TerraMaster D4 SSD evaluation – 4 Bay NVMe USB4 Enclosure

The TerraMaster D4 SSD is a compact direct-attached storage (DAS) machine providing high-speed connectivity by way of USB4 and assist for 4 M.2 NVMe drives. Designed to attraction to content material creators, professionals working with massive media information, and energy customers searching for versatile, quick exterior storage, this enclosure permits as much as 32TB of uncooked capability utilizing 4 8TB drives. In contrast to conventional 3.5” or 2.5” drive enclosures, the D4 SSD leverages the pace and compactness of PCIe-based NVMe SSDs, with efficiency figures that may rival inside storage setups when used optimally.

Whereas this isn’t notably low-cost, it’s clearly focused at customers requiring high-performance exterior storage who’re probably prepared to pay for premium-priced merchandise.

Associated Critiques

Specification

Unboxing / Design

The TerraMaster D4 SSD arrives in fundamental packaging like all TerraMaster merchandise and accommodates the necessities: the enclosure itself, a USB-C to USB-C cable measuring 0.8 metres, an influence adapter, set up screws, and fundamental documentation.

The entrance panel stays utterly clear aside from a small D4 SSD label, with air flow grilles masking the highest floor. The rear homes the USB4 port, energy enter, and a single thumb screw for accessing the inside.

With out utilizing this machine, my fundamental criticism can be using a DC barrel port for energy. The facility provide is barely 24W, and the spec sheet says the standard energy consumption of a completely populated enclosure is simply 15W. It appears silly to not permit this to be powered by way of USB. Ideally, a 2^nd USB-C port particularly for energy (in case your PC/laptop computer can’t provide sufficient energy) or, on the very least, can help you drive the enclosure by way of the one USB-C port after which the barrel port for units that may’t present sufficient energy.

Set Up / Set up

So far as setting this up goes, it couldn’t be less complicated. The enclosure has a thumb screw to launch the housing, and TerraMaster features a small screwdriver for the M.2 retaining screws.

The M.2 set up course of follows commonplace procedures: take away the mounting screw, insert the drive at an angle, press down, and safe with the screw. The enclosure accommodates solely 2280-format drives, which covers the overwhelming majority of shopper NVMe SSDs. Further mounting factors recommend compatibility with shorter drives, although 2280 stays the usual.

In contrast to a number of the TerraMaster enclosures, this one lacks any built-in RAID performance. So, the drives will likely be picked up individually.

Home windows customers can create striped or spanned volumes by way of Disk Administration, successfully offering RAID 0 or JBOD performance. macOS customers can obtain comparable outcomes by way of Disk Utility’s RAID assistant. Another RAID answer is SoftRAID from OWC.

Another means to make use of this enclosure is with a TerraMaster NAS the place it’s potential to create full storage swimming pools in TOS 6 related over USB, nevertheless I’ve not examined this.

Efficiency

One of many interesting issues about this enclosure is that I can use outdated NVMe drives I’ve mendacity round for extra quick backup storage.  For my preliminary testing, I used an outdated 1TB Samsung NVMe SSD and a Goodram 1TB IRDM M.2 NVMe SSD. Contemplating this enclosure prices £280 and NVMe drives are comparatively cheap these days, that is in all probability not essentially the most cost-efficient means to make use of outdated drives.

The ASMedia ASM2464PDX controller offers the muse for the D4 SSD’s efficiency, providing PCIe 4.0 x1 connectivity to every M.2 slot. This configuration offers a theoretical most of 2GB/s per slot, although real-world efficiency relies upon closely on the put in SSDs and configuration chosen.

Preliminary testing with the Samsung 1TB NVMe SSD achieved learn speeds of 903MB/s and write speeds of 872MB/s when related to a 10Gbps USB port. Transferring to a USB4-equipped laptop computer dramatically improved outcomes, with single drive efficiency reaching 1567MB/s learn speeds.

The efficiency transformation turns into extra obvious when utilizing a number of drives in a striped configuration. Testing with two drives achieved mixed speeds of 3002MB/s, approaching the theoretical most for the USB4 interface. This represents wonderful utilisation of accessible bandwidth and demonstrates the enclosure’s potential to mixture particular person drive efficiency successfully.

