dndn

Q: USB 3.1 external SSD with USB 3.0 port

I have an SSD drive with a SATA 3 connection that I want to use as an external drive with my iMac, using a USB enclosure/adapter. My question is which kind to get - USB 3.1 or 3.0?

Since the ports on the iMac are USB 3.0, is there anything to be gained by using the USB 3.1?

 

Many thanks!

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.3), 27" Late 2015 iMac

Posted on Jul 26, 2016 4:18 AM

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Q: USB 3.1 external SSD with USB 3.0 port

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  • by rkaufmann87,

    rkaufmann87 rkaufmann87 Jul 26, 2016 7:47 AM in response to dndn
    Level 9 (58,135 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jul 26, 2016 7:47 AM in response to dndn

    You should use a Thunderbolt enclosure, using a USB connection will not yield the same speed as Thunderbolt. My recommendation is to visit OWC (www.macsales.com) who provides many different Thunderbolt enclosure solutions, then you can shop for one that best fits your needs.

  • by Tom Nelson1,Helpful

    Tom Nelson1 Tom Nelson1 Jul 27, 2016 5:16 AM in response to dndn
    Level 4 (2,709 points)
    Jul 27, 2016 5:16 AM in response to dndn

    If it is a single SSD using an SATA 3 interface, then a USB 3 interface is not a bad choice. While not recommending a specific enclosure, I do highly recommend you make sure the enclosure supports UASP protocol. This will allow for slightly higher performance of the external enclosure.

     

    If the enclosure manufacturer does not mention support for  UASP, then give it a pass.

     

    Tom

  • by rkaufmann87,

    rkaufmann87 rkaufmann87 Jul 26, 2016 8:06 AM in response to rkaufmann87
    Level 9 (58,135 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jul 26, 2016 8:06 AM in response to rkaufmann87

    Actually, if the SSD is just going to be an external drive and not the startup drive any USB enclosure would be fine

  • by dndn,

    dndn dndn Jul 27, 2016 5:21 AM in response to rkaufmann87
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 27, 2016 5:21 AM in response to rkaufmann87

    Thanks!

    Yes, This not going to be my startup drive, and thunderbolt is just too expensive...

    but my question was if the USB 3.1 will be any faster than the USB 3. Since the ports are USB 3 - I guess the answer is NO...

  • by Tom Nelson1,

    Tom Nelson1 Tom Nelson1 Jul 27, 2016 6:09 AM in response to dndn
    Level 4 (2,709 points)
    Jul 27, 2016 6:09 AM in response to dndn

    USB 3.1 has quite a few variants, but to quickly answer, No, currently there is no Mac that has USB ports faster than the original USB 3.0 spec:

     

    USB 3, USB 3.1, Gen 1, Gen 2, USB Type-C: What Does It All Mean?

     

    Tom

  • by dndn,

    dndn dndn Jul 27, 2016 8:24 AM in response to Tom Nelson1
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 27, 2016 8:24 AM in response to Tom Nelson1

    yes, I'm aware of the fact that imacs only have USB 3 ports. I was just wandering if connecting it to a USB 3.1 drive will be any faster than a USB 3 drive. My guess is that since the ports are only USB 3, the transfer rate will be as fast as USB 3 allows, and therefore there's no point in getting the USB 3.1 ... Just wanted to confirm this.

    Thanks!