Getting True USB4 Speed Is Still A Huge Headache
© PC WorldHow do I know if a complex USB4 external drive is really using the full speed of USB4? If you just look at the box on the shelf, the answer is no.
As a standard, especially if you're looking for fast file transfers, USB4 is still a confusing technical language that makes it easy to label a non-standard drive "USB4" without delivering the performance intended by the manufacturers. Gordon talks about it in the latest PCWorld YouTube video.
For starters, did you know that there is a difference between USB4 (no spaces, the copyrighted term refers to the USB developers forum specification) and USB 4.0 (note the space)? Well, there is, and it affects the drivers inside the PCB more than the mod box. In short, a drive labeled "USB4" (such as the ZikeDrive Z666 enclosure) cannot retain older components that are simply "compatible" with USB4 while still supporting older USB or Thunderbolt standards.
But there is another element that can prevent you from reaching top speed, and you have less control over that. Small drives aren't the only hardware that makes USB controllers cheaper, and even an expensive laptop or motherboard of a generation or two older may not reach full USB4 speeds (even if certified USB4).
Of course, we are not talking about the huge speed difference we experienced in USB 1-2 days. The difference between a true USB4 drive and a drive using Thunderbolt 3 is no more than 20-25%, not much, but not the edge of the world either. But if that difference matters to you, check out our in-depth reviews of the external drive you need and your own laptop, desktop, or motherboard to see if it can deliver fast speeds. (Our reviews of the best external drives and the best gaming motherboards will help you find great products quickly.)
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