[Q] Micro SD, which one? - Atrix 4G Accessories

Hi,
I want to buy a 32 gb micro sd for my Atrix, but I see there are different Classes....
I saw in TheCellGuru a 32 gb Class 2 for about 75 bucks. But I remeber I had a Class 4 8gb, so what is the difference?
Can my Atrix read any 32gb card? Should I look for another one?
Thanks!

The higher the class the faster the SD card.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App

Thnx. But can Atrix read any class? What class should I get?

dragoncius said:
Thnx. But can Atrix read any class? What class should I get?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you can live with the slower speed, den the 32gb is fine.

But whats the deal with speed? Does it affect performance on the phone or just data transfer time when moving files to and from the micro sd?
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IIRC, class speed also affects how fast the SD loads on your phone.

Thnx. So, lets say I never turn off the phone, and the sd card will load only once, getting a 2 class sd isnt a bad idea. Am I right?
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Can someine confirm if Atrix supports Class 6 32 gb micro sd?
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Yes an ATRIX will support a class 6 32gb SD ( finally moto adds ATRIX as a word in their keyboard lol)
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App

neer2005 said:
The higher the class the faster the SD card.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
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Slight correction: the higher the minimum speed guarantee. A class number defines the absolute minimum write speed of an SD card. Devices can read the class from the card and with that can set some expectations in the software for how long things should take.
So with that, there are Class 2 cards that actually, out of the box, perform better than cards with a much higher class. Will they forever, once worn and fragmented? Maybe not.
It's all very vague, exactly what the manufacturers want

I had a class 2 8GB card and now have a class 4 32GB card ($45 on amazon with their goldbox deal, kingston) and the class 2 is like 2 mbps faster than my class 4... maybe i should have gone with the class 2...

I have a Lexar 32Gb class 10, it's working despise of some bad comments around it, so far, so good. The class of the card is about the reading speed - the higher, the better (in theory).

I have the 32g class 10 lexar but it failed on my once and I needed to reformat it. If I had to by another one I would stick with sandisk. They are pretty solid.

Generally class determines the speed of Read and Write.
Class 4 is usually the minimum requirement for HD recording as it requires faster writing abilities.
Not all microSD have the same speeds as each company varies with speed even if they are the same class. Some class 4 could actually be faster than class 6.
Beware of fake microSD as usually that may be one of the reasons that it could be slower or even die out within the first week of usage.
I would recommend using SD Tools in the market place as soon as you receive your card.
https://market.android.com/details?id=ales.veluscek.sdtools&feature=search_result
Just be patient with the deals, there's always a lower price.

Careca_RS said:
The class of the card is about the reading speed - the higher, the better (in theory).
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Click to collapse
Write speed, not read speed. The whole "class" thing is confusing enough without people giving incorrect information. Sorry to be so pedantic.
Here it is direct from the source (PDF): http://www.sdcard.org/developers/te...lified_Specification_Ver3.01_Final_100518.pdf
Also from the source, a simplified overview: http://www.sdcard.org/developers/tech/speed_class/
Class is based on write speed because SD cards (well MMC) of course were originally conceived of for use with digital cameras and camcorders, where write speed is critical, but read speed much less so.

_kansei_ said:
Write speed, not read speed.
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Yeap. That's what I meant.
Thanks for the correction

Thabks everyone! I will wait and be on the look for a nice deal. Thnx!
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I just tested my 16GB class 2 MicroSD (Patriot brand, off newegg) that i've had for a year or two. The minimum write speed during the benchmark was 10.5 MB/s, i.e. Class 10 speeds. Read speeds were 16MB/s. I'm pleased
Since there's a high variance, all you can do is buy a card based on brand reputation and the class rating and hope that it's actually faster than the class suggests. Does it need to be faster? I dunno, I only use my card for media storage.

Mgamerz said:
I had a class 2 8GB card and now have a class 4 32GB card ($45 on amazon with their goldbox deal, kingston) and the class 2 is like 2 mbps faster than my class 4... maybe i should have gone with the class 2...
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Click to collapse
greetings, im new to the forums (and the atrix, only had this baby for two days now), but i can shed some light on the matter.
with the microSD cards, the class tells you the minimum write speed. class 2 = 2mb/s minimum. class 4 = 4mb/s minimum. hence your class 4 is meant to be 2mb/s faster than class 2.
at the moment, i use a class 10 16gb from kingmax. for the most part, most people wont notice the difference between most classes, but if you want to take lots of photos in rapid succession or if you plan to film 720p footage directly to the SD card, or even if you watch really large videos, its generally better to go for a higher class.
sure, you can still take a 5-8mp photo and save it to a class 2, but at class 2 speeds, it would take ~1 second for the photo to save. on a class 10, it takes ~0.2 seconds for the same photo to save (assuming all else remains the same), which can come in handy for quick snaps. but given the amount of ram we have on the atrix, i'd assume it would buffer to ram first and copy later so it wouldnt be much of an issue.

