I'm happy to finally have seen a customer review on this drive enclosure. I have a couple questions on your configuration and comments. 1. What "drives" are you using in your enclosure? 2. This enclosure uses both U.2 3.5 and 2.5 SSD drives. Right now the 4TB 2.5" drive (used WDG0TS1619AP) is going for ~$300 depending on whether you get a used one or brand new. These are NVMe drives but sequential read is up to 2690 MB/s (Mac) while sequential write (max) is up to (only) 930 MB/s. This is actually a slow write speed but I've seen issues on the M1 Macs having slow write speeds to external SSDs. Running RAID 0 across two of these U.2 SSDs might increase the write speed. Using these drives for an 8TB NVMe SSD drive is the least expensive way to get really fast R/W speeds. Right now using the used SSDs, the cost without SoftRAID (I already have a licensed copy for my other OWC RAID enclosures) would be $778.50, a bargain for 8TB. 3. Using NVMe blades, which should be faster than the U.2 SSDs ends up costing almost least twice as fast for the same 8TB ($1499). This includes two U.2 Shuttle One adaptors, on sale for $40 right now and eight 1TB NVMe blades (OWC Aura P12 Pro PCIe 3.0 NVMe M.2 2280 SSD). These have faster write speeds of 1979 MB/s. You need to carefully read the website to see what speeds are available on what types of hardware. (They finally are including this instead of using a custom built Windows PC with specialized hardware.) Again, I'm not sure if these specs are when using a single SSD or multiple SSDs in a RAID configuration. 4. As for the dust on your drives, it happens to me and everyone else all the time. At least with these drive enclosures you can vacuum off the dust that's caught on the outside. If you've ever opened up any computer, you'll see what a dust catcher every single one is. The only way to stop this is to run your computers in a dust-free environment, which would cost more than the computers you're running. 5. I agree about the logo light but I simply turn them backwards or hide them on a shelf. OWC/MacSales uses standard OTS fans. If they used the same quiet fans Apple uses in their computers, you'd see a significant price increase in OWC products. NVMe SSDs run pretty warm to hot. Putting several of them in an enclosure requires a cooling system so there's really no way around the noise other than putting them in a secondary enclosure with sound deadening features (or cable them through a wall into a closet or adjoining room 😉).
use said 2. This enclosure uses both U.2 3.5 and 2.5 SSD drives, SO will this take standard SSD drives ? I mean not the U.2 ones just normal ones SATA .
Good to find out it's noisy. That's a no-go for audio studio use. Are there any good multiple NVMe cases (hopefully four or more sticks) that are quiet, besides the insanely expensive OWC ThunderBlade cases?
Hey thanks for checking the video out. A solution could be to use a 3m thunderbolt 4 cable and house it as far away as you can! In response to your question, I couldn’t personally say as I’ve not had hands on experience with anything else.
@@ChrisWilmshurst Yeah, that's been a solution in the past for me with other computers, but 3m is not that long. I've got a conduit leading to a machine room, but 3m won't make it there. Not long enough to take it out of the room. Plus, that's a $159 cable, further chipping away at the price difference between Mac Studio and Mac Pro.
I’m looking for an alternative for my movie and tv collection which is now up to around 80TB. I hope the M.2 capacities increase so I could use this!!!
there is absolutly no reason to use something like this for a movie and TV collection. Stay on an HDD raid 1 the data rate for movies is way below even a mediocre drive unless for some reason you some how have uncompressed films..which you don't I am sure.
@@mrfroopy uh huhhhh…yeah I’ll stick with this solution. I’d rather have solid state memory for my BD images, thanks. I just found 8TB m.2 chips and I’m going to buy them.
The noise: I don't understand why OWC products are so Noisy, all of them and changing the fan is not going to help a lot (being there done that). You can buy the empty box and buy a pair of Solidigm 31TB ssd 7998$ and get a better price, or buy two thunderblades, link them via thunderbolt and pay far less and have a totally silent platform, aldo with two cables and two power supplies (bricks). The other option is build your own with Sonnet technologies's Fusion U.2 (with haraware raid or software raid) or the M.2 Silent 4x4 or the M.2 8x and the Echo I for example, less expensive very quiet active colled.
