USB3 HDD slower than ext laptop HDD USB2==>SATA cable

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  1. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
       #1

    USB3 HDD slower than ext laptop HDD USB2==>SATA cable


    Hi there

    WD passport (small self powered 2 TB USB3 drive) has appalling performance compared with an OLD laptop HDD that I connect via a USB2==>SATA cable to USB2 port.

    Same file (2GB mp4 video) copied to a directory on the SSD.

    External laptop HDD connected via USB2==>SATA cable to a USB2 port -- 41 Mb / sec on average -- Ok for a USB2 device of this type

    USB3 device connected to the laptops USB3 port = 31 Mb / sec on average. Same file !!!

    So obviously there are USB3 devices that don't perform at anything like the rated USB3 speed -- so don't buy a USB3 self powered portable drive and assume it will give you much better speed than USB2 - it won't.

    Some might do but a lot of the smaller self powered "passport" types will leave you less than impressed - especially as Laptop HDD's aren't renowned for their speed anyway !!!!. So a USB3 drive performing worse than a laptop HDD -connected externalyy via a USB==>sata connector ??.

    Is USB3 really that good or are we just being conned to buy "newer hardware"

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,463
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 64 bit
       #2

    I have an older WD Passport with USB 2 and it runs on large files around 40 Mb. I also have a new WD Ultra Passport with USB 3 and it runs over 110 Mb.

    Jim
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 9,652
    W10 Pro, W10 Home
       #3

    Is USB3 really that good or are we just being conned to buy "newer hardware"
    Yes, USB 3 on my PC runs very well. Transfer speeds are only slightly slower than on the internal SATA III connections.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Hi there

    The newer drives might be OK but the two WD pocket size self powered passport 2TB USB3 drives I have are Terrible for transfer times !!!! - I'll have a go with a USB3 thumb drive and see what happens,

    On USB3 I should be expecting at least an average of 90 mb/s - especially when my OS is running on an SSD.

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 9,652
    W10 Pro, W10 Home
       #5

    I use a USB 3 HDD dock to connect older SATA HDD's to my system. It works great.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 5,286
    Win 10 Pro x64
       #6

    USB 3.0 transfer speed is one thing. A hard drive write speed is another and that's probably where the bottle neck is.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1,871
    W10 pro x64 20H2 Build 19042.610
       #7

    Have you got the correct USB3 drivers installed, otherwise I suspect it will default to USB2 speeds ?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 1,463
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 64 bit
       #8

    Try this program and it will show you your USB ports and what speed your drive is connected.

    USB Device Tree Viewer

    Jim
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Hi there

    What do I need to do to get the program --looks like I need a Doctorate in Computer science to work through that lot your link referred me to -- I can't deal with all that Visual Studio stuff etc -- I'm not a developer. !!!

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 4,201
    Windows 10 Pro x64 Latest RP
       #10

    Jimbo,

    Not sure if it will do what you need but NirSoft - freeware utilities: password recovery, system utilities, desktop utilities has View any installed/connected USB device on your system which may help.

    Note - A lot of AV suites don't like the Nirsoft stuff but I've been using them for years without issue
      My Computers


 

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