In the realm of portable storage, USB drives have long been a go-to solution for their convenience and ease of use. However, as technology advances and the demand for faster data transfer speeds and larger capacities grows, traditional USB drives may not always keep pace. Enter the Transcend CM10G M.2 PCIe/SATA SSD Enclosure Kit, a game-changing device that brings together the best of both worlds by allowing users to convert their M.2 SSDs into high-performance portable USB drives with a max speed of 1,000MB/s.
The Transcend CM10G supports both PCIe and SATA III 6Gb/s interface SSDs in various form factors (2230, 2242, 2260, and 2280) and capacities up to 4TB. The enclosure features a shock-absorbent silicone rubber cover, ensuring the safety of your data, and a tool-free installation process, making it accessible to users of all skill levels. The included USB Type-C cable and Type-C to Type-A cable enable compatibility with a wide range of devices, including PCs, laptops, mobile devices, and gaming consoles.
In the Philippines, the Transcend CM10G M.2 PCIe/SATA SSD Enclosure Kit is priced at PHP 2,400. It is important to note that this price does not include the M.2 SSD storage, which must be purchased separately. It is available through their Flagship online store in the Philippines:
In this review, we will explore the features of the Transcend CM10G in detail and evaluate its performance using benchmark tests.
Packaging
First, let’s see how Transcend packed the packaging of this SSD Enclosure Kit, it comes in an attractive white and red box, featuring the Transcend logo and key information such as the USB 10Gbps interface, Type-C connectivity, and compatibility with various M.2 form factors (2230, 2242, 2260, and 2280).
The back of the packaging provides details on the product warranty and package contents, including the CM10G enclosure, thermal pad, rubber clip, protective rubber cover, and USB cables (Type-C to Type-C and Type-C to Type-A). It also illustrates the enclosure’s compatibility with various devices.
Here is the full specification of the device:
| Supported M.2 Form Factors | 2230 / 2242 / 2260 / 2280 |
| Max Capacity | 4TB |
| Dimension | 4.43′ x 1.35′ x 0.61′ inches |
| Weight | 57g (2.01 oz) |
| Connection Interface | USB 10Gbps |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C (32°F) ~ 60°C (140°F) |
| Storage Temperature | -40°C (-40°F) ~ 85°C (185°F) |
| Operating Voltage | 5V |
| Warranty | Two-year Limited Warranty |
| Package Contents | Enclosure Thermal pad Rubber clip Rubber cover USB Type-C to Type-C cable USB Type-C to Type-A cable Quick Start Guide |
The side shows more emphasis on the package content.
Inside the box, the CM10G enclosure is securely nestled in a transparent plastic tray, while the included accessories, such as the thermal pad, rubber clip, protective rubber cover, and USB cables, are housed within a white box.
Transcend CM10G
The Transcend CM10G M.2 PCIe/SATA SSD Enclosure itself is a sleek and stylish device that comes with a protective rubber cover. The enclosure boasts an all-black design with a unique V-shaped ventilation grill on the surface, which enhances heat dissipation and adds visual flair. The Transcend logo is prominently displayed in white at the center, providing a nice contrast and a touch of brand recognition.
The included rubber cover provides an extra layer of protection for the SSD, shielding it from scratches, and minor impacts. The cover fits snugly around the enclosure, ensuring it stays securely in place.
Here’s how the back of the rubber looks like, just plain black.
Removing the protective rubber cover reveals that the actual device’s design and is nearly identical to its appearance with the cover on, showcasing Transcend’s attention to detail and consistency. The enclosure is made of high-quality plastic and aluminum, which contributes to its durability and heat dissipation capabilities. The aluminum surface is finished in a matte black color, perfectly matching the rubber cover for a seamless look.
On the back of the enclosure, a manufacturer label sticker provides important information such as the product model number (CM10G), serial number, electrical ratings, and regulatory compliance symbols. This label serves as a mark of authenticity and is crucial for warranty purposes and technical support.
