Unlock Lightning-Fast Data Transfer: Unboxing the OWC Express 1M2 External SSD, Powered by ASMedia’s Cutting-Edge USB4 Chip

OWC, familiar to content creators, not only launches various Thunderbolt interface solution products, but also jumps on the first bandwagon of USB4.

Express 1M2 uses the USB4 v1.0 device chip launched by ASMedia. Real-world transmission speed can reach ≥3.7GB/s. Let’s take a look at the design of the Express 1M2, which resembles a bit of a fishbone shape.

OWC has split its Express 1M2 product line plan in two. In addition to providing package combinations with preloaded solid state drive modules from 1 to 8 TB, we will also introduce a DIY external enclosure version. The market reference price of the DIY outer box version is about 3,960 yuan. Compared to competing products, the price, size and weight are slightly higher.

Express 1M2 is a passive cooling design The shell is made of aircraft-grade aluminum alloy. Its dimensions are 132 x 70 x 23 mm and it weighs approximately 260 g. In response to the heat dissipation efficiency required by the USB4 solution, OWC transformed the top cover into a heat dissipation fin style, which looks like a fishbone and has a good eye-catching effect.

The external structure and configuration are quite simple. In addition to the OWC branding and the Express 1M2 logo, there is a single status indicator LED on the front panel and there is a USB4 Type-C port on the back. Simple and clean lines, paired with the original aluminum alloy color to show the texture, maintain the MAC style design that OWC is good at.

There are inevitably some rubber elements at the bottom. As for the 2 screws right in front of you, you can open the aluminum alloy top and bottom covers by twisting and removing them. The edge on the other side of the bottom cover has a locking mechanism, so the assembly is tight and convenient. However, the screws mentioned above are also where the footrests are attached will sooner or later lose their stickiness.

In terms of the design and configuration of the PCB, as well as the aluminum alloy top and bottom cover structures, the Express 1M2 uses the ASMedia model ASM2464PD device-side chip to direct the heat generated by the operation of the solid PCIe M.2. status of the drive module to a larger one. It has a thick aluminum alloy top cover and there are heat pads fixed at the relative positions of the two heat sources.

The ASM2464PD chip design is also compatible with Thunderbolt 3 (including Thunderbolt 4). The main architecture has a transmission encoding speed of 40 Gbps. Support is extended up to USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 / Gen 2 / Gen 1 and other older USB standards. When using USB Mode can use BOT or UASP transmission protocol, and the device compatibility can be said to be higher than Thunderbolt 4/3.

The Express 1M2 can be equipped with M.2 Type 2280/2242/2230 solid state drive modules. The circuit board has reserved corresponding holes, and the position of the copper pillars can be adjusted as needed. There is no practical design for attaching the module, and you still need to use a screwdriver to turn the screws. However, the overall assembly is still quick and intuitive.

When choosing a solid state drive module, keep in mind that ASMedia’s USB4 solution supports the PCIe 4.0 x4 interface specification. Only by using the corresponding module can the transfer speed approach 3,800 MB/s. In contrast, the upper limit with the PCIe 3.0 x4 module is around 3,300 MB/s, which is similar to Thunderbolt 4/3.

For the actual performance measurement experience of the Express 1M2, we paired it with the ASUS USB4 PCIe Gen4 card and compiled it together in other chapters.

Here we only talk about the heat dissipation effect of Express 1M2. It is actually used with the Western Digital WD_BLACK SN850 1TB module and observed via IOMeter for 10 minutes of continuous writing. During the test, the module temperature increased from 37°C to 61°C (ambient temperature is approximately 27°C), and the writing speed remained stable above 3,500 MB/s. It appears that the anti- Express 1M2’s heating is reassuring.

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