Following a detailed assessment of the Rocket nano V2’s performance across different benchmarks, we get insights into its power efficiency, temperature management, and overall consistency, paving the way for informed decisions based on user requirements and preferences.
Measuring a compact 72mm x 32mm x 14mm and weighing 50g, the Rocket nano V2 boasts a sturdy aluminum build with a silicone cover for added protection against scratches and dents, offering a touch of durability.
Achieving high speeds with storage devices often comes with the challenge of managing heat effectively. Traditional bridge solutions with multiple protocol chips tend to generate more heat due to the extra components. However, the emergence of native UFD controllers from Phison and Silicon Motion has opened up new possibilities, offering speeds of up to 10 Gbps and 20 Gbps without the need for a bridge. This shift has seen products like the Sabrent Rocket Nano v2, PNY EliteX-PRO, and Corsair EX100U adopt the Phison U18 controller, pushing the boundaries of portable SSD performance.
The Rocket nano V2, along with the PNY EliteX-PRO and Corsair EX100U, shares the Phison U18 controller coupled with 128L 3D TLC NAND from SK hynix. While the hardware remains consistent, differences in firmware, thermal solutions, and design set them apart.
Let’s dive into a thorough review of the Rocket nano V2 External SSD, analyzing its performance consistency, power usage, and thermal behavior.
Before delving into benchmark figures, power consumption, and thermal performance, let’s establish the test environment and methodology.
Sabrent’s SSD lineup has gained a strong following among tech enthusiasts. What sets them apart is their knack for being ahead of the curve when it comes to the latest controllers, all while offering great bang for your buck. They’ve built a solid partnership with Phison, using their controllers in many of their products. One of their standout products is the Rocket nano V2, a portable SSD clocking in at 2 GBps, powered by Phison’s U18 native controller, and it’s been making waves on the market for over a year now.
The Quartz Canyon NUC’s dual PCIe slots offer flexibility for add-in cards, accommodating different devices for testing purposes. The setup ensures optimal performance evaluation for various storage solutions.
Flash technology has come a long way, with the advent of 3D NAND and more reliable TLC, paving the way for speedier interfaces for external devices. This progress has seen a rise in capacity and speeds for bus-powered direct-attached storage. The Type-C standard has become the norm in the consumer market, with protocols like USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 / USB4 and Thunderbolt delivering palm-sized storage devices capable of speeds over 2 GBps.
Direct-attached storage devices, including thumb drives, are evaluated using the Quartz Canyon NUC, equipped with 2x 16GB DDR4-2667 ECC SODIMMs and an IM2P33E8 1TB NVMe SSD from ADATA.
In addition to hardware evaluation, our testing scheme involves simulating real-world workloads, including high-bitrate 4K and emerging 8K video playback, as well as loading large game files. This comprehensive approach enables us to gauge the devices under diverse scenarios, spotlighting their strengths and limitations.
The Rocket nano V2 supports S.M.A.R.T passthrough, ensuring smooth operation while handling TRIM commands effectively, as observed in the CrystalDiskInfo screenshots. Despite the absence of TRIM in the features list, the PSSD efficiently processed TRIM commands on an NTFS volume from Windows, with all S.M.A.R.T features working as intended.
