I just got a new SanDisk 2TB SSD that I plan to use for gaming and file storage, particularly for modding Skyrim with Wabbajack. While the advertised read and write speeds are supposed to be around 1000 MB/s, I'm only getting about 40 MB/s. I have it connected to a USB 3.2 Gen 2 port, which should support those speeds. What could be causing this problem?
5 Answers
It looks like you're not going to reach those 1000 MB/s speeds over USB. Make sure to double-check the specs again. The actual performance can be affected by several factors, including the type of connection you're using.
SanDisk and Western Digital have split, but they do offer software that helps monitor the SSD's condition and check for firmware updates. I suggest trying their tool called Kit Fox, which you can find on the Western Digital website.
To troubleshoot this, you might want to look at your computer's specs. It sounds like your setup might be pulling USB 2.0 speeds instead. This could be due to the enclosure, the cable, or even the port itself. Can you share more about your system?
Just a heads up, people often misinterpret those speeds; the 1000 MB/s is in megabits, not megabytes, so that's actually around 110 MB/s in real-world usage. Writing to NTFS can lead to slower speeds too, but 40 MB/s for writing is decent. If your read speeds aren't closer to 110 MB/s, then something else might be wrong.
Since you mentioned you have a Lenovo IdeaCentre Gaming 5 17IAB7, that should have at least one USB 3.2 Gen 2 port. However, if the ports aren’t performing as expected, it could be a compatibility issue with the SSD’s adapter. Using the USB-C port might provide better speeds, but you should still consider checking the cable and the adapter that came with the SSD.
So is it the drive or the port causing the issue?