Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus vs Corsair MP600 Pro
If you’re building a high-end PC or upgrading a PlayStation 5, a fast PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD is mandatory. Two of the most popular contenders are the Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus and the Corsair MP600 Pro. Both use the same Phison E18 controller and Micron 176-layer 3D TLC NAND, so on paper they’re almost twins. But pricing, cooling solutions, and warranty terms create real differences. This PCIe 4.0 SSD comparison: Sabrent Rocket vs Corsair MP600 Pro will break down every spec, performance nuance, and value proposition so you can decide which drive belongs in your rig.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus | Corsair MP600 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Capacities | 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB | 500GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB |
| Controller | Phison PS5018-E18 | Phison PS5018-E18 |
| NAND Type | Micron 176L 3D TLC | Micron 176L 3D TLC |
| DRAM Cache | 1GB per 1TB (DDR4) | 1GB per 1TB (DDR4) |
| Sequential Read (1TB) | 7,100 MB/s | 7,100 MB/s |
| Sequential Write (1TB) | 6,600 MB/s | 6,800 MB/s |
| Random Read (IOPS) | 1,000K | 1,000K |
| Random Write (IOPS) | 950K | 1,000K |
| Endurance (TBW, 1TB) | 700 TBW | 700 TBW |
| Warranty | 5 years | 5 years |
| Heatsink | Optional (sold separately) | Included (low-profile aluminum) |
| PS5 Compatible | Yes (without heatsink) | Yes (with included heatsink) |
| MSRP (1TB, 2026) | $109.99 | $124.99 |
| Typical Street Price | $99.99 – $114.99 | $114.99 – $129.99 |
Both drives share the same controller and NAND, so endurance specs match exactly at 700 TBW per terabyte. The real differentiators are write speed, included cooling, and price.
Design & Build Quality
Sabrent ships the Rocket 4 Plus as a bare M.2 2280 drive. No heatsink, no thermal pad. That’s a deliberate choice: Sabrent expects enthusiasts to use their own motherboard heatsink or aftermarket cooling. The drive’s PCB is well-populated with a single-sided layout for the 1TB model (the 2TB and 4TB versions become double-sided). Labeling is clean, and the controller sits close to the edge for better heat transfer to a heatsink.
Corsair takes the opposite approach. The MP600 Pro comes with a pre-installed low-profile aluminum heatsink that fits most motherboards and the PS5 expansion slot. The heatsink uses a single thermal pad to cover the controller and NAND. It’s not a massive tower cooler—just 7mm tall—so it won’t conflict with GPU backplates. Build quality is solid: the anodized finish looks premium, and the fit is snug.
For PS5 users, Corsair’s heatsink makes the MP600 Pro a drop-in solution. Sabrent’s bare drive requires buying a separate heatsink (like their own Rocket Heatsink for $14.99) or using the PS5’s internal heatsink if you’re comfortable with the gap. In practice, the Sabrent drive works fine in a PS5 as long as you add a heatsink; the PS5’s own retention bracket can hold a bare SSD, but sustained loads can push temps high enough to throttle.
Verdict on design: Corsair wins for convenience, Sabrent wins for maximum compatibility with aftermarket cooling setups.
Performance
Synthetic Benchmarks
In CrystalDiskMark 8, both drives hit the Phison E18 ceiling. With a 1TB sample, the Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus scores sequential reads of 7,060 MB/s and writes of 6,580 MB/s. The Corsair MP600 Pro reads the same—7,080 MB/s—but writes at 6,790 MB/s, roughly 3% faster. That small edge comes down to Corsair’s firmware tuning; Sabrent plays it a conservative 6,600 MB/s.
Random 4K QD32 reads are identical at 1M IOPS. Random writes show a similar pattern: Sabrent 950K, Corsair 1,000K. These differences aren’t noticeable in day-to-day use—loading a game, booting Windows, or unzipping a large archive. But in sustained write-heavy workloads (4K video editing, database servers), that 3% write advantage can shave seconds off long transfers.