I took a chance....
I took a chance and bought some Chinese 32GB cards supposedly rated for Class 10.
I ran a test on one of the cards , placing it inside my phone, using SD tools (from the market)
It reported write speeds of 4.0 MB/s and read speeds of 5.3MB/s. In theory that's about a class 6 but there are supposedly latency issues that creep up as the cards get larger.
I need to compare that number to known cards before I say anything about the source. I'd be curious to see test results from this app on other atrix's with other microSD cards.
I do notice that it is faster loading everything than my SanDisk 16GB class 2 card. My camera works faster too: faster to load the pictures and faster to take them.

Related

What MicroSD are you using?

Hi, I have been searching on the forum in search of some information on MicroSD cards and came to no avail.
With my HD, it came with a 8GB Class 6 MicroSDHC. I think it needed it to play videos. I can't imagine using it with a slower card.
Now, my TP2 will arrive Monday and I would like to know the following:
1. Brand
2. Size
3. Speed (class)
4. Price
Is it performing well with the video playbacks or have you installed the SD Tuner software available for the HD?
What do you recommend?
Many, many thanks for any replies, comments and help!
Bought a A-Data microSD class 6, 4 GB at a local computer store.
Not the one i was looking for, i wanted the 8GB or 16GB but both where not in stock and the 4GB was less then 10 euros. I will buy a larger one in a few months.
With class 6 my phone isn't slowed down. A few years ago i bought a 2GB mini-SD, but my HTC Vox was slowed down very much. Didn't look to the class/or speed back then.
MicroSD cards based on SLC might be beter them MLC. IMHO i would always take a class 6 or higher card. However class 8 cards are hard to find.
I'm using the 8GB Class 4 card that came with my daughter's Nokia 5800 and it seems fine. Just watched an xdiv episode of Only Fools and Horses on it with no stutter or dropped frames.
I bought a class 6 off Ebay and it should be here on Monday so I can compare then
i'm using sandisk 8g class 2. whatched movies and played music, everything is fine. It only cost me just under tenner.
The performance diference between a class 2 or a class 6 is not that noticeable. However, at the price the cards are, I think it worths always to buy a class 6 card.
I bought a Transcend 8GB class 6 card. It cost me aprox. 20€.
The biggest differences I noticed between a class 2 and 6 card are:
-Taking photos is faster with class 6
-Browsing photos in sdcard is a bit faster also
-Viewing movies sometimes is a bit more smooth.
HastaSSSS
I have a 16GB class 2 Sandisk. I watch movies just fine. I figure with a class 6 i might be able to watch HD videos more smoothly.
Hi guys,
Thanks for all your replies. So from what you guys are telling me, it is always better to pay that little extra for the class 6 MicroSDs. But then again, is it worth investing in a 16GB Class 4 (no Class 6 available except the brand A-Data) or an 8GB Class 6.
16GB is nearly 4 times more expensive than the 8GB and yet it is slower. Shall I just get 2 8GB and hot swap the 2 cards as need be?
I bought a class 6 off Ebay and it should be here on Monday so I can compare then
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, please let us know if it makes that much of a difference.
Bought a A-Data microSD class 6, 4 GB at a local computer store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have read about this brand, and what others said was that their Class 6 under performs Sandisk's Class 4 Cards. Do yo notice any differences? How is the performance?
Also, I wouldn't recommend buying these cards off eBay. There are so many, fake cards on there. I know so, because I know mates that sell these cards. I would just buy from a genuine local store and pay a little bit more unless you don't care about performance.
Anyway, my last question.
What brand do you think has the best performance. Yeah, we can find out all the data about these cards on the web but it's nothing like the hands on tests from real users. So, will it be Sandisk, Transend, Toshiba, Kingston or the later A-Data?
Found a pretty review on the Sandisk 16GB C4 MicroSDHC cards. They compared it to the Kingston 8GB C4 MicroSDHC card.
Sandisk seems to be the company that is producing the fastest cards. It out performs Kingston.
But $133, is a bit steep. I think if I am correct a Sandisk 8GB C6 MicroSDHC is only $49.
What do you think?
You won't notice much difference between class 2 and class 6 as the device can only read at a certain speed, which is nearer class 4.
There are some cheap class 2 16gb cards out there, I have them and you only really notice if you install something like sdtuneup, but then again, you wouldn't notice much difference between class4 and class6
SanDisk microSDHC 16 GB Mobile Ultra works fine!
With the enclosed reader it is really fast via USB.
nicelad_uk said:
the device can only read at a certain speed, which is nearer class 4.
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Cheers for the heads up about the TP2's read speed.
I was going to go for a 16GB class 2 but now might hold out for a class 4.
Haven't noticed any speed difference between my 8GB class 4 and 6 cards except that it's possibly slower than my Trinity but that may be due to the crummy TP2 stock ROM...
cocoaju said:
Shall I just get 2 8GB and hot swap the 2 cards as need be?
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Click to collapse
Please don't get two 8GB's, you will ruin the back cover of the device swapping the cards over all the time
