Question *STABLE* NVMe - USB Adapter?

[cyberjedi]

I'm looking to buy a *RELIABLE* NVME-USB external adapter, that doesn't disconnect randomly, can keep up the close to 1GB/s speed.
So far all adapter's reviews contain frighteningly high % of reports of malfunction, random disconnects, sub-par speeds, falling to even under USB 2.0 speeds, etc.
There are 3 main chipsets in the market: JMicron JMS583, Asmedia ASM2362, and Realtek RTL9210 (no product has surfaced with the latter yet, so no REAL reviews, experiences yet UPDATE: it is on the market already).
Also ASUS has a new product, ROG Strix Arion, but there isn't enough feedback about it yet, and I mean real life feedback not just being able to run a few benchmarks, but real stress test to see if the device (adapter) can keep it up, without disconnecting or slowing down hard.
I would really appreciate any feedback from those who have GOOD experiences during stress-tests, like tons of random 4k writes with a stable speed, cloning 100's of GB-s at a stable high speed close to 1GB/s.
I know SSD's very well, so please stick to the point and don't start to educate me on how their speed falls after some writes, etc. I'm aware and this is NOT the point.
You can help if you can point me to a STABLE and RELIABLE NVMe-USB-C adapter that WORKS as expected.
Thank you in advance!

 

[zenr]

Do you know if it is possible to somehow change the configuration so that the enclosure based on JMicron JMS586R would be recognized as a USB 3.0 device when connected using a USB 3.0 type A plug? Currently it is detected as a USB 2.0 device and only the connection via the USB type C plug is correctly recognized.

Some review: https://www.pcdvd.com.tw/showthread.php?t=1199720
I found an update for another enclosure based on the same chipset, but I don't know how to download the file: http://jeyi.net/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=1981&extra=page=1

EDIT:
I have downloaded the firmware update: https://filebin.net/vy5h171f2hntt1d4
Not sure if it's safe to update:

 

[zenr]

UGREEN ASM2362: https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Enclosure-Aluminum-External-Compatible/dp/B08DNR22Q7
PS5 Success! So far, stable and allows wake from sleep / rest mode.

I bought a enclosure with the same model number (10902) and it is now based on the RTL9210B chipset.

 

[magnets110]

Has anyone tried this UnionSine? apparently a hikvision OEM and seems popular on ali

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005057195255.html

Can you control sleep mode on all RTL9210b models?

it's MD202, UAS doesn't work on linux according to this: https://github.com/torvalds/linux/blob/master/drivers/usb/storage/uas-detect.h#L120

 

[Jimminy]

Can you control sleep mode on all RTL9210b

I've been able to. There are several config settings needed. See my post a few weeks ago. I don't know if it's more complicated with linux, but wouldn't surprise me.

 

[gdok]

Has anyone tried this UnionSine?

I have a couple of those. Cheapest RTL9210B enclosure on the net. I updated the chip with the latest firmware from Station Drivers and tested it extensively with a Kioxia G2 2TB drive, reading and writing approx. 13TB of data during a period of 2 months. No stability or overheating issues whatsoever (but read below).

There are some things to note about this enclosure. First, it is not "fast swap" in any way; you have to undo one screw to remove the metal cover, and then another screw fixing the NVME drive inside. It's solid, but you will need tools (and some time) to swap SSDs.

Second, the included thermal pad is too thin, so it does not have a contact with the top lid. You'll need a thicker thermal pad for it to cool efficiently; don't remember which thickness exactly, but I guess it depends on the SSD model. I just bought a bunch of M2-sized thermal pads in three different thicknesses.

Other than that, it's a solid RTL9210B enclosure.

Speaking of UnionSine, they have another one based on a JMS583 (I opened one, it's a Rev A3 chip): https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005872496844.html
I have it but haven't tested it yet.

 

[YabbaDabbaDoooo]

Hmm, my RTL 9210 SSK HE-C370 acted up and corrupted my work drive (Kioxia 512GB).

At one point of time, drive activity was pegged at 100% when loading photos. The same drive, when plugged into a RTL 9210B-equipped Asus TUF A1, loaded the photos just fine.

Guess it's time for yet another NVME enclosure. I'll probably skip RTL 9210-based enclosures, and maybe even skip the JMS 583 ones.

This time strictly limiting myself to ASM2362 units. Do you guys have any recommendations?

 

[rych]

I've been able to. There are several config settings needed. See my post a few weeks ago. I don't know if it's more complicated with linux, but wouldn't surprise me.

