Testing Methodology

Testing any external storage enclosure is not as simple as putting together a bunch of files, dragging them onto the arrays drive folder in Windows and using a stopwatch to time how long the transfer takes. Rather, there are factors such as read / write speed and data burst speed to take into account.

For these tests I used a combination of the ATTO Disk Benchmark, HDTach and the SIS Sandra Removable Storage benchmark for testing the USB connection.

For all testing a Gigabyte PA35-DS4 motherboard with its built in USB controller was used.

All tests were run 4 times and only best results are represented.

Processor: Q6600 @ 3.2GHZ
Motherboard: Gigabyte p35 DS4
Memory: 4GB Mushkin HP2 PC2-6400
Graphics card: XFX 7200gt 128mb
Hard Drives:
1x Western Digital Se16 320GB (computer)
1x Seagate 7200.10 320GB (for IB-390)
Power Supply: Seasonic S12 600W
Case: CM 690 (a TT Armor+ MX was used for the installation photos)


Alternative Enclosures used for Comparison and Contrast:

1) Mediasonic HUR1-SU2. For more information on this unit please read our review on them here: Mediasonic Dual Bay RAID Hard Drive Enclosures Review

2) Thermaltake BlacX. For more information on this unit please read our review on them here: Thermaltake BlacX Review

3) Tagan Icy Box IB-3220. For more information on this unit please read our review on them here: Tagan Icy Box JBOD Hard Drive Enclosure Review

4) Consus-M For more information on this unit please read our review on them here: Eagle Tech Consus M Hard Drive Enclosure Review