OWC Envoy Pro portable SSD with Thunderbolt 4 compatibility (2847 MB/sec)

by Hilbert Hagedoorn on: 09/01/2021 08:46 AM | source: | 3 comment(s)

OWC has begun selling the portable SSD "OWC Envoy Pro" in the United States, which is compatible with Thunderbolt 4/3 connections. The range consists of four versions with storage capacities ranging from 240GB to 480GB to 1TB and 2TB.

Powered by a bus-powered power supply, the Intel JH6340 chipset, and an NVMe M.2 SSD, the system can transmit data at up to 2,847 MB/sec, making it one of the fastest systems on the market. Additionally, aluminum is utilized for the housing, which has good heat dissipation properties and allows for a consistent transfer speed to be achieved without the use of a fan.

In terms of size and weight, the main body measures 70mm in width, 114mm in depth, 16mm in height, and weighs 231g. Additionally, a Thunderbolt cable (70 cm) and a quick start guide are included with the purchase in addition to the main body. The product has a three-year warranty.

DeskStar
Senior Member

Posts: 1307
Joined: 2011-01-11

#5943136 Posted on: 09/02/2021 02:39 AM

What kind of speeds can one expect using TB3 interface? Hopefully the same for the most part. As it is fully capable of doing just that.

thestryker
Junior Member

Posts: 9
Joined: 2021-09-02

#5943139 Posted on: 09/02/2021 02:58 AM

What kind of speeds can one expect using TB3 interface? Hopefully the same for the most part. As it is fully capable of doing just that.

The Intel controller cited is a TB3 controller and the bandwidth is the same between TB3/4 so I think it'd be a safe assumption that the performance would be the same.

Mufflore
Senior Member

Posts: 13522
Joined: 2010-05-22

#5943219 Posted on: 09/02/2021 11:07 AM

This drive looks great but is sure to cost, I took a different route.
My anecdote getting a reliable high performance external drive on the cheap:

I recently found my 64GB USB drive was getting a bit hot under normal use and found it was 7 years old so thought I'd treat myself to a new large one.
But performance drives cost a lot, even worse as size goes up.
And the failure rates/problems arent at all impressive.

I figured SSDs being pretty damn reliable would work great so went looking for an NVME to USB converter.
Only one chipset appears to be reliable (RTL9210) so it remained to find one with a good cooler.
I found one on Amazon named Orico that can run from any style USB 3 port (+ USB 2.0) and the NVME drive is mounted side on, it isnt slid in.
This means it can contact the heatsink with a thermal pad, slide in ones have sketchy cooling.
I havent got the prices with me but it only cost about £24.
Then found a brand new Sabrent Rocket 1TB drive on Ebay for a bit over £80.

It works perfectly and doesnt get hot.
Not as quick on old kit (6700K system with Maximus VIII mobo) = around 700MB/s, but on my 10700K with X470 mobo = close to 1TB/s.
Total cost, under £110, job done.

6700K system, USB 3.1 & 3.2, old style ports, and USB 3.2 Type C port:
6755 6756

10700K system USB 3.2 old port and Type C:
6757 6758

4KQ1 speeds suffer a little but otherwise a good performer.
Not bad for the size (GBs), low temp and price!
Its tiny as well, easily goes in a pocket.
FYI

edit
I bought the completely black adapter + large heatsink on top, with 2 cables and "RTL9210" controller chip, you cant fail to find it on UK Amazon when searching for
Orico NVME USB
But beware, I just found the same named USB to NVME adapter on Amazon with a different chip, JMS583.
DONT get this one.

Oh yes, there is now a 40Gbps controller for 5x the price, £129 !

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