How do you actually change those settings though? Following your example I 've just downgraded from realtek_rtl9210_1.32.49(station-drivers.com) to realtek_rtl9210B_1.31.17b(station-drivers.com) . But there is no option to customize settings? For me, 1.32 would hang my Linux machine while working on it! So I'm trying 1.31. And I actually don't want it to ever sleep -- I'm running my Linux off it Dumping info both before and after flush, the only 2 lines that are changed are actually these two
FW Ver : 1.31.17
FW Build Date : 2022.10.20
Perhaps the flush preserved the old settings, including the DISK_IPS_THRES : 0x01. Anyway, I need to know how reliably dump actual current config and how to modify settings, particularly how to make to disable sleep altogether. But that's only my hypothesis that it freezes the system because of sleep

 

[Jimminy]

How do you actually change those settings though?

On Linus, I have no idea; maybe you can't? The UTHSB_MPtool_Lite.exe reads a config file and programs the device settings as well as flash the firmware code. So, all you have to do is edit that config text file. It also has a command to dump the current config settings.

Maybe you could get a friend with windows to help out?

 

[Nafrayu]

I made the mistake of buying an Icy Box PCIE 3.0 Gen 2 NVMe enclosure (IB-1817Ma-C31) for a Gen 4 Crucial SSD (CT4000P3SSD8)

When i try to initialize the disk windows just says "The request failed due to a fatal device hardware error"
On USB 2.0 Ports the SSD works fine though.

How screwed am i? Is there anything i can do?

Are there any enclosures that support Gen 4 SSDs (Albeit at lower speeds of course?)

 

[Nafrayu]

As requested RTL9210A firmware 1.29.8A and B and 1.30.21 for B reuploaded and i also added for JMS583 firmware 213 with some modifications done so that name of drive, parameters and stuff are seen by windows programs proper. Inside the package are 2 examples on how the enclosure is seen at eject from windows. Who wants to modify the firmware for it's custom name can do a hex compare , see the name change and do it (see included txt file).

Also as an extra and if you guys are willing to share, i have added also Asmedia and Jmicron firmware dumpers along with some of my tests on my enclosures.

I am looking for ASM2362 firmwares that are generic ones (ending in 00 00) to play with and the only ones i found are very old and on chinese payed websites where i do not have access. So maybe someone is willing to dump some firmwares since it's not distructive and requires only an exe run and drive select.

RTL9210A and B Reuploaded:
https://disk.yandex.com/d/eIRYQ7-cvJfWng

JMS583 modified firmware 213 to read real drive values.
https://disk.yandex.com/d/lnNYu7PBYpu0bQ

JMS Firmware dumper 0.1a with examples
https://disk.yandex.com/d/ZnfADSHWVIDmAA

Asmedia Firmware dumper with examples
https://disk.yandex.com/d/zZLFx-BhRnpOTg


If you see that you can't download the files, open a free yandex account with three cliks, import the files to your account and then download them from there.

THIS POST SAVED ME, THANK YOU!!!

If anyone in the future has the same problem: I used the "JMS583 modified firmware 213" Link and flashed my Icy Box (IB-1817Ma-C31) enclosure - after disconnecting and reconnecting it from USB it worked!!!!!!

THANKS!!!

Edit:
Damn, sorry for double posting, can someone delete my post above? :S

 

[YabbaDabbaDoooo]

THIS POST SAVED ME, THANK YOU!!!

If anyone in the future has the same problem: I used the "JMS583 modified firmware 213" Link and flashed my Icy Box (IB-1817Ma-C31) enclosure - after disconnecting and reconnecting it from USB it worked!!!!!!

THANKS!!!

Edit:
Damn, sorry for double posting, can someone delete my post above? :S

Do keep us posted on the reliability of the JMS583-based Icybox.

On a side note, I went ahead and ordered a Ugreen NVME enclosure. Not 100% sure which controller I'll be getting, but there's a good chance that it could be a JMS583.

 

[spike_V_sky]

hi,

i use an sabrent EC-SNVE enclouser with WD Blue SN550 nvme.
The enclouser is updated with FW 1.32.16

The idle temp of the nvme is about 43°C with 30°C room temp, is normal or a bit warm ?

the config file has DISK_IPS_THRES : 0x01 so the power saving shoul be on ?

What do you think ?

 

[Jimminy]

hi,

i use an sabrent EC-SNVE enclouser with WD Blue SN550 nvme.
The enclouser is updated with FW 1.32.16

The idle temp of the nvme is about 43°C with 30°C room temp, is normal or a bit warm ?

the config file has DISK_IPS_THRES : 0x01 so the power saving shoul be on ?

What do you think ?

