Introduction
The wave of fast PCI Gen5 SSDs for PCs continues, MSI is launching its brand new fastest PCIe Gen5 SSD into the market with the introduction of the MSI SPATIUM M570 PRO FROZR PCIe Gen5 M.2 NVMe SSD. This brings PCIe Gen5 SSD performance at 12,400MB/s read and 11,800MB/ write into MSI’s SSD lineup and offerings, and MSI is doing it with a completely passively cooled design based on MSI’s FROZR cooling technology. In today’s review, we have the 2TB model of the MSI SPATIUM M570 PRO FROZR for review, the MSRP for this capacity will be $299-$349 at launch, depending on SSD pricing in the market, which could change. In addition, there will be other capacities available, with prices TBD.
MSI is no stranger to fast SSDs, the SPATIUM line of SSDs has existed for quite a while with offerings of PCIe Gen3 and PCIe Gen4 models. In 2021 we reviewed both the MSI SPATIUM M470 and MSI SPATIUM M480 PCIe Gen4 SSDs when they launched. MSI SPATIUM M480 has a read speed of 7000MB/s and a write speed of 6800MB/s and was well known for its inclusion of a robust heatsink to keep the SSD cool and from throttling for maximum performance. The MSI SPATIUM M470 has a read speed of 5000MB/s and a write speed of 4400MB/s and does not come with a heatsink. 
The new MSI SPATIUM M570 PRO PCIe 5.0 NVMe M.2 2TB FROZR launching today, is the successor to both the MSI SPATIUM M480 and M470 SSDs as well as the previous M570. It introduces MSI’s fastest PCIe Gen5 performance to date to MSI’s lineup with a passively cooled SSD based on the Phison E26 controller and high-density 3D TLC NAND with a DRAM cache on board. This takes the M570 to new heights.
MSI SPATIUM M570 PRO FROZR
The MSI SPATIUM M570 PRO FROZR 2TB PCIe Gen5 M.2 2280 NVMe SSD utilizes the PCI-Express 5.0 x4 bus to deliver a high interface speed. It is based on the NVMe 2.0 protocol. There will be a 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacity offered with different (lower) read/write speeds on the 1TB model. If you want the fastest version, you will want the 2TB and 4TB models. We are reviewing the 2TB model today, which has the fastest rated speeds.
The 1TB MSI SPATIUM M570 PRO FROZR has a sequential read of up to 11,700MB/s, a sequential write of up to 9,500MB/s, and a Terabytes Written (TBW) endurance of 700TB with a Maximum Operating Power of 11W. The 2TB and 4TB models of the MSI SPATIUM M570 PRO FROZR have a sequential read of up to 12,400MB/s and a sequential write of up to 11,800MB/s with an Operating Power of 11.5W. The 2TB capacity has a Terabytes Written (TBW) endurance of 1400TB and the 4TB model has a Terabytes Written (TBW) endurance of 3000TB. 
The MTBF is 1.6M hours. Feature support includes TRIM, SMART, LDPC, End-to-End Data Path, APST, and AES256/OPAL 2.0. MSI offers a 5-year Limited Warranty.
The MSI SPATIUM M570 PRO FROZR is based on the popular Phison E26 controller. The Phison E26 controller is a popular choice for Gen5 gaming performance and high-performance PCs. The Phison E26 is an 8-channel controller optimized for the PCIe Gen5x4 interface and is NVMe 2.0 compliant. It supports ONFI 5.0 and Toggle 5.0. It supports 14GB/s performance and capabilities up to 4TB and flash transfer rates up to 2,400MT/s. It supports LPDDR4 and DDR4 with transfer rates up to 3200Mbp/s. It supports Phison’s ECC LDPC engine and coding scheme as well as AES 256, SHA 512, RSA 4096, and TCG Opal.
The MSI SPATIUM utilizes high-density TLC 3D NAND flash. Each capacity, 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB have an onboard DRAM cache. The 1TB capacity has 2GB of LPDDR4, the 2TB capacity has 4GB of LPDDR4, and the 4TB capacity has 8GB of LPDDR4.
MSI packages the MSI SPATIUM M570 PRO FROZR in an Eco-friendly box, and the SSD is securely held in place with the inside carton, held on all sides. The inside carton opens up in a sort of flower-based opening, and you’ll find the SSD with a tower cooler pre-installed. 
You will not find M.2 screws, however, in the package, but there is a quick install guide. If your motherboard has an M.2 quick-release mechanism, the installation will be more simple, if not, you will need an M.2 screw from your motherboard box. The MSI SPATIUM M570 PRO is in standard M.2 2280 size format, but there might be some restrictions due to the tower cooler, which we will discuss below. This SSD is backward compatible with PCIe Gen4/Gen3/Gen2/Gen1.
The first thing you will notice with the MSI SPATIUM M570 PRO is the pre-installed towered FROZR heatsink. This heatsink extends upward from the SSD sled about 2.75″ or 70mm upward into the air. This heatsink utilizes well-pathed core pipes, or heatpipes, to transfer heat from the SSD components throughout the height of the fin stack at various levels. The heatpipes are precision-machined and have direct contact with components using high-quality thermal pads. MSI claims an up to 20c reduction in temperatures with this cooling solution. 
Two core pipes loop around from one edge, toward the middle of the fin stack, while a third core pipe follows the inside but curves around to reach a higher level inside the fin stack. The fin stack itself is aluminum and allows air to pass through both sides, with a signature cover over the top. The entire SSD is encased in a heatsink, on all sides. The FROZR tower cooler allows the MSI SPATIUM M570 PRO to be passively cooled, and not require a fan or external power.
It does, however, need additional height to extend out from your motherboard. This can create its own problems, such as interfering with thick video cards that have additional backplates or height. In addition, the hot air from the video card will rise up directly onto the SSD heatsink. 
Due to the size, there are motherboards that this SSD will not have compatibility with. MSI will provide a compatible motherboard list for the MSI SPATIUM M570 PRO FROZR. At this time, the supported MSI motherboards are shown above. You will note that the MSI MPG B650 CARBON WIFI was removed from the list since the M.2 SSD space for that motherboard can’t accommodate 94.8mm for the FROZR heatsink. MSI’s recommended installation space for this SSD is up to 22x110mm available.
Installation was a bit tricky, due to the heatpipes looping out, they loop out on the side where you need to install the M.2 screw or manipulate your motherboard’s quick latch system. You will need a long screwdriver to fit between the two heatpipes, to secure the screw, and magnetic will help to keep the screw from falling. 
If you have a quick latch system, it could be tricky getting your fingers in there to manipulate it, so a tool of some sort may be useful with a long reach. The SSD is also heavier, so you want to hold it steady with one hand if installing it from a vertical position. It might be best to lay the motherboard or computer down with the motherboard directly to the ceiling.
Once installed, that is all the configuring you have to do, there is no external power required, which makes it easy to get going. It does look very appealing in the system, with the MSI cover pointing outward. Having some sort of front air intake blowing over your system in this area will help move the air over the SSD and push heat away from this very hot part of the system. 
If you have a high-end GPU pushing a lot of heat, this is a prime area where heat is going to rise from the video card. Good case cooling will help clear this area above the GPU of the heat build-up. If this SSD resides under your GPU, or further down, the same principle applies, good case cooling to keep things ventilated.