The Corsair MP700 Pro XT steps boldly into the spotlight as one of the fastest PCIe Gen5 NVMe SSDs on the market today. Featuring the cutting-edge Phison PS5028-E28 controller, this SSD aims to push performance boundaries while delivering high endurance and excellent power efficiency. Available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities with an 8TB model anticipated in 2026, the MP700 Pro XT caters to high-end gamers, content creators, and professionals seeking next-level storage speeds and reliability.
Leading-Edge Hardware and Features
At the heart of the Corsair MP700 Pro XT is the new Phison E28 controller, an 8-channel PCIe Gen5 NVMe 2.0 powerhouse that improves on previous E26 models by delivering faster data throughput, reduced power consumption, and better thermal management. This controller is paired with Kioxia BICS8 3D TLC flash memory and a DRAM cache to ensure peak performance and endurance. Corsair backs the drive with a robust 5-year warranty, and the endurance rating aligns with expectations for high-end consumer SSDs—approximately 700 terabytes written per terabyte of capacity.
Notably, the MP700 Pro XT does not come with an integrated heatsink, making aftermarket or motherboard cooling solutions highly recommended, especially under heavy workloads or in constrained PC cases. The drive’s thermal design benefits from reduced power draw, consuming roughly 5 to 6 watts under load compared to older models that could reach 10 watts, but effective cooling remains essential to prevent throttling.
Performance That Commands Attention
Testing reveals the MP700 Pro XT excels in real-world and synthetic benchmarks alike. In PCMark 10 tests—which simulate routine daily PC activities—the drive consistently outperforms Gen4 drives and earlier Gen5 iterations by a substantial margin, delivering swift file access, game loading, and general system responsiveness. The full PCMark 10 suite, simulating heavier workloads, again places the MP700 Pro XT at the top of its class, with superior latency and throughput metrics signaling its readiness for demanding professional and gaming environments.
Gaming-focused benchmarks, like 3DMark Storage, reinforce the MP700 Pro XT’s prowess, placing it near or at the top versus other high-end Gen5 SSDs like the WD Black SN8100 or the Crucial T710. Its sequential read speeds reach up to 14,900 MB/s, with writes close behind—read/write numbers that easily meet requirements for next-gen game consoles such as the PlayStation 5, albeit without unlocking the full Gen5 bandwidth the console currently does not support.
Trade-Offs and Pricing Considerations
While the MP700 Pro XT shines in many benchmarks, its consistency under extreme multi-hour stress testing falls short of some peer drives, indicating the E28 controller’s balancing act between power efficiency and sustained peak throughput. However, this level of sustained load is beyond typical consumer use, so most users will not encounter this limitation.
Price remains the largest hurdle for many. The 4TB variant commands approximately €570 in some European markets and around $460 in the U.S., pricing it above many Gen4 drives and some competing Gen5 SSDs. This premium highlights the cutting-edge technology but may deter buyers seeking value over top-tier speed. Should prices fall over time, the Corsair MP700 Pro XT and other E28-based SSDs could become highly attractive options for enthusiasts.
Conclusion: A Future-Ready Performer Worth Watching
The Corsair MP700 Pro XT emerges as a flagship Gen5 SSD with stellar real-world speed, modern power efficiency, and the stability expected in high-end storage solutions. Its new Phison E28 controller delivers a marked performance leap over earlier Gen5 drives, solidifying Corsair’s place at the forefront of SSD innovation. Cooling investment is advisable to ensure sustained peak speeds, and the current pricing limits its audience to enthusiasts who demand cutting-edge hardware now.
For those in the market for the fastest Gen5 NVMe drive available, the MP700 Pro XT is a compelling choice. Patience for price adjustments will broaden its appeal, making it likely to be a dominant player in the high-performance SSD arena for years to come.
Based on recent hardware reviews, real-world benchmarks, and performance analyses from leading tech review sites and benchmarks.
