STARDOM UBOX-B4BP Unboxing and Review

 

USB4 Support with optional Type-C power Backup

 

With its user-friendly design, this enclosure enables tool-free installation of solid-state drives. It also features an additional Type-C port for extra power, ensuring reliable operational stability.

 

 

The UBOX-B4BP USB4 SSD enclosure is equipped with the ASMedia ASM2464PD USB4 device-side chip. Compact and portable, this enclosure is designed for convenience, featuring a user-friendly, tool-free assembly process for easy SSD installation.

 

Launched in 2024, the UBOX-B4BP was one of the first USB4 enclosures on the market. It typically retails for around $125 USD, though limited-time discounts on e-commerce platforms can bring the price down to approximately $105 USD.

 

 

Design, Build, and Durability of the UBOX-B4BP

 

The UBOX-B4BP measures 108.08 x 69.85 x 15 mm, making it slightly thicker than a typical 2.5-inch hard drive. Its aluminum alloy construction consists of a top cover and base frame, providing durability and efficient heat dissipation.

 

The black-coated top cover features a fin-like design, reminiscent of sports car vents, to enhance cooling performance. Stardom claims this enclosure offers sufficient cooling for even the most demanding daily use, and that it can withstand accidental bumps and drops. However, they have not specified any official drop test standards that the product has passed.

 

 

The UBOX-B4BP features two USB Type-C ports, one of which is marked "DC" for auxiliary power input (5V, up to 1A). This port can be used to supply additional power if the USB bus power is insufficient* to ensure normal operation.

 

*The standard power output for a USB4 host is 7.5W (5V, 1.5A), older USB 3.2 Gen X interfaces provide only 4.5W (5V, 0.9A). In such cases, the DC port can be connected to a power supply or device to compensate for the lower power output and maintain stable performance.

 

 

The UBOX-B4BP features a simple, no-frills design, with no operation status LED indicator. The bottom side may be slightly confusing for users due to visible mechanical traces, which detract from the smoothness and overall integration of the design.

 

Unlike many other external enclosures, the UBOX-B4BP stands out with its industrial aesthetic, sharing a basic structural design with the rest of Stardom's UBOX series, giving it a distinct look and feel compared to other brands’ products.

 

 

The UBOX-B4BP is designed for quick and easy module swapping, thanks to its sliding latch mechanism. To open the enclosure, simply slide the latch and gently push the upper and lower covers in opposite directions. This tool-free design allows for fast access and hassle-free SSD installation or replacement.

 

 

The heat produced by the USB4 controller and the solid-state drive is efficiently dissipated through the relatively thick aluminum alloy upper cover of the UBOX-B4BP. To optimize cooling, thermal pads have been pre-attached at the factory to ensure proper heat transfer from these two heat sources.

 

 

The UBOX-B4BP utilizes the ASMedia ASM2464PD controller, which exceeds the minimum requirements of the USB-IF specification. It supports USB4 (v1, 40Gbps), USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 / 2 / 1, and Thunderbolt 4 / 3 interfaces, offering wide compatibility. For optimal performance, it is recommended to pair the enclosure with a PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe module.

 

 

The UBOX-B4BP supports M.2 Type 2280 length modules by default, with module fixing screws that can be hand-tightened for easy installation. Using the included screw and screw holes, it also accommodates Type 2260 modules, but it is not compatible with Type 2230 modules.

 

 

In most cases, assembling the UBOX-B4BP requires no manual tools and can be completed quickly in just 7 simple steps. This tool-free assembly aligns with the popular "EZ PC DIY" concept, making the process hassle-free and user-friendly for all skill levels.

 

 

UBOX-B4BP performance test

 

For the performance testing phase, we paired the UBOX-B4BP with the ASUS USB4 PCIe Gen4 Card. The test environment configuration aligns with recent USB4-related reports, using consistent benchmarks to evaluate the UBOX-B4BP's performance.

