PPC to CF theoretical speed...

[pacemkr]

I was wondering how fast can the PPC transfer data to a CF card, assuming that the CF card has unlimited speed.

I'm about to get a 256mb CF card and came across Lexar 256mb CF for $56.
The exact name of it is "Lexar 256MB 12x high-speed CompactFlash card".
Does the 12x make a difference? I think I've seen 16x and faster, would that make a difference on a PPC.

I want to use it for streaming audio and divx from it as well installing programs. Any way, more speed is better...

I own the HP 2210 if that makes a difference.

Thanks in advance.

[David Prahl]

I have a cheap Memorex 128 MB CF, and I've never noticed a speed issue when playing music, videos, or games off of it.

There are 40x CF cards (for photography, I'd assume), but I know someone who just bought that exact same Lexar card from Buy.com. It works just fine.

[Len M.]

All of the "40x" and "50x" type numbers are sheer marketing hype. The only way to know how fast a card will be in your PDA is to test it.

Have a look at our Benchmark page:

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

You'll see that even the fastest PDAs with the fastest cards can only write a maximum of 1.2 MB/sec. (If "1x" is 150 KB/s, then 1.2 MB/sec is "8x".)

The benchmarks were run using SPB Software's excellent Benchmark program:

http://www.softspb.com/products/benchmark/index.html

You can help us to add information to this page. Please download a copy of SPB Benchmark, run it on your PDA and memory card, and email a copy of Benchmark's XML fle to: [email protected] .


Len Moskowitz
Core Sound
www.core-sound.com

[pacemkr]

Thanks for the replies. I bought the Viking 256 MB card, however, due to a good deal on amazon.

I posted about it earlier (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=23093)

Ill make sure to bench it and post the results. 8)

[pacemkr]

I got my card yesterday, benchmarked it today, here are the results in case someone is interested.

The card is made in Taiwan by the way.

1 mb file write: 3511ms
1 mb file read: 823ms
1 mb file copy to card: 1065ms
1 mb file copy from card: 1866ms

How good/bad is that?

[Len M.]

If you'll send me the XML file and describe which PDA you're using, which operating system, and which CF/SD card you're using, I can post it to the Web site and you'll be able to compare.

Please send the XML file to: [email protected]


Len Moskowitz
Core Sound
www.core-sound.com

[pacemkr]

I sent it to you already. PM me if you are not getting it.

[Len M.]

It benchmarks at a bit under 1 MB/sec (almost 7x).

We've added your benchmark to our Web page:

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

Thanks for benchmarking your card.


Len Moskowitz
Core Sound
www.core-sound.com