Temperature administration proves ample throughout prolonged testing, with the twin followers sustaining affordable working temperatures even beneath sustained load. The followers function quietly sufficient to keep away from distraction in typical workplace environments, beneath gentle load, I needed to place my ear subsequent to the air vents to listen to it correctly, my desktop PC followers simply drowned out the noise from this enclosure. Underneath heavy load, they might turn out to be extra noticeable.

Actual-world file switch testing revealed constant efficiency throughout completely different situations. Massive file copies maintained regular switch charges, while combined workloads confirmed the anticipated variability. The USB4 interface proved secure all through testing, with no connection drops or stability points encountered.

Software program and Compatibility

The D4 SSD’s software-agnostic method proves each a energy and limitation. By avoiding proprietary RAID implementations, it maintains broad compatibility throughout completely different working programs and use instances. Home windows customers can leverage built-in Disk Administration instruments for fundamental RAID performance, while macOS customers have comparable capabilities by way of Disk Utility.

Nevertheless, this method additionally means lacking some conveniences discovered in additional built-in options. There’s no devoted administration software program for monitoring drive well being, efficiency metrics, or thermal circumstances. Customers should depend on third-party instruments or working system utilities for such info.

TerraMaster does present TPC Backupper software program, although this proves to be a rebranded model of AOMEI Backupper with persistent improve prompts. The backup performance works adequately however lacks the polish anticipated from a premium storage answer. The software program’s web-based activation course of and subsequent upselling makes an attempt really feel unnecessarily business.

Value and Different Choices

The TerraMaster D4 SSD has an RRP of £280

In addition they have the D1 SSD Plus, which is a single drive USB4 40Gbps enclosure for £110

There’s additionally the D5 and D8 Hybrid, which mix 3.5” drives with NVMe. The D5 is 2+3 for £210 whereas the D8 is 2+6 for £300. The draw back is that these are restricted to USB 3.2 Gen 2 10Gbps Sort C.

Single-drive USB4 enclosures sometimes have an RRP from round £100, although some random manufacturers on Amazon have them for as little as £60.

Competing choices appear to be restricted to Thunderbolt 3. In principle, you could possibly obtain the total throughput with USB4, as that is primarily based on the TB3 spec, however it’s depending on whether or not the USB4 port helps TB3.

OWC has the Specific 4M2, which is obtainable for round £220 with no licence for SoftRaid or £330 with a licence. That is TB3 and has the benefit of twin TB3 ports for daisy chaining and a DisplayPort

StarTech.com has a 4 Bay Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps) NVMe Enclosure priced at £350

General

The TerraMaster D4 SSD is a wonderful and well-built enclosure designed for customers who want quick, transportable, multi-drive storage and who’ve programs able to utilising USB4 to its full potential. Its modular design, passive and lively cooling, and easy setup course of make it straightforward to suggest for professionals dealing with massive media information or managing a number of mission drives.

Whereas I really feel just like the £280 is a bit costly, there may be not likely something competing with this instantly, and competing TB3 primarily based enclosures are at an identical worth level.

Nevertheless, the choice to require exterior energy limits portability unnecessarily, notably given the modest energy necessities. The dearth of {hardware} RAID performance restricts compatibility with third-party NAS units.

In case you’re on the lookout for a multi-bay NVMe enclosure and already personal a number of spare drives — or need the pliability to swap them out commonly — the TerraMaster D4 SSD performs nicely and stays one of many few USB4 enclosures on this class.

I’m James, a UK-based tech fanatic and the Editor and Proprietor of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Enthusiastic about all issues expertise, my experience spans from computer systems and networking to cellular, wearables, and good dwelling units.

As a health fanatic who loves operating and biking, I even have a eager curiosity in fitness-related expertise, and I take each alternative to cowl this area of interest on my weblog. My various pursuits permit me to convey a novel perspective to tech running a blog, merging life-style, health, and the newest tech traits.

In my educational pursuits, I earned a BSc in Data Methods Design from UCLAN, earlier than advancing my studying with a Grasp’s Diploma in Computing. This superior examine additionally included Cisco CCNA accreditation, additional demonstrating my dedication to understanding and staying forward of the expertise curve.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio has constantly ranked Mighty Gadget as one of many prime expertise blogs within the UK. With my dedication to expertise and drive to share my insights, I goal to proceed offering my readers with participating and informative content material.

Final replace on 2025-07-24 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Pictures from Amazon Product Promoting API