 

 

 

Raidon Technology Inc. has two brands, STARDOM and RAIDON, so there is no need to be surprised to see that the manufacturer name of UBOX-B4BP is RAIDON

 

 

TEST Platform:

 

Processor: Intel Core i7-14700K

 

Motherboard: ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Apex

 

Memory: Kingston FURY Beast DDR5-6000 RGB

 

System disk: Kingston KC3000 PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD 1TB

 

Graphics card: ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 OC 8GB

 

Power supply: ASUS ROG Thor II 1000W

 

Radiator: Noctua NH-D15S

 

Monitor: ASUS TUF Gaming VG28UQL1A

 

Operating system: Microsoft Windows 11 Pro 64bit 23H2

 

USB4 test with: ASUS USB4 PCIe Gen4 Card (USB4, ASMedia ASM4242 controller), Western Digital WD_BLACK SN850 1TB

 

 

In performance testing, the UBOX-B4BP achieved impressive results. Using ATTO Disk Benchmark under QD 8 conditions, the enclosure reached read speeds of 3.31GB/s and write speeds of 3.01GB/s. In CrystalDiskMark, under SEQ1M Q8T1 conditions, it delivered even higher speeds, with 3717.18MB/s for reading and 3643.46MB/s for writing.

 

For 4K random access throughput, ATTO Disk Benchmark measured a maximum of 108.8K IOPS (QD 8) for reading and 109.8K IOPS (QD 16) for writing. Meanwhile, CrystalDiskMark reported 265,578.12 IOPS in reading and 258,365.72 IOPS in writing under Q32T16 conditions, showcasing the UBOX-B4BP’s strong performance in handling random access workloads.

 

 

 

Compared to the reference comparison group, the UBOX-B4BP performs slightly slower in ATTO Disk Benchmark, with differences ranging from 1.1% to 6.1%. In CrystalDiskMark, it lags by 1.4% in reading and 3.2% in writing under 4K Q32T16 conditions. However, these variations fall within the normal margin of error for testing.

 

In advanced simulation tests, the UBOX-B4BP scored 2,622 points with a bandwidth of 321.27MB/s in PCMark Storage, closely matching the reference group. In 3DMark Storage, it scored 2,058 points with a bandwidth of 351.7MB/s, trailing the reference group by approximately 8%. This difference is primarily due to performance discrepancies in more complex, application-heavy scenarios.

 

 

 

In the FastCopy transfer test using a single large file of approximately 100GB, the UBOX-B4BP demonstrated impressive performance. It achieved an average read speed of 3,715.38MB/s and a write speed of 3,642MB/s, completing the file transfer in 29.6 seconds for reading and 34.0 seconds for writing. These results, along with the benchmark tests, highlight the high-speed capabilities of USB4 and the strong performance of the UBOX-B4BP.

 

 

In the final test using IOMeter, the UBOX-B4BP's thermal performance was evaluated by writing continuously for 10 minutes in a 28°C environment. The operating temperature of the solid-state drive started at 47°C and reached a peak of around 72°C. Despite the increase in temperature, the product maintained stable performance with speeds consistently above 3593MB/s. However, the casing did become noticeably warm during operation, indicating that while the enclosure efficiently manages heat, users may feel some external warmth after extended use.

 

 

 

The UBOX-B4BP features a distinct industrial design that strikes a good balance between size and passive cooling, considering the two major heat sources inside. While a smaller enclosure could be achieved, it would likely come at the cost of increased heat or the need for noisy active cooling. The current design effectively balances heat dissipation without requiring a fan, making it both practical and efficient.

 

The user-friendly, tool-free assembly is another standout feature, especially for frequent disassembly and reassembly during testing. The convenience of quick, tool-free access makes it a time-saver for those who often need to swap SSDs.

 

Additionally, the optional power supply mechanism is a valuable feature, ensuring reliable operation even when connected to older hosts with limited power output. Overall, the UBOX-B4BP proves to be a well-rounded and satisfying product, offering solid performance, ease of use, and thoughtful design.

 

Sourced from Benchlife writed by BiSheng Liao

 

https://www.stardom.com.tw/STARDOM2016/product.php?id=568

 

 

 

2024-11-05