USB3.0 data speeds?

[mojothehut]

Hey all
I Just bought a Toshiba 750gb usb 3.0 external drive for around $80
Anyway, I didn't install the funky software that came with it, just plugged it right into my usb3.0 port and started backing things up.
Im watching the transfer speed of a 12gb file and its rollercoasting between 30 and 80mb/s
Is that about normal for usb3.0, at least for an external hd (assuming 5400rpm)?

It has some software on it called Canvio 3.0 but I kinda shrug at it, thinking about format'n the hd to remove that crap anyway, just want plug&play storage no fancy software help. =)

 

[razel]

Things are fine and normal. 30-80MB/S is higher than USB 2.0 and about right for a HDD based external drive. The fastest I seen USB 2.0 in real life is about 35MBs. You're good.

 

[mojothehut]

Sweet, then I will go ahead and delete the funky software that came on the hd.. since I wont need it to speed up transfer or anything like that. Wasn't sure how much if any role software plays in it.

 

[zephyrprime]

Turn on the write caching for the drive which is off by default in windows for external drives. Be careful that you don't just pull the drive out though if you do this or you could experience data loss.

 

[mojothehut]

Write caching eh? Curious, what does this do?
Also when I remove the hd, I always right click on the icon in my system try and select remove external drive, then after it gives me the green light i unplug it. That's correct right?

 

[Phynaz]

There's a reason why Windows doesn't enable write caching for externals. You would be best to heed the advice that Microsoft knows more about Windows than you do.

A write cache isn't going to help a 12GB file anyway.