Testing
The following system was used to test the SSD enclosure
– Processor: Intel i9 9900K @ 5GHz
– Motherboard: ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming X
– RAM: GOODRAM IRDM PRO 16GB DDR4-3600MHz
– GPU: MSI GeForce RTX 2070 Super Gaming X Trio
– SSD: Crucial MX500
– Mass Storage: GOODRAM IRDM PRO GEN.2 1TB
– CPU Cooler: SilverStone Permafrost PF240W-ARGB
– PSU: Seasonic Snow Silent 750W Platinum
To test the SSD enclosure, a Silicon Power P34A80 1TB SSD was used, with the following software:
– CrystalDiskMark 8,
– Windows File Copy.
In order to obtain a precise result each test was performed three times.
CrystalDiskMark 8 – Enclosure (Silicon Power P34A80 1TB)
SSD Temperature – Enclosure
Final thoughts
The Silverstone MS12 is a good M.2 enclosure that delivers on the promise of cooling the SSD. While many enclosures are advertised to actively cool the SSD installed inside, many fall short. The MS12 will drop the SSD temperature by over 17 degrees Celsius, which is impressive for what is a small enclosure.
This enclosure can be had for around 70 USD, and you do get a lot for your money. This is not an M.2 SSD enclosure; this is a heatsink with a space in the middle for an SSD. The all-aluminum construction is great and the used screws are solid, in addition, you get spare screws included, which is a nice touch.
From a performance standpoint, the enclosure does really well, given the circumstances. The ASMedia ASM2364 controller is good but it will be the main bottleneck of the SSD while using this enclosure. Thus, the best SSDs for this enclosure are the models that have their speed at around 2000mb/s. High Speed M.2 SSDs will be a waste of performance with not only this enclosure but with many enclosures for that matter.
The build quality is exceptional, as this enclosure is made from metal and has no plastic in its construction. The screws used to keep the enclosure’s panels in place are thick and well made.
In conclusion, the Silverstone MS12 is good and what does better than most SSD enclosures is the cooling. This is the highlight of this enclosure and what makes it worth the higher-than-average price.
