The MSI DataMag 40Gbps SSD presents a compelling idea: effortlessly attachable, blazing-fast storage. Imagine a sleek, portable drive that magnetically snaps onto any metallic surface – a router, a metal desk leg, even the side of some computers. While the concept is undeniably appealing, the reality reveals a nuanced performance story.
This isn’t just about convenience; it’s about speed. The DataMag boasts USB4 40Gbps capabilities, promising incredibly fast data transfers. Its solid construction and attractive design immediately inspire confidence. Weighing in at a reassuring 2.8 ounces, it feels substantial and well-built, complete with a lanyard opening for portability.
Under the hood, the DataMag utilizes a Phison U21 controller and 3D TLC NAND flash memory. MSI backs the drive with a generous five-year warranty, or until 750TB of data is written per terabyte of capacity – a significantly better guarantee than many competitors offer. This speaks to a belief in the drive’s long-term reliability.
Currently available in 1TB ($170) and 2TB ($296) configurations, with a 4TB version on the horizon, the DataMag’s pricing sits slightly above some USB4 alternatives. However, its unique magnetic attachment and premium feel attempt to justify the cost.
Initial benchmark tests showed promising results, particularly in quick bursts of speed. The drive excelled in CrystalDiskMark 8’s queued read tests, demonstrating impressive responsiveness. However, sustained performance revealed a critical limitation: the 1TB model struggled to maintain peak speeds during prolonged data transfers.
The issue stems from the limited NAND capacity. Less NAND translates to a smaller secondary cache, forcing the drive to rely on its native write speed sooner. While 830MBps is still respectable, it’s a significant drop from the potential 40Gbps. This became particularly noticeable during real-world file transfers.
In a 48GB transfer test, the DataMag began to lag behind competitors. The bottleneck became especially apparent when dealing with numerous small files and folders, a common scenario for many users. The drive’s write speed plummeted to USB 10Gbps levels after approximately 50GB of data was transferred.
A larger capacity 2TB model would undoubtedly mitigate this issue, providing more NAND for caching and sustained performance. However, even with its limitations, the DataMag still offers a noticeable improvement over slower USB 3.2×2 (20Gbps) SSDs.
Ultimately, the MSI DataMag 40Gbps is a compelling, though imperfect, storage solution. Its innovative magnetic attachment, attractive design, and solid build quality are undeniable strengths. If you prioritize convenience and a premium feel, and are willing to accept slightly lower sustained write speeds, it’s a worthwhile contender.
Testing was conducted on a high-performance Windows 11 system equipped with a PCIe 4.0 Samsung 990 Pro SSD, a Core Ultra i5 processor, and 128GB of DDR5 RAM. Synthetic benchmarks like CrystalDiskMark and AS SSD were used to assess potential performance, while real-world 48GB and 450GB transfer tests simulated typical user scenarios. All drives were freshly TRIM’d to ensure optimal results.
