What chipset

[testcy]

I asked about this elsewhere, but I though to create a new topic for more replies. I want to buy an enclosure for 2.5" SSDs and I am looking for recommendations of what chipset it should be using. I think support for UASP, TRIM and UNMAP is needed. Any recommendations?

[YoungBlade]

What is your use case and budget?

 

At this point, SATA controllers shouldn't make a noticeable difference in most cases - even the cheap DRAM-less drives at least have SLC caching, and I don't think any drive made in the last 5 years doesn't have TRIM. If all you want is a basic SATA drive, either get literally the cheapest GB/$ you can find, or get a high-end drive with DRAM if you need to make sure you get the full performance - although I can't think of any use case where it wouldn't make more sense to go NVMe in the latter case, unless you're absolutely out of PCIe and must put the drive into the current system.

Are you looking for U.2 or SCSI drives? Is that why you're asking about UNMAP and UASP?

[testcy]

2 hours ago, YoungBlade said:

What is your use case and budget?

 

At this point, SATA controllers shouldn't make a noticeable difference in most cases - even the cheap DRAM-less drives at least have SLC caching, and I don't think any drive made in the last 5 years doesn't have TRIM. If all you want is a basic SATA drive, either get literally the cheapest GB/$ you can find, or get a high-end drive with DRAM if you need to make sure you get the full performance - although I can't think of any use case where it wouldn't make more sense to go NVMe in the latter case, unless you're absolutely out of PCIe and must put the drive into the current system.

Are you looking for U.2 or SCSI drives? Is that why you're asking about UNMAP and UASP?

I am not asking about drives, but about the chipset in the enclosure to be used with 2.5" SSDs. This is why I am asking about UNMAP and UASP.

[YoungBlade]

28 minutes ago, testcy said:

I am not asking about drives, but about the chipset in the enclosure to be used with 2.5" SSDs. This is why I am asking about UNMAP and UASP.

My apologies, but you still didn't actually answer the main question. What is your use case and budget?

 

Is this for video editing? Making backups? Data recovery? Does this enclosure just need to house just a single drive? Are you looking for a 2 bay or 4 bay enclosure? Is it going to be used 24/7 or will it usually be unplugged? Is it going to be used with only SATA drives, or does it need to be compatible with other standards? Are you looking to spend $20? $50? $250?

[testcy]

10 minutes ago, YoungBlade said:

My apologies, but you still didn't actually answer the main question. What is your use case and budget?

 

Is this for video editing? Making backups? Data recovery? Does this enclosure just need to house just a single drive? Are you looking for a 2 bay or 4 bay enclosure? Is it going to be used 24/7 or will it usually be unplugged? Is it going to be used with only SATA drives, or does it need to be compatible with other standards? Are you looking to spend $20? $50? $250?

 

It is for video editing and backups and a single SATA drive usually unplugged, any reason to spend more than the minimum?

[YoungBlade]

1 minute ago, testcy said:

 

It is for video editing and backups, for a single SATA drive usually unplugged, any reason to spend more than the minimum amount?

Not really.

 

Tom's Hardware did a roundup about a year ago, and from a performance perspective, there's basically no difference for USB 5Gbps SATA enclosures regardless of the price. The one that supports 10Gbps USB was a bit faster, but IMO, it's not really worth it, as you're looking at spending quite a bit extra for hardly any additional performance.

 

https://www.tomshardware.com/best-picks/best-ssd-and-hard-drive-enclosures

 

The couple of enclosures I have allow me to use TRIM for what it's worth. However, one of them doesn't report SMART data, so that's not necessarily going to be a universal feature. If you care about that, you'd want to check more detailed reviews or product information.

[testcy]

20 minutes ago, YoungBlade said:

Not really.

 

Tom's Hardware did a roundup about a year ago, and from a performance perspective, there's basically no difference for USB 5Gbps SATA enclosures regardless of the price. The one that supports 10Gbps USB was a bit faster, but IMO, it's not really worth it, as you're looking at spending quite a bit extra for hardly any additional performance.

 

https://www.tomshardware.com/best-picks/best-ssd-and-hard-drive-enclosures

 

The couple of enclosures I have allow me to use TRIM for what it's worth. However, one of them doesn't report SMART data, so that's not necessarily going to be a universal feature. If you care about that, you'd want to check more detailed reviews or product information.

I already read that roundup, but I can't find any of those enclosures. So, I am looking for more general information and I believe what chipset it should be using, is important.

[YoungBlade]

1 minute ago, testcy said:

I already read that roundup, but I can't find any of those enclosures. So, I am looking for more general information and I believe what chipset it should be using, is important.

I'm guessing that means you're not in the US. What country are you from?

 

Is a "chipset" here even a thing that is publicly noted about enclosures? I've never heard of this being a thing, which is why I assumed that you were talking about an SSD controller. The Tom's Hardware roundup never mentions it once, and I can't find any tech specs from an enclosure manufacturer that list a "chipset" or "controller" or anything of the sort that the enclosure uses. DockCase, Sabrent, UGreen, Orico - none of them list a "chipset" in their specifications.

[testcy]

4 minutes ago, YoungBlade said:

I'm guessing that means you're not in the US. What country are you from?

 

Is a "chipset" here even a thing that is publicly noted about enclosures? I've never heard of this being a thing, which is why I assumed that you were talking about an SSD controller. The Tom's Hardware roundup never mentions it once, and I can't find any tech specs from an enclosure manufacturer that list a "chipset" or "controller" or anything of the sort that the enclosure uses. DockCase, Sabrent, UGreen, Orico - none of them list a "chipset" in their specifications.

I usually buy from local shops, so I can't find everything that is available from the internet. The chipset used in an enclosure is sometimes listed in its specifications or this information can be requested from the manufacturer.