the iPhone 15 Pro Max. In my experience, the Essager 8-in-1 hub has good compatibility with the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the SSD, and can even be used as a Type-C hub for either the ROG Ally or the Steam Deck.
Benchmark Setup and Test Methodology
Gadget Pilipinas’ testing philosophy is to provide detail-oriented results as accurately as possible so that our readers can replicate our tests given that these conditions are met. Different benchmarking apps and sequences are used depending on the tested component or device.
Corsair MP600 CORE MINI 2230 NVMe SSD Benchmark
CrystalDiskMark (Sequential Read and Write)
CrystalDiskMark is a free tool that measures an SSD’s sequential read and write speeds, or in more simple terms, how fast files can be read from and written to the storage drive. Based on our benchmark the SSD as primary SSD for OS performed amazingly and matched the advertised numbers on their website and marketing materials. However, it should be noted that it will suffer performance loss when you connect it via USB on various interfaces (XG Mobile or directly via its Type C port).
AS SSD Benchmark (IOPS Performance, Access Time)
IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second) determines how many inputs and outputs a storage drive can perform in a short period of time. It paints a picture of how fast a drive can process small amounts of tasks that can be attributed to real-world scenarios, like when you’re browsing a website or opening apps. I’ve had some trouble doing this benchmark because for some reason, the Corsair MP600Mini registers a low performance result write IOPS speed. I did this multiple times, and I am not sure why this is the case. Regardless, I have included the result below for your reference. Please note that this is still an inconclusive result by our standards.
Access Time, on the other hand, is the amount of time that it takes to retrieve data from a storage device. It is as equally important as it also determines the overall responsiveness of the drive.
AS SSD Benchmark can also test the speed and amount of time that it takes to copy different file types. The transfer speed may vary depending on what type of file is being copied.
Verdict
The Corsair MP600 CORE MINI is a great upgrade solution for compact PC systems. It offers excellent performance, capacity, and reliability, and it is backed by a five-year warranty. If you’re looking for a way to improve the performance of your Steam Deck, ROG Ally, Surface Pro, or other ultra-thin device, the MP600 CORE MINI is a great option to consider.
If you’re looking for a high-performance, reliable M.2 2230 SSD for your compact PC system, the Corsair MP600 CORE MINI is a great option to consider. It offers excellent performance, capacity, and reliability, and it is backed by a five-year warranty. However, it is important to note that the drive can be expensive, and it is not as durable as TLC NAND.
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