My understanding is that the Class affects write speed, not read speed, so you won't see a difference playing movies on one or the other. You will see a difference in the amount of time it takes to get the movie onto the card (providing you aren't using ActiveSync, which will slow things down way beyond Class2 speeds).
I have a SanDisk Class 2 16 GB card on my Vogue and watch movies just fine with CorePlayer. Maybe a brief stutter once every 5 minutes or so, which I attribute to WinMo doing some other task in the background, not the read speed of the card.
In short, if it doesn't matter to you how long it takes to transfer large files onto the card, go with the least expensive.
Haven't noticed any speed difference between my 8GB class 4 and 6 cards except that it's possibly slower than my Trinity but that may be due to the crummy TP2 stock ROM...
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Click to collapse
Really? How much slower?
Yeah, I think I will go for 16GB for sure. The only thing now is what class. I am hearing 2 things here. I am worried about stutters on watching movies.
Some are saying speed only matters to write and not read.
But then I have read that it does matter, that is why there is a SDTuneUp for the HD.
I really don't want to buy a cheaper Class 2 card and only finding it is not working to my standards. I am pretty fussy about these things.
Any of you needed to install the SDTuneUp registry edit for the TP2? Do we need it? Anyone did any tests?
cocoaju said:
Really? How much slower?
Yeah, I think I will go for 16GB for sure. The only thing now is what class. I am hearing 2 things here. I am worried about stutters on watching movies.
Some are saying speed only matters to write and not read.
But then I have read that it does matter, that is why there is a SDTuneUp for the HD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check this out.
And this.
Class rating only refers to write speed, even though on the official SD association page it says "transfer speed." What they don't say is that it's transfer speed only one direction.
ajbopp said:
Check this out.
And this.
Class rating only refers to write speed, even though on the official SD association page it says "transfer speed." What they don't say is that it's transfer speed only one direction.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello ajbopp,
Thanks for your additional information. I think not a lot of people actually realise this. I always thought the Class Rating was how you determine transfer speed and not just write speed.
But there must be some ratings for Reading. Some cards are faster than others and that will certainly affect the rate of requiring information from the card, right? Because files are written in blocks and are distributed everywhere (fragmentation), so if the card is faster, then finding the blocks will be quicker, hence a better performance for reading movie files.
Just thinking logically how computer hard disk works. Not sure if that applies to SDHC cards. I also think the speed is also determined by the drive (the hardware reading/writing on the card).
There aren't many information on this. I have been searching around and most information I found was given by the companies that made these cards. Real tests are few and far between. Most websites I visited, tells me only of the write speed as I think that is what is most important to people who uses these cards, such as Photo Fanatics who needs speed for taking high end photos very quickly and for taking HD videos at 30fps. There is less need to know about read speed.
It's so confusing...
Got it yesterday. Thanks for all your help guys!
I finally went for the Transcend 8GB Class 6 Micro SDHC. Cost of only $187 HKD, roughly $23 USD. Didn't end up getting the 16GB as they didn't have any in stock and it costs 3 times the amount.
Without any tests, I just loaded my movies and it played very well. No dropped frames. No tweaks whatsoever.
Hello!
I had a TP with a Micro SD 8GB Class 2 card.
I'm considering buying a new one (lack of space available) and I wonder if I should consider a class 4 or 6...
I use the MicroSD to store software, pictures (camera), music (to listen), and some videos (to watch).
I don't intend to remove the microsd from the TP2 slot (have to remove the cover) so what I usually do is to connect via USB cable (data instead of AS).
So, transfering data like this will I notice difference with Class 2, 4 or 6?
I'd get a good price with this:
http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Technology-SDC2-16GB-microSDHC/dp/B001RPD06I
is it good enough or should I buy a Sandisk or perhaps a Class 4 or 6?
Thanks
SanDisk and Kingston are both good manufactures.
Class 4 is faster than class 2 and class 6 is faster than class 4.
But on the other hand: class 4 cards need more power consumption than class 2 cards and class 6 cards need power consumption than class 4.
For this reason I bought 1 x 16gb class 4. That is the compromise of speed and power.
doktor_ppc said:
Class 4 is faster than class 2 and class 6 is faster than class 4.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, this is only for write speed. I think it's an important distinction to make, especially if you are hoping for better video playback because of a faster card. The class of the card is not likely to have any impact on the device's performance, either video or anything else (other than file saving/writing operations).
so... for my kinda use there is no need for a class 6 right?
do you think a class 2 kingston MicroSD 16GB can be used for what I want?
playback music and some video... storage ... navigation?

