The Corsair MP700 Pro SE is a high-performance PCIe 5.0 SSD that nearly claims the fastest consumer NVMe SSD crown, tying with the Crucial T705. PCWorld's Jon Jacobi noted it's only slightly behind the competition, with a 2GBps speed boost from upgraded 2,400MT/s NAND. The drive offers a generous 5-year warranty with 750TBW per TB capacity and includes an optional heatsink cooler. However, at $625 for 4TB, it's priced on the higher side, though not outrageously so given its performance and warranty. This drive is ideal for enthusiasts and power users who demand peak performance, but casual users may find better value elsewhere.
Full review
Performance Benchmarking
The Corsair MP700 Pro SE delivers exceptional performance that places it among the fastest consumer PCIe 5.0 SSDs available. Tom's Hardware measured sequential read speeds of 13,800 MB/s and write speeds of 11,900 MB/s, which are just shy of the Crucial T705's peak performance. PCWorld's Jon Jacobi noted that the 4TB model tested was 'very, very fast,' and that it 'paced itself into a virtual tie with the mighty Crucial T705 for fastest consumer NVMe SSD we've ever tested.' StorageReview.com's VDBench tests showed the MP700 Pro SE achieving 1.1 million 4K random read IOPS, with a latency of 114 microseconds. The drive's performance in 4K random write tests reached 338,000 IOPS at 381 microseconds, demonstrating strong real-world application responsiveness. These figures confirm that the MP700 Pro SE is indeed a high-performance drive, though not quite the absolute fastest in its class.
Design and Build Quality
Corsair's MP700 Pro SE maintains the familiar 2280 form factor design that's standard for M.2 NVMe SSDs, measuring just 80mm in length, 30mm in height, and 20mm in width. The drive's PCB design is nearly identical to its predecessor, the MP700 Pro, with the main differences lying in the NAND flash and potential firmware tuning. The air-cooled version features a heatsink design similar to the MP700 Pro, though with a two-tone color scheme that distinguishes it from the all-black version of the original. The drive uses the Phison PS5026-E26 controller and Micron 232-layer 3D TLC NAND flash chips, with 4GB of SK Hynix LPDDR4X DRAM for the 2TB model. The packaging design remains consistent with the previous generation, featuring familiar branding and a thick foam cradle to protect the drive during shipping. The build quality appears solid, with attention to detail in the component layout and thermal management.
Thermal Management and Cooling
One of the most significant concerns with PCIe 5.0 SSDs is thermal throttling, and the MP700 Pro SE is no exception. The drive is designed to require an external heatsink or cooler, as indicated on the packaging, since the controller and NAND chips generate substantial heat under sustained load. The air-cooled version features a fan that operates quietly, with one reviewer noting that the fan was 'dead silent' in their specific unit, though they acknowledged that the fan on the MP700 Pro produced a slight noise when examined closely. The drive begins thermal throttling at temperatures exceeding 76°C, which can significantly impact performance. The lack of a SATA power connector for the cooling fan is a design limitation that some reviewers found cumbersome, especially when compared to competitors like ADATA, who eliminated the external power cable in their Legend 970 PRO. The MP700 Pro SE's thermal performance is adequate for most users but requires careful consideration of cooling options for sustained high-performance scenarios.
Real-World Performance
StorageReview.com's VDBench workload analysis revealed that the MP700 Pro SE excels in real-world scenarios, particularly in 4K random read operations where it achieved 1.1 million IOPS. In 4K random write tests, it performed well, though not at the absolute peak of the market. The drive's sequential read performance reached 14,000 MB/s, while write speeds peaked at 12,000 MB/s, which are impressive figures for a consumer SSD. The MP700 Pro SE's performance in VDI boot and login scenarios was also strong, indicating its suitability for demanding enterprise and professional applications. The drive's ability to maintain consistent performance under sustained loads is a testament to its engineering, though users should be aware of the thermal throttling limitations that can occur under extreme conditions. The drive's performance in mixed workloads, such as gaming, video editing, and software development, was consistently high, making it a strong candidate for power users and professionals.
What Reviewers Loved
Reviewers across multiple publications consistently praised the MP700 Pro SE's raw performance and its competitive edge in the PCIe 5.0 SSD market. PCMag's Tony Hoffman highlighted that the drive 'came within a whisker of capturing the NVMe SSD performance crown,' and that it was 'a true short-lister of a PCIe 5.0 drive.' The performance gains from the new NAND flash were noted as a significant upgrade over the MP700 Pro, with PCWorld's Jon Jacobi emphasizing that the 'upgraded 2,400MT/s (megatransfers/second) NAND (the older Pro is only 2,000MT/s) is the main difference in this latest Special Edition.' The drive's ability to deliver consistent high-speed performance in both sequential and random I/O operations was widely appreciated. Additionally, the inclusion of Corsair's SSD Toolbox, which provides S.M.A.R.T. info, wiping, and TRIM capabilities, was seen as a positive feature for users who value transparency and control over their storage devices.
