Very slow transfer from External HDD to Thumbdrive

wolfy13

Reputable
Jan 18, 2016
2
0
4,510
Brand new computer:
Windows 10 Home
3TB Buffalo External HDD USB (NTFS)
128GB PNY 3.0 FD USB (FAT32)
500GB Samsung SSD 850 EVO
I'm trying to transfer 300Mb + files directly from my external hard drive to my thumb-drive. Both are using 2.0 USB.
Using the direct method, file transfer is averaging 600Kb/s. I've tried this with multiple files, and single files. The transfer rate is consistent, almost 10 minutes to complete one file.
I then transferred the file from the thumb-drive to the external hard drive and was pretty instantaneous.
I then transferred the file directly to my computer (instantaneous transfer), then from there I transferred to the thumb-drive (about a 15Mb/s, about 20 seconds total).
Can anyone think of what the problem could be with going directly between external storage's?
Thank you!
 
Solution
Unfortunately, this is because of the USB 2.0 implementation. It uses half-duplex technology. This means each device can only send or receive at once. As you are going from one usb device to another through the same interface the sending device must first cache the information before the receiving device can acknowledge and receive it. USB 3.0 adds another set of data signals to allow for twice the connections and full-duplex mode, sending and receiving. Remember, the device, port, and cable must all be USB 3.0 compliant to take advantage of this.
Unfortunately, this is because of the USB 2.0 implementation. It uses half-duplex technology. This means each device can only send or receive at once. As you are going from one usb device to another through the same interface the sending device must first cache the information before the receiving device can acknowledge and receive it. USB 3.0 adds another set of data signals to allow for twice the connections and full-duplex mode, sending and receiving. Remember, the device, port, and cable must all be USB 3.0 compliant to take advantage of this.
 
Solution