1

-Question-
What is causing Windows 10 to write data to a USB 3.0 drive at only ~30.0 MB/s?

-Details-
When copying files from an internal desktop SATA3 disk to an external USB 3.0 drive, the write speed is on average about 30.0 MB/s.

-Hypothesis-
It may be possible both the OS and the USB drive have fallen back to USB 2.0 (if so, would there be a way to check if a transfer is actually occurring over USB 3.0. Update: See -Research- below for a method found in another question.)?

Even though Windows 10 is reporting the presence of a USB 3.0 controller, perhaps a problem in the driver is causing a fallback to USB 2.0.

-Research-
A similar issue in Windows 8:

Why can I transfer only 35 MB/s to my USB 3.0 external hard disk?

Determine if a device connected via USB 2.0 or USB 3.0:

Verifying USB connection speed (USB 3 or USB 2?)

-Product Info-
Seagate 1 TB SATA3 Desktop Drive:

http://www.seagate.com/internal-hard-drives/desktop-hard-drives/desktop-hdd/#specs

Seagate 1 TB USB3 Backup Drive:

http://www.seagate.com/products/laptop-mobile-storage/laptop-external-drives/backup-plus-slim/

-System Details-
CPU: Intel Core i7 - Windows 10

RAM: 32 GB

Read Disk: Seagate 1 TB - 7200 RPM - Internal - 3.5 inch - SATA3 - ST1000DM003

Write Disk: Seagate 1 TB - 5400 RPM - External - 2.5 inch - USB 3.0 - STDR1000100

Chenmunka
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Frugal Raisin
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1 Answers1

2

-Simple Answer-

Reboot computer.

-Explanation-

After rebooting system, transfer speed increased to around 100 MB/s, which is optimal for a 2.5 inch external USB 3.0 5400 RPM drive.

It appears Windows 10 loaded a driver for the drive during boot.

-Cause-

Unknown.

Frugal Raisin
  • 41