32gb class2 or 16gb class6+ SDCARD

I'm trying to decide if i should go for space, or speed.
For those of you that bought 32gb cards, are they class2? and if so do apps and such run off it fine, playing movies?
Class 6 is much more fast, and a class6 16gb card is still half the price as a class 2 32gb card.
Just looking for guidance here, do we need more then class2 for our phones.
Plan on putting movies and apps and stuff on the card.
I have a 16GB class 2 card in my Cappy, and I can play 720p video off it without a single stutter, and I never did install the lagfix, so class 2 SHOULD be fast enough, depending on what you want to do with it.
But right now, the cost of the 32GB cards is, I think, prohibitive. It costs > 3x what I can get a 16GB card for, and thus far, I have not filled my card yet.
I would go with a faster speed for the bigger size card, class 2 would be too slow if you are read/write onto it constantly; For the best bang of your buck, the Polaroid 16GB microSD (made in Japan by PNY) from Frys is going for under $20 (after rebate); Even though it is labeled as a Class 2 card, but under most SD benchmark app, it is detected as a Class 4 card (4.5 MB/s Write/15 MB/s Read under the 300MB file R/W test in SD Card Speed Test)
I would rather take a 2GB class 6 over a 32gb class 2. Class 2 is so unbelievably slow its unbearable. I use my phone as a usb drive very often. In my previous phone I had an 8gb class 2. It was so slow I thought the card was broken. So I RMAed it and the new one was the same. I realized that it just takes like 8min/gb to transfer to it. (and no its not faster in this phone)
Class 4 is standard, anything less is a waste of silicon and plastic.
Class 6 is about as fast as your average-quick USB thumb drive.
Yes class 2 is fast enough to run programs and play back video, but you'll spend a lifetime transferring those things.
Not worth it IMO. Get an 8gb class6 if cost is an issue. Also, don't go with any crappy random manufacturers. I find that a class 6 from 'craptasticMEM' is nowhere near the speeds it should be, and in fact usually slower than a clas 4 I have from kingston.
The class rating has nothing to do with playback speed, only write speed. Copying files is faster, but how often are you loading up your SD card from your computer?
I am using class 2 and it is recording video just fine. I am not sure why above poster claims "class 4 is standard" - that would imply that class 2 is sub-standard. It is not, it just has slower write speed.
Keep in mind that if you lay out the big bucks for a class 6 32GB card today, it will half the price in a few months.
Now in my HD Camcorder it requires Class 6 to record 1080P - our phones have no such requirement, so anything above class 2 will help in initial data transfer from PC - after that you may never, ever see any benefit.
alphadog00 said:
... I am not sure why above poster claims "class 4 is standard" - that would imply that class 2 is sub-standard. It is not, it just has slower write speed.
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Click to collapse
Yes, sorry you're correct. Class 4 is standard in my gauge of memory cards/usb drives. All the classes "should" perform fine. The higher classes are obviously faster (with significant brand to brand variation). I find that they are faster at everything though. Not just write, but read as well. A class 6 card is as smooth as the internal memory in the captivate. A class 2 card is abysmal at everything (in my experience). I say class 4 is standard because class 2 is really bad...
eatkabab said:
Yes, sorry you're correct. Class 4 is standard in my gauge of memory cards/usb drives. All the classes "should" perform fine. The higher classes are obviously faster (with significant brand to brand variation). I find that they are faster at everything though. Not just write, but read as well. A class 6 card is as smooth as the internal memory in the captivate. A class 2 card is abysmal at everything (in my experience). I say class 4 is standard because class 2 is really bad...
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Click to collapse
It could be my blindness - not physically, but the ignorance of not having a class 4 or 6 to compare to my class 2. My class 2 works fine for me, but if the class 6 stuff gets cheap I will head on over to it.
alphadog00 said:
It could be my blindness - not physically, but the ignorance of not having a class 4 or 6 to compare to my class 2. My class 2 works fine for me, but if the class 6 stuff gets cheap I will head on over to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My 32GB Class 2 reads/writes as smoothly as the internal card on the captivate as well.
locsplitter said:
My 32GB Class 2 reads/writes as smoothly as the internal card on the captivate as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol no
internal is like class 10 i believe
locsplitter said:
My 32GB Class 2 reads/writes as smoothly as the internal card on the captivate as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its not healthy to lie
you guys are missing the fact that the class ratings are a MINIMUM rating. a lot of brands will perform MUCH faster than what they have printed on them. just saying something is class X is pretty much pointless. it's just a guideline that is being loosely followed. benchmark and move on
If your running apps off of your card than believe me there is noticable difference between a class 2 and a class 6, and yes dont go for a no name.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
demize! said:
If your running apps off of your card than believe me there is noticable difference between a class 2 and a class 6, and yes dont go for a no name.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
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I don't believe you. It 100% fully depends on the card. Some class 2's are faster than class 6's. Ratings are lies.... benchmark ftw!
True that. Ive found significant differences by brand. However, there is definitely a noticeable difference between a class 2 and a class 6 card.
What you get depends on personal requirements more than anything else. Faster or more storage?

What speed and/or Class card do you use for your memory card?

