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Contents:

What is USB 4?

ASM2464 Chip Analysis

M.2 SSD Enclosure VS Dock Comparison between MT402 and M248

In this rapidly developing digital era, the demand for data storage and transmission is growing day by day, and hard drive boxes, as an important tool for daily storage, are also constantly evolving. As the latest generation of USB interface standards, the arrival of USB 4 has brought unprecedented performance improvements to hard disk enclosures. Compared with the previous USB 3.2 and USB 3.1, the USB 4 hard drive enclosure has higher transmission speed, stability and compatibility, making it an ideal choice for users with big data needs.

What is the USB 4 standard?

USB 4 is the latest USB protocol standard released by USB-IF (USB Implementers Forum). It is docking on Thunderbolt 3 technology and has a maximum bandwidth of 40Gbps. Compared with the 20Gbps of USB 3.2, the bandwidth of USB 4 is doubled, significantly increasing the data transfer speed. Not only that, USB 4 also supports video signal transmission, multi-channel data processing, and has downward compatibility and is compatible with USB 3.2, USB 3.1 and USB 2.0 devices. In addition, the standard design of USB 4’s Type-C interface makes it excellent in data transmission and charging, and users can enjoy a convenient multi-purpose experience.

Advantages of USB 4 SSD Enclosure

1. Higher transmission speed

The transfer rate of USB 4 hard disk enclosures can reach 40Gbps, which greatly reduces the time of large file transfers. For example, for professional users who need to frequently transfer large amounts of video, audio files or large design materials, the high-speed transfer capability of USB 4 hard disk enclosures is particularly important. File transfers that used to take several minutes or even more than ten minutes may only take a few seconds on USB 4 hard disk enclosures, greatly improving work efficiency.

2. Stronger compatibility and scalability

The USB 4 hard disk enclosure uses a Type-C interface, which is not only convenient for reverse insertion but also has strong compatibility and is backward compatible with standard interface devices such as USB 3.2 and USB 3.1. For users with multiple different devices, the USB 4 hard disk enclosure can easily connect to a variety of terminal devices such as computers, tablets, and mobile phones without worrying about interface incompatibility. At the same time, the USB 4 hard disk enclosure also supports multitasking, and users can charge the device or connect other peripherals while transferring data, making full use of the versatility of the device.

3. More stable signal transmission

The USB 4 hard disk enclosure is docking on the Thunderbolt 3 technical standard, and the stability of data transmission has also been improved. Even in complex multitasking scenarios, the USB 4 hard disk enclosure can maintain high stability of data transmission and avoid data loss or delay. This is undoubtedly a boon for users with important data storage needs, which can greatly reduce the risk of file damage or data transmission interruption.

Application Scenarios of USB 4 SSD Enclosure

1. Professional creative workers

For photographers, designers, video producers and other users who need to frequently store and transfer large files, the high-speed transmission performance provided by the USB 4 hard drive enclosure is undoubtedly an ideal choice. Whether it is the transmission of 4K or even 8K video files, or the backup of high-resolution image materials, the USB 4 hard drive enclosure can help users complete their work quickly and greatly improve production efficiency.

2. Enterprise-level data management

In enterprises, data storage and backup are top priorities. The high-speed transmission and large-capacity storage capabilities of USB 4 hard disk enclosures can meet the growing data needs of enterprises. Especially in industries such as finance and medical care that require frequent data backup, USB 4 hard disk enclosures can greatly shorten data backup time and improve work efficiency.

3. Gamers

For players who pursue the ultimate gaming experience, the high-speed transmission capability of the USB 4 hard disk enclosure can effectively reduce the game loading time. Especially when large game files need to be downloaded and installed in large quantities, the 40Gbps transmission speed of the USB 4 hard disk enclosure will save players from waiting and quickly enter the game world. At the same time, the USB 4 hard disk enclosure can also be used as a high-performance storage solution for saving game archives and video playback files, so that you can enjoy a smooth gaming experience anytime, anywhere.

How to Choose a High-quality USB 4 SSD Enclosure?

When purchasing a USB 4 hard drive enclosure, the following suggestions can help users choose the product that suits them:

1. Transfer speed: Make sure the hard drive enclosure supports the 40Gbps transfer rate of the USB 4 standard to meet high-speed transmission needs.

2. Compatibility: Choose a hard drive enclosure that supports multiple devices and ensure that it can be connected to multiple devices such as current computers, mobile phones, etc.

3 . Heat dissipation design: USB 4 hard disk enclosures have fast transmission speeds and heat dissipation performance is also very important. Choosing a hard disk enclosure with a metal shell or heat dissipation design will help maintain the stability of the device.

4 . Security: Choose a hard drive enclosure with data encryption or data protection functions to protect user privacy and the security of important files.

5. Brand and after-sales service: High-quality brand and reliable after-sales service can guarantee the service life and user experience of the hard disk enclosure.

In-depth Analysis for ASM2464 Chip

ASM2464 is a high-performance USB 4 host control chip launched by ASMedia, designed to meet the needs of modern high-speed data transmission. With the popularization of USB 4 standards, this chip has become a core component of many high-end devices (such as hard disk enclosures and docking stations). This article will analyze the potential and technical value of the ASM2464 chip in detail from the aspects of technical characteristics, application scenarios and market prospects.

