X-bit labs

Brando USB 2.0 to SATA/IDE Cable Review (page 4)

Category: Storage

by Andrey Kuznetcov

[ 06/05/2006 | 08:54 PM ]

Performance in FC-Test

As usual, the results of FC-Test are the most important ones for adequate evaluation of the Brando cable operational efficiency. As you remember from our previous articles, the credibility of the results is based on the working principles of this program. The main idea of FC-Test is to measure the time it takes to create (write), read and copy file sets, which differ from one another by the type, size and number of files. Then we calculate the practical performance of the drives basing on the time measurements.

Windows and Programs patterns include a large number of smaller files, and the remaining three patterns – ISO, MP3 and Install – work with a limited number of larger files. For copy operations each drive is formatted into two 32GB equal logical partitions. The patterns are copied either within the same partition or from one partition to another.

Let’s start with FAT32 file system.

The first diagram shows the HDD performance during writing (creation) of files. In all five patterns the gap between the external chassis and Brando cable is minimal.

When we measure file read speed, we see practically the same situation as in the previous case. Once again the external chassis is just a tiny bit faster than the Brando cable set. The difference is hardly that serious.

During file copying we see that Brando cable becomes faster in one pattern out of five. It is juts a little bit ahead, while in the remaining four patterns the external chassis is just a little bit ahead of the Brando device.

The last diagram once again proves the fact that the performance difference between the Brando cable and the external chassis is insignificant and will hardly be noticed by the users in real life. Just like in the previous cases, the HDD working through the chassis is just a little bit faster.