Hey
Im sorta "hell bent" on getting a 32GB microSD Class 10 card ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1031312 ) but they are very limited to find. I want a Class 10 because of data transfer and the snapping of pictures/video taking is alot quicker.
I just want to know what class did you get, for what purpose, and what do you use your mobile device most (taking pictures, internet, calling, etc).
Just so everyone knows (just in case):
The Speed Class Rating is the official unit of speed measurement for SD Cards, defined by the SD Association. The Class number represents a multiple of 8 Mbits/s (1 MB/s), and meets the least sustained write speeds for a card in a fragmented state.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey,
I was really keen on getting a class 10 32Gb too, but they are very expensive. In then end I opted for a 16Gb class 10 as Play.com had them on offer a month or so ago. I got a sandisk one. Just had a look for a link, but I don't think they have them now.
Guess you could get it anywhere though. I paid £15 including delivery.
I've done a couple of measurements and it's definitely performing at class 10 speeds. I have an HD2 running an Android Gingerbread SD build and the speed has been more than adequate.
My use is mostly internet, texts and calls. I have done some video/photo stuff since getting the card and it's definitely fast enough.
I used to have a class 6 PNY 8Gb one in there and it's a hell of an improvement, especially now I'm on an SD build. The only thing I would say is android takes a fair while to do it's 'preparing SD card' business when I turn the phone on, but no other issues to report. the new card seems to have helped with the hang issues on installing market apps too, which is nice.
Also - did a defrag on it with Mydefrag (beautiful tool!), which seems to have helped too.
Hope that helps!
I still use my stock 8GB card I got with my phone. My main use is pictures and apps. Its a class 2.
Sent from my HTC Inspire 4G
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I'm currently using 2 32GB Sandisk cards... one is marked class 2, one is marked class 4, but both their average write speeds are pretty similar. They could accurately be marked as class 6.
But really, the class is not important to me. When it comes to choosing a card to use in my phone, I look for cards with quick access times and fast random read and write speeds. Class ratings are really only important when the cards are going to be used in a digital camera or be used as a flash storage drive where you will be transferring large files back and forth.
When it comes to cell phones, a card that can quickly access files and can read/write to many different parts of the card quickly is much more important than a card that can write sequentially fast. You may be able to take large pictures with the camera more quickly with a higher class card, but many cards sacrifice their random access speeds to get that high sequential write speed. This can cause lags and performance loss when running apps or system files off the higher class cards.
The best cards to generally use in cell phones is a class 2 or 4. Many class 6 may perform well, too. There may even be class 10 cards that don't sacrifice that random access speeds. Quality and brand are generally much more important than class to get good access speeds and random read/write speeds.
I really think there needs to be a new rating system for access speeds and random speeds. In general, the lower class cards have better random access speeds, but that's not always the case. There are plenty of class 2 and 4 cards that have terrible random access times, and many class 6 and even 10 that still have great random access. Unfortunately, there's no way to know how a card rates in these areas until you actually test it.
I've always had good results from Sandisk cards... and terrible results from Kingston.
Hopefully, since WP7 requires cards used with it to have good random access speeds, we might start seeing some lines of microSD cards that rate these speeds.
But for now, if you're using the card with wp7, or running android off the card, or running apps or other system files off the card, you will generally have better results with high-quality lower-class cards. I have only been using Class 2 and 4 Sandisk recently. Hopefully a new class and rating system is created for using these cards with smartphones. We are using them more and more for the purpose of internal phone memory... especially windows phone 7, and even with android you see more people making partitions on their cards to use as internal memory to run app and system files. We need a better rating system for cards, cause the current class rating is pretty much meaningless for smartphone purposes.
homescrub said:
I still use my stock 8GB card I got with my phone. My main use is pictures and apps. Its a class 2.
Sent from my HTC Inspire 4G
XDA Developers Premium App
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Thanks but vote
Seiphr said:
Also - did a defrag on it with Mydefrag (beautiful tool!), which seems to have helped too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Defraging a flash based storage device does nothing and actually makes its lifetime smaller.
zarathustrax said:
I'm currently using 2 32GB Sandisk cards... one is marked class 2, one is marked class 4, but both their average write speeds are pretty similar. They could accurately be marked as class 6.
But really, the class is not important to me. When it comes to choosing a card to use in my phone, I look for cards with quick access times and fast random read and write speeds. Class ratings are really only important when the cards are going to be used in a digital camera or be used as a flash storage drive where you will be transferring large files back and forth.
When it comes to cell phones, a card that can quickly access files and can read/write to many different parts of the card quickly is much more important than a card that can write sequentially fast. You may be able to take large pictures with the camera more quickly with a higher class card, but many cards sacrifice their random access speeds to get that high sequential write speed. This can cause lags and performance loss when running apps or system files off the higher class cards.
The best cards to generally use in cell phones is a class 2 or 4. Many class 6 may perform well, too. There may even be class 10 cards that don't sacrifice that random access speeds. Quality and brand are generally much more important than class to get good access speeds and random read/write speeds.
I really think there needs to be a new rating system for access speeds and random speeds. In general, the lower class cards have better random access speeds, but that's not always the case. There are plenty of class 2 and 4 cards that have terrible random access times, and many class 6 and even 10 that still have great random access. Unfortunately, there's no way to know how a card rates in these areas until you actually test it.
