GTrusted

The Samsung X5 Portable SSD Thunderbolt 3 Drive Gets Real Hot

The Samsung X5 Portable SSD is a fast Thunderbolt 3 storage device that has helped bring down the cost of fast Thunderbolt 3 storage to consumers.  Access to fast portable storage is great for performing Mac Time Machine backups while on the road and handling large video files for iMovie, Final Cut Pro, or After Effects editing.

The The Samsung X5 Portable SSD  comes with a Thunderbolt 3 cable, which is needed to connect to a Thunderbolt 3 PC or Mac.  Using a non-Thunderbolt USB-C to USB-C would not work with this drive.

The Samsung X5 Portable SSD has a smooth glossy finish which is comfortable to hold, but only when the drive is not being used.  Once the drive is used, it heats up dramatically making it very uncomfortable to the touch with potential for burns if the skin is touch the drive for long periods of time.

Using the GRL-C2 USB PD Tester and GRL-PSP Power Analyzer software from Granite River Labs, we can see that during a Mac Time Machine backup, the Samsung X5 Portable SSD gets over 50 degrees C which is getting into the danger zone.  After the backup is done, the drive maximum temperature falls down before stabilize close to a 40 degrees C level.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z1fEVGWeFgI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>