p.5 #1 · Deal alert -- OWC CFe-A 4.0 cards on sale
I have four of the Type A cards. Two were purchased in late December and two last week. I contacted OWC via chat today and was told that based on the serial numbers the newer cards are good but the two older ones require the update. And they did offer the 50% off for the card reader with free shipping, but I had to call in to order as they couldn't do it over chat.
p.5 #2 · Deal alert -- OWC CFe-A 4.0 cards on sale
Welcome to the need-for-speed club! But watch out, It can become addictive leading to who knows what must-have upgrade costs haha. Even with Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 up to 40Gb/s, I'm already dreaming about Thunderbolt 5 up to 80Gb/s 😜
One thing you discover quickly with massive imports or file copies is that the *sustained* read and write on many of the NVMe SSDs is way lower than the max speeds. One way to reduce the costs on these drives is with a smaller/slower DRAM buffer, and that leads to them showing a rapid speed drop off under sustained loads.
This is one of the reasons after testing a few TB5 NVMe enclosures I decided to just keep buying the slightly slower TB4 enclosures, because once that max throughput was hit on large copies, the two were basically the same speed. As an aside I think the bigger advantage to users for TB5 will be more bandwidth for high-resolution monitors and/or adding more bandwidth-hungry devices in a daisy-chain.
p.5 #3 · Deal alert -- OWC CFe-A 4.0 cards on sale
Building my new Mac system I went with only one TB5 external drive and it is fast about 5500 read writes compared to the same SSD in a T4 enclosure which is running at 3200 read writes so yes there is a difference but costs are as well . So I saved some money but these T4 drives I have are more about storage and not so much as the working speed drives. So one TB5 is enough for now. Also why I went with the Mac mini Pro is I get these TB5 ports. The Type A cards are all about download to computer speeds for me . I think most of us want speed but not so much the whole system . Im plenty fast for now
p.5 #4 · Deal alert -- OWC CFe-A 4.0 cards on sale
On the TB 5 enclosures they are about 200 bucks than the drive is about 270 so its a 470 dollars investment on a 4TB drive which compared to buying a 4tb Apple Drive is about 1200 bucks . So you do save and you do get around the same speeds but most of us don't need more than 1 really fast working drive and for storage even TB 4 is fast
p.5 #5 · Deal alert -- OWC CFe-A 4.0 cards on sale
GMPhotography wrote:
On the TB 5 enclosures they are about 200 bucks than the drive is about 270 so its a 470 dollars investment on a 4TB drive which compared to buying a 4tb Apple Drive is about 1200 bucks . So you do save and you do get around the same speeds but most of us don't need more than 1 really fast working drive and for storage even TB 4 is fast
Yeah but what I was pointing out is that if I do a large sustained transfer from a say a memory card to a TB4 drive vs. a TB5 drive, the speed is identical becuase the bottleneck is the read from the card. If I do a sustained transfer from a TB5 drive to my M4 Max MBP the ultimate speed isn't much faster than with a TB4 drive. Given the current larger size of the TB5 enclosures (for heat dissipation) and the fact they cost about double what a TB4 enclosure costs, I basically decided it wasn't worth investing in any more of them. I have two--I got the OWC one and the Acasis one--and they both perform basically identically when you have the same NVMe drives in them. Yes, the speed tests show they are fast, but like I said that gain rapidly drops when you start doing long sustained transfers of files--the one place I really want more speed--and a lot of that is the fault of the current caching architecture of most NVMe drives, which are optimized for lots of fast reads and writes of small files vs. long sustained transfers of big files (which is how most of us use them, BTW).
p.5 #6 · Deal alert -- OWC CFe-A 4.0 cards on sale
I do try and stay away from these big sustained 5 tb like transfers
Really it's the cost of the enclosure that's the price difference . Same SSD drives in both of mine but my cost on the TB 5 enclosure was 200 and TB4 OWC enclosure was 120. So yes 80 bucks savings. I figured one was enough and save the 80 bucks each on the 4 TB 4 other drives . On big file moves im not rushing anyway so if it takes a little longer im okay. My real speed needs are my Type A cards get them downloaded, processed and than uploaded for sale.
