Testing
The following system was used to test the SSD Enclosure:
– Processor: Intel i9 9900K @ 5GHz
– Motherboard: ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming X
– RAM: Neo Forza Faye DDR4 64GB 3600MHz
– GPU: MSI GeForce RTX 3090 Ti Suprim X
– SSD: Crucial P5 500GB
– Mass Storage: Neo Forza NFP075 2 TB
– CPU Cooler: Cooler Master MasterLiquid 240
– PSU: Seasonic Prime TX-1000 Platinum
– Case: be quiet! Silent Base 802 White
– Thermal compound: Noctua NT-H2
To test the SSD enclosure, a Silicon Power P34A80 1TB SSD was used, with CrystalDiskMark 8 as the testing software.
In order to obtain a precise result each test was performed three times.
CrystalDiskMark 8 – Read
CrystalDiskMark 8 – Write
Final thoughts
The ACASIS TBU401E is a good SSD enclosure, especially when paired with a high-end M.2 SSD. The performance delivered is great, and the same can be said for the build quality.
In terms of pricing, the ACASIS TBU401E is available for around 140USD or at a discount for 120USD on the ACASIS website. Even with a discount, this enclosure is not cheap, in this case however, you do pay for the great build quality and the offered performance.
The two thermal pads included with the enclosure are not great, they do not work with an M.2 SSD because they are too thin. I will advise you to buy a generic thermal pad with a thickness of at least 1.5mm to ensure proper contact between the SSD and the enclosure.
This is an unfortunate shortcoming as the all-metal enclosure can passively cool the SSD if proper thermal pads are used to make the contact.
The installation process with this enclosure couldn’t be simpler. You just insert the SSD into the socket and secure it with the rubber pad. The top plate that covers the SSD uses a ball locking system; you just press on it until it clicks in place.
The main feature of the TBU401E enclosure apart from the performance is the Thunderbolt compatibility. While many enclosures are using a USB Type-C connector, only a few include an Intel Thunderbolt controller. In fact, all the components used on this enclosure are high quality.
In conclusion, the ACASIS TBU401E is a good M.2 SSD enclosure that delivers a good performance while being well-built. The biggest drawback of this enclosure is the price, even at the discounted price of 120 USD, this enclosure is not cheap. The second shortcoming is the lack of proper thermal pads that will make the contact with the SSD and the enclosure.
If you need an M.2 SSD enclosure that is capable of good speeds and is compatible with both Thunderbolt and USB Type-C, then the ACASIS TBU401E can be a good choice for you
I am sorry about my previous comment as you have already mentioned the configuration of computer. My concern was how this combination performs on Mac computers.
Don’t worry about it! 🙂