fast, cheap usb memory stick.

Forums › Desktop computing › fast, cheap usb memory stick.

sxz

761 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 194

#20056 11-Mar-2008 23:00

Hey,

looking of Pricespy for, wait for it, a fast and cheap USB memory stick.

Can anyone recomend one?

I was thinking 4gb or hopefuly 8 or so and preferably as fast as possible!!

has anyone had good experience with particular models?
cheers

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
80646 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 41030

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#116036 11-Mar-2008 23:05

The bigger the memory, more expensive they are. Most USB memory is fast for read, but slow for large file writing anyway.

I have a couple of Kingston USB - not the cheapest ones but fast.

I think DSE is running a 50% discount in all memory stuff these days.

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

CYaBro

4708 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1182

ID Verified

Trusted

#116039 12-Mar-2008 00:28

If you want a fast one make sure it supports Windows ReadyBoost.
It should say on the packaging / product description.
They are more expensive of cause than the same sized USB stick that doesn't support it.

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

weblordpepe

460 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#116044 12-Mar-2008 03:37

One wonders the efficiency of mounting your user profile / documents to a hard drive while the OS/apps mount to a USB key. Hmm. Hmm. Yes care to post which usb key you buy? Hmm HMm

sxz

761 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 194

#116087 12-Mar-2008 10:17

I found a good site that shows the read/write speeds of the various sticks.

http://www.activecatalog.co.nz/prod/compulink/Products.aspx?ctlgid=242&page=1&Auct=0

still cant decide which I'm aftter, would like to get the Corsair Voyager GT 2GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive but its gonna be like 80 bucks... it has

Read Speed : 34 MB/s

Write Speed : 21 MB/s

which seems pretty cool (and fast), water resistant/shock proof etc.

So now i need to decide if i really need one with read/write speeds that fast, or whether to settle for one a wee bit slower!!

what do you guys reckon? is anyone overly bothered by flash drives that are too slow? my uses at this stage will be for backup of notes/ transport of photos/videos etc so a bit of everfything...

cheers guys

sxz

761 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 194

#116097 12-Mar-2008 11:22

alright, had a bit of a look again, I like the look of the Corsair Flash Survivor 8GB.

I've seen a review for the Flash Survivor GT which claims speeds of 34mb read, 28mb write.
http://www.everythingusb.com/corsair_flash_survivor_gt_8gb_12805.html

Does anyone know the speeds of the standard flash survivor? (ie NOT the GT model?) its infuriatingly hard to find.

Its $105 from http://www.pcgear.co.nz/product.php?productid=6844 for the standard 8Gb one, its a bit steep but if its still reasonably fast it'd be mint, and I would like the extra shock/waterproof protection!

tchart

2396 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 577

ID Verified

Trusted

#116113 12-Mar-2008 13:26

Ive got several 1GB USB sticks lying around for code backups.

I have an A-Data "My Flash" one (from Ascent) which is terribly slow. My Apacer one (from the local Pharmacy!) however is probably 10x as quick to write files.

I use Goodsync and with the A-Data it takes over an hour to do a complete sync (if I wipe the drive). The Apacer takes about 5 minutes! And just FYI Im syncing lots of small files.

Moral of the story is that its sometimes a bit of pot luck depending on what youre doing! I dont really believe the read/write specs of the A-Data and will probably stay away from their stuff in the future.

Although, apart from syncing the A-Data drive is fine for everyday use!

I also have a Huke one (aluminium casing) which is nice. I keep all my freeware apps on it so the IT guys dont moan when I want to install things!

Trevor

Lego

Shop now for Lego sets and other gifts (affiliate link).

dnb4life

312 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#116119 12-Mar-2008 13:47

my 32gb stick arrived in the mail today. it is generic brand with samsung memory. i've been running some tests and it reads at an average of 20.4mb/s and writes at an amazing 22mb/s! was expecting it to be much slower! only $160 so i'm damn happy.

sxz

761 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 194

#116121 12-Mar-2008 13:49

whoa, nice

sxz

761 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 194

#116122 12-Mar-2008 13:50

whoops, was also ment to ask for a link to the place you got it, so I can have a looksee? I'm sure 32g is an overkill for me, but still....

gehenna

8667 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3883

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#116124 12-Mar-2008 13:57

dnb4life: my 32gb stick arrived in the mail today. it is generic brand with samsung memory. i've been running some tests and it reads at an average of 20.4mb/s and writes at an amazing 22mb/s! was expecting it to be much slower! only $160 so i'm damn happy.

where'd you source that from?

dnb4life

312 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#116132 12-Mar-2008 14:38

sxz: whoops, was also ment to ask for a link to the place you got it, so I can have a looksee? I'm sure 32g is an overkill for me, but still....

As flash memory is expanding so rapidly i don't think it would be overkill. sure you might never fill it but i don't see any point in buying any stick under 8gbs as the prices are just so cheap you might aswell buy a higher capacity. i got mine from Trademe. so far in NZ (on trademe and pricespy) i have only found two different 32gb sticks. the generic leather ones and the corsair voyager ones. however as corsair ones are double the price at around $320 im happy i got a generic one as it has worked out great! i find it funny how i have a 40gb 2.5" external hdd and this is like 1/10th the size and almost as big!

i'd like to point out that this is flash memory and these speed will vary depending on the type of hard drive you're transferring to and from and the cpu and ram of your computer aswell as operating system. the tests i did were on a amd dual core x2 6000+ wiith 4gbs of ram and vista ultimate 64bit edition. all transfers wrere to and from a 120gb sata2 drive with a single partition.

Geekzone

Want to support Geekzone and browse the site without the ads? Subscribe to Geekzone now (monthly, annual and lifetime options).

weblordpepe

460 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#116177 12-Mar-2008 19:32

It would be nice to hax in one of those 32GB things into the EEE. Personally, 32GB would be ample storage for my documents, excluding media like music & video.

weblordpepe

460 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#116178 12-Mar-2008 19:33

Anyone thought of RAIDing em?

dnb4life

312 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#116490 13-Mar-2008 22:00