I like what TerraMaster is doing with NAS servers in general; the brand polished its software last year,delivering a clean interface with plenty of useful features. At the same time, it refreshed its design, with new models like the F4-424 Max coming with a sleek design and better ventilation.
Where the brand really stands out is with its all-SSD enclosures such as the F8 SSD and F8 SSD Plusand they let you make the switch to M.2 storage with minimum hassle. Now, TerraMaster took the idea of the F4 SSD and turned it into just a storage drive, resulting in the D4 SSD. This is just an SSD enclosure that can house four 8TB M.2 2280 drives, giving you 32TB of storage.The D4 SSD doesn’t have any internal hardware, so you can’t use it as a NAS. Though, if you need to extend the storage of your Windows or macOS notebook or just want an all-SSD external storage drive that you can connect via USB-C, the D4 SSD is a pretty great choice. And right now, the D4 SSD is Terramaster D4 SSD Enclosure: A Universal, High-speed Storage Solution
Table of Contents The Terramaster D4 SSD enclosure offers a versatile and speedy solution for expanding storage capacity, supporting a wide range of connection standards including USB 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, and USB 4.0, and also Thunderbolt 3, 4, and 5. With a maximum bandwidth of 40Gbps, it’s an excellent choice for users needing fast access to external storage, especially for demanding tasks like video editing. Currently available for $239 on Amazon, the D4 SSD enclosure presents a compelling option for workstation upgrades.Broad Compatibility & High-Speed Performance
One of the key strengths of the Terramaster D4 is its compatibility. It’s designed to work with a vast array of devices, eliminating concerns about connector limitations. The enclosure supports NVMe SSDs, utilizing the PCIe interface for significantly faster data transfer rates compared to traditional SATA SSDs.
The 40Gbps bandwidth, achieved through USB4 and thunderbolt connectivity, allows for rapid data movement. However, it’s important to note that the actual speed is dependent on the SSD installed within the enclosure and the capabilities of the host device. The reviewer successfully paired the D4 with Western Digital’s SN770 Gen4 NVMe SSDs, highlighting a strong combination for performance. Western Digital consistently ranks among the top manufacturers of high-performance SSDs.
understanding USB and Thunderbolt Standards
The landscape of data transfer standards can be confusing. here’s a quick breakdown:
* USB 3.0 (now USB 3.2 Gen 1): Offers speeds up to 5Gbps.
* USB 3.1 (now USB 3.2 Gen 2): Doubles the speed to 10Gbps.
* USB 3.2 Gen 2×2: Further increases speed to 20Gbps, requiring a USB-C connector.
* USB4: Based on Thunderbolt 3 technology, offering speeds up to 40Gbps.
* Thunderbolt 3: Utilizes the USB-C connector and provides 40Gbps bandwidth, supporting data, video, and power delivery.
* Thunderbolt 4: Improves upon Thunderbolt 3 with minimum requirements for bandwidth and connectivity, ensuring consistent performance.
* Thunderbolt 5: The latest standard, offering even higher bandwidth and improved features, though adoption is still emerging. Intel details the specifications for Thunderbolt 5,showcasing its advancements.
The D4’s ability to accommodate all these standards ensures future-proofing and compatibility with a wide range of computers and peripherals.
Ideal for Workstations and Content Creators
The Terramaster D4 SSD enclosure is particularly well-suited for professionals who require high-speed, reliable external storage.Video editors, photographers, and other content creators who work with large files will benefit from the fast transfer speeds. Using NVMe SSDs within the enclosure provides a notable performance boost compared to traditional external hard drives.
For users looking to expand the storage capacity of thier workstations without the complexity of internal upgrades, the D4 SSD enclosure offers a straightforward and effective solution. The current price of $239 makes it an attractive option for those seeking a high-performance, all-SSD storage expansion.
Related reading