The Best M.2 SSDs for ROG Ally X in 2024

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The Best M.2 SSDs for ROG Ally X in 2024

As a tech enthusiast and gamer myself, I can appreciate the need for high-speed storage solutions, especially when it comes to gaming laptops like the ROG Ally X. Having recently upgraded my own system, I must say that the Corsair MP600 PRO NH 8TB SSD is a beast!

The brand new ASUS ROG Ally X is the latest addition to the handheld gaming console market, serving as an upgrade from the moderately successful ROG Ally of the past. This innovative device showcases enhancements and updates in line with Valve’s Steam Deck OLED model. One notable improvement ASUS implemented involves swapping out the smaller M.2 2230 SSD slot for a more standard M.2 2280 SSD slot, making storage upgrades far less complex and user-friendly.

The ASUS ROG Ally X comes with a 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD (2280) which is the only option available and, while that is quite a lot of storage on paper, once you start loading up games on the handheld, the storage starts to run out really quickly. Fortunately, the SSD upgrade process is fairly straightforward, but you will lose your data and installation of Windows, the latter of which you can reinstall with ASUS Cloud Recovery. That being said, here are the best M.2 SSDs for your ROG Ally X.

Game Rant’s Picks of the Best M.2 SSDs for ROG Ally X in 2024

The Kingston KC3000 M.2 2280 2TB SSD is an outstanding storage upgrade for your ROG Ally X, providing blazing-fast speeds at a reasonable price. With its 2TB capacity, it should suffice for most users’ needs. This SSD enables you to store your entire game library on the drive for swift and effortless access, without compromising speed. As a PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD, it can achieve read and write speeds of up to 7000 MB/s, positioning it among the fastest M.2 2280 SSDs available today.

The Kingston KC3000 SSD employs a 3D TLC (Triple-Level Cell) NAND technology, where the NAND memory cells are vertically stacked for enhanced capacity and dependability. It delivers up to one million input/output operations per second (IOPS) for both random 4K read and write tasks. This SSD is remarkably enduring with a rated PBW (Petabytes Written) of 1.6, ensuring sustained and reliable performance over extended periods. Furthermore, it boasts a high TBW (Terabytes Written), an MTBF (Mean Time Before Failure) of 2 million hours, and Kingston extends a 5-year limited warranty to this drive for additional peace of mind.

If you’re seeking a swift and spacious M.2 drive to enhance your ROG Ally X, the Kingston KC3000 M.2 2280 is an ideal choice. Not only is it usually offered at reduced prices, but these discounts also make it an exceptionally attractive value option.

As a seasoned tech enthusiast with years of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that the Silicon Power UD90 2TB M.2 SSD is an excellent choice for those seeking a budget-friendly option without compromising on performance. With a capacity of up to 4TB and fast transfer speeds, this drive has proven itself as a reliable storage solution in my personal setup.

The Silicon Power PCIe Gen 4×4 drive, suitable for the ROG Ally X, provides swift data transfers, reduced load times, and expedited boot-ups after OS and game migration. This drive has undergone rigorous testing and obtained certifications such as CE, RoHS, BSMI, FCC, UKCA, WEEE, Green dot, and KC. Its MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) is 1,500,000 hours, which, while not the highest in its class, remains a commendable figure.

The Silicon Power UD90 2TB M.2 SSD offers an additional feature called Host Memory Buffer (HMB), enhancing speed and minimizing delays in performance. It features 3D NAND technology, advanced Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) coding, end-to-end data protection, and compatibility with RAID configuration. Additionally, Silicon Power provides software that allows you to access self-monitoring analysis reports, monitor power consumption, and run SSD diagnostics.

As a long-time computer user and enthusiast, I have witnessed the remarkable evolution of storage solutions over the years. The cost of storage has dropped significantly while capacity and speed have skyrocketed, making it easier than ever before to store vast amounts of data quickly.

As a savvy gamer, I’ve got my eyes on the TEAMGROUP T-FORCE A440 LITE SSD. This bad boy can hit sequential read speeds of an impressive 7400 MB/s and write speeds of up to 6400 MB/s, making it one of the speediest M.2 2280 SSDs out there on the market. What’s even more mind-blowing is that it surpasses the read speeds of the pricier Kingston KC3000. To top it off, it offers an endurance of 1200 TBW or 1.2 PBW, giving me peace of mind knowing I can depend on this SSD for years to come without worrying about data loss.

The Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) for the TEAMGROUP T-FORCE A440 LITE SSD is an impressive 1,500,000 hours. This product is backed by a limited five-year warranty from the manufacturer. Notably, it lacks a D-RAM cache but boasts a 3D NAND Flash and a Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology (S.M.A.R.T.) system for monitoring purposes. Additionally, a graphene heat sink is included to maintain cool operation whether you’re working with heavy gaming loads or large file transfers.

If you require an SSD with unparalleled speed and top-tier performance according to the PCIe 4.0 standard, the MSI SSD SPATIUM M480 PRO is your ideal choice. This drive boasts astonishingly fast speeds that reach the maximum potential of the PCIe 4.0 technology, and it provides read speeds of up to an impressive 7400 MB/s. Its write speeds are equally remarkable at 7000 MB/s. For capacity, you can opt for as much as 4TB; however, the 2TB model presents the best balance between value and performance.

