Slow external ssds

I have a M2 Mac Studio running 14.1.1 1T internal SSD and 64 GB Ram. The internal SSD’s speed is off the scale according to Blackmagic speed checker. External ssds are a different story being 25% slower at least compared to when connected to my 2020 iMac . Samsung T7 on iMac was hitting 850/ 800 read write. When connected to Mac Studio it was 500/ 350 read write. Anyone any clue as to the issue? A newly formatted T7 was used along with the same cable for the test.

Mac Studio, macOS 14.1

Posted on Nov 13, 2023 3:45 PM

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Posted on Nov 14, 2023 6:51 AM

The FRONT USB-C ports on the Mac Studio Max processor (but not Ultra processor) are limited to nominal 10,000 M bits sec speeds, about nominal 1,000 M Bytes/secs. Actual maximum speeds are more like 800 M bytes/sec.


However, this could be a software problem:


Drives like the MyBook came with software, and the manufacturer suggested you install that software.


What that software does is to "spare you the annoyance of having to re-initialize the drive" from its factory set Windows New Technology File System (NTFS, the W is silent because there are no other Operating Systems) or similar unusual (on a Mac) format. Instead, the software they provided would simulate a MacOS drive inside an NTFS file for your Mac.


The downside of using the manufacturer's software is that if the manufacturer's software is not loaded, the Macintosh Volume may not be readable, or may not be writable. This means that in startup manager, Installer, and in Recovery such as after a data loss, the Macintosh Volume may not be visible.


The standard advice given here to all users, including novice users, is to discard the manufacturers software and NEVER use it. "Best Practice" is to erase the physical device when new, using only MacOS Disk Utility, and create the fundamental data structures needed for consistent, reliable use by MacOS.


Be sure to "show all devices" which will allow you to ERASE the entire Physical Device by its immutable manufacturer-given device-name, not just user created Volume-name such as ‘Macintosh HD’.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 14, 2023 6:51 AM in response to Eric Robinson2

The FRONT USB-C ports on the Mac Studio Max processor (but not Ultra processor) are limited to nominal 10,000 M bits sec speeds, about nominal 1,000 M Bytes/secs. Actual maximum speeds are more like 800 M bytes/sec.


However, this could be a software problem:


Drives like the MyBook came with software, and the manufacturer suggested you install that software.


What that software does is to "spare you the annoyance of having to re-initialize the drive" from its factory set Windows New Technology File System (NTFS, the W is silent because there are no other Operating Systems) or similar unusual (on a Mac) format. Instead, the software they provided would simulate a MacOS drive inside an NTFS file for your Mac.


The downside of using the manufacturer's software is that if the manufacturer's software is not loaded, the Macintosh Volume may not be readable, or may not be writable. This means that in startup manager, Installer, and in Recovery such as after a data loss, the Macintosh Volume may not be visible.


The standard advice given here to all users, including novice users, is to discard the manufacturers software and NEVER use it. "Best Practice" is to erase the physical device when new, using only MacOS Disk Utility, and create the fundamental data structures needed for consistent, reliable use by MacOS.


Be sure to "show all devices" which will allow you to ERASE the entire Physical Device by its immutable manufacturer-given device-name, not just user created Volume-name such as ‘Macintosh HD’.

Nov 14, 2023 1:22 AM in response to tbirdvet

It's certainly looking that way with USB-C 25% slower on M2 silicon as opposed to using Intel. I tested this with newly formatted drives and same cables. What I did notice is drives formatted exfat ran 15% faster on M2 that using APFS on write speeds but about the same on read if a tad slower. Figure that? It's a case of Apple being decidedly underhand on not mentioning this...though why should they!! Its something that must be well known at Apple...YET...after a lengthly glacially slow discussion with an Apple rep the beat advice he could give was boot up in safe mode! I can't see this being a hardware issue it must be something in the OS. Why Apple have allowed this to happen needs explained. Why put out new Macs with an interface that delivers 10 year old transfer speeds? You tell me.

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Slow external ssds

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