Testing speed of modern External SSD backup

Practically testing speed in real environment of latest technology External SSD devices (December 2024).

Abstract: I decided to practically test the speed of the latest technology in External SSD devices and compare it to previously available technologies of External USB-based backup devices. Tests are done with real-life file sets and real commercial laptops used in typical company environments.

1 Need for External USB backup in the modern business environment

The need for safe, offline backup is driven by ransomware attacks, which I actually experienced in my company. However, there are also other kinds of needs to move files between workstations, home, and office computers, and there is a need to have backup in case of system crashes or accidental deletions.

For such situations External USB memory/disk devices are irreplaceable. I like them because I can attach them to make a backup and later detach them and physically move them to a safe place, where they are definitely offline.

My favorite backup method is very simple one: the usage of FreeFileSync app (high-quality freeware) that synchronizes directories. I keep all my work files on my work laptop in one root folder and sync periodically to an External USB device.

In compliance with company rules, I keep all my External USB devices BitLocker encrypted and secured with the password needed to access the device. There are many sensitive company and personal documents I have there, so I definitely want them safe in case memory/disk device is lost, for example during commuting to/from the office.

Over the years technology for External USB memory/disk backup changed, bringing always greater transfer speeds. I bought some latest External SSD-s, so I wanted to test them.

2 Test scenario setup

Here are the basic testing conditions:

• I will use a new Lenovo laptop with the newest USB A and USB C ports
• I will backup real life work files, around 49.4GB
• I will backup them to the External USB memory/disk device of choice
• External USB memory/disk device will be BitLocker encrypted
• I will use FreeFileSync app (high-quality freeware) that synchronizes directories as a backup solution

Here are the specs for the ports of my laptop:

Here is the folder with real-life docs that I will backup:

3 Testing External 64GB USB Flash drive

Device info:

• 64GB USB Flash drive
• Kinston DataTraveler 3.0 USB
• USB-A, 3.0 (5Gbps)
• 49.4GB transferred in 97min 15sec
• Average speed of backup 8.66MBps=69.26Mbps

4 Testing External 1 TB USB HDD

Device info:

• External 1 TB USB HDD
• Toshiba 1 TB HDD
• USB-A, 3.0 (5Gbps)
• 49.4GB transferred in 22min 28sec
• Average speed of backup 37.5 MBps=300 Mbps

5 Testing External SSD 1 TB, USB 3.2 Gen2

Device info:

• External 1 TB SSD
• Samsung PSSD T7 1TB
• USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps)
• 49.4GB transferred in 4min 3sec
• Average speed of backup 208 MBps=1664 Mbps

6 Testing External SSD 2 TB, USB 3.2 Gen2x2

Device info:

• External 2 TB SSD
• Samsung PSSD T9 2TB
• USB-C 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20Gbps)
• 49.4GB transferred in 2min 38sec
• Average speed of backup 320 MBps=2560 Mbps

7 Conclusion

So, here are actual practical speeds of backup in real-world situations:

These values are measured in these conditions:

• used a new Lenovo laptop (December 2024) with the newest USB A and USB C ports
• backup real-life work files, around 49.4GB, 41.000 files, 6.000 folders
• External device BitLocker encrypted
• used FreeFileSync app (high-quality freeware) that synchronizes directories as a backup solution