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!

 

[Van Flusen]

High-quality enclosure with RTL9210/B are still rare.
There is a new Fideco enclosure with additional fan (RGB) available.
The question is, if this causes dust to enter the enclosure.
Strange, I didn't find it on the official Fideco website, although it is available. What is your opinion about this enclosure?

 

[apoelistasaudi]

Why do you insist on rtl9210B? What are the differences with rtl9210? Any specs available??

 

[Van Flusen]

No, I don't insist but it looks good quality and with a fan the heat is dissipated even better. It supports NVME and SATA SSD, but I don't need that.
These enclosure are also available from another vendor with JMS583, it would probably cool well.

 

[apoelistasaudi]

Seems that Orico enclosures (with rtl9210) come with latest firmware 1.21.17. one of them comes with fins and looks good quality.

However it also seems that this firmware need to be reconfigured through cfg settings since it has some issues with disconnects. Problem this firmware is not available.......

 

[Van Flusen]

Seems that Orico enclosures (with rtl9210) come with latest firmware 1.21.17. one of them comes with fins and looks good quality.

However it also seems that this firmware need to be reconfigured through cfg settings since it has some issues with disconnects. Problem this firmware is not available.......

Yes, Orico looks good too, but the selection with RTL9210 devices is not great. As you found out there are problems with the firmware of the RTL9210 as well. Thanks for your tests.

 

[apoelistasaudi]

Sabrent has newer firmware for jms583
2.11

 

[Van Flusen]

Sabrent has newer firmware for jms583
2.11

But it is only for Rocket, the tool does not recognize an EC-NVME enclosure.
I have opened the exe with Resource Hacker, there are 3 firmware and 1 ROM file, you can save them as bin file, all of them have a size of 66kb.
It would be a guess which changes are included.

Hmm,
when I compare with WinMerge the FW and ROM files from Sabrent JMS583_FWUpdate_Utility_v1_0_0_1 /11.02.2020 / for Rocket with JMS583_FWUpdate_Utility_v1_0_0_8 /19.02.2020 / for EC-NVME, I can't see any differences.

 

[killster1]

i love this thread and keep hoping for a recommendation on which enclosure to get i have one or two nvme usb c externals that seem to work but i never have left it plugged in indefinitely to see if there would be any issues (which it seems like there are with all this talk)

 

[razel]

i never have left it plugged in indefinitely to see if there would be any issues (which it seems like there are with all this talk)

You want an issue even though you haven't encountered one? That's very easy to do.

 

[apoelistasaudi]

jms583 firmware available for M2x (firmware 2.09).

 

[killster1]

jms583 firmware available for M2x (firmware 2.09).

MyDigitalSSD M2X Portable USB 3.1 Gen 2 M.2 PCI Express SSD External Enclosure Adapter w/USB-C and USB-A Cables

This is the drive to get?

 

[apoelistasaudi]

MyDigitalSSD M2X Portable USB 3.1 Gen 2 M.2 PCI Express SSD External Enclosure Adapter w/USB-C and USB-A Cables

This is the drive to get?

Click here to download fw

Jms583 performs really good with firmware 2.0.9.

But there is also rtl9210.

Difficult choice.

Orico makes plastic enclosures one side has aluminium fins with rtl9210 sold at eBay for 11 USD.

 

[killster1]

Click here to download fw

Jms583 performs really good with firmware 2.0.9.

But there is also rtl9210.

Difficult choice.

Orico makes plastic enclosures one side has aluminium fins with rtl9210 sold at eBay for 11 USD.

But is the drive i linked the one you are talking bout? It comes with two USB c dt cables nd good looking heatsink. 25$ delivered soon


Can't find the orico usb nvme with fan on eBay most ship from China nd 20+$.

 

[apoelistasaudi]

ORICO M2PV-C3
Not with fan
(Corrected the P/N).


Placed an order too, but doubt I will receive item.

Here is my other rtl9210 I got from a UK seller (has full metallic case but no fw support from seller). Has been updated twice first time to jeyi i9 gtr firmware 1.18.1 and second time to pluggable fw 1.20.12 .

 

[Andalu]

Here is my other rtl9210 I got from a UK seller (has full metallic case but no fw support from seller). Has been updated twice first time to jeyi i9 gtr firmware 1.18.1 and second time to pluggable fw 1.20.12 .

These enclosures seem to be very similar. This is another RTL9210 that I ordered a few days ago on a different platform from Aliexpress (today is the 66th day in vain waiting the RTL9210B from them ):


This time I hope to receive the device in the time indicated from the UK seller.

 

[apoelistasaudi]

I confirm that fw 1.20.12 works fine with the following timing setting
PCIE_PWRCUT_THRES = 1
Keeps enclosure cool at all times and no issues with eject or disconnects.

Thanks @Andalu for sharing this.