Where It Falls Short
Despite its impressive performance, the MP700 Pro SE has notable drawbacks that potential buyers should consider. The most significant issue is its thermal throttling, which begins at 76°C and can severely impact performance under sustained loads. The drive's need for an external heatsink or cooler, combined with the requirement for a SATA power connector for the fan, creates a less-than-ideal user experience. The lack of a built-in power solution for the cooling fan is a design oversight that contrasts with more modern SSDs that have eliminated external power cables. Additionally, the drive's price point is relatively high, especially when compared to other high-performance PCIe 5.0 SSDs. The 4TB model retails for $625, which is expensive for a consumer SSD, and even more so when factoring in the cost of an optional heatsink or water-cooling solution. The drive's firmware tuning and NAND upgrade, while improving performance, also contribute to its higher cost and complexity.
Who It's Best For
The Corsair MP700 Pro SE is best suited for power users, professionals, and enthusiasts who demand the absolute fastest performance from their storage devices and are willing to invest in additional cooling solutions. It's ideal for users engaged in video editing, large file transfers, gaming, and other high-throughput applications where every millisecond counts. The drive's performance advantages make it particularly attractive for those who need consistent, high-speed access to large datasets. However, casual users or those on a tight budget may find the MP700 Pro SE's price and cooling requirements to be prohibitive. The drive is also recommended for users who are comfortable with the thermal throttling limitations and can manage their cooling setup effectively. For those seeking a balance between performance and cost, the MP700 Pro SE might not be the most practical choice, but for those who prioritize peak performance above all else, it delivers on that promise.
How It Compares to Alternatives
The MP700 Pro SE sits at the top tier of consumer PCIe 5.0 SSDs, competing directly with the Crucial T705 and other high-end models. StorageReview.com's benchmarks show that the MP700 Pro SE is nearly tied with the Crucial T705 in terms of raw performance, with only a marginal difference in speed that is not significant enough to justify a preference for one over the other. The drive's performance is also competitive with the Gigabyte Aorus 12000, though it falls short in 4K random write performance. Compared to the MP700 Pro, the SE variant shows clear improvements in sequential read speeds, thanks to the upgraded NAND flash. However, the MP700 Pro SE's price point is higher, and its need for additional cooling solutions makes it less accessible than some alternatives. The MP700 Pro SE's performance is also on par with the ADATA Legend 970 Pro, though the latter lacks the advanced cooling features and performance optimizations found in the Corsair model.
Strengths
- +Achieved near-top performance, tying with Crucial T705 for fastest consumer NVMe SSD tested
- +Upgraded 2,400MT/s NAND delivers 2GBps faster speeds than previous MP700 Pro model
- +Includes 5-year warranty with 750TBW per TB capacity, exceeding industry standard
- +Features optional heatsink cooler for enhanced thermal management
Watch-outs
- −Priced at $625 for 4TB model, making it expensive for a PCIe 5.0 SSD
- −No pricing available for base 2TB version, though Hydro X series is $355
- −Performance advantage is minimal, just a whisker off the top spot
How it compares
The Corsair MP700 Pro SE ties with the Crucial T705 for fastest consumer performance but is more expensive, while offering a 5-year warranty and optional heatsink that the WD Black SN8100 lacks. It's slightly slower than the Samsung 990 Pro in sequential speeds but provides better value for enthusiasts, unlike the Samsung 9100 Pro which is more expensive and less focused on consumer use cases.
Who this is for
At a glance: enthusiasts who want peak performance with warranty protection.
Why you’d buy the Corsair MP700 Pro SE
- Achieved near-top performance, tying with Crucial T705 for fastest consumer NVMe SSD tested.
- Upgraded 2,400MT/s NAND delivers 2GBps faster speeds than previous MP700 Pro model.
- Includes 5-year warranty with 750TBW per TB capacity, exceeding industry standard.
Why you’d skip it
- Priced at $625 for 4TB model, making it expensive for a PCIe 5.0 SSD.
- No pricing available for base 2TB version, though Hydro X series is $355.
- Performance advantage is minimal, just a whisker off the top spot.
Rating sources
Our 4.4 score is the average of these published ratings. More about methodology.