I've always had good results from Sandisk cards... and terrible results from Kingston.
Hopefully, since WP7 requires cards used with it to have good random access speeds, we might start seeing some lines of microSD cards that rate these speeds.
But for now, if you're using the card with wp7, or running android off the card, or running apps or other system files off the card, you will generally have better results with high-quality lower-class cards. I have only been using Class 2 and 4 Sandisk recently. Hopefully a new class and rating system is created for using these cards with smartphones. We are using them more and more for the purpose of internal phone memory... especially windows phone 7, and even with android you see more people making partitions on their cards to use as internal memory to run app and system files. We need a better rating system for cards, cause the current class rating is pretty much meaningless for smartphone purposes.
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Click to collapse
Great post as in the other thread I may have to go with a Class 4 (as there are even less Class 6) card as it will also lower the price in my budget. Cant have everything...
I got a good deal on a Samsung 16 gb class 2, figured I'd go for it because I don't really use my phone for too much HD recording . However, it consistently benchmarks at class 6 speeds.
Yes, I did vote
32gb sandisk class 4
No clue, is there a program which can be used to check it in a SGS?
johan81 said:
No clue, is there a program which can be used to check it in a SGS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
h2testw
Thanks
Thanks for all the votes
It seems since Im on a budget, Im going to have to go with a Class 4 even though it hurts as I (thought) a Class 10 was needed. I just hope I dont notice it when taking pictures.
SanDisk without a doubt right?
riahc3 said:
SanDisk without a doubt right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im tempted to make a thread about this as well
I just like to make sure what I buy before I do it. Makes me more sure about what Im buying.
Thanks to everyone who has helped me in these 2 (well problably soon 3) threads. I appreciate it
riahc3 said:
Im tempted to make a thread about this as well
I just like to make sure what I buy before I do it. Makes me more sure about what Im buying.
Thanks to everyone who has helped me in these 2 (well problably soon 3) threads. I appreciate it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely Sandisk....if getting 32GB, look for model # ending in B35A or B35N. I think that's the one I got. I'll double check tonight and let you know. It was listed as class 2 when I ordered it, but it was marked class 4 when I got it, and it had sequential write speeds equal to class 6 (6MB/Sec). I also have a 32GB with model # ending in A11M... this one was mark class 2, but I think newer ones are also marked class 4. Not sure if the newer ones marked class 4 have better performance than the ones marked class 2, but mine which is marked class 2 could also easily be marked class 6 and be as fast in sequential write speeds as most class 6 of other brands... but the class 2 A11M is not quite as fast as the class 4 B36A that I have in both sequential write/read and random read/write & access times. But like I said, the newer A11Ms marked as class 4 may have better performance than the ones marked class 2, and the performance difference between my 2 32GB Sandisks is not very big.... both are VERY good cards in overall performance.
I got both my cards from provantage, I believe.
zarathustrax said:
The best cards to generally use in cell phones is a class 2 or 4. Many class 6 may perform well, too. There may even be class 10 cards that don't sacrifice that random access speeds. Quality and brand are generally much more important than class to get good access speeds and random read/write speeds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey zarathustrax, I'm maintaining a microSD benchmark results thread and we have quite a few results now, and it backs up everything you are saying. The 32GB Class2 Sandisk (when it was available) owns everything on random writes. Followed by the 32 Class4 Sandisk.
By comparison, a 32GB Class10 Lexar is benching 350 times slower for random writes than the Sandisk. And yet only offers a doubling of sequential write speed.
Additionally, I maintain an in-phone microSD benchmark thread too. But the results are pretty much cached out by whatever ROM you are running on your phone. So slow cards become much faster, and fast cards become much slower. In the end we found that all cards were performing at around the same speeds. Its only when you changed ROMs would you see a change in in-phone card speed.
Out of phone benchmark link...
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1582172
In-phone benchmark link...
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1468705
Thanks. Im going to read your links now and see if there are model numbers and get some cards (I should have already bought the card before yesterday)
Thanks again stumo5
Damn, no model numbers
Stores that are near me and deliver to me only offer Kingston lol...
Holy ****!
I have found one that has a Sandisk; The only problem is that on the webpage it says that it is a SDSDQM-032G-B35 but the picture shows a 2 written on the card, meaning Class 2. I pretty much refuse going from a Class 10 to a Class 2 and besides the price is 95....
Im going to call and get the model number anyhow....
Kingston 60 bucks
Sandisk 95 bucks
Man how they like to **** consumers in the ass Anyways, he said that what was shown to him was divided by categories and he couldnt tell me the exact model number as it just showed him prices and who supplied it but I rather pay on eBay a Lexar Class 10 at 96 rather than a Sandisk Class 2/4 at 95.
More comparisons: A Sandisk Class 2 32GB at 89 bucks on eBay.
I mean I really have to juggle and ask my self: Is it really worth it? Being on a slight budget, Im not sure.
stumo5 - Has anyone done tests in your microsd exam on TopRAM? I might get them at the end as the prices are just rapist ( ). zarathustrax, the price doesnt justify to me at the end, unless I will notice it.
My main dilema was how pictures were going to be taken as I imagine there will be a lag in picture when I press it and when it is actually taken. Also file transfers and installing/running applications from the SD card. Your explanation was great zarathustrax but Im not sure if its going to be worth the price.
My first smartphone (Nokia E70) I went with Kingston but it surprises me in a way that people talk so bad about Kingston in the flash memory card area.
And I now see on eBay a Sandisk 32GB Class 4 at about 75....More or less.
I'm currently using the 8gb one that came with my Desire Z although I have a class 6 8Gb somewhere that I bought but I haven't felt the need to swap yet for some reason I can't tell a difference