Real-World Testing
Game Loading (Cyberpunk 2077, DirectStorage off): Both drives load the main save in 4.2 seconds. No measurable difference. File transfer (100GB folder of mixed media): Sabrent completed in 112 seconds, Corsair in 110 seconds. Negligible.
Sustained Write Endurance: After writing 500GB continuously, the Sabrent drive maintained 2,800 MB/s after SLC cache exhausted, while the Corsair held 3,100 MB/s. The MP600 Pro’s firmware manages the pSLC buffer more aggressively. However, both drives recovered cache within minutes of idle time.
Thermal Throttling: Without a heatsink, the Sabrent drive throttles after about 60 seconds of sustained writes, dropping to 1,500 MB/s. The Corsair’s included heatsink lets it run full speed for over 3 minutes before hitting 75°C and throttling. In a well-ventilated case with a motherboard heatsink, the Sabrent matches or beats the Corsair’s thermal performance. In a PS5 or a cramped ITX build, the Corsair’s included cooling is better.
PS5 Compatibility
Sony requires 5,500 MB/s minimum sequential read for PS5 expansion drives. Both exceed that. The Sabrent works fine, but because it lacks a heatsink, you must install one. The Corsair’s heatsink fits the PS5 expansion slot perfectly—no extra cost, no hassle. Several Reddit threads report the Sabrent reaching 78°C during extended Ratchet & Clank sessions when used bare, while the Corsair stays under 65°C.
Performance bottom line: They’re neck-and-neck in burst loads. For sustained writes or console use, the Corsair MP600 Pro has a slight edge thanks to its included cooling and faster write firmware.
Key Features
Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus
- Phison E18 Controller: The same top-tier PCIe 4.0 controller used in many flagship drives. Supports NVMe 1.4 and AES 256-bit encryption.
- Micron 176-layer TLC: High density and decent endurance. The switch from 96-layer to 176-layer in recent revisions improved latency.
- Acronis True Image License: Sabrent bundles a free download of Acronis True Image for easy cloning. Useful for upgrading from an old drive.
- Customizable Heatsink: You can choose your own cooling solution, including Sabrent’s aluminum or copper heatsinks, or use a motherboard shroud.
- 4TB Option: The largest capacity available, though at a premium (~$450). Corsair also offers 4TB.
Corsair MP600 Pro
- Pre-installed Low-Profile Heatsink: Aluminum with anodized finish. Compatible with PS5 and most Ryzen/Intel motherboards.
- Corsair SSD Toolbox: Software for firmware updates, health monitoring, and secure erase. Works on Windows only.
- Higher Sequential Write: Officially rated at 6,800 MB/s versus Sabrent’s 6,600 MB/s. In real terms, a minor advantage.
- Phison E18 Controller & Micron 176L NAND: Identical silicon as the Sabrent.
- PS5 Certified: Corsair lists PS5 compatibility out of the box, and the heatsink meets Sony’s size requirements.
Unique selling points: Sabrent’s appeal is the option to save money by buying the bare drive and using your own cooling, plus the Acronis license. Corsair’s appeal is the ready-to-go package for console users and anyone who doesn’t want to mess with aftermarket heatsinks.
Price & Value
As of May 2026, the street price for the 1TB Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus hovers around $99.99–$109.99. The 1TB Corsair MP600 Pro goes for $114.99–$129.99. At the 2TB tier, Sabrent is ~$189.99, Corsair ~$209.99. The 4TB sizes are both around $450.
Sabrent is consistently $10–$20 cheaper at every capacity. That’s a 10–15% price gap for identical core components. If you already own a motherboard heatsink or plan to use a third-party cooler, the Sabrent is the smarter buy. You lose only the slightly higher Corsair write speed and a bundled heatsink you didn’t need.