Basic Overview of ASM2464 Chip

ASM2464 is a master control chip dockingd on USB 4 and Thunderbolt 3 technology, supporting up to 40Gbps transmission bandwidth and compatible with USB 3.2, USB 2.0 and Thunderbolt 3 devices. This makes it one of the master control chips on the market with both high performance and wide compatibility.

Core parameters :

Interface protocols: USB 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.2, USB 2.0

Maximum bandwidth: 40Gbps

Compatibility: Supports DP 1.4 (DisplayPort Alt Mode) for video signal transmission

Power optimization: Advanced low-power design for portable and high-performance devices

Platform support: Compatible with Windows, macOS and Linux operating systems

Core Technology Analysis of ASM2464

1.USB 4 Protocol Support

ASM2464 fully supports the USB 4 standard and has the following features:

Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation: Flexibly allocates bandwidth between data and video transmission to optimize multitasking capabilities.

Lower latency: By simplifying the protocol stack, faster data transmission response is achieved.

Backward compatibility: Fully compatible with USB 3.2, USB 2.0 and Thunderbolt 3 devices, providing support for a wider range of device connections.

2. Thunderbolt 3 compatibility

The ASM2464 not only supports USB 4 but is also fully compatible with the Thunderbolt 3 protocol. This provides users with the following advantages:

High bandwidth: Whether transferring files or outputting high-resolution video, you can achieve stable and high-speed performance.

3. Video signal transmission support (DP Alt mode)

With Display Port 1.4 Alt Mode, the ASM2464 can transmit video signals via the USB-C interface:

High-resolution support: Supports resolutions up to 8K, suitable for professional video editing and multi-screen display needs.

Multi-function interface: One interface can realize data transmission, video output and power supply functions, simplifying device design.

4. Power consumption optimization and stability

ASM2464 adopts advanced low power design while optimizing heat dissipation management:

Suitable for portable devices: low power consumption, can extend the battery life of laptops and mobile hard disk boxes.

High stability: Under high-bandwidth transmission, the chip is ensured to run stably for a long time without obvious performance degradation.

Market Advantages of ASM2464

1. Technology Leadership

ASM2464 is ahead of many traditional USB 3.2 host control chips, fully supports USB 4 and Thunderbolt 3 standards, and seizes the high-end market share.

2. Wide Compatibility

Backward compatibility with all mainstream interface protocols makes devices dockingd on this chip more adaptable and has a wider user docking.

3. Price and Performance Balance

Compared to chips that fully adopt Thunderbolt 3 technology, ASM2464 provides the best balance of performance and cost.

 

 

Basic knowledge of M.2 hard disk enclosure and hard disk docking

1.What is an M.2 Enclosure?

An M.2 hard drive enclosure is a portable device used to convert an M.2 SSD into an external storage device, usually connected to a computer or other device via a USB interface. It is small and light enough to be carried around, similar to a traditional mobile hard drive enclosure, but with far superior speed and performance. MT402

Features: Small size, easy to carry. Support hot plug and play, access data anytime and anywhere.

2. What is an M.2 Dock?

The M.2 hard drive dock is an expansion device fixed to the desktop, usually allowing one or more M.2 SSDs to be inserted at the same time. It connects to the computer via a USB or Thunderbolt interface and is suitable for professional users who need to frequently replace hard drives. M248 

Features: High stability, suitable for long-term high-load use. Supports multi-slot design, convenient for hard drive hot swap and data migration. Has higher heat dissipation capacity, suitable for a professional environment.

Performance Comparison: Speed and Stability

1. Transmission Speed

Hard disk enclosure: M.2 hard disk enclosure uses USB 3.2, USB 4 or Thunderbolt interface, and its theoretical transmission speed is 10Gbps, 40Gbps and above 40Gbps respectively. The actual speed depends on the interface specification, hard disk performance and usage environment. It is suitable for mobile storage needs, such as copying videos, backing up files, etc.

Hard disk dock: The M.2 hard disk dock also supports USB and Thunderbolt protocols, but because the dock design focuses more on heat dissipation and stability, it can maintain high transmission speeds for a longer time. Especially in multi-slot mode, the performance advantage of the dock is more obvious. It is suitable for long-term and high-intensity data migration and read and write operations.

Conclusion: The enclosure speeds is higher than the docking, but the docking is more stable under high loads and for long periods.

2.Heat Dissipation Performance

Hard disk enclosure: Due to its small size, the heat dissipation space is limited. Although many hard disk enclosures use aluminum alloy shells and thermal conductive silicone sheets, throttling may still occur after long-term use.

Hard disk docking: The M248 docking is equipped with an 8×8 CM extra-large cooling fan, which can ensure the continuous and efficient operation of the hard disk in a high temperature environment.

Conclusion: The hard drive docking is significantly better than the hard drive box in terms of heat dissipation.

3.Portability Comparison

The hard drive enclosure is small and light, and can be easily put into a pocket or computer bag. It supports carrying with you, and can read and store data at any time, whether in the office or on a business trip.

Hard disk dockings usually require additional power supply and are not suitable for carrying around. They are more suitable for use on a desktop as a core device for data management.

Conclusion: If you need to access data anytime and anywhere, choose a hard drive enclosure. If you mainly manage data in a fixed location, choose a hard drive docking.

5. Summary

No matter which device you choose, the high performance of M.2 SSD can significantly improve your data management efficiency. Understand your own needs, choose FIDECO’s most suitable product, and let storage technology truly serve you!