Inter-Tech Elektronik Handels GmbH is a company based in Germany and was founded in 1996. Since then the main focus is on a Europe-wide distribution of OEM and retail hardware for PC systems. Originally, the portfolio mainly consisted of PC cases and power supplies. But in the meantime it has been extended by numerous divisions (fans, peripherals, hard disk enclosures, etc.). In October 2020, Inter-Tech introduced numerous new peripherals. Among them is the K-1685 from Argus.
Behind this cryptic name is an external hard disk enclosure made of aluminum. In addition to compatibility with NVMe SSDs, this hard drive enclosure is intended to impress with its compact size, stylish appearance and USB 3.2 Gen2 connection.
Technical details
| Hard disk interface | 1x M.2 NVMe 80x22mm SSD |
| Hard disk capacity | without limit |
| External data interface | USB Type C |
| Max. data transfer rate | 10 Gbit/s |
| Supported operating systems | Win 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10 MAC OS from version 9.x |
| LED | Power/HDD activity |
| Power supply | via USB |
| Material | aluminum |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 110 x 20 x x 45mm |
| Price | € 46.50 * |
Scope of delivery
The hard drive enclosure comes in an inconspicuous brown box with just a label with the product name stuck on it. Open the box and you will be greeted directly by the hard drive case. To protect the aluminum anodization, it is also wrapped in a protective foil. If you remove the first layer of the box, the other accessories appear underneath. Included are a short instruction manual, two connection cables (USB type A, USB type C), three screws, a heat conductive pad, a copper plate and a decorative panel for the side of the case.
Optical impression
The Inter-Tech Argus K-1685 should not only convince technically but also optically. This is to be achieved by using aluminum for the complete case. The aluminum is black anodized and was designed so that the case also serves as a heat sink for the SSD inside. Ex works the slide inside is not screwed together and can be easily pulled out towards the USB port. The slide is also made of aluminum and houses the green board with the NVMe connector. This is only suitable for M.2 NVMe SSDs with the dimensions 80×22 millimeters. At the other end of the sled you will find the manufacturer logo of Argus.
Installation of the SSD
The installation instructions describe the installation steps illustrated and without text. However, the installation is relatively simple and does not require much previous knowledge. The slide is pulled out of the case and then the SSD is mounted. Then the golden ring is put into the opening and the SSD is screwed to it. The next step is to place the heat conduction pad first and then the copper block on the SSD and carefully push the carriage back into the case. The last step is to screw the slide to the case from the outside and glue the trim over the screws if necessary.
Measurements
Finally, we made a few simple measurements with the SSD and compared them with those of a conventional external hard drive. We measured the duration of the copy process of a 7 GB file and the average values from three test runs with AS SSD Benchmark. As NVMe SSD we used the Plextor M8SeGN with 256 GB and as HDD a 1 TB hard disk with 5400 rpm from Toshiba.
| HDD case (1TB Toshiba, 5400rpm, USB 3.2 Gen 1) | Argus K-1685 (256GB Plextor M8SeGN, USB 3.2 Gen 2) | |
| Copy process 7 GB file | 135 seconds | 23 seconds |
| AS-SSD Benchmark |
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As expected, the combination of NVMe-SSD and Argus K-1685 achieves significantly better values than with a normal external HDD. If one compares the measured values with the values of the SSD if it is directly installed on the mainboard (Seq. read: 2125 MB/s. Seq. write: 382 MB/s), then a loss of speed is to be recognized. This is most likely caused by the limitations of the USB port. On paper, USB 3.2 Gen 2 achieves a maximum transfer rate of 1.25 GB/s. But these values are often never reached anyway and the shown values of the case are ok. Even the Samsung Portable SSD T7 is hardly faster with 1050 MB/s.
General impression of the Inter-Tech Argus K-1685
The Inter-Tech Argus K-1685 makes a good impression as an external case for NVMe SSDs. The workmanship is good and the assembly is simple. The case made of full aluminum has a chic look and also functions as a heat sink. It is also very praiseworthy that Argus includes two connection cables with the case.
The performance values are of course much higher compared to a normal external HDD, but in principle a slight loss of performance is to be expected, but this is mainly caused by the limitations of the USB standard. With a price of € 46.50 * the Inter-Tech Argus K-1685 is on the same level as the numerous competing products. Also optically there are partly great similarities to be seen. However, if you are looking for an external case for your NVMe-SSD, the Inter-Tech Argus K-1685 is not wrong.
Inter-Tech Argus K-1685
Features
Workmanship
Installation
Performance
Value for money
87/100
The Inter-Tech Argus K-1685 is a stylish and practical external case for NVMe SSDs.
