Slow transfer speeds when transferring files within Lightroom to RAID drive

Report · Dec 06, 2022

I just set up a new OWC Thunderbay 4Disc RAID5 external drive. When I run a speed test on the drive I get: Write 1888MB/sec & Read 2600 MB/sec.

However, when I transfer files using lightroom from my imac SSD to the RAID, I'm getting really slow speeds of about 7MB/sec (transferring 66 photos x 58MB takes just under 1 minute).

I previously had a Drobo RAID and had no speed issues. Anyone have any ideas what is causing the transfers to crawl so slowly?

Imac: Mas OS Monterey 12.6

Lightroom: Classic

Report · Dec 06, 2022

"when I transfer files using lightroom"

Do you mean you're dragging files/folders from one folder to another using the Folders panel? That's always been very slow, and there have been rare but persistent reports that it can lose files.

I (and others) recommend that you move entire folders using Finder and then tell LR their new location, as detailed in Option Two of this article:

https://www.lightroomqueen.com/move-photos-another-hard-drive-leaving-catalog/