corsair voyager usb 3.0

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Corsair Flash Voyager GTX USB 3.0 256GB Flash Drive Capsule Review

• Flash Drive

The rise of USB 3.0 as a high speed interface for PCs and the increasing affordability of flash memory has led to some very interesting products. USB flash drives are a dime a dozen, but there is scope for manufacturers to differentiate themselves. Corsair's Flash Voyager GTX series brings SSD controllers to the flash drive market. Coupling it with a SATA - USB 3.0 bridge allows them to set benchmark records for their product line. More importantly, it brings some unique features. The rest of the review will present the DAS (direct-attached storage) benchmark numbers from our evaluation of the 256GB version, along with a few observations.

Benchmarking with HD Tune Pro

The unit was benchmarked in our DAS testbed (running Windows 8.1 Pro x64) after formatting it in NTFS. Prior to formatting, we ran HD Tune Pro's artificial benchmarks on the drive. Note that the sequential read / writes do not make a lot of sense for SSDs or flash drives, as they are more for determining how bandwidth varies as we go further away from the spindle in hard drives.

From the gallery above, we have around 336 MBps reads and around 178 MBps writes for random accesses. For large (8 MB) accesses, this improves to 395 MBps reads and 231 MBps writes.

TRIM Support

HD Tune Pro's information page shows that the flash drive supports all the S.M.A.R.T features as well as a multitude of other SATA features. Importantly, TRIM is supported. Using CyberShadow's TrimCheck utility, we confirmed that TRIM does indeed work on the Flash Voyager GTX.

Benchmark Numbers

Moving on to real-life benchmarks, we first have the robocopy benchmarks with various queue depths (as made visible to end users through robocopy's multi-threaded option)

The robocopy benchmarks represent the typical use-case for high-speed flash drives. However, we also processed PC Mark 8's storage bench. Out of the various available workloads, we chose a few multimedia processing traces.

Corsair SSD Toolbox

The Flash Voyager GTX is also recognized by Corsair's SSD Toolbox. One of the interesting facts revealed by the toolbox is the firmware version, S9FM01.7. A cursory search of the version number on the Internet reveals that the controller in the flash drive is the Phison S9 . Readers might remember the previous generation Phison S8 controller being used in the Corsair Force Series LS SSD. It is heartening to see that the SSD controller along with the flash chips and the SATA - USB 3.0 bridge can be packed in such a small form factor.

The SSD Toolbox also allows for upgrading the firmware and configuring the overprovisioning (i.e, X GB out of 256 GB can be set aside, invisible to the OS, for use by the SSD controller to prolong the life of the flash).

Concluding Remarks

Coming to the business end of the review, the Corsair Flash Voyager GTX USB 3.0 flash drive continues Corsair's tradition of improving the performance of their USB 3.0 flash drive every year. As icing on the cake, we have a real SSD controller in the form of the Phison S9 inside.

The performance of the drive leaves us with no doubt that it would be a great Windows-to-Go drive. Unfortunately, Corsair has not decided to pursue the certification process. As far as non-enterprise consumers go, this is perfectly acceptable - the performance for Windows-to-Go is there without the extra cost associated with obtaining the certification that eventually gets passed on to them.

Minor points of concern include Corsair's refusal to divulge the flash memory configuration / SATA - USB 3.0 bridge model being used (as these could potentially change in future production runs) and the inability to configure overprovisioning for non-NTFS file systems.

Pretty much the only downside is the premium that one needs to pay for the form factor. The 256GB version currently retails for $220 on Amazon , which is at least $70 more than what one would pay for a 2.5" SSD and a bus-powered USB 3.0 enclosure. There are definitely use-cases where the form factor (and absence of hanging cables) plays an important role. In those roles, the Corsair Flash Voyager GTX is one of the top performers.

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24 comments, view all comments, danneely - wednesday, september 24, 2014 - link, designerfx - wednesday, september 24, 2014 - link, semo - thursday, september 25, 2014 - link, kenpc - wednesday, september 24, 2014 - link, mertesn - wednesday, september 24, 2014 - link, hojnikb - wednesday, september 24, 2014 - link, araemo - wednesday, september 24, 2014 - link, dustin sklavos - thursday, september 25, 2014 - link, semo - friday, september 26, 2014 - link.

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• Electronics
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• USB Flash Drives

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Corsair Flash Voyager GTX 128GB USB 3.1 Premium Flash Drive, Black

Flash Voyager GTX

Purchase options and add-ons

About this item.

• Experience portable USB storage with the speed of a solid-state drive
• High-speed 3D NAND memory unlocks read speeds up to 440MB/second and write speeds up to 440MB/second
• Available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and massive 1TBcapacities, so you can carry all your data, wherever you go
• Premium rugged zinc-alloy housing with aluminum accents protects your data in style
• Optimized for USB 3.1 Gen 1, USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 for future-proof and backwards compatibility

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From the manufacturer.

SSD Performance In Durable Pocket Size Form Factor

The Flash Voyager GTX USB 3.1 premium flash drive puts SSD performance in your pocket, with up to 440MB/sec read and 440MB/sec write speeds.

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SSK 250GB Portable External-X Corsair EX100U 2TB Comparison #thisorthat

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Looking for specific info, what's in the box.

• Premium Flash Drive

Product information

Technical details, additional information, warranty & support, product description.

The Flash Voyager GTX USB 3.1 premium flash drive puts SSD performance in your pocket, with up to XXXMB/sec read and XXXMB/sec write speeds. Encased in a solid zinc alloy housing, and available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and massive 1TB capacities, you can load up all your data and access it in speed and style. Fully compatible with high-speed USB 3.1 Gen 1, USB 3.0 and legacy USB 2.0 connections, the Flash Voyager GTX USB 3.1 is both future-proof and backwards compatible, connecting to any Windows, OSX or Linux operating system without the need for drivers or installs.

