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    M14x r2 - usb 3

    Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by sprucejuice, Mar 2, 2013.

  1. sprucejuice

    sprucejuice Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi Guys,

    Can anyone verify that the USB 3 functions as expected.

    I'm running the latest USB 3 drivers from the dell site (Chipset_Driver_9P6FM_WN_1.0.4.220_X07.EXE) and can't get throughput above 52MB/s (the top end of USB2 ...I think).

    I'm running to a Thermaltake BlacX 5G dock which has a 750Gb Seagate Baracuda in it (7200rpm) I would have thought I'd be getting a much faster transfer speed.

    Any suggestons?

    S
     
    sprucejuice, Mar 2, 2013
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  2. Mastaa

    Mastaa Notebook Consultant

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    Make sure to plug it in on the right side of the notebook...
    Plus, try to use a SSD or a bigger USB 3 Stick, because I believe it could be the "slow" HDD you connected.
     
    Mastaa, Mar 3, 2013
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  3. sprucejuice

    sprucejuice Notebook Enthusiast

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    yup, definately using the right side. That harddrive should be SATA2 making it 3Gb/s (roughly 300MB/s) ...at least theoretically. I may have to invest in a USB3 stick.
     
    sprucejuice, Mar 3, 2013
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  4. Jayi

    Jayi Notebook Enthusiast

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    Normally I'm getting around 80-90MB/s transfering file between the laptop and external hard disc via the USB 3.0 port.
     
    Jayi, Mar 3, 2013
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  5. sprucejuice

    sprucejuice Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for that Jayi. It's good to have other peoples encounters. Does anyone know why this is so low? I would expect 300MB/s at the very least for SATA2 and faster still for SATA3 drives. Any suggestions?

    S
     
    sprucejuice, Mar 3, 2013
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  6. Jayi

    Jayi Notebook Enthusiast

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    Take a look here [Solved] USB 3.0 transfer speed slow - Other-Components - CPU-Components

     
    Jayi, Mar 4, 2013
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  7. shnarf

    shnarf Notebook Consultant

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    I'd blame the poor performance on the drive. I have a couple SSD's in USB 3.0 enclosures and can hit 350/400.
    the enclosure you mentioned is sata2 internally so even with a SSD you wont break 300. another factor is the type/size/quantity of files in the transfer. copying 5GB of emails/pictures will take significantly longer than a 5GB video, especially with a hdd as opposed to ssd. id say the speeds your getting are about what id expect for the scenario.
     
    shnarf, Mar 4, 2013
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  8. digitalmo

    digitalmo Notebook Consultant

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    There's something very messed up with USB 3, but no one is talking about it. On the r2, I cannot use audio interfaces on any of the ports if USB 3 is active. I get a BSOD within moments of plugging in the cards. You must uninstall ONLY the USB 3 support, degrading every port to USB 2. Then I am able to use my audio interfaces. I believe this is a problem with the controller or standard or something? It is ongoing ...
     
    digitalmo, Mar 4, 2013
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  9. shnarf

    shnarf Notebook Consultant

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    Interesting problem. my r2 is running windows 8 and I dont have any issues using both usb3 and audio ports at the same time. I dont think I had that issue on 7 either. I use both audio/usb3 together at work every day.
     
    shnarf, Mar 5, 2013
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  10. Alienware-Luis_Pardo

    Alienware-Luis_Pardo Guest

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    I ditto shnarf, I use audio/usb3 ports very often and I've never had any trouble with it. Have you checked your BSOD's stop error code meaning?

    Bug Check Code Reference
     
    Alienware-Luis_Pardo, Mar 7, 2013
    #10