How to install M.2 SSD on Transcend CM10G
To begin, locate the opening at the top portion of the enclosure and gently pull it apart. Don’t worry about applying too much force, as the back cover enclosure is made of durable metal/aluminum, and there are no delicate or breakable components inside.
Once the back cover is pulled, you need to insert the rubber that is included in the package. This rubber is designed to accommodate M.2 SSDs of various sizes. Select the appropriate size setting from the four available options to ensure a secure fit for your specific M.2 SSD.
Next, carefully insert your M.2 SSD into the designated slot within the enclosure. Make sure that the SSD is properly aligned and seated in the slot. Once the SSD is in place, use the rubber insert to firmly secure it, preventing any movement or disconnection during use.
To enhance the cooling efficiency of your setup, locate the thermal pad provided in the packaging. This thermal pad is designed to transfer heat from the M.2 SSD to the metal back cover of the enclosure, helping to dissipate heat more effectively. Place the thermal pad on top of the installed M.2 SSD, ensuring that it makes good contact with both the SSD and the back cover.
Finally, reattach the back cover to the enclosure, making sure that it is securely fastened and properly aligned. Once the back cover is in place, your Transcend CM10G with the installed M.2 SSD is ready for use.
Performance
To evaluate the real-world performance of the Transcend CM10G M.2 PCIe/SATA SSD Enclosure, we conducted a series of benchmarks using various industry-standard tools. It’s important to note that the speed results will vary depending on the SSD used in the enclosure. However, these benchmarks provide an idea of the speeds you can achieve and, more importantly, whether the enclosure can reach the maximum speed it promises. For this benchmark, we used the following specifications:
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7900 12-Core Processor with Stock Cooler
- Motherboard: GIGABYTE X670 Gaming X AX
- RAM Memory: T-Force Delta Alpha RGB DDR5-6000 MHz
- Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
Initially, the SSD’s enclosure has a temperature of 36°C. We can compare this after our test.
Crystal Disk Mark
Crystal Disk Mark is a popular benchmarking tool used to measure the performance of storage devices, including SSDs. It provides a comprehensive assessment of read and write speeds across various data block sizes and queue depths, giving users an in-depth understanding of their device’s capabilities. Most storage manufacturers also used this program on rating their product rated speed.
Although the speeds achieved by the Transcend CM10G M.2 PCIe/SATA SSD Enclosure may seem slow compared to the actual rated speed of the M.2 SSD storage, it’s important to consider that the enclosure uses a USB connection, which can limit the maximum throughput. Despite this limitation, it manages to deliver impressive performance, achieving its promised speeds. The Transcend CM10G delivered impressive sequential read and write speeds of 1,080.11 MB/s and 1,045.44 MB/s, respectively, in the 1MiB Q8T1 test. The device maintained strong performance in the 128KiB Q32T1 test, with read and write speeds of 1021.60 MB/s and 982 MB/s. The random 4KiB tests also yielded solid results at 22.95 MB/s read and 79.87 MB/s write.
AS SSD Benchmark
AS SSD Benchmark is another well-regarded tool for evaluating the performance of solid-state drives. It subjects the device to a series of tests that measure sequential and random read and write speeds, access times, and overall performance scores.
The Transcend CM10G continued to excel, achieving sequential read and write speeds of 1006.96 MB/s and 985.43 MB/s. The device demonstrated strong performance in the 4K random tests, both with single (20.26 MB/s read and 70.52 MB/s write) and multiple threads (280.16 MB/s read and 282.48 MB/s write). The CM10G also received an impressive overall score of 1062, further confirming its position as a high-performance storage solution.
ATTO Disk Benchmark
ATTO Disk Benchmark is a versatile tool that measures the performance of storage devices across various data block sizes, ranging from small to large. This benchmark helps users understand how their device performs when handling different types of files and workloads.
