Micron has simply unveiled the Essential P310, which it claims is the world’s quickest 2230-format SSD. This additional pace received’t assist relating to a Steam Deck SSD improve, however the Asus ROG Ally X will profit, and there are different elements that also make this drive a worthwhile alternative for any cellular system needing an SSD improve.
The Steam Deck has lengthy held the crown as one of the best handheld gaming PC – whether or not in its unique Steam Deck LCD type or its up to date Steam Deck OLED type – however all variants of the system can profit from an SSD improve. The utmost capability of the hand held is 1TB, however lower-priced choices include much less space for storing, with the most affordable model having only a tiny 64GB of capability.
In addition to merely offering an enormous capability enhance for Steam Decks, then, the brand new Essential P310 drive may also present a efficiency enhance for the likes of the forthcoming Asus ROG Ally X. That’s as a result of, whereas the brand new drive is the quickest one accessible, the Steam Deck can’t take full benefit of all that pace because it makes use of a PCIe 3.0 interface. The ROG Ally X, nevertheless, has a PCIe 4.0 interface to match this drive.
Meaning it will likely be in a position to benefit from this drive’s blazing learn pace of seven,100MB/s and write pace of 6,000MB/s. These numbers are for sequential (i.e. single giant file) learn and write operations, however the drive additionally boasts stable random learn/write numbers, with Micron stating the random learn operations depend as 1,000,000 IOPs, though Micron doesn’t specify a determine for random write operations.
One other essential issue of this drive is that it makes use of a Phison E27T 4-channel DRAM-less controller, with the dearth of DRAM aiding in lowering the ability consumption of the drive, doubtlessly serving to you get higher battery life out of your handheld than different rival drives. The flash storage itself is Micron’s 3D NAND, and the corporate states that the drives have a 220TBW (terabytes written) or 440TBW lifetime ranking, for the 1TB and 2TB drives respectively. Plus the drives include a five-year guarantee.
Technically, there are many PCIe 4.0 drives that might match into the ROG Ally X, as certainly one of its huge upgrades over the unique ROG Ally is being able to suit large-format 2280 SSDs, which are the sorts of drives generally used within the greatest gaming PCs. The Steam Deck and most different handhelds, although, solely use shorter 2230 drives, which is the shape issue utilized by the P310.
So, when you’ve already received a Steam Deck in want of a storage enhance, however you’re eyeing up the Asus ROG Ally X as an improve, the Essential P310 might be the best drive to bridge that hole. It’s going to slot in your Steam Deck and convey top-tier efficiency to your Ally X.
The P310 is offered now beginning at $114.99 for the 1TB mannequin and rising to $214.99 for the 2TB model. These costs are a contact larger than competing drives, however most options don’t attain such excessive speeds, plus we wouldn’t be stunned to see this drive’s value shift as soon as it has been out for some time.
For extra important Steam Deck upgrades, try our greatest microSD for Steam Deck information. In the meantime, our greatest SSD for gaming information has extra high picks for these in search of a full-size drive for his or her gaming PC.
We’re hiring!
Do you like tweaking your CPU and GPU to get one of the best body charges in your video games? Are you able to write informative and fascinating copy rapidly, coherently, and precisely? Then we wish to hear from you. is searching for a brand new, UK-based {hardware} author to write down information, evaluations, guides, and op-eds about all the most recent PC gaming tech, significantly relating to CPUs and GPUs.
Apply right here!
For those who’d like to hitch our passionate, massively skilled {hardware} group, then ship us your software at once because the cut-off date is July 26.
