MSI SPATIUM Series M480 1TB PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe M.2 2280

The MSI SPATIUM M480 is a near-flagship Gen4 NVMe drive with 7000 MB/s reads, 5500 MB/s writes, and a 700 TBW endurance rating. It includes a heatsink and works in PS5s and PCs alike. Pricing is inconsistent, ranging from $288 to $757, so shop around. At the low end, it's one of the best values in Gen4 storage right now.

The headline numbers are 7000 MB/s read and 5500 MB/s write, which puts this drive in the 77th percentile for speed in our database. That's not the absolute fastest Gen4 drive we've tested, but it's close enough that you'd never notice the difference in real-world use. Game load times, large file transfers, and boot times will all feel instant. The random performance is where this drive really shines, though. 350K random read IOPS and 700K random write IOPS land it in the 85th percentile for random performance, which is a standout result. That means it handles lots of small files and mixed workloads better than most drives in its class.

The PHISON E18 controller is a known quantity at this point, and it's paired with TLC NAND and a DRAM cache, which is the right combination for sustained performance. The DRAM cache means the drive doesn't slow down as much when it's dealing with lots of small writes, and the TLC NAND keeps costs reasonable compared to SLC or MLC. The 700 TBW endurance rating is also worth mentioning. That's in the 75th percentile for endurance, which is solid, and it means you can write about 383 GB per day for five years before hitting the rated limit. For most people, that's more than enough.

The Samsung 990 PRO is the obvious competitor here. It's faster in sequential reads and writes, and it has a much stronger reputation for reliability and consistency. But it also costs more, especially if you're looking at the 1TB model. The MSI drive gets you within spitting distance of the 990 PRO's performance for less money, assuming you find a good price. The trade-off is that Samsung's software and warranty support are generally better.

The Western Digital SN850X is another strong alternative. It's also faster than the M480 in most benchmarks, and it's often priced competitively. The SN850X doesn't come with a heatsink on the base model, though, so if you need one, you'll pay extra. The MSI drive includes a heatsink, which is a real value add if your motherboard doesn't have one. The Micron T710 and Crucial T710 are also worth a look, but they're harder to find and don't have the same retail presence as MSI, Samsung, or WD.

Pricing on this drive is all over the place. In the US, we're seeing listings from $288 to $757, which is a $469 spread. That's a huge range, and it means you really need to shop around before pulling the trigger. The lower end of that range is a fantastic deal for a drive with these specs. At $288, you're getting near-flagship performance for less than what many mid-range Gen4 drives cost. At $757, you're paying more than a 2TB Samsung 990 PRO, which makes no sense at all.

The best deal in our database is on Newegg, where the price sits at the lower end of that range. If you can grab it there, the price-to-performance ratio is excellent. Just don't pay the high end. At that point, you're better off looking at the Western Digital SN850X or the Samsung 990 PRO, both of which are faster and have better brand recognition.

The MSI SPATIUM M480 is one of those drives that flies under the radar until you look at the spec sheet. It's a PCIe Gen4 NVMe drive with a PHISON E18 controller, TLC NAND, and a DRAM cache, which is the same recipe a lot of flagship drives use. But MSI isn't the first name you think of for storage, so it tends to get overlooked. That's a shame, because the numbers here are genuinely impressive.

This drive is aimed at people who need serious throughput without paying Samsung or Western Digital flagship prices. The 7000 MB/s sequential read and 5500 MB/s write put it right at the top of the Gen4 class. The 700 TBW endurance rating is also well above what most 1TB drives offer, which matters if you're constantly moving large files or running a workstation that sees heavy writes.

What makes it interesting is the included heatsink. A lot of Gen4 drives run hot, and many motherboards have their own M.2 heatsinks, but MSI gives you a chunky one in the box. It's optional, so you can pull it off if your board's heatsink is better or if you're dropping this into a PS5. That flexibility is a nice touch, and it's one of the reasons this drive scores so well for workstation and console use in our database.

If you're looking for the absolute fastest Gen4 drive and money is no object, skip this and get the Samsung 990 PRO or the Western Digital SN850X. Both are faster in sequential benchmarks and have better software ecosystems. The M480 is close, but it's not the top dog.

If you need more than 2TB of storage, this drive isn't for you either. The capacity tops out at 2TB, and the 1TB model is the one you'll find most often. For larger capacities, look at the SN850X or the Crucial T710, both of which offer 4TB options. And if you're on a tight budget, the price volatility on this drive means you could easily overpay if you're not careful. Wait for a sale or stick with a more consistently priced mid-range Gen4 drive.

If you're building a workstation or a gaming PC and you want a fast Gen4 drive without paying flagship prices, the MSI SPATIUM M480 is a great choice. The 700 TBW endurance rating makes it especially appealing for content creators who write a lot of data, and the included heatsink is a nice bonus. Just make sure you're paying a reasonable price. At $288 to $350, this drive is a steal. At $500 or more, it's a pass.

For PS5 owners, this drive is also a solid option. It meets Sony's speed requirements, and the heatsink means you don't have to buy a separate one. The 1TB capacity is a bit small if you have a large game library, but it's a good starting point. If you need more space, the 2TB version is available, though it's harder to find at a good price.