Question *STABLE* NVMe - USB Adapter?

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cyberjedi

Junior Member
Apr 4, 2010
23
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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!
 
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Jun 10, 2020
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I tried to fill missing info and avoid confusion since you mentioned usb gen 3.2 which may just be a marketting trap if advertised as 3.2 but perform same as 3.0 as described above (i.e gen 1) but again it may be gen 2 with 10Gbps Support. So what is important is gen 1 vs gen 2.
 

Dziqus

Junior Member
Aug 25, 2020
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Jun 10, 2020
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I did some tests with rtl9210 firmwares on my new enclosure since mine came with fw: 1.15.1
Jeyi i9 GTR fw is 1.18.1
Pluggable: 1.20.12

The difference with cfg file between the 2 newer firmwares is the following setting/command:
"PCIE_REFCLK = 0x3e" is absent on pluggable.

Both firmwares are compatible.

Question: What does this setting "PCIE_REFCLK = 0x3e" do??

Read/write speeds on usb 3.1 gen 1 (5Gbps): 463/420.

Read/write speeds on usb 3.1 gen 2 (10Gbps): x/x.
Tomorrow will add the Missing info

Firmware ver: 1.20.12 was tested for diskmark results.

Max Temperature with 1.15.1 fw: 51oC
Max Temperature with 1.20.12 fw: 45oC

This info brings rtl9210 to first place probably after my test tomorrow.

Seems that I lost blue status led light with latest firmware (after installing nvme drive). Maybe it has to do with PCIE_REFCLK = 0x3e???
 
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Jun 10, 2020
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Blue led status light reappeared when plugged in to a usb 3.1 gen 2. So this is resolved.

Here are my rtl9210 diskmark results that you can compare with jmicron jms583. Same cable same pc etc. (First photo) note that running test a few times read speed varies upto 1045 exceeding the jms583 read speed by a tiny amount.

Seems that jms583 performs in most diakmark tests marginally better (second photo).

Max power on usb 3.1 gen 2 for rtl9210 is 55oC after 2 consequtive tests, but after a while it settles to 51oC.

So it was just a marketing data that rtl9210 performs better in terms of read write speeds than jms583.

I am still in favour of rtl9210 inspite of marginally lower diskmark tests however depends on preferences because jms583 gets cooler when not in use unlike rtl9210 which settles with 51oC. Might change my mind again because these 2 technologies have their advantages and disadvantages.

No fins on my rtl9210 alum enclosure. Plain flat surface.

Happy with pluggable firmware but maybe there is.something better??
 

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Van Flusen

Junior Member
Aug 12, 2020
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What will you say about this adapter?
It is in size 2242. For this I would add samsung pm991 or toshiba / kioxia bg4 256GB?
Then I would have a more compact hard drive .

View attachment 28590

These enclosure are also available from ELECGEAR for NVME and SATA SSD with USB-A and USB-C.
I did not dare to buy the NVME case.
The enclosure is too small to dissipate the heat. For this the supplier writes: The case will greatly heat up due to the unbelievable high performance. The main chip and NVMe produce a lot of heat.
I think the SSD is constantly working at the limit.
I had one M.2 Sata SSD left and I use it with the ELECGEAR enclosure (VIA VL716 chip). When copying a 120GB VHD it is about 70 degrees, in idle about 43 degrees. The case is well made and I am satisfied with it. It is almost twice as fast as a Sandisk exterme Pro USB flash drive.
 

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These enclosure are also available from ELECGEAR for NVME and SATA SSD with USB-A and USB-C.
I did not dare to buy the NVME case.
The enclosure is too small to dissipate the heat. For this the supplier writes: The case will greatly heat up due to the unbelievable high performance. The main chip and NVMe produce a lot of heat.
I think the SSD is constantly working at the limit.
I had one M.2 Sata SSD left and I use it with the ELECGEAR enclosure (VIA VL716 chip). When copying a 120GB VHD it is about 70 degrees, in idle about 43 degrees. The case is well made and I am satisfied with it. It is almost twice as fast as a Sandisk exterme Pro USB flash drive.
I use 2230 nvme size with good results on rtl9210. Does.not produce excessive heat. My tests above are with 2230 m.2 3x2 nvme card however I would avoid any offering with plastic enclosure.
 
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Van Flusen

Junior Member
Aug 12, 2020
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I use 2232 nvme size with good results on rtl9210. Does.not produce excessive heat. My tests above are with 2232 m.2 3x2 nvme card however I would avoid any offering with plastic enclosure.

I believe them that the RTL9210 is cooler but the above cases are about the size of a USB flash drive and use JMS583.
 

