MSI Spatium M460 PCIe Gen4x4 2TB SSD Review: Blazing Fast Storage for Demanding Users
The MSI Spatium M460 PCIe Gen4x4 2TB SSD is a high-performance storage solution designed for demanding users, especially those seeking a significant boost in loading times and overall system responsiveness. In this comprehensive review, we’ll delve into its features, performance, and real-world usage experiences to determine if it’s the right choice for your needs.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The MSI Spatium M460 is a PCIe Gen4x4 NVMe SSD boasting a 2TB capacity. This drive aims to provide lightning-fast data transfer speeds, low latency, and robust reliability. With its sleek heatsink, advanced features, and impressive specifications, the M460 promises a significant upgrade for anyone looking to enhance their PC’s performance.
Key Features
The MSI Spatium M460 is packed with features that cater to demanding users:
- PCIe Gen4x4 Interface: The M460 leverages the latest PCIe Gen4x4 interface, ensuring blazing-fast sequential read and write speeds of up to 4900 MB/s and 4400 MB/s respectively. This translates to significantly faster loading times for games, applications, and large files.
- 3D NAND Flash Memory: The use of 3D NAND flash memory provides high density and improved endurance compared to previous generations. It allows for larger capacities and a longer lifespan.
- Heatsink: The M460 is equipped with a heatsink to maintain optimal operating temperatures, even under heavy workloads. This helps prevent throttling and ensures consistent high performance.
- Advanced Features: The drive includes advanced features like TRIM, SMART, LDPC ECC, and Pyrite encryption for performance optimization, self-monitoring, data integrity, and security.
Performance Benchmarks
To gauge the M460’s real-world performance, I conducted various benchmark tests using industry-standard software. The results were impressive:
- Sequential Read/Write: The M460 consistently delivered near its advertised speeds, exceeding 4800 MB/s for sequential reads and 4300 MB/s for sequential writes. This performance is significantly faster than traditional SATA SSDs, resulting in noticeable improvements in loading times and overall system responsiveness.
- Random Read/Write: In random 4KB read and write tests, the M460 showcased impressive IOPS scores, exceeding 500,000 IOPS for reads and 900,000 IOPS for writes. These figures are crucial for applications that involve frequent small file access, such as database operations and gaming.
- Gaming Performance: When tested in demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption 2, the M460 significantly reduced loading times, leading to a more immersive and fluid gaming experience. It effectively minimized loading screens, allowing for seamless transitions between game areas and quicker access to menus.
- Real-World Usage: The M460 excelled in real-world usage scenarios, including file transfers, application loading, and multi-tasking. Its speed made these tasks effortless, significantly enhancing productivity.
Pros & Cons
Like any product, the MSI Spatium M460 has its strengths and weaknesses:
Pros:
- Blazing-fast PCIe Gen4x4 speeds
- Large 2TB capacity
- Robust heatsink for optimal thermal performance
- Impressive IOPS performance for random access
- Advanced features for data integrity and security
- Low power consumption
Cons:
- Slightly higher price compared to PCIe Gen3 SSDs
- Requires a compatible motherboard with PCIe Gen4 support
Final Verdict
The MSI Spatium M460 PCIe Gen4x4 2TB SSD is a fantastic choice for demanding users who prioritize performance and reliability. Its lightning-fast speeds, generous capacity, robust heatsink, and advanced features make it a compelling option for gaming, content creation, and everyday use. While it comes at a slightly higher price, its performance gains justify the investment for those seeking a significant upgrade in their system’s speed and responsiveness.
I highly recommend the MSI Spatium M460 PCIe Gen4x4 2TB SSD to anyone looking for a top-tier storage solution. Its performance and reliability make it a worthwhile investment that will undoubtedly enhance your computing experience.
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| MODEL NAME | SPATIUM M460 PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 HS |
| CAPACITY | 2TB |
| CONTROLLER | PHISON E21T |
| FLASH MEMORY | 3D NAND |
| FORM FACTOR | M.2 2280 |
| INTERFACE | PCIe Gen4x4, NVMe 1.4 |
| COMPATIBILITY | PCIe Gen4 / Gen3 / Gen2 / Gen1 |
| DIMENSIONS | 80.00mm (L) x 22.00mm (W) x 2.15mm (H) (w/o heatsink) 80.40mm (L) x 23.00mm (W) x 20.40mm (H) (w/ heatsink) |
| SEQUENTIAL READ UP TO (MB/S) | 4900 |
| SEQUENTIAL WRITE UP TO (MB/S) | 4400 |
| RANDOM READ 4KB UP TO (IOPS) | 525,000 |
| RANDOM WRITE 4KB UP TO (IOPS) | 950,000 |
| MAXIMUM OPERATING POWER (W) | 5.2 |
| IDLE POWER PS3 (MW) | 50 |
| LOW POWER L1.2 (MW) | 5 |
| OPERATING TEMPERATURES | 0°C – 70°C |
| STORAGE TEMPERATURES | -40°C – 85°C |
| TERABYTES WRITTEN (TBW) | 1200 |
| MEAN TIME BETWEEN FAILURE (MTBF) | Up to 1,500,000 Hours |
| ADVANCED FEATURES | TRIM (Performance Optimization, OS Support required) SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology) LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) ECC Algorithm End to End Data Path Protection APST (Autonomous Power State Transition) Pyrite (Encryption, Data Security) |