Log in

View Full Version : Kingston's 4 GB CompactFlash Card: Fast and Big


Jason Dunn
09-28-2004, 05:00 PM
You can't imagine the excitement I felt when my wife handed me the package that the courier dropped off and I saw it was from Kingston. I quickly ripped it open and feasted my eyes on the most beautiful sight: a CompactFlash card with the letters 4 GB stamped on it. :D Now when it comes to memory cards, there are only two factors that matter: does it work in your device, and how fast does it work. Aesthetics don't matter in the world of flash cards.<br /><br />To answer the first question, "Does it work", the answer is yes: I put the 4 GB card into my Dell Axim X5 (on of my few devices that take CF cards) and it was recognized and mounted by the file system. It did take several seconds longer than a smaller CF or SD card, but it's not terribly surprising as the Pocket PC OS likely does some sort of initial scan upon insertion. Here's the proof:<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/4gbcf.gif" /><br /><!><br />I was able to use the card normally - I loaded up every music file in my New Songs folder (where I keep music I've bought in the last 6-10 months), which was 834 files in total. That might not sound like much, but that's 43 full albums and about 50 singles. I tend to rip at high bit rates (192 kbps WMA or 224 kbps MP3), so if you're ripping at 64 kbps you can fit approximately 139 albums according to Windows Media Player's estimate that an average album will take up 28 MB of space.<br /><br />Speeds tests revealed that this card is a burner: 6552 KB/s for 1 MB reads, and 6040 KB/s for 1 MB writes. My ancient Canon 32 MB card scored 3136 KB/s for 1 MB reads and only 614 KB/s for 1 MB reads. In comparison, my 512 MB Sandisk Ultra II scored 7474 KB/s for 1 MB reads and 5220 KB/s for 1 MB reads. So while the Kingston 4GB lagged by 900 KB/s or so while reading 1 MB files, it was a full 820 KB/s faster at writing files, which is what counts in almost every scenario. Why? Rare is the data file that will require 6.5 MB/s of raw bandwidth, so as long as you're above 2000 KB/s or so, you'll rarely see any sort of hiccup related to data read speeds.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/4GBCF.jpg" /><br /><br />With a <a href="http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configurator/PartsInfo.asp?root=us&ktcpartno=CF/4GB-S&referid=28">price tag of $500 USD</a>, this is not a memory card for a casual user, but that's to be expected at the high end. With a lifetime warranty, fast read/write speeds, and the respected Kingston brand-name, this is a serious card for serious users. It boasts the size of all but the biggest microdrives on the market, and the power-friendly nature of CompactFlash.

Stephen Beesley
09-28-2004, 05:19 PM
Just awestruck by the very thought of a 4gb card let alone one with that sort of performance... :mrgreen:

Just recently I have been thinking of getting a 1gb card for my Toshiba but have not been able to make up my mind between CF and SD. I am actually kind of glad this thing will cost so much - it means there is no chance I am going to fool myself into thinking I can afford it :D

That said I can see where somebody like a professional photographer (especially if they also happen to use a CF equipped Pocket PC) might find this a very useful buy.

Paragon
09-28-2004, 05:26 PM
Holy crap, Jason....a 4gig card and you already only have 744MB of space left.....you make me proud! :-)

Dave

cab124
09-28-2004, 05:27 PM
I have been considering an iPod mini, but now that these cards are available, it might just make sense to wait for the price to come down a bit and buy one for my iPaq 2215. Much better than carrying two devices.

Has anyone heard if Windows Media Player 10 is going to be released for WM?

juttonn
09-28-2004, 05:56 PM
I have been considering an iPod mini, but now that these cards are available, it might just make sense to wait for the price to come down a bit and buy one for my iPaq 2215. Much better than carrying two devices.

Has anyone heard if Windows Media Player 10 is going to be released for WM?

I'm in the same boat. I bought a 2.2 GB microdrive for my 2215 and use that to listen to music and audio books all the time. My brother-in-law has an iPod and it is cool, but with my PPC and Cell phone, I'd rather not have something else to have to carry around.

By the way, anyone have numbers on how draining the microdrives are on the battery compared to Compact Flash cards. I'd assume the microdrives would require more juice because of moving parts, but I've never seen any articles that compared the drain. Also, other things that I don't like as well about microdrives is the data seems like it would be less secure (drive errors, mechanical breakdowns--although I haven't had any problems with my card), and often when I turn on my PPC I have to wait several seconds for the drive to spin up. That said, I went with the microdrive because the cost to megabyte ratio was so much better, and it does work great for storing and listen to audio, video and other large media files.

superfaron
09-28-2004, 06:05 PM
Until I changed to an iPAQ 6315 (about a month ago) I used a 4gb microdrive with my 2215 and I didn't notice any more battery drain than with the 256mb sandisk card that I used before. The primary reason that I bought the 4gb drive (on ebay for $200.00 - I think it came from a MUVO) was so that I didn't "need" an iPod.

dean_shan
09-28-2004, 06:31 PM
That's some impressive speed on that card. I wish one would just appear at my door. You sure it was your name on the box Jason?

