our verdict
In case you’re on the lookout for the quickest and most compact exterior SSD, the Samsung T9 is the one for you. It is extremely quick, but its rubberized exterior and compact design make it certain to be transportable. Nevertheless, that peak velocity can solely be achieved with the much less widespread USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 ports. Moreover, that peak velocity has comparatively restricted profit in most gaming eventualities.
- Blazingly quick USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 speeds
- very compact design
- Rugged rubberized exterior
- Straightforward password safety software program
- 5 12 months guarantee
- USB ports quick sufficient are uncommon
- Restricted profit in most sport eventualities
- Not IP waterproof/dustproof customary
- excessive worth
On the lookout for a single exterior SSD that provides excessive capability, lightning-fast speeds, portability in your pocket, and rugged peace of thoughts? Samsung T9 is the drive on the high of my wishlist. Extremely-fast USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 velocity means its efficiency is superb. Plus, it is light-weight, compact, and rubber-coated for dependable use on the go.
These credentials instantly rank the Samsung T9 as probably the greatest exterior SSD gadgets. Nevertheless, for somebody simply on the lookout for a drive for basic transportable storage to retailer paperwork, music, movies, and app installers, the additional velocity here’s a bit overkill. At the same time as a drive that may load your Steam or Epic sport library, the elevated velocity will not make an evening and day distinction in comparison with extra reasonably priced choices.
Why you may belief our recommendation ✔ At , our consultants spend hours testing {hardware} and reviewing video games and VPNs. We share our trustworthy and unbiased opinions that will help you purchase one of the best. See how we check.
specification
| Samsung T9 transportable SSD specs | |
| capability | 1TB, 2TB, 4TB |
| Sequential learn/write velocity | As much as 2,000MB/s / 2,000MB/s |
| connection | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2×2 |
| Dimensions (mm) | 88×60×14 |
| weight | 122g |
| encryption | Sure, 256-bit {hardware} encryption |
| additional | Consists of Samsung encryption/password software program, sturdy rubberized exterior, 3 meter drop resistant |
Design and performance
The Samsung T9 is available in three completely different capacities: 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB, and in a kind issue that might be acquainted to anybody who has not too long ago bought an exterior SSD. In actual fact, this T9 drive is only a slight tweak to the design of the earlier technology model of this drive, the Samsung T7 Protect.
As such, it measures simply 88 x 60 x 14 mm, has only one USB port on one finish, and a single LED subsequent to it to point when the drive is energetic. This drive comes with two 45cm cables, one USB-C to USB-C and one USB-A to USB-C. It is a easy setup and would not have intelligent cable storage choices like some alternate options, so that you all the time should convey your cables with you.
The inherent robustness of SSD NAND storage makes exterior SSD drives far more shock-resistant than laborious drives, however the compact dimensions, gentle weight of simply 122g, and this drive’s thick rubber coating make it particularly rugged. It has develop into. The rubber is a number of millimeters thick and extends barely past the sting of the drive, offering ample safety, and Samsung charges it to face up to drops from as much as 3 meters (10 toes). I am doing it.
Nevertheless, one characteristic you will not get right here is an official IP score for water or mud resistance. The drive is immune to most spills and splashes, however the open USB ports will not be waterproof and are inclined to mud.
Contained in the drive is Samsung’s proprietary NAND flash storage, and the outer rubber is fused to the drive’s case, making it practically unimaginable for future person upgrades to entry the within of the drive. So the capability you simply bought is all the time out there.
The 4TB model of the Samsung T9 we’re testing is rated at 2,000MB/s sequential learn and write speeds, however Samsung makes no claims concerning the drive’s random learn and write speeds. In case you select a 2TB drive, the sequential write velocity will drop barely to 1,950MB/s, however the learn velocity will stay at 2,000MB/s. The identical velocity numbers apply in the event you select the 1TB model.
Importantly, these are the height speeds that the drive can handle, however you may solely obtain these speeds in case your USB ports and cables are suitable. You should guarantee that you’re utilizing the cable that got here with the drive or is understood to assist USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (20Gbps) speeds. Equally, ports in your laptop computer or PC also needs to be rated to this stage. You’ll typically see a small “20” written subsequent to the port if it helps these speeds. Connecting this drive to a USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps port will sluggish it down.
As an example the comparatively new and strange nature of those ports, I am utilizing the brand new AM5 throughout my previous Intel eleventh technology check PC, my major work PC with an AMD AM4 chipset, and a brand new AMD AM5 motherboard. Solely the board was transportable. Reaching 20Gbps. Moreover, this board solely had one of many eight rear USB ports able to this velocity. All different ports are 10Gbps or much less. So be sure you double-check earlier than buying a drive in such a rush.
