ADATA SC750 (1 TB) External SSD Review

What we have for review is the ADATA SC750 external SSD. This is a pocketable SSD in a bite-size form-factor with capacities of up to 2 TB. The model we have is the 1 TB variant which is offered at ₱5,153 PHP ($64.99 US).

Disclosure: ADATA sent the SC750 for the purpose of this review. The company did not ask me to say anything particular about it.

Technical Specifications

According to ADATA, the SC750 is a lightweight, cable-free portable SSD offering blazing-fast 1,050/1,000 MB/s speeds. It’s ideal for mobile phones, gaming handhelds, and next-gen consoles, supports Apple ProRes direct recording, and works seamlessly across multiple operating systems.

Storage
Capacity	1 TB (also available in 500 GB and 2 TB)
Flash Controller	N/A
Flash Memory	N/A
Form Factor	External SSD
Interface	USB 3.2 Gen 2
Sequential Read	1050 MB/s
Sequential Write	1000 MB/s
Random Read	N/A
Random Write	N/A
Endurance
MTBF	N/A
TBW	N/A
Dimensions
Length	53.0 mm
Width	27.5 mm
Height	11.89 mm
Weight	11.15 grams

Packaging and Accessories

The ADATA SC750 comes in a small packaging, which is fitting for its size.

Scope of delivery are as follows:

• ADATA SC750 external SSD

Design, Build and Connectivity

The SC750 is truly a small SSD, with a size that is almost comparable to a thumb drive. It is light too, at just under 12 grams and should fit any desk with its neutral colorway.

Unlike its competitors, the SC750 has a built-in USB Type-C male port. That means it doesn’t need a cable to work, so there is no need to stow one in your travels.

Convenient as it is, the SC750 is still a touch wider compared to conventional thumb drives. You still need a USB Type-C cable (female to male) if your system has cramped or populated I/O ports.

Throughput

The ADATA SC750 surpassed its rated read specifications in the CrystalDiskMark benchmark, achieving sequential read speeds of 1056.518 MB/s. Write performance is a bit lower compared to specifications but it is close.

IOPS

The ADATA SC750 highest recorded IOPS are approximately 40K read and 33K write. Not exactly the best in class, especially with the write performance considered.

Access Time

The SC750 has an acceptable access time performance. All time low recorded are 187.84 μs for the read and 101.86 μs for the write.

File Copy

The SC750 demonstrates solid file copy performance across most tested file types and sizes. However, copying data akin to a collection of program files proves particularly challenging for the drive, taking nearly a minute to transfer just 5 GB.

Compression

Regarding compression, the SC750 demonstrated relatively stable read performance, while its write speeds fluctuated, dropping from 980 MB/s to approximately 850 MB/s before recovering.

Cache

Currently, the write cache performance is subpar, dropping to 130 MB/s after handling 120 GB of files. It recovers to around 550 MB/s but experiences subsequent dips after every 30 GB.

Temperature

One more downside of the SC750 is its load temperature, which reached a staggering 89 °C during our write cache benchmark’s thermal monitoring. Interestingly, the outer shell—ironically the only component made from an alloy—felt warm to the touch but contributed minimally to cooling. Amusingly, this thermal issue could potentially be mitigated by employing an alloy in the construction of the drive itself.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the ADATA SC750 external SSD offers an impressive mix of portability, convenience, and solid performance in a compact form factor. Its lightweight design and built-in USB Type-C male port make it a handy choice for those on the go.

While it delivers excellent read speeds and reliable file copy performance, its write speeds and IOPS performance fall slightly short of class-leading expectations. Additionally, the thermal challenges and subpar write cache performance may concern some users, particularly those who require a portable drive for demanding workloads.

At ₱5,153 PHP for the 1 TB variant, the SC750 provides good value for everyday use and light file transfers. However, those seeking higher sustained write performance or better thermal management might want to explore alternatives. For most casual and semi-professional applications, though, the ADATA SC750 proves to be a practical and versatile storage solution.