Van Flusen

Junior Member
Aug 12, 2020
20
6
51
Blue led status light reappeared when plugged in to a usb 3.1 gen 2. So this is resolved.

Here are my rtl9210 diskmark results that you can compare with jmicron jms583. Same cable same pc etc. (First photo)

Seems that jms583 performs in all diakmark tests marginally better (second photo).

Max power on usb 3.1 gen 2 for rtl9210 is 48oC which is pretty cool.

So it was just a marketing data that rtl9210 performs better in terms of read write speeds than jms583.

I am still in favour of rtl9210 inspite of marginally lower diskmark tests.

No fins on my rtl9210 alum enclosure. Plain flat surface.

Happy with pluggable firmware.

Hmm,
why do we have such different values.
 

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Andalu

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Jun 25, 2020
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My RTL9210 PCB has firmware 1.21.17 installed but I don't have the .bin file and the realtek update software doesn't allow backup. I can only attach the .cfg file saved with the MPTool v1.8.0.0108, here it is:
**************************************************************
Device : Realtek RTL9210 NVME #0
**************************************************************
U2PHY : 02 f4 9b e0 e1
U3PHY : 02 d4 09 00 d5 00 80
VID : 0x0bda
PID : 0x9210
MANUFACTURE : "Realtek"
PRODUCT : "RTL9210"
SERIAL : "012345679322"
SCSI_PRODUCT : "RTL9210 NVME"
SCSI_VENDOR : "Realtek"
CFEXPRESS : 0x00
LED : 0x01
PINMUX1 : 0x00070000
PINMUX2 : 0x00000000
U2_MAXPWR : 0xfa
U3_MAXPWR : 0x70
ASPMDIS : 0x00
PCIE_REFCLK : n/a
PCIE_PWRCUT_THRES : 0x01
SWR_1_2V : n/a
EN_UPS : n/a
PD : n/a
CUSTOMIZED_LED : n/a
SUSPEND_LED_OFF : n/a
FORCE_USB_SPEED : n/a
FORCE_PCIE_SPEED : n/a
FORCE_USB_QUIRK : n/a
FORCE_PCIE_QUIRK : n/a
FAN : n/a
DIS_SHOW_EMPTY_DISK : 0x01
FORCE_SATA_NORMAL_DMA : n/a
UART_DBG_PIN : 0x05
FINGER_PRINT_EN : n/a
EFUSE :
00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 0A 0B 0C 0D 0E 0F
-------------------------------------------------
0 ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
10 ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
20 ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
30 ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
40 ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
50 ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
60 ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
70 ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
80 ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
90 ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
a0 ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
b0 ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff

Boot Mode : Flash NM
FW Ver : 1.21.17
FW Build Date : 2020.04.14
IC Ver : 0xa0010001
IC Pkg Type : PCIE
UUID : ffffffff-ffff-ffff-ffff-ffffffffffff

Disconn_ForceUSB2 : 0x00

(the one saved with the version 1.5.1.1025 is a bit different).

Unfortunately the device continues to have the led on even when properly disconnected through the safely-remove command, I tried in almost all windows operating systems (XP included) nothing changes, I have to wait a minute for the timer to turn it off.

P.S.: (beginning OT) I'm still waiting for the rtl9210B enclosure ordered more than 60 days ago on Aliexpress, something unacceptable... never again from Orico and Aliexpress, a nightmare pair (end OT).
 
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My RTL9210 PCB has firmware 1.21.17 installed but I don't have the .bin file and the realtek update software doesn't allow backup. I can only attach the .cfg file saved with the MPTool v1.8.0.0108, here it is:
**************************************************************
Device : Realtek RTL9210 NVME #0
**************************************************************
U2PHY : 02 f4 9b e0 e1
U3PHY : 02 d4 09 00 d5 00 80
VID : 0x0bda
PID : 0x9210
MANUFACTURE : "Realtek"
PRODUCT : "RTL9210"
SERIAL : "012345679322"
SCSI_PRODUCT : "RTL9210 NVME"
SCSI_VENDOR : "Realtek"
CFEXPRESS : 0x00
LED : 0x01
PINMUX1 : 0x00070000
PINMUX2 : 0x00000000
U2_MAXPWR : 0xfa
U3_MAXPWR : 0x70
ASPMDIS : 0x00
PCIE_REFCLK : n/a
PCIE_PWRCUT_THRES : 0x01
SWR_1_2V : n/a
EN_UPS : n/a
PD : n/a
CUSTOMIZED_LED : n/a
SUSPEND_LED_OFF : n/a
FORCE_USB_SPEED : n/a
FORCE_PCIE_SPEED : n/a
FORCE_USB_QUIRK : n/a
FORCE_PCIE_QUIRK : n/a
FAN : n/a
DIS_SHOW_EMPTY_DISK : 0x01
FORCE_SATA_NORMAL_DMA : n/a
UART_DBG_PIN : 0x05
FINGER_PRINT_EN : n/a
EFUSE :
00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 0A 0B 0C 0D 0E 0F
-------------------------------------------------
0 ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
10 ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
20 ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
30 ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
40 ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
50 ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
60 ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
70 ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
80 ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
90 ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
a0 ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff
b0 ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff ff