The bundle contains Samsung’s transportable SSD software program, which you’ll be able to entry while you first join the drive. It is going to seem as a brand new drive, identical to an SD card or USB thumb drive. The drive is initially formatted as exFAT, however you may change it to your most popular file system.
Samsung’s software program has solely two capabilities: rename the drive or allow {hardware} encryption, so it’s totally simple to make use of. In case you join the drive to your pc with out putting in the software program, you will notice a read-only, unencrypted portion of the drive. This half incorporates the software program to put in on that system. Variations of this software program can be found for Home windows, Mac, and Android, however most Mac customers are probably to decide on to make use of File Vault encryption as an alternative of Samsung’s software program.
efficiency
Samsung’s claims concerning the velocity of this 4TB drive had been just about matched in our testing. Utilizing CrystalDiskMark benchmark software program, the drive recorded sequential learn speeds of two,030MB/s, however fell simply wanting its claimed write speeds, managing only one,868MB/s. Nevertheless, that is nonetheless impressively quick for an exterior SSD, and twice as quick as you will get with Samsung’s next-tier drive, the Samsung T7, so it is shut sufficient that you do not have to fret about it.
We additionally examined whether or not the drive’s {hardware} encryption affected efficiency and located that the drive slowed down barely, reaching 2,029MB/s learn velocity and 1,822MB/s write velocity, however these The numbers had been discovered to be shut sufficient to be thought of. similar. What’s extra, this drive is quick sufficient to jot down a 2 GB file to itself and browse it again to your system in simply over a second. Meaning you may transfer 100 GB of sport installations to and from the drive in nearly a minute.
It is clear that this drive is admittedly tremendous quick for file transfers, however is there a bonus for avid gamers? Are you able to safely set up Steam video games on this drive and run them easily?
To check this state of affairs, I transferred the Apex Legends set up from my native SSD to this SSD. This course of solely took a minute or two. I then in contrast sport boot occasions utilizing the interior SSD and this exterior drive. Utilizing the interior SSD (4TB WD Black SN850X with a rated learn velocity of seven,300MB/s), sport load occasions averaged 41.9 seconds. As compared, the Samsung T9 averaged 42.9 seconds.
This may increasingly counsel a small however distinct benefit of inner drives. Nevertheless, once I linked the T9 to the slower 10Gbps USB port, sport load occasions averaged 42.0 seconds (see CrystalDiskMark run above), regardless of the apparent slowdown in drive velocity. In different phrases, whereas a contemporary, quick inner SSD might have a slight benefit in sport load occasions and stage load occasions, an exterior drive continues to be completely usable and really helpful for that function. You do not even want a quick SSD. A dependable exterior sport drive.
worth
With a beginning worth of $134.99 for the 1TB model of this drive, the Samsung T9 is likely one of the dearer choices amongst transportable SSDs. For comparability, the equally sturdy Samsung T7 Protect can also be out there for $99.99, as is the non-durable model of that drive. Alternatively, slower drives can be found for much less, such because the 800MB/s SanDisk Transportable SSD for $84.99. So that you’re undoubtedly paying a premium for the additional velocity of this drive.
different
samsung t7 protect
In case you like the concept of the rubber safety the Samsung T9 affords, and desire a quick sufficient exterior SSD that is nice as a boot drive for video games, the Samsung T7 Protect is for you. The highest velocity is barely rated at 1,050MB/s, but it surely’s nonetheless very quick and will not intrude with video games loading. Importantly, it is considerably cheaper than T9 at any capability.
Samsung T7
If you wish to save just a little extra on a sure capability, we suggest selecting the Samsung T7. This drive additionally reaches as much as 1,050MB/s, however does away with the rubberized exterior, making it barely much less protected towards drops. Nonetheless, it is robust sufficient to fulfill most individuals’s wants.
verdict
Samsung T9 is an extremely quick, compact, and difficult exterior SSD that gives all of the velocity that skilled content material creators and avid gamers want, whereas nonetheless needing a high-capacity drive that may face up to life on the go. Best for individuals who need to
Nevertheless, it doesn’t have an effect on sport loading occasions as it’s quicker in comparison with different drives. So in the event you’re on the lookout for a drive to dump your Steam sport library, a slower drive can do the identical job and prevent cash. Nevertheless, in the event you commonly transfer giant recordsdata, this additional velocity can come in useful in case your PC/Laptop computer has a quick sufficient port.
In case you’ve determined that upgrading your inner SSD is a greater choice, however aren’t certain the way to make that change, take a look at our information on one of the best SSDs for gaming and our tutorial on the way to set up an M SSD. .2 SSD, we are going to present you the way to do it step-by-step.
