Sabrent has earned a devoted following among tech enthusiasts for its internal and external SSDs, and it’s easy to see why. They’re consistently ahead of the curve, bringing cutting-edge products to market first, often leveraging the latest controllers to provide great value. This reputation is bolstered by their long-standing collaboration with Phison, whose controllers they frequently use. The Rocket nano V2, a standout in Sabrent’s range of portable SSDs, has been available for over a year now, utilizing Phison’s U18 native controller.
In this review, we delve into the Rocket nano V2 External SSD, examining its performance, power usage, and thermal efficiency. Let’s kick off with some initial thoughts and impressions.
### A Closer Look at the Rocket nano V2
The technological strides in flash tech, like 3D NAND and the growing reliability of TLC, have paved the way for faster host interfaces for external storage devices over the last decade. These advancements, combined with the universal acceptance of the Type-C connector in the consumer market, have yielded compact, high-speed storage solutions. Devices using interfaces such as USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 and Thunderbolt, packing speeds of over 2 GBps, can now fit comfortably in the palm of one’s hand.
However, with great speed comes the potential for high temperatures. Historically, high-performance portable SSDs have had no choice but to rely on bridge-based solutions that included multiple protocol conversion chips, leading to increased power dissipation. But, with the development of native UFD controllers from Phison and Silicon Motion capable of hitting 10 Gbps and 20 Gbps, new, more efficient options are now available. For instance, Silicon Motion’s SM2320 controller powers the Kingston XS2000 to 2 GBps speeds without requiring a bridge.
Silicon Motion’s SM2320-based products are popular for hitting near-maximum interface speeds for sequential access in both 10 Gbps and 20 Gbps categories. Phison’s U17 and U18 controllers, while offering marginally lower peak performance, have been adopted in products like the Crucial X6. After experiencing impressive performance from the OWC Envoy Pro Mini, Sabrent’s Rocket nano V2 aims to replicate that success using the U18 controller.
### Sizing Up the Rocket nano V2
The Rocket nano V2 strikes a balance between size and sturdiness. Measuring approximately 72mm x 32mm x 14mm and weighing 50 grams, its aluminum build offers a solid feel. Its silicone cover adds a touch of ruggedness and protects against minor damage.
In terms of features, the Rocket nano V2 supports S.M.A.R.T passthrough, with CrystalDiskInfo verifying its functionality. Despite not listing TRIM in its features, tests showed it effectively processed TRIM commands in an NTFS setup.
### Test Setup & Methodology
Here’s an overview of the test setup. We utilized the Quartz Canyon NUC – equipped with dual PCIe slots but no need for a discrete GPU – making it an ideal DAS testbed. Though lacking a USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 port, we incorporated Silverstone’s SST-ECU06 card in the x4 slot for testing all non-Thunderbolt devices. Our testbed was configured using a Xeon processor and 32GB DDR4-3200 ECC memory.
For our evaluations, we considered several typical storage workloads and tests, from synthetic benchmarks like CrystalDiskMark to real-world traces using PCMark 10.
### Performance Insights
In synthetic benchmarks like ATTO and CrystalDiskMark, the Rocket nano V2 closely mirrored the performance of the PNY EliteX-PRO. The Rocket nano V2 showed remarkable performance consistency, particularly during sustained writes, maintaining high speeds without significant thermal throttling. This was attributed to its robust thermal design, which kept maximum temperatures in check.
In addition, real-world traces from PCMark 10 revealed that while the Rocket nano V2 might not top every chart, its performance is consistent and reliable for general usage, with few noticeable differences in everyday tasks compared to its competitors.
### Considerations for Users
For those seeking consistent performance during sustained operations, like lengthy file transfers or video recording, the Rocket nano V2 excels due to its solid thermal management. However, for anyone prioritizing power efficiency, especially notebook users, there are areas for improvement regarding the power management and quicker idle mode activation.
### Conclusion
Priced at $182, the Rocket nano V2 holds its ground among its peers in terms of price and performance. While its quick start capabilities may lag slightly behind some rivals, it shines in scenarios that demand sustained performance without overheating. The Sabrent Rocket nano V2 stands out as a powerful, well-rounded choice for users who value consistency and reliability, particularly for demanding tasks. It certainly makes a compelling case against similar products, offering a blend of durability and performance. Choosing it over alternatives from Crucial or Lexar depends largely on your specific needs and preferences regarding form factor and consistent speed.
