Performance
The performance has been tested on the Intel NUC mini PC, which contains the i5-1340P, 12-core processor, 64GB DDR4-3200 memory kit with modified SPD profile, and Patriot VP4300 Lite 2TB M.2 SSD with installed Win11 Pro x64 as an OS drive. All tests were performed on the ADATA SE920 2TB SSD.
Let’s begin as usual with the ATTO Disk Benchmark.
The SE920 performs well in the ATTO benchmark, especially when this benchmark is known to give us lower-than-expected bandwidth
CrystalDiskMark, as usual, shows the highest results. On our test PC, we could reach 3.8GB/s read, and 3.17GB/s write. It is slightly lower write than the maximum declared bandwidth, but also specifications say about the peak bandwidth in perfect conditions.
Random bandwidth and low queue random results are amazing for the USB drive. This is not much lower than we get on higher-series internal SSDs. IOPS is lower than that of an internal M.2 PCIe SSD, but it is also many times higher than a typical USB SSD.
ADATA benchmark shows us the highest bandwidth.
In PCMark 10, the results are fantastic for a USB SSD. This test is one of the most important for internal storage as it shows daily usage and mixed workload performance. It’s not as important for portable storage as most users don’t work directly on the USB SSDs. However, as we see, nothing stands in our way of using the SE920 as a project storage without the need to move data to our main drive.
The 3DMark Storage Benchmark score is also not so important for portable storage, but since the SE920 performs so well, we also checked how it goes in this gaming benchmark.
The total score is about as high as that of mid-series PCIe 4.0 SSDs. Let’s say models that typically reach 4.5-5GB/s.
Anvil’s Storage Utilities is a rather old benchmark but is still popular. This benchmark usually shows lower results than the ATTO or the CrystalDiskMark. It doesn’t change the fact that the results are pretty high.
In the AIDA64 Disk Benchmark, we focus on random read and write operations.
Both tests show high results, but these most demanding random operations show that the SSD has some problems keeping high sustained bandwidth. It can be a matter of a USB controller or something else. Diagnostic software doesn’t show thermal throttling in the active cooling mode
Even though the active cooling mode is recommended, it probably won’t be required as the SE920 runs pretty cool. The fan isn’t loud, but in a quiet room, it’s clearly audible.
If you expect the best performance, you can’t go wrong with the SE920. It’s the fastest external SSD on the market right now, and it seems it won’t change soon as new products will be presented in early versions at CES 2024, so they will hit the stores two or three months later.
