1M2 + ADATA SX8100 = very brisk

[RAMd®d]

I dug up my old SX8100 1TB 3D NAND NVMe Gen3x4 stick and put it in the OWC 1M2.

The 1M2 is a studly beast.

I don't have a famed RS USB scale, but it's a hefty bit o' kit.

It's solid aluminum top and bottom.

There's no fan, but it has a built in strip of silicon for the SSD, and a silicone blob for what I suspect is the enclosure's controller.

I forgot to check where it lined up when the SSD is installed.

One end of the bottom half of the case hooks into the back the top, and the other is held in place by two screws.

Remove it, insert the SSD, screw the back end down, replace the bottom, screw it down, done.

A stout cable is included with the connectors branded OWC, so there's no confusion or chance of using a slower cable.

That the bottom of the enclosure is a piece of hefty aluminum is a plus.

There are a couple of ID stickers on the bottom, along with a rubber foot, and a place for the second one, in the box.

It goes over the two screws, but I won't install it.

The box warms up quickly, top and bottom.

I only played with it for 20min so I don't know how warm it will get.

But since the bottom is aluminum, it could be strapped to the stand of an iMac or ACD and increase the heat transfer big time.

My 20i5 iMac wouldn't benefit from the 1M2, but it's a nice thought.

The SX8100 was a fairly fast SSD in it's day, but I'm sure it's been outclassed by now.

It's no longer available new, at AMZ where I got it.

There is a another version, ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro 1TB for $63, but I've got a couple of 1T Crucials NIB, so it's 2 or 4T from now on.

A few rough W/R times via Black Magic:

M3 MBA: 2080/2950
1M2: 1350/2350

The ADATA stick is probably slow by todays standards, but a 23.5G folder of four files, 3, 5, 7, and 7.5G moved back and forth in about 7-8s.

The 7.5G file took <5s.

This is blindingly fast for me.

I've not had files move anywhere near that fast, ever, so this is new territory for me.

My DSL network is pokey on a good day, so from now on, when I have more files than time, it's the 1M2 and sneaker net.

At some point I'll get a faster stick, and I hope, the new T5 box from OWC if/when available.

This removes a lot of tedium, and makes me very happy.

It was $120 at B&H, with Payboo, money well spent as far as I'm concerned.

No more 10Gbs boxes for me.

[Robert M]

RAM,

Is it this stick:

?

If so, then you should be getting more speed out of it in the 1M2 box. Think 2000/3000. Still, though, those speeds are actually similar to the Envoy Express, though the writes are actually faster on the 1M2.

No surprise the OWC box is a solid, well designed ppiece of hardware. I _really_ like their newer enclosures quite a bit. Definitely a step above the majority of the competitors out there, though some Sabrent models are similar in their beefy brickness.

If heat dissipation is ever a concern, you can always add an external heat sink to it. Something like this:



I stuck one to the top of an NVME enclosure and it actually made a tangible difference. Cheap and effective.

Robert

[August West]

Thank you, Gentlemen!

[jdc]

Im sure its nice kit, and ive got several OWC cases on my desk... but would be hard pressed for this based on price alone. Lots of TB cases out there for half.

[Robert M]

jdc,

I'm not seeing what you're seeing out there for Thunderbolt enclosures. True Thunderbolt enclosures are still exceptionally pricey. Here is an example from Sabrent:



However, you are correct when it comes to USB 4 boxes. They are significantly less expensive than the OWC 1M2. Note, though, all too many of the USB 4 boxes are built like crap in comparison to its OWC competitor. The really good ones aren't as expensive as the OWC box but they are definitely on the pricey side. This is especially true if you get a model with a built-in fan.

Robert

[August West]

Robert M,

Do you have an example of a USB 4 enclosure that I could pop NMVE in and plug into my mac with happy results. I've never purchased USB 4 (knowingly)

[Robert M]

August,

I don't own any USB 4 enclosures. However, I own many USB 3.1 Gen 2 and USB 3.2 boxes from various brands. As mentioned in a different thread, avoid models with a slide-in design. It's harder to install the sled with the stick and thermal pad into the body of the box. That leaves split open designs.

Given a choice, stick with a brand that is a known quantity. Sabrent, Orico, OWC, Wavlink, Inateck, Quizlab and Ineo.

For a model with a fan, I'd look at this one:



I have an older variation of the same model. It's a tank.

Wavlink, a reputable brand, also makes one with a fan:



I'd definitely look at it. Wavlink is a known quantity and makes solid products.

For model that lacks a fan, you'll want a split-open model that's made out of aluminum. That way, the stick with the thermal pad attached to it will have solid contact with the interior of the top piece of the case. Think models like these:

OWC 1M2



Quizlab:



Orico:



Inateck:



Even Lexar offers enclosures these days:



I've no experience with Lexar's enclosures but it looks well designed.

Here is another model with a fan but I've not owned anything from the brand:



Seems nice and appears to be a two-piece, non-slide in designed and it has a nice.

Again , to reiterate, I don't own any of the above models. I own an older variation of one and generally good experiences with other models from the various brands.

And, for these, you can always add your own heat sink to the outside for additional heat dissipation:



And, replace the thermal pad if you open the the box to replace the stick and such:



Robert

[August West]

Robert M,

Thank you for thev several links to examples! I'm going to have to read up, I can see I'm confosed by the Thunderbolt 3/4 compatible verbiage that is in the descriptions. I guess the connection is compatible, but the protocal is usb-4?

[RAMd®d]

Thunderbolt 3, 4, 5 and USB 4 are all protocols; USB-C is a connector.

[Robert M]

August,

One of the frustrating things about the listings on places like Amazon is that they aren't necessarily clear about the protocols supported by the enclosures. Some of them come across as Thunderbolt devices when in reality they are actually USB devices which are just compatible with Thunderbolt 3, 4 or 5. you have to read the listing carefully.

As RAM pointed out, Thunderbolt 3, 4 5, USB 3.1 Gen 2, USB 3.2, and USB 4 are protocols. USB-C, USB-A, and USB-B micro superspeed are the physical connectors that are typically used for external drives. These days, the vast majority of drives will have USB-C connections, regardless of protocol. Previously, you might have seen one of the others, depending on the protocol supported by the device.

Robert