Crucial P310: New High-speed M.2 Storage for your Steam Deck or ROG Ally

Highlights

Crucial P310 SSDs offer high transfer speeds, solid endurance, and a 5-year warranty.
Available in 1TB and 2TB options, they are ideal for handheld gaming devices and small form PCs.
While more expensive, Crucial P310 SSDs outperform competitors like Corsair with faster read/write speeds.

As a seasoned gamer with years of experience building and upgrading gaming PCs, I’ve seen my fair share of storage solutions. But when it comes to handheld gaming devices like the Steam Deck or ROG Ally, finding the right SSD can be a challenge. Enter Crucial’s new P310 NVMe M.2 2230 SSDs – a game changer for those in search of high-speed storage that fits these compact devices.

Crucial has joined the NVMe M.2 2230 storage space with its Crucial P310 SSDs in 1TB and 2TB capacities. Crucial’s parent company Micron has been selling this compact form factor of SSDs for a while now, but not under the Crucial brand. The P310 is the fastest-performing high-capacity M.2 2230 SSD on the market, and they are the perfect upgrade for the Steam Deck, ROG Ally, or other handheld gaming consoles that use the 2230 form factor.

These SSDs aren’t only compatible with handheld gaming devices; instead, they can be utilized in various PCs (with or without an adapter). They excel in small form factor constructions. The 2230 form factor is a scaled-down variant of the more common M.2 2280 SSD. Despite its compact size, the Crucial P310 remains a PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD since smaller form factors haven’t yet adopted PCIe 5.0. However, the new 2230 SSD boasts impressive read and write speeds, making it an excellent upgrade for any system.

Crucial P310: Specifications and Performance

As a gamer, I’d put it this way: The Crucial P310 SSD comes in two sizes: 1TB and 2TB. I was hoping for a more affordable 512GB version, but unfortunately, Crucial has only released the higher capacity options so far. Normally, there can be noticeable differences in speed between various storage capacities. However, that’s not the case with the P310 SSD. Regardless of whether you choose the 1TB or 2TB version, both can deliver impressive sequential read speeds of up to 7100 MB/s and write speeds of up to 6000 MB/s.

In terms of durability, Crucial’s drives are rated for 220 terabytes (TB) of data writing for the 1TB model and 440 TB for the 2TB model. This measurement is referred to as Terabytes Written (TBW). Consequently, these SSDs are expected to operate efficiently for this amount of data written before the memory cells start to degrade, raising the risk of drive malfunction. Additionally, they deliver random read speeds of up to one million input/output operations per second (IOPS).

Crucial mentions that the P310 SSD boasts enhanced power savings. This theoretically lets you play games for longer durations on portable devices, but in reality, the impact may be minimal. The manufacturer provides a typical 5-year warranty for the P310 SSD, which aligns with Crucial’s standard coverage.

Crucial P310: Compatibility

The Crucial P310’s 2230 size makes it perfect for handheld gaming consoles such as the Steam Deck LCD, Steam Deck OLED, and early ROG Ally models. However, newer devices like the ROG Ally X have adopted the larger M.2 2280 form factor, meaning smaller SSDs including the Crucial P310 won’t be compatible. This versatile SSD also works with Microsoft Surface laptops and certain Dell models.

Installing a 2230 SSD in a slot designed for a larger 2280 SSD isn’t primarily an issue with the connection but rather the mounting mechanism. The problem lies in the fact that the screw hole on the smaller SSD won’t align with the one on the larger slot, potentially causing the SSD to become loose over time. This loosening could lead to performance concerns. Fortunately, affordable adapters exist that enable the use of 2230 SSDs in larger 2280 slots by providing proper mounting alignment. These adapters help you utilize smaller compact SSDs as effectively as regular-sized ones.

As a tech enthusiast who has been following the latest developments in portable gaming devices, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of fast storage for smooth and enjoyable gameplay experiences. Having used both Steam Deck models and the original ROG Ally, I can attest to their PCIe 3.0 SSD slots delivering solid performance. However, my experience with PCIe 4.0 drives has shown me that they offer more efficiency and sustained peak speeds.

Crucial P310: Price, Availability, and Competition

The 1TB version of the Crucial P311 costs $115 on Amazon and Newegg, while the 2TB model is priced at $215 at both retailers. This price point makes it relatively costly due to its impressive transfer speeds. For reference, the Corsair MP600 CORE 2TB SSD is offered for $175, with the 1TB version selling around $80. However, it’s essential to note that the Crucial P311 boasts faster read and write speeds than the Corsair model, which maxes out at 5000 MB/s sequential read and 3800 MB/s sequential write.

Micron’s 1TB and 2TB M.2 2230 SSDs with a capacity of 2400 from Micron retail for $95 and $164 respectively. However, they perform more slowly than Crucial P310 models.

As a gamer, I’ve come across another M.2 2230 SSD that can give the Crucial P310 a run for its money in terms of performance – it’s the Corsair MP600 Mini. This guy boasts sequential write speeds of up to 6200 MB/s and sequential read speeds of up to an impressive 7000 MB/s! However, it’s important to note that only the 2TB variant can keep up with the P310’s speed, as the 1TB version falls behind. With a price tag of $230 for the 2TB Corsair MP600 Mini, the Crucial P310 offers a more budget-friendly option for us gamers.

FAQ

Q: What SSD fits in a Steam Deck?

As an avid Steam Deck user, I’m thrilled to share that this portable gaming powerhouse supports NVMe M.2 2230 SSDs, which connect via a PCIe 3.0 slot. Not only that, but it’s also compatible with the faster PCIe 4.0 SSDs if you prefer those for an even smoother gaming experience.

Q: Can you put a 2TB SSD in a Steam Deck?

A 2TB SSD is more than sufficient for the Steam Deck, and while it may only reach PCIe 3.0 speeds, its ample storage space should not pose a problem.

2024-07-25 04:06