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MagyarPNY Elite X-Pro external SSD in review: Outstandingly fast, just not everywhere
PNY Technologies, based in New Jersey, USA, offers various solid-state memory devices in addition to Nvidia graphics cards. This ranges from SD cards for professional use to SSDs, RAM, and USB sticks.
The PNY Elite X-Pro in our hands is an external SSD that promises much higher transfer rates than USB 3.2 Gen2, the standard used by many mid-range models, thanks to USB 3.2 Gen2x2. The external hard drive is offered with 500 GB, 1TB, 2 TB, or 4 TB.
Technical data
| PNY Elite X-Pro | |
|---|---|
| Size | 64.2 × 57.5 × 10.7 mm |
| Weight (without cable) | 33.7 g |
| Connection to SSD | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen2x2 |
| Connection to the computer | USB-C, USB-A |
| available capacities | 500 GB; 1 TB; 2 TB; 4 TB |
| Data transfer rates (sequential according to manufacturer) |
up to 1500 MB/s read up to 1400 MB/s write |
| Warranty period | 3 years |
| Model | PSD0CS2260-500-RB PSD0CS2260-1TB-RB PSD0CS2260-2TB-RB PSD0CS2260-4TB-RB |
Scope of delivery - Only two cables for the SSD
The small Elite X-Pro is housed in a sturdy-looking aluminum casing. The sides are covered with plastic. Apart from a white LED that indicates the operating status, there is nothing else noteworthy.
The flat design is practical. The external SSD measures less than 11 millimeters in thickness and hardly takes up more space than three USB sticks placed next to each other. The weight is similarly negligible: the 34 grams should definitely not bother.
However, the hard drive shouldn't have been heavier either. Because of the extremely short cables, there will always be situations where the Elite X-Pro hangs around freely. At least two different, but barely 18 centimeters long connections with USB-A and USB-C are included. This is not the case for all rivals.
However, an adapter could be carried along to save even more space. There is no description, pouch, or anything like that. But it really doesn't need it either.
Transfer speeds - PNY's SSD disappoints on Thunderbolt
We tested the PNY Elite X-Pro on different systems for meaningful measurements. Since the USB 3.2 Gen2x2 standard is not very widespread, it also had to prove itself on USB 3.1 and Thunderbolt. We used the AS SSD test for the measurements.
We used an MSI B450-A Pro Max motherboard with AMD Ryzen and a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 expansion card. A USB 3.1 port (now known as USB 3.2 Gen2) is directly installed on the Asus Prime B360M-K motherboard, which runs an Intel Core i5. A Dell Latitude 7290 with Thunderbolt 3 was also allowed to participate.
When recording the sequential write and read rates on USB 3.2 Gen2x2, the SSD reached the manufacturer's specification almost exactly. Furthermore, the access times were also very good, well below 0.1 ms.
Not surprisingly, the result was lower for USB 3.1. The port only supports a gross data rate of 10 Gbit/s, which is almost exhausted with up to 900 MB/s. The access times for reading are a bit faster than the manufacturer's specification. The read access times are a bit weaker, but still good.
Thunderbolt presents a small problem. Both TB 3 and TB 4 are designed for up to 40 Gbit/s, so they could surpass the USB 3.2 Gen2x2 standard twice. However, this USB standard does not appear in the Thunderbolt specifications. The measurements with Dell's notebook were correspondingly disappointing. As expected, the PNY Elite X-Pro fell back to the USB 3.1 standard, which Thunderbolt again masters.
Measurements with other USB 3.2 Gen2x2 SSDs and the current Thunderbolt 4 already led to the same result. Users who only have USB-C, but not the special configuration, will have to be satisfied with "only" 10 Gbit or just under 900 MB/s.
Furthermore, we formatted a larger area of the Elite X-Pro using the hard disk management in Windows 10 and 11. All available storage space is overwritten in the process. This is a good way to estimate how fast the controller can access the SSD, which is especially important when copying and reading extensive data.
Again, the USB 3.2 Gen2x2 interface was clearly leading, because the SSD reached 1,650 MB/s. It was still 810 MB/s via Thunderbolt and 610 MB/s were measured via USB 3.1. Even the weakest value we recorded is still on a high level. Especially copying large files, such as videos or high-resolution photos, should be extremely fast. In comparison: many, usually cheaper models collapse to rates around 100 MB/s during longer write processes.
However, copying numerous folders, subfolders and small files will always take longer because the allocation table for finding the data also has to be written. Moreover, the system performance influences this speed in many cases, so such transfers are hardly comparable.
Note
Short despair arose when recording the measured values on USB 3.2 Gen2x2. With the included USB-C to USB-C cable from PNY, the transfer speeds remained at the level of USB 3.1.
Only the use of a dedicated cable can remedy the situation. Thus, the accessories included with our review sample are not suitable for exploiting the SSD's maximum speed.
We have asked the manufacturer for a statement and will add it as soon as it is available.
Verdict - Excellent performance with the right connection
The PNY Elite X-Pro presents itself convincingly. The transfer rates stated by the manufacturer are reliably achieved with the correct connection standard. The measurements are weaker with Thunderbolt or older USB standards, but they remain on a high level. At least one device should still have the not quite typical port so that a purchase is really worthwhile.
The Elite X-Pro only reveals its full potential with USB 3.2 Gen2x2. But the speed also remains excellent on other USB standards and Thunderbolt even with large amounts of data.
Even prolonged writing could hardly reduce the transfer speed, which leads to remarkable versatility. PNY's small SSD can equally be used as a storage expansion for a gaming notebook or gaming console as well as for the fast transfer of large amounts of data. Cheap external SSDs in particular cannot offer the latter. The relatively high price therefore also seems justified.
If you want to write to or copy from it frequently and need the high data rates as well as minimum access times for games, for example, the small SSD is best used. However, small external HDDs remain the better choice for pure data backup.
Statement: The present PNY Elite X-Pro was provided to the author by the manufacturer free of charge for testing purposes.
Prices and availability
The model we tested, PNY PSD0CS2260-1TB-RB, can be found at Amazon for just under 140 Euros . The smaller and somewhat slower PNY Elite X-Pro with 500 GB is available for just under 90 Euros. 2 TB costs 230 Euros and 4 TB a proud 600 Euros.