These enclosures seem to be very similar. This is another RTL9210 that I ordered a few days ago on a different platform from Aliexpress (today is the 66th day in vain waiting the RTL9210B from them ):
View attachment 28968

This time I hope to receive the device in the time indicated from the UK seller.

With this enclosure don't remove the film on the top side of thermal conductive pad.

--------////////////
After more tests I have issues with above timeout.

Can't access files:
"The semaphore timeout has expired."

Will remove feature

I confirm problem stems from a cfg setting

Timeout works well on jms583 unlike rtl9210 which has issues maybe due to its technology or firmware.

Jms583 has an advantage with standby timer. Rtl9210 standby timer causes disconnect issues.

 

[Andalu]

I confirm that fw 1.20.12 works fine with the following timing setting
PCIE_PWRCUT_THRES = 1
Keeps enclosure cool at all times and no issues with eject or disconnects.

Thanks @Andalu for sharing this.



With this enclosure don't remove the film on the top side of thermal conductive pad.

--------////////////
After more tests I have issues with above timeout.

Can't access files:
"The semaphore timeout has expired."

Will remove feature

I confirm problem stems from a cfg setting

Timeout works well on jms583 unlike rtl9210 which has issues maybe due to its technology or firmware.

Jms583 has an advantage with standby timer. Rtl9210 standby timer causes disconnect issues.

Thanks for your report and the tip about the thermal pad
Let me know please if and how I can try to reproduce the same situation that gives the encountered issue.

 

[apoelistasaudi]

Will post the correct configuration file tonight and pinpoint orico enclosure rtl9210 cfg mistake

On my cfg I chose GPT rather than MBR, as a customized option.

Here is my latest cfg file (rtl9210)

Spoiler: rtl9210.cfg

;Configure Start
;=================FW Configure=================
U2PHY = 02 f4 9b e0 e1
U3PHY = 02 d4 09 00 d5 00 80

VID = 0xbda
PID = 0x9210

MANUFACTURE = "Realtek"
SCSI_VENDOR = "Realtek"
PRODUCT = "RTL9210"
SCSI_PRODUCT = "RTL9210 NVME"
SERIAL = "012345679210"

CFEXPRESS = 0x0
LED = 0x1
PINMUX1 = 0x70000
PINMUX2 = 0x0
U2_MAXPWR = 0xfa
U3_MAXPWR = 0x70
ASPMDIS = 0x0

;10 minutes of idle time will disable pcie power
;PCIE_PWRCUT_THRES = 10

;EN_UPS = 0x0
;PD = 0x0

;CUSTOMIZED_LED is 15 bytes
;CUSTOMIZED_LED = 00
;SUSPEND_LED_OFF = 0x0
;FAN = 0x0

;DIS_SHOW_EMPTY_DISK = 0x1
;UART_DBG_PIN = 5

;=================Tool Configure=================
;DISCONN_FORCE_USB2 = n
;FORMAT_DISK = n
;INC_SERIAL = y

;PARTITION: GPT, MBR
PARTITION = "GPT"
;FORMAT: NTFS, exFAT
FORMAT = "NTFS"
;LABEL max allowed - characters
LABEL = "My USB"

My problems begin when I changed
;;PCIE_PWRCUT_THRES = 10
to
PCIE_PWRCUT_THRES = 1

After 4-5 mins of inactivity I could not access my drive files, though I could see them, and got the error message as reported above.

 

[Andalu]

Will post the correct configuration file tonight and pinpoint orico enclosure rtl9210 cfg mistake

On my cfg I chose GPT rather than MBR, as a customized option.

Here is my latest cfg file (rtl9210)

Spoiler: rtl9210.cfg

;Configure Start
;=================FW Configure=================
U2PHY = 02 f4 9b e0 e1
U3PHY = 02 d4 09 00 d5 00 80

VID = 0xbda
PID = 0x9210

MANUFACTURE = "Realtek"
SCSI_VENDOR = "Realtek"
PRODUCT = "RTL9210"
SCSI_PRODUCT = "RTL9210 NVME"
SERIAL = "012345679210"

CFEXPRESS = 0x0
LED = 0x1
PINMUX1 = 0x70000
PINMUX2 = 0x0
U2_MAXPWR = 0xfa
U3_MAXPWR = 0x70
ASPMDIS = 0x0

;10 minutes of idle time will disable pcie power
;PCIE_PWRCUT_THRES = 10

;EN_UPS = 0x0
;PD = 0x0

;CUSTOMIZED_LED is 15 bytes
;CUSTOMIZED_LED = 00
;SUSPEND_LED_OFF = 0x0
;FAN = 0x0

;DIS_SHOW_EMPTY_DISK = 0x1
;UART_DBG_PIN = 5

;=================Tool Configure=================
;DISCONN_FORCE_USB2 = n
;FORMAT_DISK = n
;INC_SERIAL = y

;PARTITION: GPT, MBR
PARTITION = "GPT"
;FORMAT: NTFS, exFAT
FORMAT = "NTFS"
;LABEL max allowed - characters
LABEL = "My USB"

My problems begin when I changed
;;PCIE_PWRCUT_THRES = 10
to
PCIE_PWRCUT_THRES = 1

After 4-5 mins of inactivity I could not access my drive files, though I could see them, and got the error message as reported above.

