SSD Speed cap to 40MB/s with USB-C cable

Question

privaterbok Author

Level 1

4 points

SSD Speed cap to 40MB/s with USB-C cable

I recently purchased a Samsung T3 SSD USB-C drive to use with my MacBook.

But right now I'm facing a speed cap issue on it:

I purchased it to used with my MacBook Retina 12' because of the USB-C support

But there is a real problem for this drive to use with USB-C to USB-C cable:

If I use it with Apple USB-C to USB-C cable, I only get USB 2.0 speed which is capped at 40MB/s in and out. Like the photo 1-3 show below.

If I use it with the USB-A to USB-C cable I will have USB 3.0 speed which is 400MB/s in 425MB/s out. But the inconvenience part is for MacBook I have to use a USB-C to USB-A adapter like the photo 4-6 shows.

So is Apple put any speed cap on USB-C cable or Samsung should take the blame that send false USB 2.0 speed info to Macbook?

Use with direct Apple USB-C cable (I tried other USB-C cable like anker/Chotech same problem) so cable is not the problem

you can see the speed in system info is listed as USB 2.0 with 480Mb/s

A speed test confirm it's limited to USB 2.0 standard:

If I use a USB-A to USB-C adapter and use the USB-C to USB-A cable on the SSD. it will work full speed:

you can see the speed in system info is listed as USB 3.0 with 5Gb/s

A speed test confirm it works:

MacBook, OS X El Capitan (10.11.4), USB-C

Posted on Apr 25, 2016 12:39 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Aug 1, 2017 2:54 AM in response to privaterbok

Same here. Tested the following cables:

MBP charger cable
BlitzWolff
Choetech

So far only the USB-A/USB-C cable shipped with the T3 with any decent USB-C adapter works at full speed. This is mad. Maybe a very expensive Belkin certified cable would do?

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Answer 2

Lanny

Level 6

13,183 points

May 20, 2016 5:06 PM in response to privaterbok

The USB-C to USB-C cable that ships with the MacBook is not intended to be used for data, it's for power only. You'll need to buy a USB-C data cable.

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Answer 3

privaterbok Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 26, 2016 12:04 AM in response to Lanny

Thanks for the help, I'll searching for a USB-C cable for data transfer.

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Answer 4

Gaius88

Level 1

5 points

May 20, 2016 4:37 PM in response to privaterbok

I just came across the same stupid problem.

@privaterbok have you manage to figure it out somehow?

Thank you

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Answer 5

privaterbok Author

Level 1

4 points

May 20, 2016 5:09 PM in response to Gaius88

Yes, I found this: http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-USB-IF-Certified-3-Foot-USB-C/dp/B00WJSPCSG?ie=UTF8 &keywords=belkin%20usb%20c%20to%20usb%20c&qid=1463789134&ref_=sr_1_6&sr=8-6

works perfectly on my SSD:

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Answer 6

Gaius88

Level 1

5 points

May 30, 2016 3:42 AM in response to privaterbok

Thank you, that saved me, bought similar cable and works nicely.

But i do have some other issues, it happens that i need to restart my mac for system to recognize my samsung t3 drive, blue light is on but i cannot see the device in finder, you have similar behaviour ?

Is there any solution?

Thank you

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Answer 7

Nov 17, 2016 7:13 AM in response to privaterbok

I am having the same issue, but i have a Macbook Pro late 2011, which does not have USB-C connector. Anyway around this? I am getting 30mb read/write speeds when connecting the T3 cable from my SSD to my MacBook. Any adapters available or do i need to upgrade my computer....

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Answer 8

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Nov 17, 2016 7:18 AM in response to pmartin317

Your using a different computer, different connection standard and different cables, how is this the same problem

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Answer 9

Nov 17, 2016 7:43 PM in response to Csound1

I meant that I have the same issue with the speeds only being around 30-40mbs. I assume this is because my computer does not support USB-c and to get the max speeds, C to C must be used? I am currently using the cable that it came with (A - C) and my speeds are slow. Please confirm if its the computer I am using or there is another adapter i can use to get higher speeds on my Mac Pro (Late 2011).

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Answer 10

Jul 7, 2017 4:37 PM in response to privaterbok

I have the same problem with my t3 and macbook pro 2015, i connect them with t3's own usb-c to usb-a cable and i only get 40mbps max speed 😟😟😟

somebody help me😢

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Answer 11

Sep 25, 2017 12:27 PM in response to gravadlax

I bought quite expensive Belkin MIXIT↑™ Metallic USB-C™ to USB-C which should support 480Mbps, but still I m limited to 40Mbs(USB2.0) speed when connecting MBP 2016 to Samsung T3 SSD.

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