by Downunder35m » Tue May 22, 2012 12:06 pm
I can tell you some details about SD if necessary but I keep it to the topic:
The main factor of interest in terms of speed is the writing speed as reading is always much faster.
Most GPS programs have to read a lot but actually only save files at exit, same for modifications.
All "random data" is processed in the flash memory so it does not affect interneal or SD.
Formatting is not recommended for a SD or USB unless you have errors or need to change the entire filesystem, a delete of all files and folders is sufficient.
There is no such thing as fragmentation on SD cards, at least not in the way known from a HDD.
It does not matter if a SD is in Fat, Fat32 or NTFS for example - only the SD controller reports the filesystem, internally it all stays the way the manufacturer intended it to be.
The loss of performance often comes from a slow device or things that are not really necessary like 3D buildings, overlays, many POI's on the map and so on.
Before you start thinking that your SD is too slow you might want to consider to install a naked version of GPS software and map, no extras, no skins, no gimmicks.
Since the internal memory is often quite fast an installion there with a map can give you a comparison.
One major factor that is often overlooked is the way the device reads and writes the data to SD - many devices only use a USB1.1 "connection" internally or have other speed limiting factors.
A read/write test in a card reader will show that :
Four test are required (only writing as reading should be faster anyway).
With a SD card reader
1. copy a huge file on the SD, for example a movie and note the time it takes.
2. copy many small files ( a few hundred) to the SD and note the time.
Test 1 checks the basic write speed, test 2 considers the SD controller speed as well.
3 and 4. Same as above but using the SD inside the device connected to the PC.
The only reason why anyone would need a Class higher than 4 is for video or digital cams as the speed has an effect on the number of pictures that could be taken in series and for video if the SD is fast enough for full HD including 5.1 sound or recording in 3D.
For normal use the SD Class should not matter at all as we mostly do reading - especially at the startup of a GPS program (here you might notice a slight difference if using a faster SD).
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