I just tried in Win10, Win7 and also in XP to leave the RTL9210 in sleep mode and then wake it up after 5 minutes. I made two attempts for each OS with the same results: no issue encountered, I was able to access the files and launch some programs from the nvme disk.
I don't know if your problem can depend from the different firmware version. However, I noticed that in any configuration file for both jeyi and plugable firmwares, the "PCIE_PWRCUT_THRES" value for 1 minute is not reported. Maybe it is not fully supported and it has been added from the version 1.21.17 only?
In the .cfg files above, for the sleep mode set to 10 minute, I don't have seen the "PCIE_PWRCUT_THRES = 10" but "PCIE_PWRCUT_THRES = 0xa" as well as the value for 1 minute is reported in my .cfg file as "0x01". Have you already tried with it?

 

[apoelistasaudi]

If it has a problem with 1 minute then there will be a problem with 10 mins. It is not wise to test it as result wiill be same.

This firmware does not support the timer.

We need better firmware support.


When I save firmware log the 1 Min is reported correctly.... 0x01. So my cfg is correct.
PCIE_PWRCUT_THRES = 10
Or
PCIE_PWRCUT_THRES = 1

Saving log after flash will give

0xa
0x1 respectively

In case realtek refuses to make available a newer firmware for rtl9210 with proper and stable sleep/standby timer then rtl9210 is no way better in total marks than jms583 with firmware 2.0.9 (which is available), at least with firmware 1.20.12 or lower. I still think that it has more potential than jms583 if a proper firmware becomes available.

 

[apoelistasaudi]

For those who wanted to find out what is newer rtl9210B and its advantages over older rtl9210 here is the info:

The RTL9210PD (stamped as rtl9210B see photo) USB to PCIe bridge achieves ultra-high-speed performance of over 1GB/s read/write performance (same as rtl9210 so that is not different) It integrates a market proven Power Delivery 3.0 feature, ultra-low power mode (12.5mW) to prevent over-heating, and a MIPS-based flexible design architecture to ensure the best compatibility with various platforms and PCIe SSDs.

One product available for purchase with this newer chip tech is the following:
ORICO M2PJM-C3

Note: orico has not supported with latest firmware their nvme rtl9210 or jms583 products yet.

Now that we have established that there are two versions: rtl9210 and rtl9210B we could deduce their respective max firmware version from Orico users, hopefully a newer one will be made available for rtl9210 and standby or sleep mode will become activated without current issues of firmware 1.20.12.

Placed an order of Orico M2PF-C3, a different model, so will report as well it's firmware version and rtl9210 type when it arrives.

 

[Van Flusen]

For those who wanted to find out what is newer rtl9210B and its advantages over older rtl9210 here is the info:

The RTL9210PD (stamped as rtl9210B see photo) USB to PCIe bridge achieves ultra-high-speed performance of over 1GB/s read/write performance (same as rtl9210 so that is not different) It integrates a market proven Power Delivery 3.0 feature, ultra-low power mode (12.5mW) to prevent over-heating, and a MIPS-based flexible design architecture to ensure the best compatibility with various platforms and PCIe SSDs.

One product available for purchase with this newer chip tech is the following:
ORICO M2PJM-C3

Note: orico has not supported with latest firmware their nvme rtl9210 or jms583 products yet.

Now that we have established that there are two versions: rtl9210 and rtl9210B we could deduce their respective max firmware version from Orico users, hopefully a newer one will be made available for rtl9210 and standby or sleep mode will become activated without current issues of firmware 1.20.12.

Placed an order of Orico M2PF-C3, a different model, so will report as well it's firmware version and rtl9210 type when it arrives.

Have you possibly made a mistake with the designation?

M.2 NGFF SSD Enclosure
ORICO M2PF-C3
JMicron JMS580 / 5Gbps
USB3.1 GEN1 Type-C

 

[apoelistasaudi]

Yes correct. M2PV-C3
But my seller changed the title to M2PF-C3 after purchase .
Not sure what he will sent.me.

 

[Van Flusen]

Yes correct. M2PV-C3
But my seller changed the title to M2PF-C3 after purchase .
Not sure what he will sent.me.

Ah, OK
Hopefully not a nasty surprise.

 

[apoelistasaudi]

Try to format nvme to ntfs