Envoy Express (Thunderbolt): SSD Compatibility Notes

Created on: May 16, 2022

Relevant Part Number: OWCTB3ENVXP00

IssueWork Around

Some third party M.2 SSDs may not support external booting when in an Envoy Express (Thunderbolt) enclosure.

Only one drive series has currently been identified as having the inability to boot externally from an Envoy Express (Thunderbolt) enclosure. The hardware modification referenced above does not resolve the boot issue. There is no work around at this time that will allow drives with booting issues to work properly.

ManufacturerSeriesResolutionOther Notes
Plextor M8Pe(G) No 256GB model reported. Other capacities were not tested.

Corsair MP500, Sabrent Rocket, XLR8 CS3030, Samsung 980 Pro, Samsung 970 Pro, WD Black, and WD Blue drives were tested and all booted properly in the Envoy Express (Thunderbolt) enclosure.

Some third party M.2 SSDs may not work properly, even if the specs match the general requirements, in the Envoy Express (Thunderbolt) enclosures shipped prior to December 4th, 2020.

A hardware modification was applied to the Envoy Express (Thunderbolt) enclosure to resolve compatibility issues with third party drives. There is no guarantee the hardware modification resolved issues for all drive manufactures. Please see the chart below for drives that were identified as having usage and performance issues. Enclosures purchased as of December 2020 are likely eligible for the referenced hardware modification. You can also tell physically if the owned Envoy Express (Thunderbolt) has been updated. Units will have the top painted instead of the raised metal and have a visible LED. An RMA should be created for customers who are reporting usage or performance issues with 3rd party drives and our Envoy Express (Thunderbolt) enclosure.

 ManufacturerSeriesModification Resolution?Other Notes
ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro Yes 2TB model tested
Inland Premium Yes 2TB model tested
PNY XLR8 CS3030 Yes 2TB model tested
Sabrent Rocket Yes 2TB model tested

Samsung 960/970 EVO SSDs, Toshiba/OCZ, Western Digital, and Corsair drives were tested and all functioned properly in the Envoy Express (Thunderbolt) enclosure without need for the hardware modification.