Results - Test 3

In test 3, we ran HDtach with the ION drive attached to both the USB 1.1 and the USB 2.0 ports. We then removed the IBM drive from the ION enclosure and attached it to the secondary IDE channel of our test machine via a 2.5" to 3.5" adapter.

Test 2a, Stage 1 - Results of the CD burning test with a Plextor 2410A mounted in the Impulse cage and attached to a USB 1.1 port.

From just looking at the graph, you may think that the ION kicked butt on the USB 1.1 port. What you are really seeing is that the drive transferred near max throughput for the USB 1.1 port. With an average read speed of 889.1 kbps and a CPU utilization of 8.0%, you really wouldn't want to the drive for more than backup operations.

Results - Test 3, Stage 2

Test 2a, Stage 1 - Results of the CD burning test with a Plextor 2410A mounted in the Impulse cage and attached to a USB 1.1 port.

With the ION attached to the USB 2.0 port we get much better performance out of the drive. An average read speed of 10652.5 kbps is 1098% better than the 889.1 turnout from the USB 1.1 port. The CPU utilization was also lower than USB 1.1, at 3.9%. With these transfer rates you can use the drive for whatever you want. Whatever you can do with an IDE drive, you can do with the ION on a USB 2.0 port, you won't be limited by the USB controller.