MSI SPATIUM M461 2000GB

The MSI SPATIUM M461 2000GB uses the Phison PS5021-E21T controller in a DRAM-less design that relies on Host Memory Buffer (HMB). MSI pairs the 4-channel controller with high-density 3D QLC NAND (typically Micron 176-layer), allowing the drive to saturate the PCIe 4.0 x4 interface during burst workloads while maintaining a simplified, energy-efficient single-sided M.2 2280 PCB. Thermal testing of the Phison E21T indicates high power efficiency so the drive operates within safe thermal limits without a heavy heatsink, but sustained write performance degrades significantly once the pseudo-SLC (pSLC) cache is exhausted, often dropping below SATA interface speeds during extended large-file writes.

Key Specifications

• Interface: PCIe Gen 4.0 x4, NVMe 1.4
• Controller: Phison PS5021-E21T (12nm process, ARM Cortex-R5)
• NAND Configuration: 3D QLC (Quad-Level Cell)
• DRAM Cache: No (HMB Architecture)
• Sequential Read/Write: 5000 MB/s / 4200 MB/s
• Physical Layout: M.2 2280, Single-sided PCB
• Encryption: Pyrite support (Software-based security features)

Hardware Alternatives

• Crucial P3 Plus 2000GB: This is the most direct hardware relative, utilizing the same combination of the Phison E21T controller and Micron QLC NAND. Performance curves and endurance ratings are nearly identical.
• Corsair MP600 CORE XT 2000GB: Shares the Phison E21T + QLC architecture, another branded iteration of this reference design.
• Solidigm P41 Plus 2000GB: Targets the same QLC-based, DRAM-less Gen4 segment but uses the Silicon Motion SM2269XT controller; offers a comparable HMB execution and sequential throughput profile.
• Kingston NV2 2000GB: A variable bill-of-materials drive that, when configured with the E21T and QLC, is functionally similar to the M461 though component consistency varies by batch.