X-bit labs

1GB Compact Flash Media Roundup. Part II

Category: Storage

by Andrey Kuznetcov

[ 11/27/2003 | 09:14 AM ]

Today we are going to test five new CompactFlash memory cards with 1GB storage capacity. We will check their performance when working via USB 2.0 as well as via the FireWire interface in a number of new benchmarks and practical situations. Find out which CompactFlash card in the $200+ range is the best today!

Table of contents:

• Transcend CompactFlash 30x and 45x
  
• TwinMOS Media Store Ultra High Speed
  
• Digitex FMCF-1024
  
• PQI Hi-Speed CompactFlash Card
  
• Testbed and Methods
  
• Performance in SiSoftware Sandra Professional
  
• Performance in FC-Test
  
• Performance in IOMark
  
• Performance during Digital Shooting
  
• Conclusion
  

Modest and not very attractive looking miniature data storage media aka Compact Flash cards become more and more popular among uses. It is mostly caused by the fact that digital cameras using these flash cards get more and more widely spread. Besides, the constantly updated announcements about the manufacturers’ success in this field also warm up the public interest.

Today the maximum storage capacity of a CompactFlash card has already reached 6GB. However, since the price of these record-breaking solutions is still pretty high we are going to talk about a slightly smaller models today. Flash cards of 1GB storage capacity are quite widespread already and meet most requirements of the users looking for high-capacity memory solutions at a reasonable price. Today we will talk about five products of the kind tested with the help of two high-speed interfaces.

Transcend CompactFlash 30x and 45x

Transcend CompactFlash 30x TS1GFLASHCP

Transcend CompactFlash 45x TS1GCF45

Transcend Company will be represented by two solutions in our today’s roundup. One of them  is TS1GFLASHCP and is positioned by the company as a Performance solution. This product category includes products with 128MB-1GB storage capacity. The data transfer rate is claimed to be 30x. this CompactFlash card is now selling for $252.

The second solution to be participating in our today’s test session is TS1GCF45, which is positioned as an Ultra Performance product. This means that it should be able to transfer data at 45x speed (do you see the marking on the card?) This solution is selling for $284.

Both CompactFlash cards come in an identical package. You will get a transparent plastic box with the card and indicated data transfer rate, a quick installation guide, a warranty coupon, a small promotional leaflet and a safety case.