MP All Models External TB3 NVMe SSD - only 800 MB/s write speed

[godzfire]

DELETE

 

[godzfire]

I went to Best Buy and bought a 1TB 980 Pro because I wanted a way to test and confirm to Samsung RMA that it's not the case(s), it's not the computer, it's the 970 Evo Plus specifically. Lo and behold....

970 Evo Plus - ACASIS FA-401 TB3 Case

970 Evo Plus - TREBLEET TRE-SIG-TB3-NV TB3 Case

980 Pro - ACASIS FA-401 TB3 Case

980 Pro - TREBLEET TRE-SIG-TB3-NV TB3 Case

This proves it.

 

[godzfire]

I submitted my RMA response to Samsung about my 970 Evo Plus with overwhelming proof:

8) Detailed Reason for Repair:
I am getting only approx ~1200 MB/s write speed with the 1 TB 970 Evo
Plus in a instead of at least ~2500 in a TB3 case due to known write
speed limitation due to samsung SSD controller hardware and OS
incompatibilities.

The 970 Evo Plus model has had issues from the start of it's release
related to macOS, originally being completely unusable with the OS until
Samsung put out a firmware update. However it's now been confirmed from
multiple sources/places including the MacRumors forums, other sites, and
even now on product pages for TB3 cases that this specific model has
limited write speeds because of this.

Examples of proof of issue:

External TB3 NVMe SSD - only 800 MB/s write speed

Hi, I have a 2019 i-9 iMac and built an external SSD enclosure using a Sonnet Echo Express SE-I TB3. I have tried two different PCIe NVME adapters and my NVME SSD (Samsung 970 Evo Plus 2TB) is only reaching around 800 MB write speed. Sometimes goes up to 850-870 MB/s. I tried different brand...

forums.macrumors.com

(the entire thread contains examples)

Samsung Nvme and super slow Boot on Monterey

I have a configuration with OC and everything was working flawless until I've updated to Monterey Beta. The Beta runs quite well on my Machine, except booting time. It takes about 130 seconds from entering the password until I can see the apple desktop. I'm using a Samsung 970 evo m.2 Nvme...

forums.macrumors.com

https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/mejbw5 https://www.reddit.com/r/bootcamp/comments/q70evv https://www.reddit.com/r/mac/comments/mejbw5
Complicating matters is that the 970 Evo Plus has two 'versions'. They
originally used the Phoenix controller however due to supply issues
switched to the Elpis controller
(https://www.tomshardware.com/news/samsung-is-swapping-ssd-parts-too).
Mine is the older Phoenix controller.

I bought mine in Nov '20 (Phoenix controller) and none of this was
posted as a notation or incompatibility on the Samsung Amazon page for
it, and I would have never chosen that model if I'd known, since I
utilize Mac hardware.

I called Samsung Memory Services and the representative on the phone
acknowledged it could the problem but because at the time I didn't have
something to test it against, he couldn't rule out my external case
and/or computer being the issue.

9) Troubleshooting Performed:
I purchased two different TB3 cases that are confirmed to get full TB3
write speeds, an ACASIS FA-401 and TREBLEET TRE-SIG-TB3-NV. I then
tested the 970 Evo Plus in those. In both cases, the 970 would get
around 2500 Read, but maxing Write at 1200-1300. This proves it's not
due to the case. I tried each of the 4 TBolt ports on the Mini with both
cases, same result. This proves it's not the ports. I then borrowed a
980 Pro, and repeated the speed tests. This time, both cases hit 2500
Write and Read speeds. This proves the first time that it's not the Mac,
and a second time it's not the cases. Photos attached.

I then borrowed a friend's MacBook Pro 14,1 and ran the exact same
tests. I received the exact same results: The 970 in either case maxed
at 1200-1300 Write, while the 980 again hit 2500 for both. This confirms
a second time it's not an issue with my Mac Mini, and a third time it's
not the cases. Photos attached.


This is clearly an issue of the 970 Evo Plus not functioning properly.

10) Computer Specifications (Please provide any system information if
available):
Model Identifier: Macmini8,1 (2018)
OS Version: macOS Monterey 12.3.1
Processor Name: 6-Core Intel Core i7
Processor Speed: 3.2 GHz
Memory: 32 GB
Thunderbolt Ports: 4 (2 buses with 2 each)
TB3 Port Speed: Up to 40 Gb/s x1

Their response.....

Thank you for contacting Samsung Support. Our SSD 970 Evo Plus is made for native M.2 NVMe interfaces. Adapters are not native interfaces and performance may vary. There are no incompatibilities with MAC OS and this drive model. Please let us know if you would like to continue with the warranty claim.

I'm so upset with that response. It completely either shrugs off or ignores all of the evidence/tests I did (including the 980 Pro which worked just fine in those 'not native interfaces') along with all the links to people having issues with theirs.

