Dive deep into the Corsair EX400U SURVIVOR full review — specs, performance, compatibility and why it may be the rugged USB4 external SSD you’ve been waiting for.
Table of Contents
The American company has launched the Corsair EX400U SURVIVOR, a high-performance external SSD that is designed to keep up with even the most adventurous users, as it is mounted in a waterproof and resistant case that is IP55 certified.
That certification indicates that it is resistant to dust and is very close to the maximum level (6), which is equivalent to a completely waterproof design that would not let any dust in. It also points out that it offers resistance to water, specifically to moderate jets (the second 5). The maximum possible in this case is 8.
We have received a unit, and over a week we have carried out several tests with it to find out what it offers both in terms of performance and user experience and build quality, and today we have everything ready to share with you our full analysis.
Corsair EX400U SURVIVOR Specifications
- Compact SSD with airtight rubberized housing.
- USB 4 connector with a speed of 40 Gbps.
- Capacity of the model analyzed: 2 TB.
- Compatible with USB 4 and Thunderbolt 4.
- It supports USB Gen 3.X Type-C (20 Gbps and below), but this will bottleneck and reduce the maximum read and write speed.
- Plug and play, plug and play.
- Compatible with Corsair SSD Toolbox.
- IP55 certified for dust and water resistance.
- Speeds of up to 4,000 MB/s in sequential read and up to 3,600 MB/s in sequential write.
- Compatible with Apple’s iOS.
- Includes a connection cable and a strap to attach it to backpacks and carrying bags.
- Default format: exFAT.
- It uses Kioxia’s TLC NAND Flash memory and a Phison PS2251-21 controller.
- Price: $144
- Five-year warranty.
- Compatible with Windows 10, Windows 11, macOS 13 and above, iOS and iPadOS 13 or higher, and Linux.
1TB USB4 External SSD – Up to 4000 MB/s, IP55 Rugged Drive, Plug & Play for PC, Mac & iPad – Black
External and technical analysis of the Corsair EX400U SURVIVOR
The Corsair EX400U SURVIVOR comes integrated into a watertight plastic chassis and covered by a layer of soft rubber with a rough texture. This material improves grip and adds a layer of cushioning that helps reduce the impact produced by bumps and falls.
On the front we have the Corsair logo, on the top there is a handle-shaped finish that allows us to use the included fastening strap, and on the bottom we have the USB 4 connector, which is protected by a rubber cover that is very easy to open and close.
The sensations that the Corsair EX400U SURVIVOR transmits to the touch are good. It has adequate structural solidity, no fragile areas, and you can tell that it is made to last. IP55 certification is a guarantee of reliability and service life, even in scenarios where dust and humidity are constant.
Its size is very compact, and it is very easy and comfortable to transport. It’s smaller than other similar models I’ve been able to test, which makes it easier and more comfortable to carry. Internally, it has a passive dissipation system, which is very important, as it serves to prevent heat from affecting performance.
On a technical level, this is one of the most advanced and fastest external SSDs out there. The Corsair EX400U SURVIVOR uses Kioxia’s TLC (three bits per cell) NAND Flash memory, a type of memory that offers a balanced value between cost per gigabyte, performance, and reliability. TLC memory is precisely one of the things that a good SSD must have.
Its controller is a Phison PS2251-21, designed specifically for external storage drives and released in 2024 as a top-of-the-range solution. In terms of performance, we can expect a maximum of 4,000 MB/s and 3,600 MB/s in sequential read and write, as long as we use a USB 4 or Thunderbolt 4 port.
If we use a lower connector, we will be causing a bottleneck. For example, when connected via USB 3.2 Type-C, the speed of the reading and writing sequence is halved; that is, we have 2,000 MB/s and 1,800 MB/s. These are not bad values for an external storage unit, but it will not be developing its full potential.
The Corsair EX400U SURVIVOR is compatible with the Corsair SSD Toolbox application, which we can download for free and which allows us to view the status of the drive and access several useful functions. Its interface is very simple, and it is a lightweight and non-intrusive application.
To use the Corsair EX400U SURVIVOR, we do not have to install any type of driver. As soon as you connect it to a compatible device, it recognizes it directly, and you can start using it without having to do anything. This represents a clear value, as it makes it a “plug and play” unit, as I told you before.
Test Equipment Used
- The GIGABYTE X870E AORUS Master motherboard is updated to the latest available BIOS.
- Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor with 8 cores and 16 threads at 4.7 GHz-5.2 GHz in normal and turbo modes.
- G.SKILL Trident Z5 NEO RGB RAM memory kit at 6,000 MT/s with CL30 latencies (AMD EXPO profile).