Is class 10 SD card necessary?

From what I understand I would need the class 10 card if I want to record HD video. If I am not going to record video can I get away with class 4?
Thanks for any help!
You do not need a class 10 to record HD Video, a class 4 does the job perfectly well. I had a 32GB class 4 sandisk and it was fine.
I've heard that for smartphones, Class 10 is even worse than lower classes.
That's because class 10 has fast block reading speeding. The problem is that it comes at a price of slow random access reading. If you want to play high bitrate movies from the SD card, higher class will be better for sure. However for day-to-day usage, lower class might make the phone feel faster.
tarsierspectra said:
From what I understand I would need the class 10 card if I want to record HD video. If I am not going to record video can I get away with class 4?
Thanks for any help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
class 4 is good enough for video recording.
iirc, 1080p video on the note is recorded at a bitrate of around 17mbps or so. convert that from bits to bytes and its something like 2.125mb/s minimum required to record videos at 1080p. so anything higher than a class 2 should be fine for playback and recording (unless you encode at a silly bitrate).
the only time i could see anyone really needing the faster class speed would be if you wanted to take 8mp shots in rapid succession. depending on the colour tone of the image you intend to take, the file size can go up to 3mb. at that point, your photos per second will be limited by the speed of your memory card. ie. class 4 = 1 photo per second, class 6 = 2 photos per second, class 10 = 3 photos per second maximum.
Be careful in stores. Went to best buy last night for SD card. Class 4 cards only in phone section but at class 10 price from camera section. Also shelf had classes mixed up only sorted by gb. So pay attention to what your getting
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
Whelp, I know that my bullcrap cheapo Lexar "class 10" wont allow me to record to it directly.
Man.. I'm pissed. time to look for a new one.
Hope a Samsung 32GB c10 I am thinking of buying will be ok on a SAMSUNG device...
microSD Class 10
What about if you will move (apps2SD) games like Sentinel (TD game) in the microSD, is it necessary to go for c10?
I'm confused on what to buy, c4 or c10.
Need your help!
For me it is. copying movies from PC to my SD card is just painful on class4.
I see that some good class10 cards can write at 20mb/s (sequential), which is 5 times as fast as my current class4 sandisk (4.1mb/s).
The only thing that is holding me back is the price. Once the price comes down a bit ill definitely grab a c10 kingston 32gb.
What about for games you move to your external sd card? Will performance decrease with a c4? Much better with c10?
What can you say about the Ridata 32gb class 10? Is it any good compared to transcend or kingston or sandisk?
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk
allansy said:
What about for games you move to your external sd card? Will performance decrease with a c4? Much better with c10?
What can you say about the Ridata 32gb class 10? Is it any good compared to transcend or kingston or sandisk?
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont know about games, I doubt c10 will make a difference at all....but dont mark my words
As for brand you should look at the particular model rather than judging by just the brand. For instance the sandisk mobile ultra (class 4) beats many of the other class10 cards
check this link
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/microsdhc-memory-card-performance,3011.html
Amazon
I managed to get a class 10 32 gig for about £25. Currently they are very cheap so it might be worth getting it either way.
Poncho_D said:
I managed to get a class 10 32 gig for about £25. Currently they are very cheap so it might be worth getting it either way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I switched from a class4 32GB sandisk to a class10 32GB Lexar, I noticed the smartphone working faster and snappier, probably APP2SD in gingerbread and pictures and videos in the gallery has something to do with that change in response.
In my experience with memory cards and professional equipment, not only we shall choose for class ratings, but also for trusted brands, like sandisk, lexar and transcend.
To sum up, class10 is better than class4, and if the diference in price is not very high, totally worth it, but, there is a lot more difference in daily use between a galaxy note and a HTC Desire.
Class 10 is for marketing, it's totally not needed for smartphone with internal memcard.
You might want to read this thread on why class 4 is better suited for smartphone use.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=14456360&postcount=42
Currently using a Class 4 Sandisk 32gb card. Am very satisfied with the performance.
AdoreMe said:
Currently using a Class 4 Sandisk 32gb card. Am very satisfied with the performance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
(NOOB ALERT)
Can someone answer the following question which 32gb SD card is best for Samsung Galaxy Note in terms of performance?
Assuming there is one simple answer
Would appreciated a direct link to say Amazon product page.
Appreciated any help as it saves me annoying people by opening a new thread
Sandisk 16/32GB Mobile Ultra
Guys!
What can you say about Sandisk's Mobile Ultra microSD cards? I'm planning to buy this sdcard instead of class10 microsd cards.
Thanks!
allansy said:
Guys!
What can you say about Sandisk's Mobile Ultra microSD cards? I'm planning to buy this sdcard instead of class10 microsd cards.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
probably the best , but superexpensive

