lucky13
Group: Members
Posts: 1478
Joined: Feb. 2007 |
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Posted: July 17 2007,10:13 |
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| Quote | | Why does it take so long (just under 1min) to load +-50Megs off the USB stick to memory? |
Maybe this is TMI, but you asked.
Answer: Because USB is relatively slow. This PDF (for illustration purposes) has a chart showing throughput of USB 1.1, USB 2.0, Firewire 400, Firewire 800, and SATA. With USB 2.0, your maximum -- not minimum, not average, your MAXIMUM -- throughput is going to be 60 MB/s.
http://www.powerlandcomputers.com/PDF%20Brochures/firewire-usb.pdf
USB throughput is throttled by its client-server design, which uses your PC as the host controller. Here's another PDF for illustration purposes showing the architectural differences USB 2.0 and Firewire.
http://www.qimaging.com/support/downloads/documents/FirewireUSB.pdf
With all that in mind, there can be factors that can impede data transfer rates between your USB stick and your computer. Those factors include the stick you're using (not all flash memory is equal), how it's been used in the past (flash memory is not eternal; it has a limited number of write and erase cycles), and your system configuration (amount and type of RAM, etc.). It also helps if your USB bus is properly connected.
USB is still faster and more durable and convenient than floppies or ZIP disks.
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