TB3 Drive Speed Issue

[Ifti]

I have 2 external ThunderBolt 3 drives:

OWC Envoy Pro EX
OCW ThunderBlade V4

The Envoy Pro EX has a built in TB3 cable. When I connect this to a brand new MacBook Pro I can see it is connected at full 40GB/s in System Report/Thunderbolt.

However, when I connect the ThunderBlade V4, which should provide faster speeds, using the 0.5m TB3 cable included with the drive, I find it is only connecting to the same MacBook Pro, using the same TB3 port, via 20GB/s rather then the 40 it should connect at.

Any reasons why?
Could it be the cable, even though it came with the drive itself?

 

[chabig]

That would be a good question for OWC support. It could be the cable. It could be firmware. Maybe you're misinterpreting the System Information. Ask them and report back.

 

[Ifti]

That would be a good question for OWC support. It could be the cable. It could be firmware. Maybe you're misinterpreting the System Information. Ask them and report back.

Thanks.
I don’t think it’s the system info as the other drive reports fine.
Also drive speed tests on the Thunderblade are lower then they should be. So I do think it’s connecting at 20GB/s.
I may try an Apple branded TB3 cable and see if there’s any difference?

 

[chabig]

Yeah. Just try some different combinations. Switch the ports, etc. Change cables if you can. But do ask OWC. They're probably the ones best equipped to answer your question.

 

[Ifti]

Yeah. Just try some different combinations. Switch the ports, etc. Change cables if you can. But do ask OWC. They're probably the ones best equipped to answer your question.

Ive tried switching cables etc already - may try another cable next.

Contacted OWC - they have some of the worst customer service Ive experienced.
After taking me through the basics (all of which I had already tried) their only suggestion was to send the unit to them to take a look at.

I am located in the UK. They want me to send it to them in the USA, and I have to cover all shipping charges!

I don't understand this - if they feel the item has a fault surely they should be covering all costs?
This is an expensive piece of equipment after all!

I will contact the local reseller tomorrow and see what they suggest......

Marketed as the 'Worlds fastest external SSD' - certainly not my experience at the moment!

 

[Ifti]

Sent the drive back to the reseller, who tested and say its the cable - which is strange considering you'd expect OWC to provide a 40GBs cable rather then 20GBs after paying so much for this "fastest in the world" drive!

Then again, it could just be a one-off dodgy cable.

Having the drive sent back to me today while they look into the cable issue with their supplier/OWC.
In the meantime I'll buy another TB3 cable and hope for the best!

 

[Ifti]

Happy to report all is fine with a replacement cable!