Does plugging an SD card via a USB 3 adapter to a USB 2 port make it any faster?

[virtuality]

I ask because it is said on the Internet that it is still worth using a fast, USB 3 flash drive in a USB 2 port, as it will be faster than a USB 2 only drive.

I used the search function to no avail.

 

[corkyg]

This is confusing because you cite an Internet source, but then cannot find it? Where is it so said on the Internet? In such an arrangement, the data flow rate should be that of USB 2. OTOH, it is possible that a newer SD card could just be faster.

 

[LTC8K6]

IIRC, this came up before and the answer was not much.

It's still only a 2.0 port.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4523/usb-30-flash-drive-roundup/6

 

[LTC8K6]

Looks like in certain cases, the difference is significant, but overall, it's a little faster than a good 2.0 drive in a 2.0 port.

 

[ElFenix]

the only reason a USB 3.0 drive in a 2.0 port would be faster than you're used to, so far as USB 2.0 drives go, is because the USB 3.0 drive uses a much superior controller. USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 use completely different pins in the port. assuming the adapter also uses a speedy controller, it could be faster than a USB 2.0 adapter.

 

[virtuality]

This is confusing because you cite an Internet source, but then cannot find it?

You can find it: https://www.google.com/search?q=usb+3+flash+faster+usb+2+port

 

[virtuality]

the only reason a USB 3.0 drive in a 2.0 port would be faster than you're used to, so far as USB 2.0 drives go, is because the USB 3.0 drive uses a much superior controller. USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 use completely different pins in the port. assuming the adapter also uses a speedy controller, it could be faster than a USB 2.0 adapter.

The bottom line is, which MicroSD card reader am I supposed to buy for my relatively fast cards to perform well in USB 2.0 ports? Examples of such 2.0 or 3.0 readers? Thanks

 

[Insert_Nickname]

The bottom line is, which MicroSD card reader am I supposed to buy for my relatively fast cards to perform well in USB 2.0 ports? Examples of such 2.0 or 3.0 readers? Thanks

I've had pretty good results with a common Sandisk Extreme PRO UHS-II. Both on USB2 and 3. Its also future-proof with full UHS-II support.

Another thing to keep in mind with regards to performance is the SD card itself. You'll not get more performance out of a given card then the card itself and the cards interface is capable of. Which for common non-UHS cards tops out at 25MB/s.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secure_Digital#Speeds

 

[virtuality]

More info:

I began to hate the design of standard SD cards as managed to kill one completely by accident: http://www.cnet.com/news/sd-card-too-bad-this-format-won-the-flash-card-wars/

I'll stick with microSD cards; they are small, unbreakable, compared to the standard SD size, fit for my purposes, price-wise, too. (Do you know of any better for price/performance/quality? http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Adapter-SDSQUNC-064G-GN6MA-Newest-Version/dp/B010Q588D4 )

This card at 80 MB/s, that is, 640 megabits per second is already faster than the maximum theoretical speed of USB 2.0 at 480 megabits per second.

Thought I am a bit confused of speed ratings: https://www.sdcard.org/consumers/speed/

On all my devices I want plug this card in, I have USB 2.0 ports. I only need to accommodate for these, I don't consider USB 3.0 future proof at all, that will be USB 3.1 aka. USB type-C (I'll more than likely will just skip USB 3.0 altogether, in the mobile first world).

I am also looking for small readers, learning from the experience I managed to kill the standard sized card sticking out of a big one.

That said, here are some random readers I have found interesting (I like the smaller the better, but it should be of quality):

Reader matches brand on card: https://www.sandisk.com/home/memory-cards/memory-card-readers/mobile-mate-duo-reader-writer

Competing brand, too small, I wonder if it is any good (oh, I just read it maxes out at class 10 speeds): http://www.kingston.com/us/flash/microsd_cards#MBLY

3.0 readers which are not extremely huge:

http://www.ianker.com/product/68ANREADER-B2A

http://www.transcend-info.com/Products/No-396

I would like the Lexar as well, if they'd sell the reader separately, too bad it is only bundled with their top cards, which I have no use: http://www.lexar.com/microsd-633x

Which is the best to fit my purposes (not necessarily from the above list) if I just want to enjoy the speed of this type of cards on my slower, USB 2.0 devices?

