data to see when (or if) thermal throttling kicks in and how it impacts performance.

When possible, we also log the temperature of the drive via the S.M.A.R.T. We also monitor cache recovery via multiple idle rounds. This test reveals if the drive has a pseudo-SLC cache, which is a small portion of faster-programmed flash that absorbs incoming write workloads. We threw in this one last test to measure the performance of the drive over a 15-minute window, writing to the full span of the drive. At £170 ($240) for the 512GB model ( Amazon (opens in new tab)), it is an attractive option for those who require a sturdier solution for their storage needs.Write speed and temperature are two important and inter-related metrics for external devices. Samsung’s external SSDs are far smaller but that’s about it.Īdata’s SD700, whilst more expensive and slightly slower, is more portable and is IP68-rated, great for the niche that it is targeting. The Samsung T5, in contrast, sells for £164.36 ( Amazon (opens in new tab)) – around $230 – for the 500GB version, with the 1TB model selling for a whopping £314.36 ( Amazon (opens in new tab)) – around $440 – a significant price premium. It is the least portable of the solid-state drives around but its sheer value for money is unquestionable.

That translates into a per GB cost of 19.2p, making the G-Drive the cheapest external SSD on the market. The G-Technology G-Drive (1TB model) from parent company Western Digital costs £192 ( Amazon (opens in new tab)) – that’s around $270. The 256GB model we tested retails for £94 ($130). The My Passport costs £169.99 ($240) for the 500GB version ( Amazon (opens in new tab)) and £307.57 ($435) for the 1TB model ( Amazon (opens in new tab)), significantly more expensive than the G-Drive, despite probably using the same components, as mentioned.

Wd my passport x review