[Q] 16GB class 2 vs. 32 GB class 4

I currently have 16 GB class 2, and i am about to but 32GB class 4.
what is the diffrences beetween them ?
The games will work smother with class 4?
I have a 32 GB class 10 micro sd card, bit I didn't really notice any difference in speed compared to the 8 GB class 2 micro sd that came with the phone...
Sent from my R800i using XDA
The class rating of an Sd card is based of off its Write speed. So a 16gb class 2 would write at 2mb per second, the 32 gb class 4 will be able to write at 4mb per second, There is a slight "catch" however when using larger storage Sd cards, its been explained to me in the past that when you go up in storage it takes the device (phone, pc, camera ect.) longer periods of time to initially read the card itself because its now reading through more storage space then before (even if that space is empty in places).
With that in mind, the 32gb class 4 will Write files to it self at a faster speed then the 16gb class 2, but it will take your phone longer periods of time to access the information on the larger Gb card, so will games play smoother off your Sd card, technically no, they wont. But what you will achieve are faster data transfer rates when moving files to and from.
Also take into account that the class rating system isnt exactly perfect. For instance my 32gb class 4 is rated to write at 4mb per second, but its achieved 6mb per second depending on the files, and Im currently using a 32gb class 10 which most of the time writes data at 12mb per second.
I hope this helps
I think the best would be those samsung or sandisk ultra class6 cards.
julianpaul said:
I think the best would be those samsung or sandisk ultra class6 cards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using a Samsung 32gb class10 "high speed series" as marketed per Samsung, it works very well. But what works for me isn't always for everyone
Sent from my R800x on CM9
I just bought one of these a couple weeks ago, it was $29.95 free shipping but its still a great price and its getting consecutaively around 7-8mbps. I replaced my 32gb Sandisk class 4 with it... I had the $$ and figured why not.
http://www.adorama.com/IDSMUMSD32G....ate&utm_campaign=Other&utm_source=rflaid62905
Why don't you just bought class 10 SD card..?
How much the price different between class 4 and class 10 btw...?
I dont wanna start a you know what measuring contest here but . . .
Samsung "High Speed Series" I bought from ebay 38$
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Samsung-32G...gital_Camera_Memory_Cards&hash=item2c61981fc1
10-12 mb's per second
Even though Samsung it's selling for 80$ direct from manufcaturer, heres the specs link from their site
http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/memory-storage/MB-MSBGA/US-specs
OK!!! Thanks
dhani88_TotallyNooob said:
Why don't you just bought class 10 SD card..?
How much the price different between class 4 and class 10 btw...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There was some other thread around where people found that class10 cards had higher latency and slower access times than the class4 ones. So they're not really suited for mobile phones where quick data access is more important than high transfer rates.
julianpaul said:
There was some other thread around where people found that class10 cards had higher latency and slower access times than the class4 ones. So they're not really suited for mobile phones where quick data access is more important than high transfer rates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I still believe storage size has a greater effect on access time then the class rating, classes are read/write speeds but more space takes longer time to read. The class itself being suitable, depends more upon the manufacturer of the sd card, and the manufacturer of the device and the device its being used in. A 4gb class10 is going to give you great performance in your device where as a 32gb class10 will indeed function a little slower but depends if you need all that space or not. I'm no expert but that has been my experience.
Sent from my R800x using CM9
jgregoryj1 said:
I just bought one of these a couple weeks ago, it was $29.95 free shipping but its still a great price and its getting consecutaively around 7-8mbps. I replaced my 32gb Sandisk class 4 with it... I had the $$ and figured why not.
http://www.adorama.com/IDSMUMSD32G....ate&utm_campaign=Other&utm_source=rflaid62905
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I have that card too and it's a big improvement from my prior 16GB class2 Sandisk card
I have my 32gb class 4 sandisk on my xperia. So far so good with games.
Sent from my R800i using XDA
I've got a sandisk 32 gb class 4 and I tried out my bros class 10 32 gb, can't remember what make it was but damn is that thing fast read/ write speeds are great and playing games is cherry pie
Sent from my R800a using XDA App
Would it hurt an sd card to bump up the read/write speed beyond what the card is rated for?
Sent from my R800x using Tapatalk 2
beez1717 said:
Would it hurt an sd card to bump up the read/write speed beyond what the card is rated for?
Sent from my R800x using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It will decrease its "lifespan" but probably won't kill it, I think the apps2sd script bumps things up drastically and I didn't have any troubles for the while I was using it, but the SD card manufacturer and its class might have some effects on the bumped up lifespan .. probably good to at least make sure you have a spare!
Sent from my R800x using xda premium
I indeed have a spare one that I am using in my OG droid. Lol. I use that phone as an ipod touch like device. Too bad I don't have a sim card because I'm on cdma. If I were, then I could use my OG droid when I want to use a slimmer phone that has a physical keyboard. However, SwiftKey has me not missing my physical keyboard.
Sent from my R800x using Tapatalk 2

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