The Team Group MP44S is a 1TB M.2 2230 PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSD designed for Steam Deck capacity upgrades and other compatible compact devices, with sequential read speeds up to 5,000 MB/s and write speeds up to 3,500 MB/s.
Recommended For
- Steam Deck owners replacing a smaller internal drive who want more room for installed games; testing found the 1TB MP44S performed comparably to other drives in the Deck, where capacity mattered more than peak SSD speed.
- Owners of compact PCs or handhelds with a compatible M.2 2230 NVMe slot who need a small-form-factor storage upgrade; TEAMGROUP specifically positions the drive for Steam Deck and other lightweight devices.
- Handheld gamers who mainly install and launch games rather than transfer very large files repeatedly; Tom’s Hardware found the 1TB model suitable for Steam Deck use despite weaker sustained-write performance in desktop testing.
- People upgrading a PCIe Gen 3 device that supports M.2 2230 NVMe and want a Gen 4 drive that can operate at the older interface’s speeds; TEAMGROUP lists the MP44S as backward-compatible with PCIe Gen 3.
Real-World Use Scenarios
- When a Steam Deck owner is running out of room for installed games, replacing the internal drive with the MP44S 1TB provides more space to keep a larger game library on the device; testing found the drive worked normally in the Deck.
- For a Steam Deck owner moving games from a microSD card to internal storage, the MP44S can make game loading feel snappier, according to hands-on testing; the difference will vary by game and setup.
- When upgrading a PCIe 3.0 Steam Deck, the MP44S’s PCIe 4.0 drive works at the system’s supported interface speed; testing found its performance adequate for typical Deck storage tasks, without a large gap from other drives in use.
- For a compatible compact gaming handheld with an M.2 2230 slot, the MP44S offers an internal storage upgrade without using a larger drive form factor; check the device’s size and interface requirements before buying.
Spec Summary
| Attribute | Value |
|---|
| Best For | Consumer internal storage upgrades for handheld gaming devices, including ASUS ROG Ally and Valve Steam Deck |
|---|
| Capacity | 1 TB |
|---|
| Interface And Form Factor | M.2 2230 SSD with PCIe 4.0 x4 and NVMe; Gen4 read/write operation is compatible with a PCIe Gen3 interface |
|---|
| Read Write Performance | Sequential speeds up to 5,000 MB/s read and 3,500 MB/s write; 4 KB random performance up to 480,000 IOPS read and 500,000 IOPS write |
|---|
| Cache And Monitoring | No DRAM; uses HMB and supports TEAMGROUP S.M.A.R.T. monitoring software |
|---|
| Endurance And Reliability | 250 TBW endurance rating and 1,500,000-hour MTBF; rated for up to 1,500G shock and 20G vibration resistance |
|---|
| Operating Environment | Operating temperature: 0°C to 70°C; storage temperature: -40°C to 85°C; operating humidity: up to 90% RH below 40°C |
|---|
| Physical Specifications | 30 × 22 × 3.70 mm; weighs 3 g |
|---|
| Model Identifiers | TEAMGROUP MP44S, model TM5FF3001T0C101 |
|---|
Reference Q&A
Q: Teamgroup MP44S 1TB or WD Black SN770M 1TB for a Steam Deck?
A: Choose the MP44S when it costs less and you mainly want more game storage: testing found its performance adequate in the Steam Deck. Choose the SN770M if you prioritize TLC NAND and higher rated write endurance; the 1TB models are rated at 250TBW for the MP44S and 600TBW for the SN770M. The Deck’s PCIe 3.0 interface also limits the benefit of either drive’s PCIe 4.0 peak speeds.
Q: Is the MP44S 1TB worth choosing over a 512GB 2230 SSD?
A: Choose the MP44S 1TB if you want room for a larger installed game library and the added capacity is worth the price difference. A 512GB drive can cost less and may use TLC NAND, which can offer higher write performance and endurance; Tom’s Hardware found the MP44S 1TB performed adequately in the Steam Deck despite its QLC flash.
Q: Should I get the MP44S 1TB or 2TB for a handheld?
A: Choose the 1TB model if it holds the games and files you plan to keep installed; its rated endurance is 250TBW. Choose the 2TB model if avoiding storage management is more important than minimizing cost: it doubles capacity and is rated at 450TBW. Both are M.2 2230 PCIe 4.0 NVMe drives.
Q: Does the MP44S give a Steam Deck a speed upgrade over a PCIe 3.0 SSD?
A: Not a full PCIe 4.0 speed upgrade: the Steam Deck’s PCIe 3.0 interface limits the MP44S below its rated maximum of 5,000 MB/s read and 3,500 MB/s write. Choose it for its 1TB capacity and 2230 fit, rather than expecting the Deck to reach the drive’s advertised PCIe 4.0 speeds.
Q: Will this SSD work in a Steam Deck?
A: The MP44S is a 1TB M.2 2230 NVMe SSD listed as Steam Deck compatible. Check your device’s service instructions before installation; replacing the internal drive may require transferring or reinstalling the operating system.
Q: Will this PCIe 4.0 SSD work in a PCIe 3.0 device?
A: The product information states that the MP44S is compatible with PCIe Gen 3 interfaces. In a Gen 3 device, it will operate within the limits of that device rather than at its advertised PCIe 4.0 maximum speeds.
Q: How can I tell whether this SSD fits my laptop or handheld?
A: Check that the device supports an M.2 2230 NVMe SSD. The MP44S measures 22 × 30 mm and uses PCIe 4.0 x4 with NVMe; matching the size alone does not guarantee device compatibility.
Q: Is this SSD suitable for expanding storage for games and everyday use?
A: It offers 1TB of storage and is designed for consumer use, making it a practical option for adding space to a compatible handheld or compact device. It has no onboard DRAM cache and is rated for 250TB written, so consider those specifications if your workload involves frequent, sustained writes.
Q: Will the MP44S 1TB fit and work as a Steam Deck upgrade?
A: It is an M.2 2230 NVMe drive, the form factor specified in the product data for Steam Deck compatibility. A Reddit discussion explicitly considers the MP44S for upgrading a Steam Deck, and a YouTube review covers the MP44S as a handheld-gaming SSD. Check your device model and follow a suitable installation guide before replacing its drive.
Q: Is the MP44S 1TB a sensible upgrade if my Steam Deck is running out of space?
A: It is a capacity-focused option: the drive provides 1TB of internal storage. Reddit discussions mention the MP44S in the context of Steam Deck storage upgrades, including moving from a low-capacity system drive. It is most relevant if you need more room for games; the upgrade requires opening the device and replacing its SSD.
Q: Do the MP44S’s PCIe 4.0 speeds matter in a Steam Deck?
A: Not necessarily: its advertised speeds are maximums, and the host device can limit actual throughput. The product data says the drive is compatible with PCIe Gen3; it also lists no DRAM and HMB, with 250TBW endurance for this 1TB model. A Reddit discussion about the MP44S specifically weighs Deck interface limits and cache against paying more for another drive.