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TSSDR TEST BENCH AND PROTOCOL
SSD testing at TSSDR differs slightly, depending on whether we are looking at consumer or enterprise storage media. For our Thunderbolt 3 testing today, our goal is to test in a system that has been optimized with our SSD Optimization Guide. To see the best performance possible, the CPU C states have been disabled, C1E support has been disabled, Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (EIST) has been disabled. Benchmarks for consumer testing are also benchmarks with a fresh drive so, not only can we verify that manufacturer specifications are in line but also, so the consumer can replicate our tests to confirm that they have an SSD that is top-notch. We even provide links to most of the benchmarks used in the report.
SYSTEM COMPONENTS
The components of this Test Bench are detailed below. All hardware is linked for purchase and product sales may be reached by a simple click on the individual item. As well, the title is linked back to the individual build article where performance testing can be validated.
TSSDR ASROCK Z370 TAICHI TEST BENCH (link)
| PC CHASSIS: | Corsair Crystal Series 460X RGB |
| MOTHERBOARD: | ASRock Z370 Taichi |
| CPU: | Intel Coffee Lake Core i7-8770K |
| CPU COOLER: | Corsair Hydro Series H110i GTX V.2 |
| POWER SUPPLY: | Corsair RM850x 80Plus |
| GRAPHICS: | PNY GTX 1080 XLR8 Gaming OC |
| MEMORY: | Corsair Dominator Pl 32GB 2800 |
| STORAGE: | Intel Optane 900P 480GB SSD |
| KEYBOARD: | Corsair Strafe RGB Silent Gaming |
| MOUSE: | Corsair M65 Pro Gaming |
| OS | Microsoft Windows 10 Pro 64 Bit |
ASROCK THUNDERBOLT 3 AIC
Other than newer laptops, Thunderbolt 3 is not typically seen in desktop systems and a Thunderbolt 3 card is necessary. It is important to note that Thunderbolt 3 has really only became popular within the last few months, the inevitable result of Intel’s ‘loosening the reigns’. We will start to see much more Thunderbolt 3 devices in the next while than we have in the previous two years since it has been out. Not only have we this device, but also, another is on its way which will be just as much of a shock as this report is.
As it stands, most motherboards that are Thunderbolt 3 capable have a switch to turn it enable this in the UEFI, as well as a port to plug in an AIC Card. For our purposes, we purchased the ASRock Thunderbolt 3 AIC for our testing and it worked perfectly.
Installation consisted of enabling Thunderbolt 3 in our UEFI, installing the ASRock Thunderbolt 3 AIC into one of the designated PCIe 3.0 slots, connecting the cable to the Thunderbolt Port on the motherboard, and installing the driver software before plugging the Tekq Rapide TB3 Portable SSD in. The ASRock Thunderbolt 3 AIC can be found at Amazon for $89.
BENCHMARK SOFTWARE
The software in use for today’s analysis is typical of many of our reviews and consists of Crystal Disk Info, ATTO Disk Benchmark, Crystal Disk Mark, AS SSD, Anvil’s Storage Utilities, QuickBench, AJA, PCMark Vantage, as well real data transfer testing. Our selection of software allows each to build on the last and to provide validation to results already obtained.
CRYSTAL DISK INFO VER. 7..5.0
Crystal Disk Info is a great tool for displaying the characteristics and health of storage devices. It displays everything from temperatures, the number of hours the device has been powered, and even to the extent of informing you of the firmware of the device.
The two biggest takeaways from this Crystal Disk Info report are confirmation that this Tekq Rapide external SSD is operating on PCIe 3.0 x 4 (4 lanes), and also, that it uses the NVM Express 1.2 protocol.
Good product, I thought about product of this kind, now they need to make it easly serviceable let us the option to buy empty shell and place for another drive to run it in raid.
The key to this SSD is the firmware and that is why what you are saying is not so simple. I have tried 3 other M.2 SSDs in this unit…all higher capacity of course, and they cannot provide consistent benchmark results. This M.2 SSD is matched specifically with this product having specific firmware. I even have same drive same capacity…nope.
might be complicated to implement, but that what separates the good products from the great ones.
Agree… well except there is only one of these in the world right now.
Hi Eliad and Les,
Alfred here, the project manager of TEKQ. In fact we do have empty shell solutions but right now only accessible to business client. We didn’t know there was such a big demand for this when it comes to personal use. I’ll let the developing team know your request. It’s so interesting to see you disassemble this little thing LOL.
You are more than welcome to send an empty shell solution this way for testing if you like. I have several M.2s and get them regularly. So far, I have tried the 960 Pro 2TB, OCX RD400 and the original oem Toshiba 1TB drive…without much luck in the Rapide I am afraid.