Not sure what you are on about with changing the fan, but I’ve had mine running continuous since making this video with a changed fan and it has been completely silent. It has never made a sound. Try the noctua fan next time. But regarding the second half. You’re absolutely right it’s cheaper to buy other setups or configurations, or build your own. that’s the same with any product really. Do what you find affordable and stick with that is all I can say. But mines silent and works great 🤌
I couldn’t possibly give an informed answer as I do not have a Synology, but I could guess that if it can backup from any mounted hard drive it should work.
@@ChrisWilmshurst i would love the 32.0TB OWC Mercury Pro U.2, A tonne of money but would be amazing, not the car version but a small car version.:) Did you have to send it back or keep it? Have you upgraded it yet? ie the SSDs. To get four 8TB SSDs( 32TB) in it would be £1800 plus enclosure £255.00 = £2055 or £5000 for 32TB in NVMe. So a lot of money either way. The Speed of NVme would be the dream.
@@No-ru4fb I got to keep it fortunately. I haven't upgraded it yet, I just wiped a load of old footage I backed up that I knew I wouldn't use again so it's not too bad! And definitely! even with regular SSD's is stupidly fast.
I'm happy to finally have seen a customer review on this drive enclosure. I have a couple questions on your configuration and comments.
1. What "drives" are you using in your enclosure?
2. This enclosure uses both U.2 3.5 and 2.5 SSD drives. Right now the 4TB 2.5" drive (used WDG0TS1619AP) is going for ~$300 depending on whether you get a used one or brand new. These are NVMe drives but sequential read is up to 2690 MB/s (Mac) while sequential write (max) is up to (only) 930 MB/s. This is actually a slow write speed but I've seen issues on the M1 Macs having slow write speeds to external SSDs. Running RAID 0 across two of these U.2 SSDs might increase the write speed. Using these drives for an 8TB NVMe SSD drive is the least expensive way to get really fast R/W speeds. Right now using the used SSDs, the cost without SoftRAID (I already have a licensed copy for my other OWC RAID enclosures) would be $778.50, a bargain for 8TB.
3. Using NVMe blades, which should be faster than the U.2 SSDs ends up costing almost least twice as fast for the same 8TB ($1499). This includes two U.2 Shuttle One adaptors, on sale for $40 right now and eight 1TB NVMe blades (OWC Aura P12 Pro PCIe 3.0 NVMe M.2 2280 SSD). These have faster write speeds of 1979 MB/s. You need to carefully read the website to see what speeds are available on what types of hardware. (They finally are including this instead of using a custom built Windows PC with specialized hardware.) Again, I'm not sure if these specs are when using a single SSD or multiple SSDs in a RAID configuration.
4. As for the dust on your drives, it happens to me and everyone else all the time. At least with these drive enclosures you can vacuum off the dust that's caught on the outside. If you've ever opened up any computer, you'll see what a dust catcher every single one is. The only way to stop this is to run your computers in a dust-free environment, which would cost more than the computers you're running.
5. I agree about the logo light but I simply turn them backwards or hide them on a shelf. OWC/MacSales uses standard OTS fans. If they used the same quiet fans Apple uses in their computers, you'd see a significant price increase in OWC products. NVMe SSDs run pretty warm to hot. Putting several of them in an enclosure requires a cooling system so there's really no way around the noise other than putting them in a secondary enclosure with sound deadening features (or cable them through a wall into a closet or adjoining room 😉).
use said 2. This enclosure uses both U.2 3.5 and 2.5 SSD drives, SO will this take standard SSD drives ? I mean not the U.2 ones just normal ones SATA .
@garybarker3794 you can use sata drives with this!
@@ChrisWilmshurst are you sure, im just about to return mine that I bought???
@@ChrisWilmshurst
Mechanisms Supported
3.5-inch U.2 SSDs
2.5-inch U.2 SSDs
NVMe M.2 SSDs via 2.5 or 3.5 inch U.2 adapter
@@garybarker3794 that’s what it says on the website, but u2 is backwards compatible with sata, so there’s no reason it shouldn’t work.
Great video Chris!
