What's the cheapest reliable thunderbolt enclosure (NVME)?

[ls1dreams]

If I bought a mac mini and wanted to expand it, obviously TB5 would be faster, but probably insanely expensive.

Basically thinking I can go on the hunt for a good, reliable TB4 enclosure as they get cleared out. 1 or 2 NVME slot support would be fine.
For the right price also might consider something with 3.5 HDD slots + NVME.

I've seen the little Maiwo/Jeyi 1 x NVME enclosures for like $40-$50 but not sure if they are really reliable for long term use.

 

[BeatCrazy]

For SSD enclosures, Thunderbolt 3 has the same performance as Thunderbolt 4.

Check out models from Acasis for high performance/reliability.

 

[ls1dreams]

For SSD enclosures, Thunderbolt 3 has the same performance as Thunderbolt 4.

Check out models from Acasis for high performance/reliability.

Yes though TB3 has no backwards compatibility to USB 3 C ports if you need to connect it to an older machine.

 

[BeatCrazy]

Yes though TB3 has no backwards compatibility to USB 3 C ports if you need to connect it to an older machine.

It does if you pick the right enclosure.

Acasis 40Gbps M.2 NVMe USB 4 Thunderbolt 3/4 SSD Enclosure

Lightning-Speed Data Transfer ACASIS 40Gbps Nvme Enclosure, with blazing speed up to 40Gbps has you covered, offering the ultimate combination of speed, performance, and versatility. Transfer speed up to 40Gbps (varies by host device and SSD), transferring 2.5G large file in 1 second, even...

www.acasis.com

 

[BrianBaughn]

I got two of the Acasis "TBU405 Air" enclosures (Thunderbolt-only) and they're working fine so far.

They were cheapest for me purchased directly from Acasis.

 

[ls1dreams]

It does if you pick the right enclosure.

Acasis 40Gbps M.2 NVMe USB 4 Thunderbolt 3/4 SSD Enclosure

Lightning-Speed Data Transfer ACASIS 40Gbps Nvme Enclosure, with blazing speed up to 40Gbps has you covered, offering the ultimate combination of speed, performance, and versatility. Transfer speed up to 40Gbps (varies by host device and SSD), transferring 2.5G large file in 1 second, even...

www.acasis.com

You linked a TB4/USB-C enclosure that's backwards compatible with TB3. Of course it's compatible with USB3 lol.

 

[ls1dreams]

I got two of the Acasis "TBU405 Air" enclosures (Thunderbolt-only) and they're working fine so far.

They were cheapest for me purchased directly from Acasis.

Good price on those - no fan though right? Any overheating issues?

 

[BrianBaughn]

Good price on those - no fan though right? Any overheating issues?

Right…no fans. I can't testify to the overheating. I already had the data transferred to the SSDs before putting them in the housings. I'm not doing anything now that's going to heat them up.

 

[BeatCrazy]

You linked a TB4/USB-C enclosure that's backwards compatible with TB3. Of course it's compatible with USB3 lol.

As I originally stated, TB3 vs TB4 has no performance difference when it comes to storage. Im fact, I’m 99.9% sure that enclosure is genuinely TB4, rather simply TB3 with additional USB controller chip added for backwards compatibility

 

[ls1dreams]

As I originally stated, TB3 vs TB4 has no performance difference when it comes to storage. Im fact, I’m 99.9% sure that enclosure is genuinely TB4, rather simply TB3 with additional USB controller chip added for backwards compatibility

It's actually kind of complicated. With TB3 only newer versions of chips are backwards compatible with USB-C ports, but also only if the manufacturer decides to implement them.

The JHL7440 (titan ridge) in that /is/ the newer variant that is capable of backwards compatibility vs. the older titan ridge stuff (JHL6xxx).

It's also slightly inaccurate to say there is no performance difference. Newer ASM USB4 chipsets have proven to be about 30% faster in real world performance than the older JHL TB3 chipsets, even though they are both rated 40Gbps.

 

[Basic75]

With TB3 only newer versions of chips are backwards compatible with USB-C ports, but also only if the manufacturer decides to implement them.

Did you mean "with USB protocol" or "with non-TB USB-C ports" instead of "with USB-C ports"?