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 Has there been a moment when your computer was nearly maxed out on storage? Or did you ever have to move large files across different devices? It can be quite challenging if you’re not ready for it.


 For numerous people, the easiest approach is to obtain additional storage, which could be as simple as using a USB flash drive or opting for an external hard drive when dealing with large amounts of data. In fact, portable solid-state drives (SSDs) have become quite trendy recently due to their ample capacity and rapid transfer rates packed into a compact design. Should you decide to purchase one, go ahead and acquire yourself one of these.
 our recommended external drives
 .


 However, numerous portable solid-state drives (SSDs) turn out to be quite a bad bargain upon closer inspection. They not only come with limitations due to their compact design but also frequently offer inferior storage capacity at inflated prices.


 You're better off assembling your own external SSD. Don't stress; it's simpler than you think. Here’s why you might want to try it and how you can do it yourself.

<h2>
 The advantages of building your own external SSD
</h2>

 The market offers many ready-made external SSDs, yet opting for a DIY approach gives you much greater diversity. You can select your preferred storage capacity, dimensions, connectivity standard, and design (owing to the extensive range of SSD casings out there).


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 Mark Knapp / Foundry


 When you opt for a DIY external SSD, you also gain the liberty of
 reallocate one of your current SSDs
 or disassemble the drive once you're finished using it so you can reinstall the SSD back into, for instance, your PC or gaming console.


 Additionally, you might significantly reduce costs by building your own external SSD. High-capacity PCIe drives can be found at unexpectedly affordable prices. Consider this.
 2TB Silicon Power US75
 For $103, this isn’t even a sluggish model. It boasts a reading speed of up to 7,000 MB/s and a writing speed of up to 6,500 MB/s! On the other hand, the
 2TB SK Hynix Beetle X31
 It costs $170 and boasts a claimed transfer speed of 1,050 MB/s.


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 Silicon Power


 Fairly speaking, none of the present drive enclosures can fully utilize the Silicon Power US75’s speed capabilities. (Both USB4 and Thunderbolt 4 have maximum rates of 40Gbps, equivalent to just 5,000MB/s). However, unlike the SK Hynix Beetle X31, which has a consistent top limit of 1,050MB/s, you can construct an external SSD using the Silicon Power US75 along with a USB4 enclosure for optimal performance today, and upgrade it to a USB5 enclosure when available in the future.

<h2>
 How to create your own external SSD
</h2>

 Making your own external SSD turns out to be far simpler than you may imagine. No significant expertise or specialized equipment is required.


 Start with getting an SSD. Steer clear of 2.5-inch SATA drives as they are cost-effective yet outdated, bulky, and sluggish options.
 
 that
 
 significantly more budget-friendly compared to NVMe drives. (If you’re unsure about what to purchase, consider checking this out.)
 our best SSD recommendations
 .)


 You don't have to stress over obtaining the quickest drive. Anyway, the speed might be limited by the enclosure. However, if you're looking for a forward-compatible option, our top pick is the PCIe 4.0 SSD we recommend.
 2TB Solidigm P44 Pro
 . There’s also the
 2TB WD Blue SN5000
 For a more cost-effective option. And if you require compatibility with older machinery, the
 2TB Crucial P3
 is a good option for a PCIe 3.0 SSD.

<h2>
 Solidigm P44 Pro
</h2>

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 Price at Review Time: 512GB: $79.99 I 1TB: $129.99 I 2TB: $219.99 Lowest Prices Currently Available:
 $129.85 at Amazon
 |
 $266.99 at Walmart
 |
 Not Available at Adorama

<h2>
 WD Blue SN500 NVMe SSD
</h2>

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 Price At Time of Review: 500GB: $80 I 1TB: $90 I 2TB: $150 I 4TB: $290 Best Deals Currently Available:
 $44.99 at Amazon
 |
 $44.99 at WD
 |
 $229.99 at Walmart

<h2>
 Crucial P3
</h2>

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 Price at Time of Review: 500GB: $50 I 1TB: $90 I 2TB: $200 I 4TB: $250 Best Deals Now Available:
 $37.50 at Amazon
 |
 $44.95 at Walmart
 |
 $44.99 at Adorama


 After selecting your SSD, begin searching for an appropriate enclosure. This enclosure will significantly affect the SSD’s performance, so ensure you choose one that matches your drive’s specifications.


