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In early 2020, Crucial introduced the X8 Portable SSD, an reasonably priced, sublime and high-performance answer that become massively standard with pc homeowners.
While now not dear through transportable SSD requirements, the Crucial X8 used to be undercut through some competitor merchandise that used less expensive SATA-based era. These weren’t as rapid, however for plenty of available in the market for a transportable SSD, they have been fast sufficient.
Crucial spoke back in early 2021 with the X6, a transportable SSD that didn’t have the headline 1,000MB/s functionality of the X8 however used to be a excellent bit less expensive.
And, now a 12 months on, I’m reviewing the X6 since the trail of this tale has subtly modified.
Design & Build
I by no means reviewed the Crucial X6 when it first introduced in 2021, however satisfied I ultimately were given to it.
While having one of the crucial styling cues of its X8 giant brother, the X6 is basically a lower-cost model this is smaller and lighter.
Where the X8 is comprised of a thick steel tube, the out of doors of the X6 is most commonly plastic. Undoubtedly much less sturdy, even supposing it’s nonetheless rated for a 2m drop onto a troublesome floor, and has the similar three-year guaranty because the X8.
By now not the use of a steel outer shell, the designers additionally diminished the load of the 2TB fashion from 140g at the X8 to simply 40g at the X6. And, that relief in mass most definitely is helping with surviving the drop take a look at.
Another distinction is that X8 got here with a USB-C cable with a USB-A adapter, while the X6 comes with handiest USB-C at the software and the host finish. Adapters are very reasonably priced, however Crucial determined that the price of that minor merchandise could be borne through the customers.
On Amazon, despite the fact that, you’ll be able to make a choice whether or not to get the power with an incorporated adapter or now not.
Specs & Features
What this design additionally lacks is a gentle to sign process, and the SSD has no {hardware} encryption both.
From the ideas supplied, the center of the X6 is Crucial 96L QLC NAND stressed to a Silicon Motion SM2259XT NAND controller and an ASMedia ASM235CM USB interface. The ASMedia chip is USB 3.2 Gen 2 succesful, nevertheless it doesn’t reinforce the upper functionality Gen 2×2 mode.
If none of this sounds particularly thrilling or cutting edge, then stick with me as a result of there’s a plot twist bobbing up that wasn’t anticipated.
Performance
When researching a product just like the X6, my same old procedure comes to downloading the entire suitable paperwork and photographs from the makers, regularly even earlier than the assessment pattern reaches me.
Included on this supporting subject material have been field art work and a brochure. These published a curious functionality twist that had made the 4TB model of the X6 a lot faster than the opposite capacities.
Researching again, I spotted that after the X6 unique introduced, it got here handiest in 1TB and 2TB choices, with the 500GB and 4TB choices arriving a few months later.
According to the product flyer, the 500GB, 1TB and 2TB drives have been all rated for a most pace of 540MB/s, while the flagship 4TB fashion presented a a lot more spectacular 800MB/s.
When the 2TB pattern arrived, boldly imprinted on the field used to be “Up to 800MB/s”, confusingly.
To be truthful, I puzzled if the Crucial advertising and marketing division had taken the velocity of the 4TB fashion and over-enthusiastically plastered it on each field.
But in truth stranger. Something I found out when checking out the 2TB X6. A power that may now learn and write at greater than 800MB/s on the majority of capacities.
In the CrystalDiskMark 8.0.4 benchmark, it accomplished a mean of 834MB/s reads and 820MB/s writes with the default profile and 32GiB recordsdata. This used to be sponsored up through AJA System take a look at that scored 836MB/s reads, and 837MB/s writes.
While the X8 used to be nonetheless quicker than this, nearer to the 1,000MB/s degree, it is a vital growth over the 540MB/s degree that used to be at the beginning quoted for this product.
To be transparent, the 2TB power I examined has exactly the similar section quantity, CT2000X6SSD9, because the release model, however they’re patently now not the similar.
In reaction to my enquiry in this topic, Crucial spoke back to mention:
“Crucial is dedicated to handing over nice worth to customers within the transportable SSD section. Since launching the X6 in 2020, now we have been ready to beef up the price we carry to the marketplace through profiting from more recent applied sciences that lead to quicker functionality – a learn pace of as much as 800MB/s in maximum capacities.”
“We are within the technique of updating our collateral and packaging to replicate those upper speeds, so we express regret for any confusion brought about through this midstream functionality transition. By the top of this transition, each the 2TB and the 1TB merchandise will actually have a advertised learn pace of as much as 800MB/s. The printed spec at the 500GB will stay on the as much as 540MB/s learn pace for now.”
So there now we have it, the packaging isn’t incorrect. The X6 is reborn, with the exception of the 500GB fashion, a excellent bit quicker than it first used to be and now a lot nearer in functionality to the X8.
Price & Availability
Direct from Crucial in the United Kingdom, the X6 is priced at £62.39, £98.39, £178.79 and £403.19 for the 500GB, 1TB, 2TB and 4TB choices, respectively.
You should buy the Crucial X6 from the reliable retailer in addition to outlets like Amazon, Ebuyer, Box and Scan the place costs are regularly decrease.
US pricing direct from Crucial is $69.95, $109.99, $199.99 and $449.99 for a similar 500GB, 1TB, 2TB and 4TB fashions. In the United States you’ll be able to purchase it from Crucial, Amazon and Newegg.
These are very aggressive costs for branded transportable SSDs. The WD My Passport SSD 2TB prices $224.99, the Samsung T7 Touch 2TB is $219.99, and the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is $221.99.
All those are marginally quicker, equalling the X8 as opposed to the SanDisk, which is markedly slower at simply 520MB/s.
In phrases of worth for cash, the X6 is tricky to overcome however you’ll be able to test extra choices in our perfect transportable SSD chart.
Verdict
Somehow our selection to check the Crucial X6 now seems like a masterstroke when it’s completely coincidental.
The fresh adjustments to this product have increased it to a degree the place for some customers, it could be preferable to the very good X8 design. The X6 now gives many of the functionality cream of the X8, however at a cheaper price and in a extra light-weight package deal.
I’d nonetheless like to peer an process LED and {hardware} encryption come to the X6, however at this value for a transportable SSD, this is a superb acquire.
The handiest mistake Crucial has made is that the product quantity stays unchanged, making it tougher for patrons to make sure that they’re purchasing the newest X6 and now not the older inventory.
Make certain that the field says 800MB/s, and if it doesn’t, then discover a provider that may verify this to you earlier than purchasing.
Specs
Crucial X6: Specs
- Capacities: 500GB, 1TB, 2TB and 4TB
- Colour: Black
- Controller: Silicon Motion SM2259XT
- Flash Memory: Crucial 96L QLC NAND
- Dimensions: (L x W x H): 69 x 64 x 11 mm
- Weight: 40g
- Interface: USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C
- Quoted Sequential Read/Write: 540MB/s for 500GB and 800MB/s for all different capacities
- Warranty: 3 years
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