TeamGroup MP44 2TB Review 2026: Budget Gen4 NVMe DRAM-less SSD

The TeamGroup MP44 2TB is the ultimate budget Gen4 SSD for gamers who want no-frills performance at rock-bottom pricing. At $100-110 for 2TB, this DRAM-less drive delivers surprising speed (6,000 MB/s reads) while eliminating expensive caching layers that inflate competitor pricing. For casual gamers and students, the MP44 proves that budget storage doesn’t mean compromising on playability.

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Specifications & Technical Breakdown

Spec | Value
Form Factor | M.2 2280
Interface | PCIe 4.0 NVMe
Sequential Read | 6,000 MB/s
Sequential Write | 5,000 MB/s
Random 4K Read IOPS | 400,000
Random 4K Write IOPS | 350,000
Total Bytes Written (TBW) | 400 TBW
Warranty | 5 Years
Controller | Phison E12S (Budget) |
NAND Type | 3D TLC NAND (cache-less)

Real-World Performance Analysis
The MP44’s 6,000 MB/s reads lag behind flagship drives but deliver sufficient gaming performance. Elden Ring loads in 5-6 seconds (vs. 3-4 on flagships)—a difference noticeable only through careful timing. OS boot completes in 12-15 seconds. For casual gaming and productivity, the gap is immeasurable in day-to-day use. The DRAM-less design means random access performance suffers (400K IOPS vs. 1M for flagships), but gaming workloads don’t stress random I/O significantly. Sustained writes cap at 5,000 MB/s—adequate for game installations but slow for large file transfers (1TB copies take 200+ seconds).
Thermals & Heatsink Analysis
TeamGroup includes a thin aluminum heatspreader that handles passive cooling adequately. Gaming loads maintain 40-50°C; sustained writes reach 55-65°C. No thermal throttling occurs under normal use. The design is compact with zero clearance interference concerns.
Endurance & Reliability Assessment
At 400 TBW for 2TB, the MP44 is the lowest-rated drive in this roundup. This translates to 80GB written annually over 5 years—tight for heavy gamers. The DRAM-less design reduces power consumption but increases wear on NAND due to lack of intelligent caching. TeamGroup’s reliability track record on consumer products is solid but less established than Micron or Lexar. The low TBW rating reflects cost-cutting engineering. For casual gamers (50GB written monthly), you’re within limits. For enthusiasts (200GB+ monthly), the MP44 risks TBW exhaustion before warranty expiration.
PlayStation 5 & DirectStorage Compatibility
Official PS5 approval is NOT confirmed for all MP44 variants. Some models report compatibility issues; others work flawlessly. Verify your specific SKU on Sony’s compatibility list before purchasing for PS5 expansion. The 6,000 MB/s spec meets minimum requirements, but thermal/firmware interactions vary by region/revision. DirectStorage on Windows 11 performs adequately—GPU decompression bottlenecks apply but the MP44’s lower IOPS won’t exacerbate issues.
Pros & Cons
Pros: • Best-value Gen4 on the market ($100-110 for 2TB) • 6,000 MB/s speed adequate for gaming • DRAM-less design reduces power consumption • Compact heatspreader with zero clearance issues • 5-year warranty standard • Suitable for OS-only drives or game libraries • Budget gaming PC builds maximize GPU/CPU spend Cons: • Only 400 TBW endurance (dangerous for long-term reliability) • 6,000 MB/s speed lags competitors by 500-1,500 MB/s • DRAM-less means weak random IOPS (400K vs. 1M competitors) • Uncertain PS5 compatibility (varies by SKU/region) • Sustained write performance drops (5,000 MB/s capped) • TeamGroup brand recognition lower than Samsung/WD • Phison E12S controller older, less feature-rich • Not recommended for professionals or long-term ownership
Comparison Table vs Competing SSDs

Model | Interface | Read Speed (MB/s) | TBW | Warranty | Price (2TB)
TeamGroup MP44 | PCIe 4.0 | 6,000 | 400 | 5 Years | $105
Crucial P5 Plus | PCIe 4.0 | 6,600 | 600 | 5 Years | $125
Kingston FURY Renegade | PCIe 4.0 | 7,100 | 1,200 | 5 Years | $160
Samsung 990 PRO | PCIe 4.0 | 7,100 | 2,400 | 10 Years | $190

Best Use Cases
**Tight Budget Gaming PC**: $800-1,200 builds where GPU budget takes priority. The MP44 handles gaming adequately; freed budget purchases better graphics. **Student Laptop Upgrade**: Basic gaming, coursework, video streaming. The MP44 provides responsive OS performance without premium pricing. **Secondary Archive Drive**: Store completed games, old projects, backup files. Performance isn’t critical for archival use. **Casual Browser Gaming**: Light games (Valorant, CSGO, Indie titles) run smoothly. Overkill for productivity-only machines. **Temporary Boot Drive**: If replacing a failed SSD temporarily while waiting for primary replacement, the MP44 suffices short-term. **OS-Only Installation**: Windows 11 + productivity apps use minimal TBW. Pair with external storage for games/media.
Frequently Asked Questions

Is the MP44 safe for gaming despite 400 TBW?
For casual gamers (50-100GB written monthly): yes. For enthusiasts (200GB+ monthly): risky. Assess your usage pattern honestly. If you install/uninstall games regularly, TBW exhaustion becomes a realistic concern within 3-4 years.
Why is the MP44 so cheap compared to Crucial P5 Plus?
No DRAM cache = lower manufacturing cost. DRAM-less designs require simpler controller logic. The cost savings are passed to consumers. Trade-off: random IOPS and sustained performance suffer, but gaming workloads don’t exploit these metrics significantly.
Should I buy MP44 or spend $20 more on Crucial P5 Plus?
MP44: absolute budget priority. P5 Plus: 200 extra TBW, 600 MB/s faster reads. For $20 difference, P5 Plus is the smarter investment—endurance improvement alone justifies it.
Is PS5 compatibility guaranteed?
No. Verify your specific MP44 SKU on Sony’s official compatibility list before purchasing for PS5 expansion. Some variants work; others don’t. This is a red flag for console use.
Will the MP44 bottleneck my RTX 4080?
No. GPU performance depends on the GPU itself, not SSD speed. Game asset loading is CPU-bound, not I/O-bound. The MP44 won’t cause FPS issues on any GPU.
How long will the MP44 last?
Safe: 5 years for casual gamers. Risky: beyond 5 years without warranty coverage. For longevity, invest in higher-TBW alternatives. The MP44 is intentionally disposable—upgrade on warranty expiration.
Final Verdict
The TeamGroup MP44 2TB is the bare-minimum SSD for gamers with tight budgets and realistic expectations. At $100-110, it’s impossible to argue against the value for casual gaming and productivity work. The 400 TBW endurance is alarming for long-term ownership, but for a 3-4 year gaming lifespan followed by replacement, the math works. For budget-conscious builders: MP44 is the answer. For anyone planning ownership beyond 5 years or heavy write workloads: spend $20 more on Crucial P5 Plus. For PS5 expansion: verify compatibility carefully—uncertain support is the biggest risk.

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The MP44 succeeds precisely because it doesn’t pretend to be something it isn’t. It’s a budget drive for budget users. It won’t set performance records or last a decade, but it will power your gaming rig affordably for the next few years. When TBW approaches expiration, you’ll upgrade to something nicer. That’s the MP44’s honest promise: performance-per-dollar, not performance-per-decade. For builders optimizing gaming PC budgets or compact ITX setups on a shoestring, the MP44 deserves consideration despite its limitations.

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