MSI SPATIUM M470 PRO 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2

Great endurance and random performance, but the price is all over the map and nobody's reviewed it. Buy it only if you find it cheap and need the TBW rating.

The sequential numbers are fine, 6000 MB/s read and 5000 MB/s write, but nothing that'll make your jaw drop in 2024. The random IOPS are where it gets interesting, 950K read and 950K write, which puts it in the top tier for random performance. That's the stuff that makes Windows feel snappy and game loads pop. The PHISON E27T controller with TLC NAND and DRAM cache is a proven combo. What surprised me is the endurance rating, 640 TBW is well above average for a 1TB drive. Most competitors in this price bracket are closer to 400-500 TBW. So it's built to last, even if it's not the fastest thing on the block.

The Crucial T500 is the obvious alternative. It's faster on sequential reads, has a better reputation, and usually costs about the same or less. The Kingston Fury Renegade is another strong pick, especially if you're gaming, with similar random performance but better brand trust. The Samsung 9100 PRO is in a different league entirely, PCIe 5.0 speeds, but you'll pay a premium for it. If you're building a workstation and want the endurance, the M470 PRO's 640 TBW beats most of these. But for everyday use, the T500 is the smarter buy.

At USD 180 this drive is a decent deal. At USD 240 it's overpriced. The EUR spread is even worse, EUR 372 to EUR 479. Best Buy has the lowest US price, so if you're buying, that's where to look. But honestly, for this money you can get a Crucial T500 or Kingston Fury Renegade with better sequential speeds and way more reviews. The M470 PRO only makes sense if you find it at the bottom of that price range and you specifically want the high endurance rating.

The MSI SPATIUM M470 PRO is a weird one. On paper it's a solid PCIe 4.0 drive with 6000 MB/s reads and a DRAM cache, but the real story is the price chaos. You'll see it listed anywhere from USD 180 to USD 240 in the US, and EUR 372 to EUR 479 in Europe. That's a huge spread for a 1TB drive that's honestly middle of the pack for speed. The feature set is strong, top of the charts actually, but the social proof is nearly nonexistent. Only two reviews and a 3.3 rating. This drive feels like a good product that nobody's really talking about yet.

If you're looking for the fastest possible sequential speeds or a drive with a proven track record, this isn't it. Go grab a Crucial T500 or Kingston Fury Renegade instead. And if you're putting this in a portable enclosure, forget it, the portable score is terrible. This drive is for desktop workstation users who need endurance and find it at the right price.

The MSI SPATIUM M470 PRO is a good drive hiding behind a confusing price tag and zero buzz. If you can grab it at USD 180 from Best Buy, it's a solid workstation pick with excellent endurance and top random performance. But at the higher end of that price range, you're better off with a Crucial T500 or Kingston Fury Renegade. This drive needs to drop in price or build some reputation before it's a clear recommendation.