Corsair MP600 Core Mini SSD Review

Rating: 7.5.

Corsair have a couple of M.2 2230 SSDs in their MP600 Gen 4 SSD range, including the MP600 Mini, as well the drive we are looking at here, the MP600 Core Mini. The Mini uses TLC NAND while the Core Mini has QLC NAND. At just £70 for a 1TB model, we find out what the Core Mini can bring to the table.

The MP600 Core Mini comes in just two capacities (at the time of writing) 2TB and 1TB, the version we are looking at here. Incidentally the MP600 Mini only comes as a 1TB unit currently.

Corsair's MP600 Core Mini combines a Phison PS5021-E21 4-channel controller with a single 176-layer 3D QLC NAND package. The PS5021-E21 is a DRAM-less design 4-channel controller so the Core Mini uses HMB (Host Memory Buffer) technology for caching duties, the drive uses a small portion of the system's main memory for cache.

Performance-wise the 1TB MP600 Core Mini is rated as up to 5,000MB/s and 3,800MB/s respectively for Sequential reads and writes. The 2TB drive gets the same ratings. Random performance is quoted as up to 650,000 IOPS for reads and up to 900,000 IOPS for writes for the 1TB drive. The 2TB model has the same write rating but a slower read figure of up to 550,000 IOPS.

Endurance for the 1TB MP600 Core Mini is a modest 250TBW and Corsair backs the drive with a 5-year warranty.

Physical Specifications:

• Usable Capacities: 1TB.
• NAND Components: 176-layer 3D QLC NAND.
• NAND Controller: Phison PS5021-E21-48.
• Cache: None (HMB technology).
• Interface: PCIe Gen 4 x4, NVMe 1.4.
• Form Factor: M.2 2230.
• Dimensions: 22 x 30mm.
• Drive Weight: 3g.

Firmware Version: ELFMC1.0

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