The benchmark revealed that the Transcend CM10G maintains high read and write speeds of over 900 MB/s across various data block sizes, starting from 64KB. This consistency in performance indicates the device’s suitability for handling a wide range of file types and sizes efficiently.
Performance Test 10
Performance Test 10 is a comprehensive benchmarking suite that evaluates the performance of various computer components, including storage devices. It subjects the device to a series of tests that measure read and write speeds, access times, and overall performance scores.
It achieved an outstanding overall score of 50761. This high score reflects the device’s exceptional performance across multiple tests, including sequential (7,429 read and 6,642 write) and great results in both 32K and 4K block sizes iOPS of (2,761 and 76, respectively).
Black Magic Design
Black Magic Design is a benchmarking tool specifically designed to test the performance of storage devices in video editing and production workflows. It measures read and write speeds to determine a device’s suitability for handling large video files and demanding media projects.
Specifically designed for video editing and production workflows, the Transcend CM10G shows an excellent performance for on the go, media professionals. With a write speed of 953.9 MB/s and a read speed of 985.5 MB/s, the device can efficiently handle large video files, such as 4K and 8K footage, making rendering possible inside the portable USB storage.
Windows File Transfer Copy and Paste
In addition to synthetic benchmarks, it’s essential to evaluate a storage device’s performance in real-world scenarios, such as copying and pasting files within the Windows operating system. This test measures the device’s speed when transferring a large file, providing insight into its practical performance.
In a real-world file transfer test, the Transcend CM10G demonstrated the actual speed by copying an 11GB file in just 14.02 seconds, resulting in a transfer rate of approximately 759 MB/s. This test confirms the device’s ability to handle large file transfers quickly and efficiently.
PCMark 10 Full System Drive Storage Benchmark
PCMark 10 is a comprehensive benchmarking tool that assesses the performance of a computer’s various components, including its storage devices. The Full System Drive Storage Benchmark specifically tests the performance of the primary storage device, simulating real-world tasks and measuring overall bandwidth.
In the PCMark 10 Full System Drive Storage Benchmark, the Transcend CM10G M.2 PCIe/SATA SSD Enclosure achieved a score of 970 and an overall bandwidth of 157.3 MB/s.
PCMark 10 Data Drive
The PCMark 10 Data Drive benchmark is designed to test the performance of secondary storage devices, such as external hard drives and SSDs. It simulates real-world tasks that involve reading from and writing to the device, providing insight into its performance as a data storage solution.
It achieved an impressive score of 1113 and an overall bandwidth of 168.9 MB/s.
PCMark 10 Quick System
The PCMark 10 Quick System benchmark is a shorter version of the Full System Drive Storage Benchmark, designed to quickly assess the performance of a computer’s primary storage device. It simulates common tasks and measures the device’s responsiveness and overall performance.
The Transcend CM10G M.2 PCIe/SATA SSD Enclosure achieved a score of 976 and an overall bandwidth of 120.9 MB/s.
Conclusion
The Transcend CM10G M.2 PCIe/SATA SSD Enclosure Kit is a high-performance storage solution for anyone that wanted a storage portability. It transforms an M.2 SSD into a portable USB drive and a speed that can reached up to 1GB/s.
Benchmarking tests show the CM10G’s exceptional performance in synthetic and real-world scenarios, handling various data block sizes and queue depths across different workloads. It excels in video editing and production workflows, with write speeds of 953.9 MB/s and read speeds of 985.5 MB/s, efficiently handling large video files like 4K and 8K footage, making rendering possible inside the portable USB storage.
At PHP 2,400, it offers excellent value for money. The Transcend CM10G features a sleek, durable design with a protective rubber cover and tool-free installation. It enhances digital experiences for professionals and enthusiasts alike, setting a new standard for portable SSD enclosures. The CM10G is highly recommended for anyone seeking a reliable, high-performance storage solution. It also comes with a 2-year warranty.