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Quick Look: Kingston DataTraveler Max USB 3.2 Gen 2 Flash Drive

I know it's probably not the popular opinion, but USB-C kind of kills this for me. I know USB-C is the new hotness, and it is awesome in a lot of uses. However, on a USB flash drive, I want to be able to plug it into any computer I encounter, and in the front ports, and USB-C kills that. It doesn't kill the form factor of a drive like this to have a USB-A port, so I see no real reason to go with USB-C.
 
Typo in front page: "1000 Mbps"

MegabBytes, for that one

I know it's probably not the popular opinion, but USB-C kind of kills this for me. I know USB-C is the new hotness, and it is awesome in a lot of uses. However, on a USB flash drive, I want to be able to plug it into any computer I encounter, and in the front ports, and USB-C kills that. It doesn't kill the form factor of a drive like this to have a USB-A port, so I see no real reason to go with USB-C.
You do realise that USB A to USB C cables exist, and come with the products?
You still can connect it to all the same things, you can just now do C at both ends for future devices

Also, you're thinking of USB type B, or micro B on the device end. Theres just a standard cable on the device end now, instead of type B, micro B, mini B, etc
 
You do realise that USB A to USB C cables exist, and come with the products?
You still can connect it to all the same things, you can just now do C at both ends for future devices
Yeah, because I love carrying around a cable with my USB flash drive. That's so convenient.

Also, there is no USB-A to C cable including with the drive.
Also, you're thinking of USB type B, or micro B on the device end. Theres just a standard cable on the device end now, instead of type B, micro B, mini B, etc
I'm trying to wrap my head around this sentence but just can't. USB-B has nothing to do with this. The ports on most computers are USB-A the drive is USB-C. Why are you bringing USB-B into this?
 
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Oh for farks sake i got this mixed with the NVME enclosure review i read at the same time, which needed a cable
 
Beware... do NOT buy this Bullshit!
At least the 256GB is utter trash das does NOWHERE near 900mb/s write... more like 45-90mb/s

First i tried to copy a Game Folder...

After the Cache is full it drops to utterly slow speds.
USB-Windows_copy.jpg


So let's check that via Terry Copy how Long/Slow exactly...
86mb/Sec
USB-Copy.jpg

USB-Copy2.jpg



Okay... maybe many small files are not a fair comparison? let's check 4gb chunks...
That looks better but is not really any faster... 97mb/s
USB-Copy_bigFiles.jpg

USB-Copy_bigFiles2.jpg



Just for confirmation... i use an internal 2TB Adata SX8200Pro nvme Drive... no limit there! Read and Writespeed 456mb/s
PC Copy.jpg


So something is clearly broken right? let's Benchmark that!
Atto at 32mb File Size does fairly well.. 850-900mb/s write speed.. so my USB Port is not limiting, nor any other Problem with my Computer.
Atto_32mb.jpg


P.S yeah. i used the Port which had the 10GB/s written beside it...
Port Nr 7.
1724781756684.png


increasing FileSize to 32gb we can see the speed dropping to 550mb/s but still... that woulkd be kinda OK....
Atto_32gb.jpg


so what does AS SSD Benchmark say?
Yeah... thats more like RealLife experience.... 111mb/s
AS SSD.jpg


HD Tune says the same...
Writespeed of 84mb/sec
HD-tune_fileBench50gb.jpg



So yeah.... i wrote to the seller and he was "oh, we checked with the manufacturer, seems like you got a broken unit, here is your money back".
Like how? Did a few NAND get squashed while transport or what?
No... IMHO either the controller can't fully show his potential with only 256gb nand because there are not enough channels connected, or they changed NAND after the first few Reviews and now it's utter trash.
So i bought the 512gb version which was on sale for 41.- to check if it has the same issue... brb few hours, edit inc.


P.S just in case anyone thinks the stick overheats.... no, after each test i put the stick in the Freezer for 5 minutes and let it acclimate for 10 minutes with room temperature.
So IF the stick overheats then that happens during the benchmark session itself. which makes the stick kinda Useless.
Room temperature is a few degres over optimum 21°C but that shouldn't really affect testing at all.
1724782129281.png


P.P.S
Does anyone now of Software to read Nandchips that works with USB sticks and the Silicon Motion SM2320 SSD controller.
isn't that all nvme based?
 