Jason Dunn
09-28-2004, 06:35 PM
Until I changed to an iPAQ 6315 (about a month ago) I used a 4gb microdrive with my 2215 and I didn't notice any more battery drain than with the 256mb sandisk card that I used before. The primary reason that I bought the 4gb drive (on ebay for $200.00 - I think it came from a MUVO) was so that I didn't "need" an iPod.

What software were you using with the 4 GB Microdrive? Without software that employs heavy caching, a Microdrive should suck WAY more power than a CF card... 8O

lapchinj
09-28-2004, 06:59 PM
Holy crap, Jason....a 4gig card and you already only have 744MB of space left.....you make me proud! :-)
Dave
Yeah! Remarkable, simply remarkable. And it doesn't look like he's had his new toy it too long either otherwise we would have heard about it sooner.

Jeff-

Jason Dunn
09-28-2004, 07:01 PM
Holy crap, Jason....a 4gig card and you already only have 744MB of space left.....you make me proud! :-)

That was just for testing purposes - that's all the music from my New Music folder. I've since cleared off the card and it's sitting up on my deck mocking me because the X30 I'm using can't use CF. Hmm, if only I was using a Pocket PC that took CF. Maybe if I'm patient one will come to me... 8)

Paragon
09-28-2004, 07:30 PM
Holy crap, Jason....a 4gig card and you already only have 744MB of space left.....you make me proud! :-)

That was just for testing purposes - that's all the music from my New Music folder. I've since cleared off the card and it's sitting up on my deck mocking me because the X30 I'm using can't use CF. Hmm, if only I was using a Pocket PC that took CF. Maybe if I'm patient one will come to me... 8)

I think if I were HP I would have to send a H4700 to the guy with a 4 gig card for testing....NDA or not! ;)

I know, I know, I shouldn't even go here, but I just can't resist.....It seems there really IS a very compelling reason for having a CF slot on a device afterall. :-)

Dave

lapchinj
09-28-2004, 08:38 PM
...Maybe if I'm patient one will come to me... 8)
Patients is not one of my better traits when it comes to new technology. If I had to wait around I would go nuts.... :crazyeyes:

Jeff-

Deus
09-28-2004, 08:53 PM
NO PICTURES OF IT COMING OUT OF THE BOX???

What a rip! ;)

:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

benn600
09-28-2004, 09:36 PM
I am surprised how it shows up as a full 4,000mb. Most memory cards are 5-10% less than they actually say they are! I want that card!

ctmagnus
09-28-2004, 09:42 PM
Has anyone heard if Windows Media Player 10 is going to be released for WM?

afaik WMP10 uses the same WMA/WMV codecs as WMP9.

Zathras
09-28-2004, 10:06 PM
Pictures!

surur
09-28-2004, 11:27 PM
I am surprised how it shows up as a full 4,000mb. Most memory cards are 5-10% less than they actually say they are! I want that card!

Ah, but 4000Mb is NOT 4 GB. 4GB is 4294967296 bytes, whereas 4000Mb is 4096000Mb, . Difference is about 2%. Not too bad. It only starts getting significant when you get to the 40 and 80GB stage :)

Surur

PS: Of course this is just the way the Windows operating system understands it. There is a larger discussion regarding metric units, gibibytes and hard drive marketing....... Too much to go into at 11:30 pm :)

dartman
09-29-2004, 12:07 AM
Jason,

Did you try it in your Digital Rebel?

dart

dragonhand
09-29-2004, 01:07 AM
I was so pleased with my 2 GB Sandisk Ultra II card until I saw this. My oh my!!

dhpss
09-29-2004, 01:38 AM
Big is nice..But wait until you see its price?

Marcel_Proust
09-29-2004, 04:19 AM
Anyone had any experiences with the Sandisk 4gb card. Some sites are selling it for less than 200 US. Would it be significantly slower than this card?

Jason Dunn
09-29-2004, 05:16 AM
Pictures!

Ok, I added a picture. :-)

Jason Dunn
09-29-2004, 05:17 AM
Did you try it in your Digital Rebel?

But of course! Already published on Digital Media Thoughts:

http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/articles.php?action=expand,6575

:D

egads
09-29-2004, 01:01 PM
You no longer have the biggest :)

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/040929/295174_1.html

Jonathon Watkins
09-29-2004, 01:52 PM
I know, I know, I shouldn't even go here, but I just can't resist.....It seems there really IS a very compelling reason for having a CF slot on a device afterall. :-)

Bingo. :wink: Can your SD slot do that? :lol:

(OK, give it time, but by then we'll have.... 16Gb CF cards......)