 

[MrAverigeUser]

I submitted my RMA response to Samsung about my 970 Evo Plus with overwhelming proof:



Their response.....


I'm so upset with that response. It completely either shrugs off or ignores all of the evidence/tests I did (including the 980 Pro which worked just fine in those 'not native interfaces') along with all the links to people having issues with theirs.

For me, this is just a very honest response from Samsung, nothing than that.

"Adapters are not native interfaces and performance may vary."

Since internally in my MBP 15" from 2015 the 970 pro plus performs much better (2.800 read AND write) the statement/explanation of Samsung seems to be absolutely correct:

"There are no incompatibilities with MAC OS and this drive model."

As for me, I can confirm what they write.

Do not accuse Samsung if their 970 Pro plus works fine internally, but not in third party enclosures, accuse the producers of the enclosures for NOT adapt their enclosures and/or at least their customers about problems with some SSD.....

just my 2 cts.....

 

[samkwan]

Anyone try the new version of 970 EVO plus ？ seems it uses the same controller as 980 PRO

 

[godzfire]

For me, this is just a very honest response from Samsung, nothing than that.

"Adapters are not native interfaces and performance may vary."

Since internally in my MBP 15" from 2015 the 970 pro plus performs much better (2.800 read AND write) the statement/explanation of Samsung seems to be absolutely correct:

"There are no incompatibilities with MAC OS and this drive model."

As for me, I can confirm what they write.

Do not accuse Samsung if their 970 Pro plus works fine internally, but not in third party enclosures, accuse the producers of the enclosures for NOT adapt their enclosures and/or at least their customers about problems with some SSD.....

just my 2 cts.....

There's some confusion here, because the 970 Evo Plus is SPECIFICALLY known to have write speed issues in Thunderbolt cases, and essentially each case maker specifically notes it will have issues with that model. An argument case could be made if this was the same situation and problem for other Samsung NVME models, but no other model suffers from this.

The problem I have is there is a certain % of people buying NVME drives to only be used as external storage in external closures. I bought the 970 Evo Plus for that specific purpose. If that was Samsung's stance regarding basic usability for a non-internal drive and not supported, there should be SOMETHING on the product page stating as such- that NVME drives are internal only and external enclosures and write speeds for them are not recommended and supported.

But they didn't when I bought it, and to this day there's no mention of this. Had it been noted, I would have never bought that model and even the Samsung Brand and wasted the money.

 

[samkwan]

just tested with my TEKQ TB3 enclosure with 980 PRO 1TB

 

[AAPLGeek]

Do any of these drives below exhibit the slow write/read issue?

Samsung 980 (regular non-pro model)
WD SN570
Kingston KC2500

 

[Matty_TypeR]

Do any of these drives below exhibit the slow write/read issue?

Samsung 980 (regular non-pro model)
WD SN570
Kingston KC2500

I can confirm the 980 non pro has slow write speed, so does the WD 570, i also use the 980 pro M2 drives.

 

[AAPLGeek]

I can confirm the 980 non pro has slow write speed, so does the WD 570, i also use the 980 pro M2 drives. View attachment 2027059

That's a bummer.

Any other drive besides the 980 Pro that's guaranteed to work at normal speeds?

 

[samkwan]

That's a bummer.

Any other drive besides the 980 Pro that's guaranteed to work at normal speeds?

I have try several 1TB nvme, even not satisfied with 980 Pro (laggy even though the write read/speed is normal)

From my experience, SN750 (1TB) is the only choice that you can still find in the market.

 

[AAPLGeek]

I have try several 1TB nvme, even not satisfied with 980 Pro (laggy even though the write read/speed is normal)

From my experience, SN750 (1TB) is the only choice that you can still find in the market.

That's strange. What exactly do you find laggy?

There are write speed issues with latest batches of SN750 too according to a few posts here and on reddit.

What enclosure are you using?

 

[samkwan]

That's strange. What exactly do you find laggy?

There are write speed issues with latest batches of SN750 too according to a few posts here and on reddit.

What enclosure are you using?

I bought a new 980 Pro, using Monterey on my imac 24 M1, everything would freeze for 3-4 sec (but i can see the clock on right upper corner is working) , already re-installed for more than 10 times, same situation. Try different SSD, can confirm is 980 Pro issue, although when I tested with BlackMagic it showed 26xx/26xx. I bought a used SN750 a few days ago, everything is back to normal.

In addition, very strange is , boot time , 980 Pro needs 2x-30 sec, but SN750 only takes 18-20 sec to desktop. From my case, I strongly recommend SN750 1TB (someone mentioned 2TB also got write speed issue)

using TEKO super veloce enclosure.

 

[h9826790]

One of the theory is that when the OS perform TRIM, 980 Pro will freeze for that few seconds.

I don't know if this is true or not, but you guys may report this to Samsung. That may be a firmware issue.

Also, it's quite comment that Samsung SSD need longer time to complete the manual TRIM during boot.