Storage Cards - SD or CF or Both?

proffeecomone · 08-05-03, 08:38 AM

Guys,
What's the difference in performance between SD and CF cards? Is there any? Pros and Cons using one over the other?
Help is really appreciated!

MTPacifico · 08-05-03, 08:54 AM

I prefer to leave my CF slot open so I can use my NIC or WiFi card.

I use my SD card for storage (MP3s, games, etc) and programs.

That of course is just a personal preference though...

- P

Howard2k · 08-05-03, 09:10 AM

CF is faster for sure. But the CF slot also support I/O (ie, Wifi) while the SD is memory only. So I use the SD for memory and the CF for wifi.

proffeecomone · 08-05-03, 10:00 AM

Thanx guys!

corymcnutt · 08-05-03, 10:53 AM

I thought SD Memory was suppose to be faster than CF? Did I read incorrectly? I bought the 256 SD card for storage not only so my CF slot would be open for GPS but because I thought it was faster!

08-05-03, 11:15 AM

CF is generally faster, but I doubt there's a significant difference in speed....most SD is generally like 10X, right? and CF@12X? technically that's twice as fast, but i have no idea how common 12X is. anyway SD is fast enough for movies, games, and mp3s, so it's not gonna make a big difference unless you're doing something super-intensive. dunno about sandisk though.

Mythos · 08-05-03, 11:37 AM

There might be differences between brands, but my SD card is definitely much slower during write operations than my CF card. I don't know if my TwinMOS are slower than other brands as I only have one SD card. To read from them I haven't noticed much difference.
I use my SD card mainly to store programs, so it doesn't matter much if it takes longer to install a program.
I use my CF slot to store mp3 and pictures from my camera and for my WIFI card.
If you are not going to use the CF slot for anything else I suggest to buy a CF card as they are faster and cost less. If you will be using a WIFI card or other devices for your CF slot I would suggest to get both. I have a 128MB SD card, and I suppose that will be plenty of program space for my needs. My 512MB CF card filled up quickly with music files.:)

Double-Trinity · 08-05-03, 01:15 PM

Some CFs are actaully specifically hi-performance, but for hte Axim it is irrelevant anyway since most cards will run as fast as the Axim can read/write to them anyway... the main advantage is for write speed w/ cameras, and transfer with card readers.

CF is actually a shrunken down PC-card compatible unit, and there will be another generation soon of SD size, unlike SD, CF has its own drivers and so on inside hte card, so can actually operate without a reader and just a simple cable, as it is self-driven.