Ditch the Pre-Built: Why You Should Build Your Own External SSD
Running out of storage space on your computer? Need a way to quickly transfer large files? External storage is the go-to solution for many, and portable SSDs have become increasingly popular, promising speed and ample capacity in a compact package. While pre-built external SSDs offer convenience, building your own can be a smarter, more cost-effective choice.
This article will explain why DIY external SSDs are often superior and guide you through the simple process of creating one.
The Case Against Pre-Built Portable SSDs
While tempting for their apparent simplicity, pre-built external SSDs often come with compromises. Their compact form factor can limit performance and upgradability. Furthermore, manufacturers sometimes use lower-quality storage components while marking up the price considerably. You might be paying a premium for convenience without getting the best possible performance or value.
Why Build Your Own External SSD?
Building your own external SSD offers numerous advantages over buying a pre-made option:
Greater Choice and Customization: When you build your own, you have complete control over every component. You can select the perfect capacity for your needs, choose the desired size and form factor, and pick an enclosure with the connection protocol that best suits your workflow. The sheer variety of SSDs and enclosures available ensures you can create a solution tailored to your specific requirements.
Reusability and Flexibility: A DIY approach offers long-term flexibility. You can repurpose an existing SSD from an older computer or gaming console, giving it a new lease on life as portable storage. Moreover, when you no longer need an external drive, you can disassemble it and reuse the SSD internally in a PC or other device. This reusability minimizes waste and maximizes the value of your investment.
Cost Savings: Building your own external SSD can often save you money, especially for higher capacities. High-performance PCIe SSDs have become surprisingly affordable, offering excellent value for the performance they deliver. By purchasing the components separately, you can often avoid the markups associated with pre-built drives.
Future-Proofing: The rapidly evolving landscape of storage technology makes future-proofing a key consideration. While pre-built drives are limited to their initial specifications, a DIY external SSD can be upgraded over time. For example, you can start with a high-performance SSD in a USB 4 enclosure and later upgrade to a USB 5 enclosure to take advantage of even faster transfer speeds as the technology becomes available.
Building Your Own External SSD: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating your own external SSD is a straightforward process that requires minimal technical expertise.
1. Choose Your SSD:
The first step is selecting the right SSD for your needs. While 2.5-inch SATA drives are still available, NVMe drives offer superior performance, smaller size, and comparable prices. Focus on NVMe drives to benefit from their speed advantages.
When choosing an SSD, you don’t necessarily need to prioritize the absolute fastest drive on the market. The enclosure will likely be the limiting factor, especially with current USB interfaces. However, a high-performance drive will give you headroom for future upgrades and ensure optimal performance within the enclosure’s capabilities.
Recommended SSDs:
- Future-Proof Choice: 2TB Solidigm P44 Pro (PCIe 4.0)
- Budget-Friendly Option: 2TB WD Blue SN5000
- Legacy Compatibility: 2TB Crucial P3 (PCIe 3.0)
2. Select an Enclosure:
The enclosure plays a crucial role in the performance of your external SSD. Ensure that the enclosure you choose is compatible with the type of SSD you selected (NVMe) and the desired connection protocol (USB 3.2 Gen 2, USB 4, Thunderbolt 4).
Enclosure Recommendations:
- High-End Performance (USB4/Thunderbolt 4):
- Ugreen CM642
- Cable Matters 40Gbps Enclosure
- Orico 40Gbps Enclosure
- Budget-Friendly Options (10Gbps):
- Orico TCM2
- Ugreen 10Gbps Enclosure
3. Assemble the Drive:
Once you have your SSD and enclosure, assembly is a breeze. The enclosure should come with detailed instructions specific to the model. Generally, the process involves the following steps:
- Open the enclosure (usually by removing a screw or sliding a cover).
- Insert the SSD into the appropriate slot within the enclosure, following the standard SSD installation procedure.
- Secure the SSD in place (some enclosures may have a retention mechanism).
- Close the enclosure by reversing the opening process.
4. Format the Drive (If Necessary):
In some cases, the newly assembled external SSD may require formatting before it can be used. The formatting process is simple and involves selecting the appropriate file system (e.g., exFAT for compatibility with both Windows and macOS) using your operating system’s disk management tools.
Real-World Cost Comparison
To illustrate the potential cost savings of a DIY external SSD, consider the following example:
A pre-built 2TB external SSD, like the SK Hynix Beetle X31, might cost around $170.
Alternatively, you could purchase a 2TB WD Blue SN5000 SSD for around $114 and pair it with an Orico TCM2 enclosure for $25. This DIY combination would cost a total of $139, saving you $31 compared to the pre-built option.
Conclusion
Building your own external SSD offers a compelling alternative to pre-built solutions. It provides greater choice, customization, reusability, and cost savings. With the wide variety of SSDs and enclosures available, you can create a portable storage solution tailored to your specific needs and budget. The assembly process is simple and requires minimal technical skills, making it accessible to anyone. If you’re looking for a flexible, high-performance, and cost-effective storage solution, consider building your own external SSD.
