USB Review: ADATA UV350/32GB

I recently purchased some new USB drives as my existing ones are USB 2.0 only.           
Here's some testing I did for one of them, the ADATA UV350, 32GB model. 

## Specifications
- Part Number: AUV350-32G-RBK
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 42.4 x 14.95 x 5.35mm / 1.7 x 0.6 x 0.2"
- Weight: 5.9g / 0.2oz
- Interface: USB 3.2 Gen1 ( backward compatible with USB 2.0 )
- Performance: Up to 90MB/s (Read); 40MB/s (Write)
- Warranty: 5-year limited
- Local purchase price: $9.99 CDN (+13% HST tax)

---

- [Manufacturer page](https://www.adata.com/us/consumer/604) ([Archived copy](https://web.archive.org/https://www.adata.com/us/consumer/604))
- [Datasheet](resources/Datasheet-UV350_202010.pdf) ([Web copy](https://webapi3.adata.com/storage/downloadfile/Datasheet-UV350_202010.pdf))

## Testing Configuration
- Test System: Sony Vaio Laptop - Windows 7 SP1 x64
- USB Driver: Renesas Electronics USB 3.0 Host Controller/Root Hub
- Driver Date: 23/04/2010
- Driver Version: 2.0.4.0
- Drive Advertised Space: 32GB
- Drive Real Space: 28.8GB free (FAT32 default Win 7 allocation)

## Reliability Test
Tested using [h2testw v1.4](https://www.heise.de/download/product/h2testw-50539).

![image of h2testw results](resources/adatah2test.png)

- PASSED. Device is the full 32GB capacity as advertised.
- Writing speed: 13.3 MByte/s
- Reading speed: 70.4 MByte/s

## Speed Test
Tested using [CrystalDiskMark](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CrystalDiskMark) 8.0.1 x64 as an admin

[CrystalDiskMark results txt](resources/CrystalDiskMark_20210509010059.txt)

![crystaldiskmark results](resources/CrystalDiskMark_20210509010110.png)

- Test run was 5 passes of 1GiB
- SEQ1M/Q8T1  > Read: 104.44MB/s | Write: 26.63MB/s
- SEQ1M/Q1T1  > Read: 103.82MB/s | Write: 22.02MB/s
- RND4K/Q32T1 > Read: 11.54MB/s  | Write: 1.63MB/s
- RND4K/Q1T1  > Read: 9.81MB/s   | Write: 0.69MB/s

## Final Opinions
I like this drive! It's nice and fast for reading, good enough for writing; small, lightweight, affordable, and a sleek metal design that helps with temperature control.
On that topic, I have noticed the drive gets a bit hot after normal use. It's not uncomfortable though, and cools down fast when idle.

It's mainly disappointing though that write speeds for portable USBs continue to be so poor.
Realistically, for fast writes, you're best off with a dedicated NVME or SSD external. 
Heck, a portable NVME unit can not only be thin and portable, but insanely fast if connected to proper interfaces.

All in all, can recommend this drive.
:+1:


tags: usb-review, adata, linux, windows