Unveiled: The hidden budget SSD trick manufacturers of portable drives are keeping from you - a real game-changer
In the world of portable storage, using an NVMe SSD in a dedicated enclosure has become a popular choice for those seeking superior performance and flexibility. This approach offers significant advantages over traditional portable SSDs, particularly in terms of performance, flexibility, and upgradeability.
Advantages and Performance
Higher Speeds
NVMe SSDs connected via PCIe provide much faster read/write speeds than typical USB-based external SSDs. For example, PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSDs can reach speeds around 7000 MB/s, which far exceeds the typical speeds of standard portable SSDs connected over USB or even Thunderbolt in many cases.
Customization and Upgradeability
Unlike traditional external SSDs which are fixed in capacity and performance at purchase, SSD enclosures allow you to select your own NVMe SSD model and capacity and upgrade or swap it when needed. This flexibility is valuable for professional users who need adaptability or expect to increase storage over time.
Cost-Effectiveness
Purchasing a high-performance NVMe SSD plus an enclosure can sometimes provide a better performance-to-price ratio than ready-made portable SSDs, especially for higher capacities and speeds.
Professional Use Cases
For creators working with large or high-resolution files (e.g., 4K/8K video, RAW photography), NVMe SSD enclosures offer the reliability and speed needed to handle demanding workflows.
Considerations Compared to Traditional Portable SSDs
| Aspect | NVMe + Enclosure | Traditional Portable SSD | |-----------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------| | Performance | Much higher (PCIe speeds up to ~7000 MB/s) | Moderate to high (USB-C/Thunderbolt speeds lower but still good) | | Capacity & Upgrade| Flexible; can change SSD anytime | Fixed; must buy new device for different capacity or speed | | Convenience | Requires assembly and driver support considerations | Plug-and-play ready | | Durability | May not be sealed or rugged unless enclosure specifies it | Generally designed for portability and protection | | Price | Can be more cost-effective for high performance | Generally more expensive for equivalent performance |
While traditional portable SSDs offer convenience and are generally designed for portability and protection, NVMe enclosures paired with cutting-edge SSDs still tend to surpass them in speed and customizability. However, this comes at the cost of some initial setup and potentially less ruggedness depending on the enclosure used.
For instance, the Ugreen SSD Enclosure (15813), when tested with a SanDisk PCIe Gen 4.0 SSD, achieved a read speed of 982.1 MB/s and a write speed of 969.2 MB/s. This solution, currently available at Amazon for $17 (a 23% discount from its original price of $22), can save significant money compared to portable SSDs, with a cost of $120 compared to $299 for a portable SSD in the example given.
It's important to note that if more expensive models with faster speeds are used, it is important to update the firmware to optimize their performance. Also, if your SSD has a pre-installed heatsink, it may not fit in the slim contours of the enclosure.
In conclusion, using an NVMe SSD in a dedicated enclosure for portable storage provides superior performance and flexibility compared to standard portable SSDs, making it especially beneficial for professional workflows that demand speed and upgradability, though this comes at the cost of some initial setup and potentially less ruggedness depending on the enclosure used.
Data-and-cloud-computing technology plays a crucial role in the optimal performance and scalability of NVMe SSDs in dedicated enclosures, allowing users to tap into the power of cloud services and process vast amounts of data more efficiently.
The use of technology also enables seamless integration of NVMe SSDs with cloud computing platforms, offering users the flexibility to access their data from anywhere, anytime, and on any device. With the endless possibilities that technology brings, the marriage of cloud computing and NVMe SSDs in portable storage enclosures is poised to revolutionize the way professionals handle and utilize data.
