Mac Mini M1 Thunderbolt USB-C slow read/write speed

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Level 1

6 points

Mac Mini M1 Thunderbolt USB-C slow read/write speed

Hi there...

I have a Mac Mini M1 w/ 8 Gb RAM and 250Gb storage.. I have purchased a Sandisk Ultra M.2 NVMe 3D SSD (2400/1750) and USB 3.2 box to connect to Thunderbolt port via USB-C cable... Due to USB limitations (which is 10 Gbps) I was expecting 900+ Mb/s speed, but I am getting around 550-650 Mb/s... What is going on here? The box seems to support up to 10 Gb/s, and it is working perfectly on an Intel Macbook Pro.. Why on earth don't I get the same on M1 Mac Mini? Any comments ?

Below Blackmagic tests are for 1Gb and 5Gb respectively.

Mac mini, macOS 11.1

Posted on Feb 2, 2021 4:29 AM

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Answer 1

hcsitas

Level 6

12,902 points

Feb 2, 2021 8:14 AM in response to mtsv70

Interesting...could be a power/thermal issue (896 mA used vs. 900 available). Unfortunately they don’t give details about the bridge chip/version https://www.dark.com.tr/computer-accessories/external-hard-disk-drive-enclosure/dark-usb3-0-m-2-10-gbps-disk-kutusu-usb-3-0-ve-usb3-1-kablolu.html and firmware isn’t updatable either.

You could try a shorter cable or replace later in the year when A3 versions of the controller chip become available https://www.legitreviews.com/jmicron-jms583-controller-version-matters-for-portable-usb-drives_219422

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Answer 2

mtsv70 Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 2, 2021 8:17 AM in response to hcsitas

Many thanks for the answer... How is it possible that I get 900+ Mb/s when I connect it to an Intel Macbook, but less when connected to Mac Mini M1? I mean the same box, the same disk and the same cable give different results... M1 seems to be the failing part.

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Answer 3

mtsv70 Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 2, 2021 7:56 AM in response to hcsitas

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Answer 4

DonH49

Level 6

16,710 points

Feb 2, 2021 5:55 AM in response to mtsv70

you don't mention if the box 3.2 is Gen 1 or Gen 2. A big difference.

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Answer 5

mtsv70 Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 2, 2021 6:49 AM in response to DonH49

The box is Gen 2... You can also see in the USB specs screenshot that the box supports up to 10 Gb/s...

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Answer 6

Feb 2, 2021 7:18 AM in response to mtsv70

What version of macOS Big Sur are you running?

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Answer 7

mtsv70 Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 2, 2021 7:31 AM in response to woodmeister50

11.1 but I have now updated to 11.2... Just a bit fast now, going up to 700 Mb/sec... But still no 900 Mb/secs...

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Answer 8

hcsitas

Level 6

12,902 points

Feb 2, 2021 7:54 AM in response to mtsv70

What box? Details, please.

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Answer 9

hcsitas

Level 6

12,902 points

Feb 2, 2021 8:21 AM in response to mtsv70

Different animals altogether, I wouldn’t read too much into it other than the M1 could get there eventually. Try a shorter cable? And seat the Store X so it’s cool and comfortable 🤔

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Answer 10

Feb 2, 2021 9:00 AM in response to mtsv70

The other thing besides the M1 itself, all the M1 Macs have a totally

new Intel Thunderbolt/USB4 chip which may have some firmware issues

as well.

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Mac Mini M1 Thunderbolt USB-C slow read/write speed

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