Try making the following config file changes, then reflash the device:

EN_U1U2 = 0x1
ASPMDIS = 0x0

 

[spike_V_sky]

Try making the following config file changes, then reflash the device:

EN_U1U2 = 0x1
ASPMDIS = 0x0

@Jimminy

hi, i used this setting on my rtl9210B chip based enclouser, the result was a turn on/off loop of the device.
The EN_U1U2 set is not present in my default config file so i tried to add it.

Did you flashed the device with sdd inside the enclouser ?

 

[Jimminy]

@Jimminy

hi, i used this setting on my rtl9210B chip based enclouser, the result was a turn on/off loop of the device.
The EN_U1U2 set is not present in my default config file so i tried to add it.

Did you flashed the device with sdd inside the enclouser ?

No, I removed the drive.
After the flash, it will prompt you to insert a drive. Just eject (safely remove).

I don’t know if it makes any difference though.

 

[Jimminy]

Speaking of UnionSine, they have another one based on a JMS583 (I opened one, it's a Rev A3 chip): https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005872496844.html
I have it but haven't tested it yet.

I bought one of those. Seems well made and I really like it.
The only flaw is the sleep function doesn’t work, at least not with the drive I used.

I can’t find much info on them and afraid to flash it in case they used a non standard nv ram chip

You’re right… it’s fidddly with those microscopic screws when changing drives.

 

[Sanek2k6]

Got a UGREEN M.2 NVMe SATA SSD Enclosure off Amazon. This uses the Realtek RTL9210B-CG chipset and seems fairly well-made. Under Windows, it performs pretty well and seems pretty stable. However, under Linux (Debian 12, Ubuntu 22.04), it just keeps disconnecting randomly.

I tried using different cables, different ports, upgrading firmware (to v1.32.49) and reseating the drive with no luck.

This device just randomly drops out for me, usually reproducible by booting off of it a few times (UAS mode). Another user on discord has exactly the same issues with the Sabrent EC-SNVE enclosure, which uses the same chipset.

I do have a USB3.1 Gen 2 2.5” SATA SSD/HDD enclosure using an ASMedia chipset and that one does not have any issues.

Does anyone have any ideas? Are there any other good enclosure options I can try on Amazon (probably using a different chipset?)

Thanks in advance!

 

[gdok]

Does anyone have any ideas? Are there any other good enclosure options I can try on Amazon (probably using a different chipset?)

If ASMedia works for you, then maybe get something with ASM2364 such as this (the 20gbit/s model). I tried this particular model; you'll need an extra thermal pad to place on top of the small internal heatsink to make contact with the lid. Better yet, don't use the suggested small heatsink at all (you'll have a hard time removing it from the SSD) and make a "sandwich" of one thin thermal pad, one flat copper heatsink, and one thin thermal pad on top. If that sounds gibberish, just read the reviews on that thing and you'll see what I mean.

Alternatively, try one of the cheaper JMS583-based enclosures.

 

[rych]

Got a UGREEN M.2 NVMe SATA SSD Enclosure off Amazon. This uses the Realtek RTL9210B-CG chipset and seems fairly well-made. Under Windows, it performs pretty well and seems pretty stable. However, under Linux (Debian 12, Ubuntu 22.04), it just keeps disconnecting randomly.

I tried using different cables, different ports, upgrading firmware (to v1.32.49) and reseating the drive with no luck.

This device just randomly drops out for me, usually reproducible by booting off of it a few times (UAS mode). Another user on discord has exactly the same issues with the Sabrent EC-SNVE enclosure, which uses the same chipset.

I do have a USB3.1 Gen 2 2.5” SATA SSD/HDD enclosure using an ASMedia chipset and that one does not have any issues.

Does anyone have any ideas? Are there any other good enclosure options I can try on Amazon (probably using a different chipset?)

Thanks in advance!

Switching to realtek_rtl9210B_1.31.17b and setting DISK_IPS_THRES = 0 solved stability issues for me. However, since then the cable got damaged I guess, and the speed dropped from 10000 to 480Mbps (USB 2.0!). So I had to switch to a different cable. Seems robust now.

 

[Sanek2k6]

If ASMedia works for you, then maybe get something with ASM2364 such as this (the 20gbit/s model). I tried this particular model; you'll need an extra thermal pad to place on top of the small internal heatsink to make contact with the lid. Better yet, don't use the suggested small heatsink at all (you'll have a hard time removing it from the SSD) and make a "sandwich" of one thin thermal pad, one flat copper heatsink, and one thin thermal pad on top. If that sounds gibberish, just read the reviews on that thing and you'll see what I mean.

