File Systen + Allocation Unit Size

tjasko · 07-16-08, 08:03 PM

Hi Everyone,

For all of you memory buffs, this is a interesting thing for you!

I was wondering what was the fastest file system + allocation unit size for my SD Card.

Since I was thinking about using this SD Card for ReadyBoost in my Vista machine, I was curious what would be the fastest file system, and the allocation unit size for my card. Because I want to use this SD Card for extra memory. Because this card is faster than my hard drive...

The SD Card is a SanDisk 1.0GB SD Card.

These tests were done all on the same computer, and to the best of my ability. Since we are human, these numbers are not exact, but are very close.

At the top shows the File System I used, and the allocation unit size I used. Done in Windows Vista Ultimate SP1... I used a folder filled with random objects to get close to how a flash drive is usually used. This folder I was coping to the SD Card is 31.2 MB. Filled with a bunch of files to simulate usage. The times were taken at the start of the file transfer, and to the end. I did this to see which would be the fastest for me. And the results are amazing.

NTFS:
512 Bytes = 11.2 Seconds
1024 Bytes = 09.7 Seconds
2048 Bytes = 09.6 Seconds
4096 Bytes = 09.4 Seconds **** #1
8192 Bytes = 09.5 Seconds
16 Kilobytes = 11.0 Seconds
32 Kilobytes = 11.0 Seconds
64 Kilobytes = 10.0 Seconds

FAT32:
512 Bytes = 26.0 Seconds
1024 Bytes = 23.0 Seconds
2048 Bytes = 21.6 Seconds
4096 Bytes = 20.3 Seconds
8192 Bytes = 20.2 Seconds **** #3
16 Kilobytes = N/A
32 Kilobytes = N/A
64 Kilobytes = N/A

exFAT:
512 Bytes = 20.6 Seconds
1024 Bytes = 15.5 Seconds
2048 Bytes = 10.1 Seconds
4096 Bytes = 10.0 Seconds **** #2
8192 Bytes = 10.1 Seconds
16 Kilobytes = 10.9 Seconds
32 Kilobytes = 12.0 Seconds
64 Kilobytes = 11.2 Seconds
128 Kilobytes = 13.8 Seconds
256 Kilobytes = 13.0 Seconds
512 Kilobytes = 14.0 Seconds
1024 Kilobytes = 14.6 Seconds
2048 Kilobytes = 15.3 Seconds
4096 Kilobytes = 16.3 Seconds
8192 Kilobytes = 18.5 Seconds
16384 Kilobytes = 22.4 Seconds
32768 Kilobytes = 31.9 Seconds

As you can see, NTFS with the 4096 Byte allocation table was the best in my part. NTFS is a great and fast file system then...

Just to share this with the rest of the world. Though it might be interesting to some of you guys and gals.

Actually, I'm using it with the #1 setting now. Very fast. ;)

Thanks!

spunker88 · 07-17-08, 08:32 AM

NTFS at 4096 bytes is the default setting when formatting hard drives NTFS.

So, i bet these numbers are in proportion to what hard drives would do, also.

tjasko · 07-17-08, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by spunker88

NTFS at 4096 bytes is the default setting when formatting hard drives NTFS.

So, i bet these numbers are in proportion to what hard drives would do, also.

Well, this is flash memory here. And it does tend to be a little faster than a hard drive. But, in the terms of speed, these numbers are pretty close to a hard drive... :)