Gurus, 2 minutes to copy a 700MB file to USB2.0 hard disk? (update 4.9)

[metalmania]

Update: just want to tell you guys I threw away my KT333 mobo and installed a NF2-ultra mobo with integrated USB2.0 ports. I am very happy now because the USB2.0 speed is 23MB/s, and 1394 speed is 24M/s. That's what I want. 30s to copy a 700MB file, fast enough for me.

Thanks again.

I tried three brands with the same Ali chipset USB2.0 enclosure. But if I copy a 700MB file to the USB2.0 HD, it usually takes 2 minutes. That's 6MB/s. I saw a user review on Newegg claimed that he copyied 650MB in 20 sec, another claimed the benchmark was 17MB/s. I am lost. I tried on my home computer with KT333 mobo, my office Dell machine with Intel mobo, same low speed.
Gurus please give advice.

 

[Matthias99]

I believe USB2.0 gets around 500Mbps, or ~60MB/sec. I wouldn't expect it to run *that* fast, but 6MB/sec. seems a bit slow.

Are you sure you're running at USB2.0 speeds? Are you running through a hub, or plugged right into a USB2.0 port on the motherboard? And do you have a USB2.0 cable?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

You need to install the USB 2.0 drivers for your OS.

- M4H

 

[metalmania]

Yes, I am sure it was running in USB2.0 mode. Win2K SP4 in my home, WinXP SP1 in the office. In USB1.1 mode, 6MB/s is impossible.

 

[txxxx]

USB 2 as you may know is CPU dependant - I.e. the CPU does all the processing work for the USB bridge itself. What spec is the pc, thats slow?

 

[gsellis]

Test I remember seeing shows USB 2.0 drives sustaining 20-25MB/s at optimal. That would probably be with nothing else on the USB controller, like Kb, Mouse, etc. Even if it makes 25MB/s (400Mb/s), that is 26 seconds for 650MB. Hmmm.... I think a stopwatch is in order for the 20 seconds claim. You are getting ~50Mb/s. Not too bad, but that is close to USB1.1 max. I suspect 2.0 is working, but you have other things attached?

edit - see txxxx's post too as could be large contributor.

 

[metalmania]

The computer is not that busy and slow. AMD 2400+, 1G ram and P4-2G, 512M. Only a few applications running at background such as Anti-virus monitor, etc. A usb printer was connected but not turned on.

BTW, I will use a stopwatch to record the time tonight.

 

[pukemon]

it also depends on the usb2 chipset and revision. supposedly newer via controllers are faster than the older ones. (standalone as well as integrated into the 8235 and 8237)

 

[alexruiz]

There are several factors involved:

- A big file or many small files? (more seek for the hard drive)
- Continuous or fragmented?
- Chipset for the USB 2.0-IDE bridge
- Chipset for the USB 2.0 in the host computer (native, add on PCi card, etc)

At best, USB 2.0 is capable of 26 MB/sec sustained in sequential write and in perfect conditions (1 big file, both drives defragmented, a good chipset in the motherboard such as the NEC or ICH5, AND a good bridge such as Oxford 922) Typically, 10-12 MB/sec is more common based in normal usage (many small files, drives not defragmented, mixed chipsets, etc)

If your enclosure has firewire, AND your mobo has it also, use firewire instead. 35 MB/sec sustained in the best case is not bad at all


Alex

 

[metalmania]

Thanks a lot, gurus!

I will reinstall my OS today.

USB chipset on mobo: VIA 8235 integrated
on enclosure: Ali

Both HDs: not defragmented

File: one big 700MB file

 

[CQuinn]

Try disabling the antivirus monitor on one of those test runs.

 

[Snoop]

I have used two external USB 2.0 hardrives on my computer and have done external USB 2.0 to external USB 2.0 disk copys (Over 80 Gigs) and get throroughput around 20 MB/ per second on an epox 8rda+ integrated USB 2.0 controller and an XP 2400, so there is definately something wrong with your setup

 

[biostud]

I have a Maxtor 5000XT 250Gb External Hdd (5400rpm) and it takes me ~40 secs to copy 750 Mb to it on Firewire.

 

[Amused]

I have a Hitachi Travelstar 20GB, 4200 PRM 2.5" drive in this enclosure:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-145-330&depa=1

It took just under 6 minutes to transfer 4.5 GBs of data via USB 2.0

 

[thomsbrain]

i just ran HD Tach on my USB2 HD and got 21.7 MB/s average.

 

[RobCur]

hdtach isn't accurate for xp, i get much better score with win9x like 10ms access time and with xp, 17.5ms for the same harddrive. wtf?

 

[metalmania]

Update: just want to tell you guys I threw away my KT333 mobo and installed a NF2-ultra mobo with integrated USB2.0 ports. I am very happy now because the USB2.0 speed is 23MB/s, and 1394 speed is 24M/s. That's what I want. 30s to copy a 700MB file, fast enough for me.

Thanks again.