Well well well.... the 512gb version doesn't look any better...

Atto? yay
Atto_32mb.jpg


AS SSD bench? pretty good!
AS SSD.jpg


HD-tune?
writes 45gb Cache at 900mb/s and then drops to 100mb/s
HD-tune_Filebench.jpg


Short Stroke test for the half drive does well until 90GB and then drops to 35mb/s
HD-Tune_Benchmark.jpg


And thats EXACTLY what happens in real world Benchmarks... average 119mb/sec..... far away from the advertised 900mb/sec...
Copy_games.jpg


The test with bigger files does not help in any way.... 102mb/s average.. and that was with a little boost at the beginning.
Copy_big.jpg


copy_big2.jpg




CrystalDiskInfo_u.jpg


btw, Temperature during Copying is kinda high... So i can see why this USB stick Fails....
1724791272928.png
 
Well well well.... the 512gb version doesn't look any better...

Atto? yay
View attachment 360917

AS SSD bench? pretty good!
View attachment 360918

HD-tune?
writes 45gb Cache at 900mb/s and then drops to 100mb/s
View attachment 360919

Short Stroke test for the half drive does well until 90GB and then drops to 35mb/s
View attachment 360920

And thats EXACTLY what happens in real world Benchmarks... average 119mb/sec..... far away from the advertised 900mb/sec...
View attachment 360921

The test with bigger files does not help in any way.... 102mb/s average.. and that was with a little boost at the beginning.
View attachment 360934

View attachment 360936



View attachment 360923

btw, Temperature during Copying is kinda high... So i can see why this USB stick Fails....
View attachment 360924

Try updating your firmware. There's an Amazon review with similar poor write speeds. They talked with the manufacturer who had not seen that problem before but within a few weeks they published a firmware update that corrected the problem, but that was 2022 so your firmware should be later than that.

"Update 03/16/2022, Fw update! Basic build quality for a premium USB drive!
Update 02/20/2024 - **Firmware Update (S9800111)** New firmware to update with ''Kingston SSD manager''. I'm a little late ;) ''Firmware Rev. S9800111 (12/25/2022) • Fixed an issue where drives sometimes reported an incorrect USB speed'' 2nd review - Update 03/16/2022 - **Firmware Update (S9800110)** As discussed below, I contacted Kingston directly. After several exchanges and tests with them and the engineers, they agreed that there was a firmware issue that they were unaware of. My results were identical on Thunderbolt 4 and USB A 3.2 gen2 on a new PC running Windows 11 Pro. They confirmed that they were going to work on a firmware update to correct the problem. A week and a half later, I received an email telling me that the fw was ready. Following the test, the speed has practically tripled and is now around 1000 mb/s (997 mb/s instead of 367) in writing and 1060 mb/s in reading (which is comparable to before). Which is much better and in line with the advertised performance. In fact, now exceeds the advertised performance! To update the firmware, you must go directly to the Kingston website and download the ''Kingston SSD manager'' software. You absolutely need at least the Firmware S9800110. Kingston calls it ''110'' and I had the ''106'' before with degraded write performance with my configuration... ''Firmware Rev. S9800110 (02-25-2022) • Improved system compatibility • Improved compatibility with suspend and resume • Fixed a write speed performance drop present in some systems running Windows 11 • Improved temperature display in SMART'' I updated the ''Print screen'' of the new performances up to date with the new firmware. Do not hesitate to contact companies when there is a problem. Often they do not even know that there is one and it is often due to a new Windows update, firmware or configuration that they have not tested in the laboratory... The product often respects the performance ratings at its release but can degrade with updates and different hardware configurations... So you must communicate the information in order to obtain service! Do your homework and make sure you do your driver/firmware and Windows updates before contacting the manufacturers..."-- Original in French, with photos of the speed
https ://www. amazon. ca/Kingston-DataTraveler-512GB-USB-C-Performance/dp/B09DVPJF5B
 
There doesn't seem to be a firmware update available.
1746297209021.png

1746298335034.png


Might truly be an overheating issue:
1746299615390.png



But checking with my Thermal CAM it does NOT seem to be the controler but the NAND that is a Hotspot. (PC & USB Port is Left Side)
1746299600419.png


PC and USB Port is right side.
1746299772762.png



Or at least going by the naked PCB.
1746299829771.jpeg
 
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