Thank you mate!
SO will this take standard SSD drives ? I mean not the U.2 ones just normal ones SATA?
Good to find out it's noisy. That's a no-go for audio studio use. Are there any good multiple NVMe cases (hopefully four or more sticks) that are quiet, besides the insanely expensive OWC ThunderBlade cases?
Hey thanks for checking the video out. A solution could be to use a 3m thunderbolt 4 cable and house it as far away as you can!
In response to your question, I couldn’t personally say as I’ve not had hands on experience with anything else.
@@ChrisWilmshurst Yeah, that's been a solution in the past for me with other computers, but 3m is not that long. I've got a conduit leading to a machine room, but 3m won't make it there. Not long enough to take it out of the room. Plus, that's a $159 cable, further chipping away at the price difference between Mac Studio and Mac Pro.
@@ChrisWilmshurst Could always swap out the loud fan for a quieter Noctua
Good idea! I’ve just ordered one and hopefully it fits!
@@ChrisWilmshurst How did it go? Di the Noctua fan fits? ;-) Is it silent now? Please report back! Thanks!!!!
Did you ever get the fan to shut up, or the LEDs off?
I didn’t no. So I’ve just covered the leds with stickers and I’m used to the sound now
I’m looking for an alternative for my movie and tv collection which is now up to around 80TB. I hope the M.2 capacities increase so I could use this!!!
Honestly, unless you're transferring those movies over and over again between your mac/pc and the storage drive. Regular hard drives will be fine.
@@ericecho5118 I do mean regular drives. It has two 3.5” bays you can populate.
there is absolutly no reason to use something like this for a movie and TV collection. Stay on an HDD raid 1 the data rate for movies is way below even a mediocre drive unless for some reason you some how have uncompressed films..which you don't I am sure.
@@mrfroopy uh huhhhh…yeah I’ll stick with this solution. I’d rather have solid state memory for my BD images, thanks. I just found 8TB m.2 chips and I’m going to buy them.
The noise: I don't understand why OWC products are so Noisy, all of them and changing the fan is not going to help a lot (being there done that). You can buy the empty box and buy a pair of Solidigm 31TB ssd 7998$ and get a better price, or buy two thunderblades, link them via thunderbolt and pay far less and have a totally silent platform, aldo with two cables and two power supplies (bricks). The other option is build your own with Sonnet technologies's Fusion U.2 (with haraware raid or software raid) or the M.2 Silent 4x4 or the M.2 8x and the Echo I for example, less expensive very quiet active colled.
Not sure what you are on about with changing the fan, but I’ve had mine running continuous since making this video with a changed fan and it has been completely silent. It has never made a sound. Try the noctua fan next time.
But regarding the second half. You’re absolutely right it’s cheaper to buy other setups or configurations, or build your own. that’s the same with any product really. Do what you find affordable and stick with that is all I can say.
But mines silent and works great 🤌
How loud is the FAN on this unit? Is the noise bearable?
It’s bearable , I sleep in the same room just fine with it
@@ChrisWilmshurst So the unit does not turn off when your Mac/PC is in sleep mode?
@@AdrianCastro-fCMO unfortunately not, unless you unplug the thunderbolt cable it will keep the fans running.
Those are NVMe drives. just packed into an SSD form factor, but U.2 has extra pins over normal ssd sata drives.
So chris can this be backed to a Synology thought TB
I couldn’t possibly give an informed answer as I do not have a Synology, but I could guess that if it can backup from any mounted hard drive it should work.
@@ChrisWilmshurst i would love the 32.0TB OWC Mercury Pro U.2, A tonne of money but would be amazing, not the car version but a small car version.:) Did you have to send it back or keep it? Have you upgraded it yet? ie the SSDs. To get four 8TB SSDs( 32TB) in it would be £1800 plus enclosure £255.00 = £2055 or £5000 for 32TB in NVMe. So a lot of money either way. The Speed of NVme would be the dream.
@@No-ru4fb I got to keep it fortunately. I haven't upgraded it yet, I just wiped a load of old footage I backed up that I knew I wouldn't use again so it's not too bad!
And definitely! even with regular SSD's is stupidly fast.