The heart of all this is really the Type A cards for me. I not only download them I run them in Bridge and change the file names first than import to C1 than rock and roll. So have some extra steps that are related right to the cards first
p.5 #7 · Deal alert -- OWC CFe-A 4.0 cards on sale
GMPhotography wrote:
I do try and stay away from these big sustained 5 tb like transfers
Really it's the cost of the enclosure that's the price difference . Same SSD drives in both of mine but my cost on the TB 5 enclosure was 200 and TB4 OWC enclosure was 120. So yes 80 bucks savings. I figured one was enough and save the 80 bucks each on the 4 TB 4 other drives . On big file moves im not rushing anyway so if it takes a little longer im okay. My real speed needs are my Type A cards get them downloaded, processed and than uploaded for sale.
The heart of all this is really the Type A cards for me. I not only download them I run them in Bridge and change the file names first than import to C1 than rock and roll. So have some extra steps that are related right to the cards first...Show more →
Yeah, faster cards with a faster reader are huge workflow improvement. I don't use Bridge, but just copying the images from the card to Lightroom takes about half the time after switching to the PCIe 4 cards.
On the drives, I figured I'd wait for a smaller more compact TB5 enclosure to come out. It looks like Sabrent had one in development that they announced back in August but it's still not released. The OWC one is too big and the cable is captive, and the Acasis one is rather big with a fan, and I want one without a fan/moving parts. Once that happens, its all I will buy and the nice thing is that technology-wise the NVMe blades I already own will be ready for any faster enclosure.
During your research have you come across a good reference to judge SSD DRAM/Cache specs to determine good/better/ best?
E.g., according to Google AI :
Typical DRAM Cache sizes:
Budget SSDs: May have a smaller cache (around 512MB)
Mid-range SSDs: Usually have a 1GB DRAM cache
High-end SSDs: Can have 2GB or more of DRAM cache for demanding applications
p.5 #11 · Deal alert -- OWC CFe-A 4.0 cards on sale
I placed an order for the card (960) on Amazon on 1/20/25. Received it on 1/22/25. Serial # 40041c229006_. I'm on the phone with OWC (20 minutes so far). My card needs an update. I live about 10 minutes from OWC but I cannot drop the card off physically. I am buying the reader at 50% off. I really don't need a reader, but I am leaving for a trip to YNP soon and want to make certain the update is done before I leave. The new reader just ate into the savings on the card. My usage case probably wouldn't freeze the card as it appears it is more a problem for those using the card in computer operations than photography. Regardless, I don't want to take a chance of the card bricking in Yellowstone.
p.5 #12 · Deal alert -- OWC CFe-A 4.0 cards on sale
Just got disconnected after 25 minutes and prior to completing the order. Calling them back. 30 minutes invested so far. I could have driven there and back by now.
p.5 #13 · Deal alert -- OWC CFe-A 4.0 cards on sale
A word of caution to Mac users out there...apparently the OWC Innergize software which is what is used to update the card firmware is not currently compatible with Mac OS 15.3 (the latest version). So if you want to use that software any time soon you shouldn't update your OS.
p.5 #14 · Deal alert -- OWC CFe-A 4.0 cards on sale
pluturi wrote:
A word of caution to Mac users out there...apparently the OWC Innergize software which is what is used to update the card firmware is not currently compatible with Mac OS 15.3 (the latest version). So if you want to use that software any time soon you shouldn't update your OS.
Lovely. So not only did this OWC bug convince me I had to buy their $100 reader when my $40 dollar reader was working just fine, it won't even work on my Mac.
(Hearing that they are selling them to some for $50 didn't help my mood either. So I suppose I'll have to return the one I just bought from B&H, eat the return postage, then get OWC to give me the $50 deal.)
p.5 #15 · Deal alert -- OWC CFe-A 4.0 cards on sale
pluturi wrote:
A word of caution to Mac users out there...apparently the OWC Innergize software which is what is used to update the card firmware is not currently compatible with Mac OS 15.3 (the latest version). So if you want to use that software any time soon you shouldn't update your OS.