 

[Eug]

Yes, I've noted on several occasions that mixing USB 3 and USB 2 is faster than plain USB 2. I think I gained around 5-15% in transfer rates IIRC.

I too think this is likely due to the controller.

This is with CompactFlash cards that exceeded the USB 2 max speed of course, confirmed via USB 3 and Firewire 800.

Unfortunately, although you can speed up USB 2 by throwing in a USB 3 part, it's still a huge bottleneck, since you max out at around 30ish MB/s, and that's with a good USB 2 controller. In contrast, I was getting around 80 MB/s with Firewire 800 for example, using the same CompactFlash cards.

 

[Insert_Nickname]

I began to hate the design of standard SD cards as managed to kill one completely by accident: http://www.cnet.com/news/sd-card-too-bad-this-format-won-the-flash-card-wars/

SD cards are not here because they're technologically superior. Or the design is superior. They're here because they're cheap (and cheerful)...

I'll stick with microSD cards; they are small, unbreakable, compared to the standard SD size, fit for my purposes, price-wise, too. (Do you know of any better for price/performance/quality? http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Adapter-SDSQUNC-064G-GN6MA-Newest-Version/dp/B010Q588D4 )

Notice that its only rated Class 10? That means that it only has to do 10MB/s read/write. Anything above that is pure luck. On the plus side that's the minimum performance you'll get out of it.

Go for UHS cards. They should be marked with a prominent 1-inside-a-U logo on the card. Manufactures don't tend to be shy about such.

Even better would be UHS-2, which are marked with a 3-inside-a-U logo. But they're more expensive of course.

This card at 80 MB/s, that is, 640 megabits per second is already faster than the maximum theoretical speed of USB 2.0 at 480 megabits per second.

Keep in mind USB2 maximum theoretical speed is just that. Theoretical. In practice you can usually get 25-30MB/s of of USB2.

But again the cards interface may be the limit for non-UHS cards.

Which is the best to fit my purposes (not necessarily from the above list) if I just want to enjoy the speed of this type of cards on my slower, USB 2.0 devices?

That'd be the Trancend one. It seems to have a UHS-1 interface, so that'd be my pick.

 

[Eug]

SD cards are not here because they're technologically superior. Or the design is superior. They're here because they're cheap (and cheerful)...

Also, SD and of course microSD are a heluvalot smaller. You won't be putting CompactFlash cards in your cell phones.

Notice that its only rated Class 10? That means that it only has to do 10MB/s read/write. Anything above that is pure luck. On the plus side that's the minimum performance you'll get out of it.

That is not correct. The 10 MB/s refers to sequential speeds. Random speeds are usually much, much lower.

In fact, in the old days you were often better off buying Class 4 cards, because although their sequential speeds were only in the 4-8 MB/s range, the random read/write speeds were often way, way, way faster than Class 10 cards.

I don't know why this was the case, but this was repeatedly shown over several different brands, so I suspect it was because the Class 10 firmwares were specifically optimized for sequential read/writes, random speeds be damned.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/microsdhc-memory-card-performance,3011-12.html

Yes, some of the Class 10 cards are getting less than 0.01 MB/s, and all Class 10 cards are getting less than 0.1 MB/s. In contrast, two Class 4 cards are getting over 1 MB/s.

IOW, the Class 4 cards are 100X as fast as the Class 10.

Go for UHS cards.

Agreed.

 

[Insert_Nickname]

That is not correct. The 10 MB/s refers to sequential speeds. Random speeds are usually much, much lower.

Should have specified sequential read/write. You're correct of course.

Which is coincidently why some manufacturers make cards geared for phones, tablets and other stuff that requires random I/O. But for still and video camera usage, random I/O doesn't matter all that much.

 

[virtuality]

Notice that its only rated Class 10? That means that it only has to do 10MB/s read/write. Anything above that is pure luck. On the plus side that's the minimum performance you'll get out of it.

Go for UHS cards. They should be marked with a prominent 1-inside-a-U logo on the card. Manufactures don't tend to be shy about such.

The Amazon description is written SanDisk Ultra 64GB Ultra Micro SDXC UHS-I/Class 10, also the image shows a XC I logo; not sure if it is similar to the U 1 logo. sure, this card must be faster than Simple Class 10, given its price and place in SanDisk's product range.

That'd be the Trancend one. It seems to have a UHS-1 interface, so that'd be my pick.

The Anker one, too. But I got the idea, thanks!