Boot Mode : Flash NM
FW Ver : 1.21.17
FW Build Date : 2020.04.14
IC Ver : 0xa0010001
IC Pkg Type : PCIE
UUID : ffffffff-ffff-ffff-ffff-ffffffffffff

Disconn_ForceUSB2 : 0x00

(the one saved with the version 1.5.1.1025 is a bit different).

Unfortunately the device continues to have the led on even when properly disconnected through the safely-remove command, I tried in almost all windows operating systems (XP included) nothing changes, I have to wait a minute for the timer to turn it off.

P.S.: (beginning OT) I'm still waiting for the rtl9210B enclosure ordered more than 60 days ago on Aliexpress, something unacceptable... never again from Orico and Aliexpress, a nightmare pair (end OT).

Hi mate.

Try the following cfg (if you can find the newer firmware) to solve your issue (i.e. replace the following with ; to disable):
;PCIE_PWRCUT_THRES = 10

These 2 which are different, i.e. n/a, probably dont have an effect:
;DIS_SHOW_EMPTY_DISK = 0x1
;UART_DBG_PIN = 5
 
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Andalu

Member
Jun 25, 2020
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68
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Hi mate.

Try the following cfg (if you can find the newer firmware) to solve your issue (i.e. replace the following with ; to disable):
;PCIE_PWRCUT_THRES = 10

These 2 which are different, i.e. n/a, probably dont have an effect:
;DIS_SHOW_EMPTY_DISK = 0x1
;UART_DBG_PIN = 5
Hi dude,
thanks for your help ;)
I think the command "PCIE_PWRCUT_THRES" is the timer to go to sleep mode after X minutes and also putting the character ";" before does not solve the problem because it should be the same as not setting any timer (=0x00).
Even if I wanted to try it, it would mean downgrading the firmware and without having the .bin file of the currently installed version (1.21.17), I could not upgrade to it anymore. I remember having the same problem with the ASM2362 and it magically disappeared when I played with the firmware update. I played with it so much that now that enclosure has hardware ID 2364 instead of 2362 o_O it would be nice if it was really a 2364 (USB3 Gen.2x2) :)
 
Jun 10, 2020
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Ok
0x00 0 mins
0x01 1 mins
0x0A 10 min
0x1E 30 mins
0x3C 60 mins

Maybe I could try mine with 0x01 and see if I have same problem. This will tell if a problem exists either firmware or if this cfg setting causing the issue.

Does this cfg setting keeps enclosure cooler???

Looking forward for this firmware version 1.21.17 being released.
 
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Andalu

Member
Jun 25, 2020
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No enclosure for the moment, only the pcb. The temperature in idle is max 35° while below is the one detected just completed the benchmark:

9210bench.png

Have you noticed that the final part of the RTL9210 Hardware ID, besides not allowing to identify the installed firmware version, changes whether or not the nvme disk is mounted?
 

7alken

Junior Member
Aug 29, 2020
1
0
6
Why are you all messing with the nvram you dont know the exact variables used at the factory and all 99% of people need to do is update the base firmware

hi, thanks, I had issues to run JMMassProd because of more different JMicron devices connected to USB hubs (in my case 2 Seagate Expansion using JMS577/8) which was detected by plain FW Update tool (all selectable, no problem to backup incl NVRAM=EEPROM) and successfully updated two JMS583 based enclosured from 207/208 to 209 firmware. Both enclosures identified itself as some cryptic "disks" before update (apparently eeprom contained residua from complete enclosure+NVMe products and even one of them had BAD PID programmed), after update to plain 209 firmware both are reported as "JMicron Generic SCSI Device". Sure it means that I have not updated any "Standby timeouts" using FW update tool, which is possible only by JMMassProd tool, but by disconnecting the others JMicron devices it will be possible to tackle with such settings too. As guys here report no issues with their INIs, it will be okay hopefully

this reply to your post was probably caused by missmatching the terms nvram (eeprom) vs NVMe - of course to edit any timeouts for better cooling its *required* to touch eeprom settings

tnx for now