I tested tonight and it doesn't work on MacOS 15 in any flavor I had on hand: 15.1.1, 15.2 and 15.3. They really should disclose that on their website. They did say they are working on a fix, but they are always a bit slow on updates to work with the latest MacOS--its why I never use SoftRAID for example.
p.5 #16 · Deal alert -- OWC CFe-A 4.0 cards on sale
MikeEvangelist wrote:
Lovely. So not only did this OWC bug convince me I had to buy their $100 reader when my $40 dollar reader was working just fine, it won't even work on my Mac.
(Hearing that they are selling them to some for $50 didn't help my mood either. So I suppose I'll have to return the one I just bought from B&H, eat the return postage, then get OWC to give me the $50 deal.)
If you just bought their Reader very recently for full price because you read about the firmware issue, get in touch with OWC support and ask for the 50% discount/credit.
p.5 #17 · Deal alert -- OWC CFe-A 4.0 cards on sale
jhapeman wrote:
I tested tonight and it doesn't work on MacOS 15 in any flavor I had on hand: 15.1.1, 15.2 and 15.3. They really should disclose that on their website. They did say they are working on a fix, but they are always a bit slow on updates to work with the latest MacOS--its why I never use SoftRAID for example.
"NOTE: OWC Innergize is not compatible with macOS 15.3.x causing OWC Atlas Memory Cards to not be recognized by OWC Innergize.
Enabling macOS 15.3.x compatibility is a major priority for OWC. Apple has been informed, and a resolution is actively being pursued."
Innergize worked for me on macOS 15.2 100%. I just updated to macOS 15.3 so it no longer works pending update to be compatible with macOS 15.3.
Couple of things to check for macOS 15.2 and earlier if you haven't already :
See sections 3.2 "OWC Innergize Support Switch" on the url posted below:
Summary to engage the Innergize app:
1. Flip the switch on the back of the Reader to the Innergize symbol to engage cooperation with the Innergize app
2. Connect the Reader to the computer WITHOUT the card
3. Once connected to the computer, then insert the card into the Reader
4. Click on the Innergize app and wait some seconds/up to 30 seconds for the app to scan the card and display card data
p.5 #18 · Deal alert -- OWC CFe-A 4.0 cards on sale
LBJ2 wrote:
If you just bought their Reader very recently for full price because you read about the firmware issue, get in touch with OWC support and ask for the 50% discount/credit.
Definitely will do that. (although they have yet to respond to a support message I sent yesterday.) Must be busy trying to sort out this little mess.
p.5 #19 · Deal alert -- OWC CFe-A 4.0 cards on sale
MikeEvangelist wrote:
Definitely will do that. (although they have yet to respond to a support message I sent yesterday.) Must be busy trying to sort out this little mess.
I am positive they have been and are currently slammed with requests for assistance for their card firmware issue. Normally their chat or telephone service has been almost immediate access or at least within minutes very recently. Email normally can take a day or few.
FWIW, they have worked with me in the past when I've asked for similar assistance as your Reader situaiton. 🤞🏼
p.5 #20 · Deal alert -- OWC CFe-A 4.0 cards on sale
LBJ2 wrote:
"NOTE: OWC Innergize is not compatible with macOS 15.3.x causing OWC Atlas Memory Cards to not be recognized by OWC Innergize.
Enabling macOS 15.3.x compatibility is a major priority for OWC. Apple has been informed, and a resolution is actively being pursued."
Innergize worked for me on macOS 15.2 100%. I just updated to macOS 15.3 so it no longer works pending update to be compatible with macOS 15.3.
Couple of things to check for macOS 15.2 and earlier if you haven't already :
See sections 3.2 "OWC Innergize Support Switch" on the url posted below:
Summary to engage the Innergize app:
1. Flip the switch on the back of the Reader to the Innergize symbol to engage cooperation with the Innergize app
2. Connect the Reader to the computer WITHOUT the card
3. Once connected to the computer, then insert the card into the Reader
4. Click on the Innergize app and wait some seconds/up to 30 seconds for the app to scan the card and display card data