Alternatively, try one of the cheaper JMS583-based enclosures.

Thank you! Will definitely do some research. It’s hard to figure out which chipset all of these enclosures are using before buying them.

Switching to realtek_rtl9210B_1.31.17b and setting DISK_IPS_THRES = 0 solved stability issues for me. However, since then the cable got damaged I guess, and the speed dropped from 10000 to 480Mbps (USB 2.0!). So I had to switch to a different cable. Seems robust now.

Doesn’t this setting control power savings when the system changes to power saving mode and such? Most of the issues I see right now surface during boot, so I’m wondering if that will have any impact.

I don’t mind testing this with the same firmware as you, but I’m not optimistic.

 

[Hans Gruber]

Anybody have any thoughts on a Micron JMS583 chip based enclosure. It's $14.99 on newegg right now.

https://www.newegg.com/orico-tcm2-c...74-_-ESS+-_-4-_-9SIA1DS93D6882-_-1132-_--_-10

 

[Jimminy]

Anybody have any thoughts on a Micron JMS583 chip based enclosure. It's $14.99 on newegg right now.

https://www.newegg.com/orico-tcm2-c...74-_-ESS+-_-4-_-9SIA1DS93D6882-_-1132-_--_-10

I wouldn't buy it.

1) Too expensive ( I bought an aluminum alloy JMS 583 enclosure for less than $5 last month. (I think it has gone up to $9 now. Maybe I just got lucky.)

2) And it's just flimsy plastic. No way to get any cooling except from the tiny "vest" it comes with.

 

[kaktus1907]

I just grabbed a UGREEN 10Gbps NVMe enclosure (SKU 15512) for my 2TB Lexar NM620 Gen 3x4 NVMe drive. It has RTL 9210 controller on board. It comes with both USBC-USBC and USBC-USBA cables.

The case gets warm enough during long write session, but there's no thermal throttle. With this revision seems like UGREEN fixed the heating problem by using a thicker thermal pad than previous light blue cased enclosure (SKU 90541). Here're some quick benchmarks.


USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen2 on Motherboard back I/O


USB-A, USB 3.2 Gen2 on Motherboard back I/O


USB-C, USB 3.1 Gen2 on Case Front I/O


USB-A, USB 3.0 on Case Front I/O


284GB Data Transfer on 3.2 Gen2 USB-C port, 2%


284GB Data Transfer on 3.2 Gen2 USB-C port, 50%


284GB Data Transfer on 3.2 Gen2 USB-C port, 95%


Edit: UTHSB MPtool lite shows IC is RTL9210_VB, firmware 1.29.38.

 

[R81Z3N1]

Have a RTL9210 Orico enclosure with a Samsung 256 evo that is formatted as ex-fat. Pulling my hair out trying to figure out why my Iphone 15 won't see the drive.

Every other device see's the drive able to read files, but not the Iphone 15, Linux see's it Windows see's it, android see's it. One use of the drive is to watch videos while on the go on my phones. Would be nice to just plug and play but not on Iphone 15.

Anyone have success with nvme enclosures formatted as ex-fat hooked up to Iphone's in general?

On a side note, I never upgraded the RTL9210 firmware, as the drive was installed before I knew it was a thing. But works well enough for my purposes. My google fu was exercised, and did see that in past Apple has had problems with ex-fat drives. I have tried lots of solutions, except a reformat, I believe the drive was setup in Windows, with >2k block size, and some posts state that Apple doesn't like ex-fat big block > 1k.

Even tried docking stations usbA-usbC cables, usb4 cables. I did notice that at some time after say 5 min the blue light of the enclosure turns off, so something is going on. I don't know if DRM is getting in way, or what but can not get drive to be seen in IOS, yes phone has newest version.

R81Z3N1

 

[sitymarz]

Just to add my config for
UGREEN M.2 NVMe SSD Enclosure, USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps

Running on a Raspberry Pi, device seems stable. Driver version
1.31.17

VID = 0xbda
PID = 0x9210
MANUFACTURE = "Ugreen"
PRODUCT = "RTL9210"
SERIAL = "012345678901"
DISK_HOTPLUG = 0x1
LED = 0x1
PINMUX1 = 0x0
PINMUX2 = 0x0
U2_MAXPWR = 0xfa
U3_MAXPWR = 0x70
ASPMDIS = 0x1
DISK_IPS_THRES = 0xf
FORCE_USB_QUIRK = 0x80
DIS_SHOW_EMPTY_DISK = 0x1
FORCE_SATA_NORMAL_DMA = 0x1
UART_DBG_PIN = 0x5