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    eSATA expresscard transfer speeds. Normal?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by ajreynol, Apr 23, 2009.

  1. ajreynol

    ajreynol Notebook Virtuoso

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    Hey guys.

    My new laptop did not come with an eSATA connection, so I went ahead and purchased a Dynex Expresscard from Best Buy today. The goal being to backup about 400GB of HDD without having to wait 4-6 hours via a external USB HDD. Hooked it up, Vista recognized it and downloaded the necessary drivers.

    I did some test transfers, and it is indeed about 90% faster than the same file transferred over USB 2.0 (11GB file in ~5min vs. ~9.5min), but the highest I saw the transfer move at was about 40MB/s. Certainly a far cry from the theoretical performance. Even now as I perform the full HDD backup, the transfer speed is right around 46MB/s.

    Is this low for eSATA? Does the fact that it's connected via expresscard impact the max performance in a way that a built-in eSATA connection wouldn't? Or is it just a slow HDD?

    Lastly, if the issue is more likely the brand of expresscard, is there one that comes recommended?

    Thanks for your future insight.

    Basic details:

    External HDD - WD My Book Home Edition (3.5")
    Expresscard - Dynex 2-Port eSATA II card
    HDTune info from computer's HDD - Max Transfer ~90MB/s, Min ~40MB/s, Average ~60MB/s
    Laptop - In sig.
     
    ajreynol, Apr 23, 2009
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  2. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    More likely than not, the ExpressCard's SATA controller is low quality/junk. I'd return it to Best Buy and consider getting one from NewEgg. PNY and Vantec make a few eSATA cards that use some fairly powerful SATA controllers.
     
    Greg, Apr 23, 2009
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  3. ajreynol

    ajreynol Notebook Virtuoso

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    very good. thanks for the tip.
     
    ajreynol, Apr 23, 2009
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