Any fast (read/write) 8GB flash drive?

[BehindEnemyLines]

I have seen the Corsair Voyager 8GB, Voyager GT 8GB (more expensive), and OCZ Rally2 8GB (reviews for this is that it's slow and prone to corruption).

 

[lopri]

When looking at flash drives, I first try to find out whether the drives are using SLC (single level cell?) or MLC (multi level cell?). SLC is vastly superior to MLC but I recently learned that SLC's current max capacity is 4GB. So for 8GB, I'd think the best configuration would be a dual-channel (?) 4GB SLC. Yellowbeard has confirmed the Voyager GT 8GB has two 4GB SLCs.

 

[Imported]

I just picked up one of these Kingston 8GB Hi-Speed Data Traveler from Buy.com for $24 after GCO.. but it seems the prices have gone back up now. I'm not sure how fast it is though.

 

[Gaurav Duggal]

I'd say the Transcend V60 8GB.

 

[taltamir]

There are two types of chips: SLC and MLC. SLC is fast but cost twice as much to manufacture per meg. MLC is slower but cheaper. SLC are also severely limited in size compared to MLC.
Nobody MAKES SLC chips anymore, only MLC. and the largest SLC usb drive you can find are 4GB (2x2GB SLC modules in dual channel).
Anything above that is gonna be 100% MLC and is slower.

The fastest USB drives on the market are all 4GB SLC:
1. OCZ ATV2 (durable) turbo/rally2 (regular) turbo (beware the non turbo version)
2. Corsair FlashVoyagerGT.
3. Lexar "Lightening"

Any 8GB versions of those drives are SLOWER, and not necessarily go in this order. Other manufacturer's might even be faster in the 8GB arena.

 

[alexo]

Corsair Flash Voyager GT 8GB is SLC (straight from the horse's mouth)

 

[taltamir]

Do you have a link? I am pretty sure I saw a forum sticky by corsair support explaining the whole issue (and offering refunds to those who wish them) saying that 8GB and above are all MLC... nobody makes the chips needed to assemble an 8GB SLC thumb drive. It simply does not exist, period.

 

[alexo]

Originally posted by: taltamir
Do you have a link?

Link.

 

[OmegaShadow]

Originally posted by: Imported
I just picked up one of these Kingston 8GB Hi-Speed Data Traveler from Buy.com for $24 after GCO.. but it seems the prices have gone back up now. I'm not sure how fast it is though.

i have the same usb and it's very good. transfered a 6gb file in 14 mins.