Jonathon Watkins
09-29-2004, 02:02 PM
Hmm, if only I was using a Pocket PC that took CF. Maybe if I'm patient one will come to me... 8)

Good things come to those who wait, so I've heard..... :wink:

CF slots. Just say 'Yes Please'. :lol:

jlp
09-29-2004, 02:37 PM
Holy crap, Jason....a 4gig card and you already only have 744MB of space left.....you make me proud! :-)

That was just for testing purposes - that's all the music from my New Music folder. I've since cleared off the card and it's sitting up on my deck mocking me because the X30 I'm using can't use CF. Hmm, if only I was using a Pocket PC that took CF. Maybe if I'm patient one will come to me... 8)

Thought you said you have a Dell Axim X5 in your first post 8O
I put the 4 GB card into my Dell Axim X5 (on of my few devices that take CF cards)

Paragon
09-29-2004, 02:44 PM
Holy crap, Jason....a 4gig card and you already only have 744MB of space left.....you make me proud! :-)

That was just for testing purposes - that's all the music from my New Music folder. I've since cleared off the card and it's sitting up on my deck mocking me because the X30 I'm using can't use CF. Hmm, if only I was using a Pocket PC that took CF. Maybe if I'm patient one will come to me... 8)

Thought you said you have a Dell Axim X5 in your first post 8O
I put the 4 GB card into my Dell Axim X5 (on of my few devices that take CF cards)

He tested it in the X5 but uses the X30 on a daily basis which doesn't have a CF slot....hence the wish for a current device with a CF slot to fall from heaven. :)

Dave

J2EE
09-29-2004, 03:12 PM
I will rather buy another Pocket PC with that amount of money. It's just not worth the money. Don't flame me guys. It's just my opinion and opinions differ.

Jonathon Watkins
09-29-2004, 03:30 PM
I will rather buy another Pocket PC with that amount of money. It's just not worth the money. Don't flame me guys. It's just my opinion and opinions differ.

We don't flame folks around here J2EE. :wink: We may have differences of opinions, but just about everyone here expresses it politely and in a friendly manner. It's one of the thing I love about this site. :mrgreen:

Sure, the CF card costs too much for most folks now, but give it time...... :wink:

Marcel_Proust
09-29-2004, 04:27 PM
anyone has any opinions on this alternative?

http://www.shopperwiz.com/shopdisplaydetail.asp?id=96877727&Ref=FROOGLE&ts=20040929&Key=084501653&L=005

Jason Dunn
09-29-2004, 05:51 PM
You no longer have the biggest :)

I never said that 4 GB was the biggest. ;-) Pretec has 12 GB CF card, but it's insanely expensive...

msprague
09-30-2004, 01:05 AM
Maybe I missed it, but is this Type I or Type II? My Canon s400 only takes Type I.

Thanks.

Jason Dunn
09-30-2004, 05:44 AM
Maybe I missed it, but is this Type I or Type II? My Canon s400 only takes Type I.

Type 1 - most devices only work with Type 1 cards.

jlp
09-30-2004, 10:29 PM
anyone has any opinions on this alternative?

http://www.shopperwiz.com/shopdisplaydetail.asp?id=96877727&Ref=FROOGLE&ts=20040929&Key=084501653&L=005

Excellent price for a probably good product; however it's not a fast speed card, just the regular type (SanDisk's blue and red label) according to the manufacturer part # from your linked page cross referenced in SanDisk's brochure here (PDF file) (http://www.sandisk.com/pdf/retail/retail-product-info-guide.pdf)

Len M.
10-04-2004, 03:02 PM
Speeds tests revealed that this card is a burner: 6552 KB/s for 1 MB reads, and 6040 KB/s for 1 MB writes.

Unfortunately this doesn't tell us how fast it will be in a PDA. (Cameras are much faster.) Might you run SPB Benchmark on it and post (or email me) the XML file?


Len Moskowitz
Core Sound
www.core-sound.com
(Home of PDAudio)

Len M.
10-04-2004, 03:06 PM
Anyone had any experiences with the Sandisk 4gb card. Some sites are selling it for less than 200 US. Would it be significantly slower than this card?

The SanDisk 4 GB card is selling for under $300 now.

If anyone has one, please run SPB Benchmark and send us the XML file. We'll post the results on our Web site:

http://www.core-sound.com/CF-and-SD-mass-storage-comparison.html


Len Moskowitz
Core Sound
www.core-sound.com
(Home of PDAudio)

moby101
10-13-2004, 01:19 PM
Its great to read all the buzz around these large storage devices, but I would love to know if any one has done a comparison between a compact flash drive and a micro drive in regards to battery drain.

I have a magicstor 2.2 microdrive and love the size, but cannot say I'm at all happy with the battery consumption. I can literally see my power go from 100% to 80% in 10 - 15 mins when I'm only read emails.

I would be happy to test a large CF card but do not wish to buy one just to test it. Any one done battery tests?

Jason Dunn
10-13-2004, 05:44 PM
Its great to read all the buzz around these large storage devices, but I would love to know if any one has done a comparison between a compact flash drive and a micro drive in regards to battery drain.

I used to have a 1 GB IBM Microdrive, but it died on me 2 months after the one-year warranty was up, so that soured me on buying any more micro drives. I'm quite sure that the battery life on a CF card would be quite a bit better than with a micro drive, but it also depends on what program you're using - you should be using a music program that does music buffering. If you're using WMP, you'll be seeing horrible battery life with music because it doesn't buffer to RAM...

rhmorrison
03-02-2005, 06:15 PM
I bought one of these puppies last month for only 230 € (around $300).
This is less than what I paid for my wifes 2 GB SanDisk 3 months ago which is also MUCH SLOWER than the Kingston!