Yes, some more flash drive questions

Mace · 06-18-2008, 10:21 PM

I've decided to go with a 32gb USB flash drive. A couple of questions.

I've noted several models that list USB 2.0 and some that say USB 2.0 and backward compatible for USB 1.1. I'd assume any 2.0 would be backward compatible but, just in case, does anyone know what USB standard the 3-series uses?

How important is the memory speed? I believe I've seen comments about hard drives that imply the read speed isn't a big deal for them but don't know if this applies to flash drives. Also, one of the drives advertizes dual-channel. Any thoughts?

I believe I've settled on the Corsair CMFUS2.0 32GB for $105 (including $40 rebate) at Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-CMFUSB...841218&sr=8-26 Any thoughts on the Corsair or recommendations for another, perhaps better, drive? I haven't been paying that much attention but I recall some folks in the PC world bragging about their Corsair memory upgrades.

Thanks

emarkd · 06-19-2008, 08:35 AM

I suppose I'm dodging your actual question because I don't know the answer, but the primary difference between USB 1.1 and USB 2 systems is the transfer speed. USB 1.1 was much slower at only 12 Mb/sec. I think USB 2 can do up to 480 Mb/sec or so. You'll notice that both of these numbers are MUCH higher than even the largest MP3 bitrates of around 320 Kb/sec or so. So basically it doesn't matter which type is used because either has plenty of transfer headroom.

Dual channel is another method for maximizing transfer speeds. Again, mp3 playback doesn't even come close to maxing out the transfer capabilities of either system.

As a comparison, pay attention when you're copying files onto your drive. Does it take more than 3 minutes to copy a 3 minute song? Not even close.

The corsair drive will be a fine choice. Enjoy your music.

EDIT: I realized I forgot to cover .wav files, as they are the largest file sizes likely to be used in this application. Raw PCM audio has a sample rate of 44.1 KHz with a sample size of 16 bits. That should make the bitrate some where around 689 Kb/sec if my math is right. That's still only 17% of the transfer capability of USB 1.1...

tintivilus · 06-19-2008, 09:15 AM

Right... USB 2.0 is always backward-compatible with 1.x. Dual-Channel is a feature of the flash configuration, not USB, and therefore completely transparent to the host system except where it yields higher speeds.

Mace · 06-19-2008, 05:51 PM

Great, thanks guys for the inputs. Looks like the Corsair will do the job!

Jeff Flowerday · 06-20-2008, 01:23 PM

I wonder of speed of drive increases the speed of indexing?

06-18-2008, 10:21 PM	#1
Mace Second Lieutenant 2 Rep 239 Posts Drives: '11 E93 M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	Yes, some more flash drive questions I've decided to go with a 32gb USB flash drive. A couple of questions. I've noted several models that list USB 2.0 and some that say USB 2.0 and backward compatible for USB 1.1. I'd assume any 2.0 would be backward compatible but, just in case, does anyone know what USB standard the 3-series uses? How important is the memory speed? I believe I've seen comments about hard drives that imply the read speed isn't a big deal for them but don't know if this applies to flash drives. Also, one of the drives advertizes dual-channel. Any thoughts? I believe I've settled on the Corsair CMFUS2.0 32GB for $105 (including $40 rebate) at Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-CMFUSB...841218&sr=8-26 Any thoughts on the Corsair or recommendations for another, perhaps better, drive? I haven't been paying that much attention but I recall some folks in the PC world bragging about their Corsair memory upgrades. Thanks
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06-19-2008, 08:35 AM	#2
emarkd Private First Class 3 Rep 105 Posts Drives: '08 335i Join Date: May 2008 Location: Georgia iTrader: (0)	I suppose I'm dodging your actual question because I don't know the answer, but the primary difference between USB 1.1 and USB 2 systems is the transfer speed. USB 1.1 was much slower at only 12 Mb/sec. I think USB 2 can do up to 480 Mb/sec or so. You'll notice that both of these numbers are MUCH higher than even the largest MP3 bitrates of around 320 Kb/sec or so. So basically it doesn't matter which type is used because either has plenty of transfer headroom. Dual channel is another method for maximizing transfer speeds. Again, mp3 playback doesn't even come close to maxing out the transfer capabilities of either system. As a comparison, pay attention when you're copying files onto your drive. Does it take more than 3 minutes to copy a 3 minute song? Not even close. The corsair drive will be a fine choice. Enjoy your music. EDIT: I realized I forgot to cover .wav files, as they are the largest file sizes likely to be used in this application. Raw PCM audio has a sample rate of 44.1 KHz with a sample size of 16 bits. That should make the bitrate some where around 689 Kb/sec if my math is right. That's still only 17% of the transfer capability of USB 1.1... Last edited by emarkd; 06-19-2008 at 10:32 AM..
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06-19-2008, 09:15 AM	#3
tintivilus Lieutenant Colonel 26 Rep 1,826 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lake County, IL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E92 335i [0.00] 2003 325i [0.00]	Right... USB 2.0 is always backward-compatible with 1.x. Dual-Channel is a feature of the flash configuration, not USB, and therefore completely transparent to the host system except where it yields higher speeds.
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06-19-2008, 05:51 PM	#4
Mace Second Lieutenant 2 Rep 239 Posts Drives: '11 E93 M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	Great, thanks guys for the inputs. Looks like the Corsair will do the job!
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06-20-2008, 01:23 PM	#5
Jeff Flowerday Private 0 Rep 62 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Coupe Join Date: May 2006 Location: Calgary, AB Canada iTrader: (0)	I wonder of speed of drive increases the speed of indexing?
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