Why is my external SSD faster on USB 3.0 and slower on USB 3.1?

[chrisgeo]

Hey there,
I'm having a problem with my external SSD (Samsung SSD T5 500GB)
The drive is supposed to be USB 3.1 capable.
After running some tests, I figured that it was FASTER on USB 3.0.
Here are the CrystalDiskMark results I got: https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/375444941905854464/485791014880018442/2018-09-01.png
During the first test, the drive was plugged into a USB 3.1 Type-C port,
then it was plugged into a USB 3.1 Type-A port, and finally it was plugged into a USB 3.0 port.
This doesn't make any sense to me.
Why would it be faster when connected to a slower port?
Any ideas?

 

[k1114]

Usb 3.0 = 3.1 gen 1. Could be different usb controllers and actually the same speed. Being 91% full could also cause unstable performance. What mobo?

 

[chrisgeo]

Usb 3.0 = 3.1 gen 1. Being 91% full could also cause unstable performance. What mobo?

The PC is a pre-built mini one, so it uses one of those custom motherboards. The model is ASUS ROG GR8 II if that helps.

Edit: I checked some old benchmarks from when the drive was empty, and the USB 3.1 performance was the same, so I don't think that low capacity is the problem.

 

[k1114]

I can't find clear info if it's 3.1 gen 2 so it could be the same speed. You can look in device manager to see if there's a third party usb controller. Have you tried running the test multiple times?

 

[kerberos_20]

gen 1/2 shouldnt matter if your drive fits in 5Gbps range
low 4k can be either from disc being too full (usualy 10% should be left empty/RAW)
or your latency on that 3.0 port is much higher than on 3.1 (could be driver, could be hardware limitation)

 

[chrisgeo]

I can't find clear info if it's 3.1 gen 2 so it could be the same speed. You can look in device manager to see if there's a third party usb controller. Have you tried running the test multiple times?

Yep, I ran the each test like 5 times, results were the same. As for the USB controller, I'm not sure if it's third party... Here are all the controllers shown in device manager: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O2nNY6zuN-E/W4wZ9_4SSzI/AAAAAAAABHU/gJ8lEQyY_6kOZmvzIE-6Uc1JKoN0c5EXwCL0BGAYYCw/h286/2018-09-02.png

Edit: The 3.1 ports have the SS 10 indication written next to them, while all other 3.0 ports only have the SS indication. Does that mean they're Gen 2?

 

[k1114]

You can see the native intel 3.0 controller and a third party asmedia 3.1 controller. SS 10 should be saying it's a 10gbps port. So while it can get a higher speed, which is probably why the sequential speeds is a little higher, there is extra latency causing lower 4k speeds.

 

[chrisgeo]

You can see the native intel 3.0 controller and a third party asmedia 3.1 controller. SS 10 should be saying it's a 10gbps port. So while it can get a higher speed, which is probably why the sequential speeds is a little higher, there is extra latency causing lower 4k speeds.

Oh so that's the problem... Is there anything I can do about it?

 

[k1114]

No.

 

[chrisgeo]

No.

Well crap... Thanks for explaining what was happening