- All-in-one Corsair CUE LINK TITAN 360 RX RGB liquid cooling system with three 120 mm fans.
- GeForce RTX 5090 Founders Edition graphics card.
- WD Black SN850 2TB SSD with PCIe Gen4 x4 interface, capable of reaching speeds of 7,000 MB/s and 5,300 MB/s in sequential read and write.
- Samsung 990 Pro PCIe Gen 4 x4 1TB SSD with speeds of 7,450 MB/s in sequential read and 6,900 MB/s in sequential write.
- Corsair HX1500i 1,500i power supply with 80 Plus Platinum certification.
- Corsair XTM70 thermal paste.
- Windows 11 operating system.
The Corsair EX400U SURVIVOR SSD was connected to a USB 4 port on the GIGABYTE X870E AORUS Master motherboard so that it would not have any bottlenecks.
Corsair EX400U SURVIVOR Performance Review
After that first contact, we are ready to see if the Corsair EX400U SURVIVOR meets expectations and if it is capable of achieving the maximum performance values indicated by Corsair.
Keep in mind that each test works in a different way and that within each of them we can find different subtests that use different types of formats and file sizes, which explains the disparity in results.
Performance on CrystalDiskMark
This test measures the performance of the storage drive by performing different read and write operations, both sequential and random. We can see that the Corsair EX400U SURVIVOR meets the performance data published by Corsair, as it exceeds 4,000 MB/s and 3,600 MB/s in sequential read and write.
Performance on 3DMark Storage
With this test we have a fairly realistic performance measurement, as the score is the reflection of an average that takes into account things like bandwidth but also drive access times. The score is good, as it slightly exceeds the values obtained by an internal WD Black SN750 SSD (PCIe Gen3).
What does this result mean? Well, we could install demanding current-generation games on the Corsair EX400U SURVIVOR and play directly from this unit without any problem. I have tested Cyberpunk 2077, and I can confirm that there was no loss of performance.
Corsair EX400U Survivor
The Corsair EX400U SURVIVOR not only allows us to make large backups and carry a part of our digital life with us, but also serves as a high-performance external drive for gaming and working with demanding applications, making it an all-terrain solution that is highly versatile and full of possibilities.
Performance in ATTO
With this test we can have a broad view of the performance of a storage unit in reading and writing with files of different sizes. Maximum performance peaks are achieved from a size of 64 KB, and we have peaks of 3,780 MB/s and 3,550 MB/s in read and write.
Performance on AS SSD
It’s a similar test to the CrystalDiskMark, in that it performs similar measurements on reads and writes, both random and sequential, and adds information about access times. The results are within expectations, and we have very low access times, so much so that in the best of cases they only reach 0.025 ms.
Performance on Anvil
Numerous read and write tests are run with Anvil, and drive response times are also measured. We have values above 3,100 MB/s and very low response times, so in general the results obtained in this test are also positive and confirm that we are dealing with a very fast external drive.
Conclusions
The Corsair EX400U SURVIVOR has met my expectations. Externally it has a simple but functional design, its construction quality borders on a good level, it presents a correct structural solidity, and the rough rubber texture greatly improves grip.
The IP55 certification and the bottom cover that protects the USB Type-C connector represent an added value and confirm that the Corsair EX400U SURVIVOR is built to last, and to adapt smoothly to use scenarios complicated by both the environment and the weather.
Corsair is so confident in how well it has done things with the Corsair EX400U SURVIVOR that it offers a five-year warranty, and in terms of performance it has also delivered on its promises, as we have seen in this review:
- It exceeds 4,000 MB/s and 3,600 MB/s in sequential read and write speed.
- It has very low access and response times.
- Its working temperatures are very good, as it moves between 25 and 34 degrees C.
- It’s totally plug and play. It doesn’t need drivers or complex configurations.
The Corsair EX400U SURVIVOR not only allows us to make large backups and carry a part of our digital life with us but also serves as a high-performance external drive for gaming and working with demanding applications, making it an all-terrain solution that is highly versatile and full of possibilities.
FAQ from Content
Q1. What is the Corsair EX400U SURVIVOR?
A1. The Corsair EX400U SURVIVOR is a rugged, high-speed USB4 external SSD designed for durability, portability, and top-tier data transfer performance.
Q2. What are the key specs of the Corsair EX400U SURVIVOR?
A2. It features USB4 connectivity, read speeds up to 3,000 MB/s, write speeds up to 2,400 MB/s, and a shock-resistant aluminum shell for added protection.
Q3. Who is the Corsair EX400U SURVIVOR best suited for?
A3. This SSD is ideal for creators, professionals, and gamers who need fast, reliable, and portable data storage in tough environments.
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