Customer reviews

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the storage space, speed and performance of the flash drive. For example, they mention it holds all their files with room to spare, it has a very high burst throughput and sustained transfer speeds of 175 MB's. That said, some complain about the size and value.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers like the speed of the flash drive. They mention that it works fast and flawlessly, has sustained transfer speeds of 175 MB's, and that the performance is top notch.

"...measuring tests, but general observation is that the Corsair is impressively fast with both read & write, compared to my older Sandisk USB 3.0 128Gb..." Read more

"Pros: good read-write speed , rugged, reasonable priceCons: cap may get lost" Read more

"Works great and is Fast , but was not compatible with my Mac Book Pro 2011 or Mac Pro 2012 if anything newer as the Flash Drive is formated in NTFS..." Read more

"... Data speed is average compared to a high-speed modern USB drive.It would be great if the company provide a handstring for it." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the quality of the flash drive. They mention that it's impressively solid, dependable, and indestructible. Some say that it is built like a tank and has lived through countless drops.

"...It's impressively solid & I actually enjoy the heft of this device and the secure friction fit of the protective cap, guarding against moisture &..." Read more

"Pros: good read-write speed, rugged , reasonable priceCons: cap may get lost" Read more

"...Perhaps dirty ports, I don't know.Like others have said, it's solid . It's not going to break if you drop or step on it...." Read more

"...Even the mouse moved in a very responsive manner , unlike the Samsung...." Read more

Customers like the performance of the flash drive. They mention that it works well, outperforms SD cards and USB sticks, and is functional. Some say that it's fast and reliable, and works well for running an operating system. Overall, most are happy with the performance and recommend it.

"The drive works great , I'm using a few of them.My only complaint is the form factor, surely they could have narrowed down the connection end?..." Read more

" Worked great for my needs with Linux OS and the speed is honestly incredible when i tested on windows...." Read more

"...Not trendy or fashionable but much more functional with no pressure on the Voyager. As an fyi, the cap that covers the USB connector stays put...." Read more

"Works great and is Fast, but was not compatible with my Mac Book Pro 2011 or Mac Pro 2012 if anything newer as the Flash Drive is formated in NTFS..." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the storage space of the flash drive. They mention that it has a large physical size, is adequate enough for basic storage, and holds all their files with room to spare. Some appreciate the great quality and different storage sizes available. Overall, most are happy with the performance and size of the product.

"...just sits not too far from my desktop computers, and the size makes it easier to find . :)..." Read more

"...And the device itself.It's so good due to its size . You can carry this in your pocket and not notice much difference." Read more

"...And the capacity and performance are great !..." Read more

"...Plug and play, no issues at all, and a huge capacity ...." Read more

Customers are mixed about the value of the flash drive. Some mention it's a good product for the money, while others say it'll be a waste of money.

"...Dollar for dollar, the Corsair Voyager GTX memory drive is a phenomenal value , compared to the closest competitor--the Sandisk Extreme Pro...." Read more

"...I wish it was a little cheaper but I guess that's what you pay for the speed in a compact design...." Read more

"Pros: good read-write speed, rugged, reasonable price Cons: cap may get lost" Read more

"The Voyager is a little pricey , but it's built like a tank, and since I got mine back last May, it hasn't thrown any read errors or slowed down on..." Read more

Customers have mixed opinions about the portability of the flash drive. Some mention that it's heavier than most flash drives, but that provides additional protection. They say it feels heavy in their hand, but is less bulky to handle than an externally cabled SSD drive. However, other customers say that it is surprising heavy, and may not fit well on every USB port.

"...But frankly, the cap is made of the same aluminum shell and is noticeably heavy . This isn't something easily lost...." Read more

"...It's HUGE and heavy . It seems like it would be heavy duty and built for fast writes...." Read more

"...It's smooth and sleek. Easy to slide into pockets .Comes with two cables. One a type c to type c. The other a type a to type c. Papers...." Read more

" Compact . Super fast transfer of large files." Read more

Customers are mixed about the warmth of the flash drive. Some mention that it doesn't get hot, the case acts as a heatsink, and it never overheats due to its very good heat-distribution enclosure. The aluminum body dissipates heat very well, so there is no worry about a slowdown. However, other customers say that it does noticeably heat up, but that's to be expected.

"...It does not get appreciably hot during use...." Read more

"...This was probably due to thermal throttling as the flash memory stick heated up...." Read more

"...Also the drive, with the extra heft of the metal casing, distributed the heat very well (especially during the lengthy operating install)...." Read more

"...Played for two hours, gets very warm . Consider fan if adding inside a dyi box kit.Right now media like this costs a premium...." Read more

Customers are dissatisfied with the size of the flash drive. They say it's large, heavy, and wider than most. Some customers also mention that it'd be better if it was smaller and more portable. Overall, some customers are disappointed with the large size and weight of the product.

"...And that is one drawback to the Corsair Voyager GTX -- it is wide. Wide enough that when plugged into a USB A socket, it will very likely overlay..." Read more

"...The other thing that explains that behavior is the memory just isn't very fast , and the drive has a built in cache the same way SSDs do and many..." Read more

"...The Corsair is small and fast and delivers a 350 megabytes per second steady transfer of large files while using..." Read more

"...It is large and heavy for a disk on key, but I don't notice it in my small jeans pocket. Its just solid...." Read more

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