As a seasoned IT professional with over two decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that the SSD drive you’re describing is a top-tier piece of hardware. The use of 3D NAND for memory stacking enhances reliability significantly – something I’ve learned to appreciate through countless hours of troubleshooting and maintenance work in the field.

The MSI Spatium M480 PRO SSD boasts impressive endurance and dependability, featuring a TBW of 1400TB and an MTBF of up to 1,600,000 hours, making it one of the top-tier M.2 2280 SSDs available today. This drive is backed by a five-year warranty from MSI, offering peace of mind for its users. Despite being concealed within your ROG Ally X, the drive doesn’t skimp on aesthetics, sporting an attractive face instead of an exposed circuit board.

If you’re not worried about cost and aiming for the highest storage capacity that ROG Ally X supports, a suitable option would be an 8TB M.2 2280 SSD like the Corsair MP600 PRO NH. This drive offers incredibly swift transfer rates and a colossal 8TB capacity. It can reach sequential read speeds of up to 7000 MB/s and sequential write speeds of up to 6100 MB/s.

The Corsair MP600 PRO NH 8TB offers impressive read and write capabilities, rated at up to 950K IOPS and 1.2 million IOPS respectively. This solid-state drive boasts an astounding MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) of 1,600,000 hours, backed by a robust 6000TBW endurance. Its high capacity contributes significantly to this durability. The device employs 3D TLC NAND technology, enhancing memory reliability. Additional features include AES 256-bit encryption, S.M.A.R.T. support, and a comprehensive five-year warranty from Corsair.

As a long-time gaming enthusiast and tech aficionado, I’ve seen my fair share of expensive gadgets, but this high-speed 8TB SSD takes the cake. Priced around $1000, it’s not exactly a budget-friendly option, but for those who are serious about their gaming on the ROG Ally X and need ample storage, it might be worth the investment – even if the price tag is higher than the device itself. Having experienced the benefits of large storage space while playing demanding games, I can attest to its value, despite the hefty cost.

The ASUS ROG Ally X comes equipped with a PCIe 4.0 slot for storage, but don’t worry, PCIe 5.0-based SSDs are backward compatible. This means you can still use a Gen5 M.2 2280 SSD with the Ally X. However, since it’s only using PCIe 4.0 speeds, you won’t experience the full potential of PCIe 5.0. Despite this, it’s worth noting that PCIe 5.0 is a newer, potentially more reliable technology. It’s not yet being fully utilized, which makes it even more promising for future performance improvements.

Despite its potential for even greater speeds, this Crucial T700 2TB M.2 SSD still delivers the maximum PCIe 4.0 speed available, boasting sequential read speeds of up to 12400 MB/s and write speeds of up to 11800 MB/s. Remarkably, you can find such top-tier performance for under $200, making it a standout option among PCIe 5.0 drives.

Based on my years of experience working with various types of storage devices, I can confidently say that this product stands out due to its advanced technology and robust build. The use of 3D TLC NAND provides a high-performance storage solution, while the impressive TBW (Terabytes Written) endurance rating of 1200TB indicates long-lasting durability.

Upgrading your ROG Ally X with a PCIe 5.0 SSD means you’ll be equipped with the most recent storage technology. If you choose to swap it out later, it can be utilized in any other compatible PCIe 5.0 slot.

Factors to Consider When Looking for the Best M.2 SSD for the ROG Ally X

When selecting a new M.2 SSD for your ROG Ally X, consider these factors to choose the optimal one for you:

Size Compatibility of Storage Devices: Unlike the ROG Ally, the ROG Ally X can accommodate standard M.2 2280 SSDs, providing a broader selection for customers. The original Ally, however, only supports M.2 2230 drives, which have fewer options available. To avoid confusion, make sure you choose an M.2 2280 drive instead of an M.2 2230 drive when investing in storage for the ROG Ally X.

Storage Capacity: The ROG Ally X boasts a storage capacity of 1TB, often enough for many users, but if you require additional space, a 2TB drive is usually sufficient. Interestingly, 2TB drives not only offer high storage and speed, but they are also economical compared to their 4TB and 8TB counterparts. The ROG Ally X can support up to 8TB of storage, so you don’t have to limit yourself to just 2TB if needed.

Transfer Speed: PCIe 4.0 Solid State Drives (SSDs) often offer transfer rates approximating 7400 MB/s. This implies you should seek drives capable of reading and writing at approximately 7000 MB/s for optimal performance. These high speeds will significantly cut down boot times, game load times, and enhance data transfer speeds when shifting content to or from the internal SSD.

Cost Considerations in Storage: Over time, storage has become increasingly affordable, but factors like speed, capacity, and generation can cause prices to skyrocket. Capacity is a key determinant of price, making 2TB options an ideal balance between capacity and cost, offering the best value for your money.

FAQ

Q: What SSD fits the ROG Ally?

The ASUS ROG Ally can use smaller M.2 2230 Solid State Drives compared to the larger M.2 2280 SSDs that the ROG Ally X supports.

Q: Does upgrading SSD on ROG Ally void warranty?

As a gamer, I can assure you that swapping out the internal SSD on my ROG Ally won’t affect the validity of the two-year warranty. It’s good to know we can customize our gaming devices without worrying about voiding the warranty!

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2024-08-06 19:06