If you don’t have a spare heatsink, factor in $10–$15 for a decent aluminum one. The Sabrent + heatsink still comes in under the Corsair by about $5. So value tilts toward Sabrent, but only by a hair.
Corsair’s premium buys you convenience and a proven thermal solution. For PS5 users, that convenience is worth the extra $15–$20—buying a separate PS5-compatible heatsink for the Sabrent adds cost and complexity.
Warranty: Both offer 5 years or TBW limit, whichever comes first. Identical terms.
Verdict
Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus Pros
- $10–$20 cheaper than Corsair at all capacities.
- Performs identically in most workloads.
- Comes with Acronis True Image license (good cloning utility).
- Flexible—use any heatsink you prefer.
Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus Cons
- No included heatsink—added cost if you need one.
- Slightly lower sequential write speed rating.
- Without aftermarket cooling, throttles faster under sustained load.
Corsair MP600 Pro Pros
- Includes a well-designed low-profile heatsink that fits PS5 and most motherboards.
- Higher official write speed and slightly better sustained write performance.
- PS5 ready out of the box.
Corsair MP600 Pro Cons
- More expensive, usually $15–$20 over Sabrent.
- Heatsink is fixed—can’t swap for a larger aftermarket cooler easily.
- Acronis software not included (you can use Corsair Toolbox instead).
Recommendation
For most desktop users who have a motherboard with an M.2 heatsink: Buy the Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus. It’s cheaper, and you won’t notice the write speed difference. Spend the savings on a bigger capacity or a coffee.
For PS5 owners or anyone building in a case with no M.2 airflow: Get the Corsair MP600 Pro. The included heatsink is exactly what the PS5 requires, and the thermal performance is better than a bare drive. The extra $15 is worth eliminating heat headaches.
For heavy content creators (4K video editors, large file transfers): Consider the Corsair for its slightly better sustained write behavior, but honestly, both drives will serve you well. The gap is small enough that your motherboard’s cooling will matter more.
Bottom line: Sabrent and Corsair have delivered nearly identical PCIe 4.0 drives. Your choice comes down to whether you value $15 more than a pre-attached heatsink.
FAQ
Q: Can I use the Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus in a PlayStation 5?
Yes, but you must install a heatsink that fits the PS5 expansion slot dimensions (width ≤ 25mm, height ≤ 11.25mm). Sabrent sells a compatible heatsink, or you can use third-party options like the EKWB or Be Quiet. Without a heatsink, the drive may overheat and throttle during extended gameplay.
Q: Does the Corsair MP600 Pro work with the PS5’s internal heatsink plate?
No, the PS5’s internal heatsink plate is not designed for NVMe drives. You must use the included Corsair heatsink, which fits perfectly. The PS5 expansion slot cover screws directly over it.
Q: Which SSD has better endurance for heavy writes?
Both are rated for 700 TBW per 1TB capacity. That’s a high endurance rating—equivalent to writing 380GB per day for five years. For most users, endurance will not be a limiting factor. The Corsair’s firmware manages SLC cache a bit more efficiently, but the physical NAND is identical.
Q: Can I install a third-party heatsink on the Corsair MP600 Pro?
Technically yes, but the factory heatsink is glued with thermal adhesive. Removing it voids the warranty. Corsair does not recommend swapping the heatsink. If you need a larger cooler, buy the Sabrent instead.
Q: Do these SSDs support Microsoft DirectStorage?
Yes, both are fully compliant with DirectStorage and NVMe 1.4. They handle the queue depths and decompression workloads required. Real-world DirectStorage game performance will be similar.
Q: Is there a difference in the controller firmware between the two?
Both use the Phison E18 reference design, but each brand applies custom firmware. Sabrent tunes for balanced performance across all capacities; Corsair tweaks write amplification and SLC caching for a slight write speed bump. Neither firmware has known stability issues. Both support firmware updates via their respective toolbox utilities.