I'm using an RPi 4 as a NAS/home server and the difference between SD speeds and USB speeds was pretty noticeable (subjectively); even simple linux commands (ls, cp -r, mv) sped up after switching to a SanDisk Ultra Flair. Except for one USB drive...
Recently I had the misfortune of having a debian update screw up my docker daemon and I ran over to Best Buy to grab any-old-USB drive to use as a new OS drive. As it happens the SD copy over went fine, but as I performed basic "setting the server up" operations like copying over the old data (50 GB of various sizes) and firing up docker-compose scripts, performance deteriorated rapidly to the point where a docker install of a lighttpd container took at least 30 minutes and the system became effectively unusable.
The poor-performing drive was the PNY Elite-X Fit, USB 3.0, 128GB, purchased for ~$22
I've switched back to a SanDisk SD card for the moment which is perfectly adequate for the next few months but I hope to get back to running off a USB soon when I'm not so busy.
Recently I had the misfortune of having a debian update screw up my docker daemon and I ran over to Best Buy to grab any-old-USB drive to use as a new OS drive. As it happens the SD copy over went fine, but as I performed basic "setting the server up" operations like copying over the old data (50 GB of various sizes) and firing up docker-compose scripts, performance deteriorated rapidly to the point where a docker install of a lighttpd container took at least 30 minutes and the system became effectively unusable.
The poor-performing drive was the PNY Elite-X Fit, USB 3.0, 128GB, purchased for ~$22
I've switched back to a SanDisk SD card for the moment which is perfectly adequate for the next few months but I hope to get back to running off a USB soon when I'm not so busy.