 We recently tested
 The Ugreen CM642 housing, which comes at a higher price point yet provides swift USB4 and Thunderbolt 4 connections. (Personally, I have had direct experience with both the Ugreen CM642 as well as my own Silicon Power US70 and Corsair MP400 drives; details of these experiences follow below). Other options offering USB4/Thunderbolt 4 compatibility encompass this.
 Cable Matters 40Gbps enclosure
 and this
 Orico 40Gbps enclosure
 .


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 Cable Matters


 Although these USB4/Thunderbolt 4 enclosures cater to the premium segment of the market, there are also many more affordable alternatives available. Personally, I own one of them.
 Orico TCM2
 , which offers a more gradual 10Gbps speed but can be purchased now for $25. A less expensive alternative is
 this Ugreen 10Gbps enclosure
 .


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 Ugreen


 After obtaining an SSD and an enclosure, all you need to do is put them together, as the enclosure typically includes instructions for assembly.


 The assembly process will probably involve opening the casing, potentially unscrewing something along the way, before proceeding with the usual steps.
 SSD installation process
 Once the drive is installed, simply reverse the disassembly steps and you're all set! Note that certain SSDs might necessitate formatting prior to usage; however, this step is straightforward as well.
 simple process
 .)

<h2>
 The outcomes explain their own merits.
</h2>

 How much money can you actually save when building your own external SSD? Consider using a 2TB SK Hynix Beetle X31.
 
 $170 value
 
 ) available, I compared it with several distinct DIY external SSD combinations. The contenders included:


 ・
 2TB Silicon Power US70
 ($103 value) + Ugreen CM642 case ($110 value) =
 
 $213 total value
 


 ・
 2TB Silicon Power US70
 ($103 value) +
 Orico TCM2 enclosure
 ($25 value) =
 
 $128 total value
 


 ・
 2TB Corsair MP400
 ($255 value) + Ugreen CM642 case ($110 value) =
 
 $365 total value
 


 ・
 2TB Corsair MP400
 ($255 value) +
 Orico TCM2 enclosure
 ($25 value) =
 
 $280 total value
 


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 Mark Knapp / Foundry


 I evaluated the SK Hynix Beetle X31 by comparing it with various drive-and-enclosure combinations utilizing CrystalDiskMark 8. Below are my findings:


 · The SK Hynix Beetle X31 met its performance benchmarks, achieving sequential read speeds of 1,050 MB/s and sequential write speeds of 1,042 MB/s. However, those were the only positive aspects about it.


 · The Silicon Power US70 inside the Ugreen case achieved read speeds of 3,732 MB/s and write speeds of 1,614 MB/s. Similarly, when placed within the same Ugreen casing, the Corsair MP400 reached maximum read speeds of 3,046 MB/s and write speeds of 1,000 MB/s.


 ・The Silicon Power US70 inside the more affordable Orio enclosure achieved read speeds of up to 1,016 MB/s and write speeds reaching 1,045 MB/s. Meanwhile, the Corsair MP400 demonstrated read speeds of 1,048 MB/s and write speeds of 1,007 MB/s. Despite being housed in low-cost casings, both drives matched the performance levels seen with the SK Hynix Beetle X31.


 
 Note:
 
 The hard drives I evaluated are somewhat outdated, hence you ought to readily locate substitutes that are quicker and/or more affordable. For instance, the
 2TB WD Blue SN5000
 In the same Orico case, you could expect comparable performance for a total of $114 plus $25, which comes to $139. If you wish to reduce costs further, consider using 1TB or 512GB drives instead.


 Given the multitude of drive and enclosure choices available, you're sure to discover an option that fits both your needs and budget. Additionally, setting up these drives and enclosures is remarkably simple—almost anybody can manage it. Truthfully, choosing which components to purchase might just be the most challenging aspect!


 
 Further reading:
 
 Portable SSDs serve well for purposes beyond mere backups.

Build Your Own Cheap External SSD: Skip the High Prices!

Has there been a moment when your computer was nearly maxed out on storage? Or did you ever have to move large files across different ...