SD Strange-results - or - How I learned to love CM7 on SD - Dec-11 results compiled!

pchoi94 · Jun 13, 2011

crazylilazn said:
So, I bought a Sandisk Class 4 8GB card, and I ran it through Crystal Disk Mark, and got a Random 4 KB QD=32 value of around 1.04. I booted up from my SD and it was a lot smoother and faster than my old card. But, then I tried installing CM7 to my eMMC, and I was amazed by how much more stable it was.

Basically, is a ROM that's booted from the eMMC always going to more smooth and stable than an SD card boot? Or are there always going to be discrepancies that can't be remedied just because you're using an SD card? I had been hoping to leave my NC interal eMMC stock while I messed around happily on my SD card, but as of right now it doesn't seem possible.

That's a good question. I'm not sure what the answer is, but I can tell you that my experience with CM7 Nightly build 97 on my new Sandisk 8GB Class 2 from Costo is WAY WAY WAY better than the 7.1 Beta (2.6.32) was on the Sandisk 16GB Class 4 from Radio Shack, which itself was WAY WAY WAY better than the 7.0.2 build on my older Kingston 16GB Class 2.

I know, that's a lot of variables there. But right now, it is so silky smooth, no stutter ever, no force closes or issues whatsoever. Faster than the stock ROM on internal EMMC. And I'm not even overclocking.

Blue6IX · Jun 14, 2011

crazylilazn said:
I had been hoping to leave my NC interal eMMC stock while I messed around happily on my SD card, but as of right now it doesn't seem possible.

I run from the sdcard, not the eMMC, and it runs great. I'm using a SanDisk 16 gig class 2, that tests at a little over 1.6 on random write QD=32.

Runs the pulse news app flawlessly, and even samurai 2 with only the tiniest bit of lag.

Try getting the app "sd speed increase", you can find it on the google market, it's by a member of this community. It makes a dramatic difference in running the android os from the sdcard.

I've gotten decent results with the SanDisk 8 gig class 4 I have that tests a little over 1.0 on random write QD=32, but haven't run it as hard as my better 16.
See my sig for the link to the version of android i'm running from the card.

crazylilazn · Jun 14, 2011

Alright, I re-ran my Sandisk C4 8GB through CrystalDiskMark again, and I got 1.153. It's on the lower end of most everyone elses' benchmarks. Should I return mine to Fry's and get a replacement in the hopes that it will go up? Or should I just leave it as it is?

Blue6IX said:
I run from the sdcard, not the eMMC, and it runs great. I'm using a SanDisk 16 gig class 2, that tests at a little over 1.6 on random write QD=32.

Runs the pulse news app flawlessly, and even samurai 2 with only the tiniest bit of lag.

Try getting the app "sd speed increase", you can find it on the google market, it's by a member of this community. It makes a dramatic difference in running the android os from the sdcard.

I've gotten decent results with the SanDisk 8 gig class 4 I have that tests a little over 1.0 on random write QD=32, but haven't run it as hard as my better 16.
See my sig for the link to the version of android i'm running from the card.

And thanks for the suggestion about the SD Speed Increase app. I actually have that on my N1, but I hadn't thought about running it on my NC. I'll give that a shot!

Deleted member 3767071 · Jun 15, 2011

Blue6IX said:
Try getting the app "sd speed increase", you can find it on the google market, it's by a member of this community. It makes a dramatic difference in running the android os from the sdcard.

Has anyone with a non-Sandisk card tested to see if this app helps performance? I already returned my Transcend 8GB Class 6 for my Sandisk 8GB Class 4 so I can't test for myself.

Blue6IX · Jun 15, 2011

henhowc said:
Has anyone with a non-Sandisk card tested to see if this app helps performance? I already returned my Transcend 8GB Class 6 for my Sandisk 8GB Class 4 so I can't test for myself.

It helped a lot with my PNY class 10, which didn't test so great with the small block write. This card was just at the edge of being able to run it well, and with that app it gave it the little boost it needed to get things going reasonably well.

I still use it on my current SanDisk card, and it helps there too.

Since the bottleneck seems to be how much data the card itself can que up before it craps out, increasing the buffer of data on the device before it gets sent to the card gives it a fighting chance to keep up with what you're throwing at it.

androidmonkey · Jun 15, 2011

Is there a reason why its better to run CM7 from SD versus the internal memory? Can you revert back to stock if you flash the internal?

Taosaur · Jun 15, 2011

androidmonkey said:
Is there a reason why its better to run CM7 from SD versus the internal memory? Can you revert back to stock if you flash the internal?

The main rationales behind it are:

it preserves your warranty
you still have access to stock features (kids books, in-store reading)

Barring a hardware fault that renders your NC completely inaccessible, you certainly can return your NC to stock after installing CM7 on the eMMC. If you use a ClockworkMod SD card and don't replace stock recovery, you can restore to stock just by interrupting the boot eight times.

I haven't seen sufficient evidence that either SD or eMMC runs better than the other--maybe there's a lesser chance of getting an unstable install on eMMC, but once you have a stable install on either medium, they seem to run about equally well. It's really just a matter of what you're comfortable doing to the device and whether you want access to the stock OS (though you can also set up a stock SD, something I intend to do when I pick up a spare SD).

androidmonkey · Jun 15, 2011

Taosaur said:
The main rationales behind it are:

it preserves your warranty

you still have access to stock features (kids books, in-store reading)

Barring a hardware fault that renders your NC completely inaccessible, you certainly can return your NC to stock after installing CM7 on the eMMC. If you use a ClockworkMod SD card and don't replace stock recovery, you can restore to stock just by interrupting the boot eight times.

I haven't seen sufficient evidence that either SD or eMMC runs better than the other--maybe there's a lesser chance of getting an unstable install on eMMC, but once you have a stable install on either medium, they seem to run about equally well. It's really just a matter of what you're comfortable doing to the device and whether you want access to the stock OS (though you can also set up a stock SD, something I intend to do when I pick up a spare SD).

Thanks for the explanation. Looks like I need to goto Radioshack and grab a card before my NC comes in on Friday.

natebetween · Jun 17, 2011

Hey all...noob on this site..just getting started w/ my NC. Getting ready to get CM7 up and running.

Went to Radio Shack with my $10 coupon in hand and bought a Sandisk 8GB/4 and 16GB/4 for ~$33. I'm happy, because even if one is not great for the NC, I can still use it for several other applications.

After running CrystalDiskMark...I have to say I'm a little disappointed. Here are mysnumbers, using 5 test runs of 100MB. 50MB numbers were very similar. No Class 2 cards on the shelves.

Code:

Sandisk 16GB Class 4

Sequential Read :    10.580 MB/s
Sequential Write :     5.705 MB/s
Random Read 512KB :    10.439 MB/s
Random Write 512KB :     1.077 MB/s
Random Read 4KB (QD=1) :     2.678 MB/s [   653.8 IOPS]
Random Write 4KB (QD=1) :     0.446 MB/s [   108.9 IOPS]
Random Read 4KB (QD=32) :     2.548 MB/s [   622.1 IOPS]
Random Write 4KB (QD=32) :     0.425 MB/s [   103.7 IOPS]

Code:

Sandisk 8GB Class 4

Sequential Read :    10.594 MB/s
Sequential Write :     5.745 MB/s
Random Read 512KB :    10.489 MB/s
Random Write 512KB :     1.127 MB/s
Random Read 4KB (QD=1) :     3.145 MB/s [   767.7 IOPS]
Random Write 4KB (QD=1) :     0.482 MB/s [   117.6 IOPS]
Random Read 4KB (QD=32) :     2.997 MB/s [   731.8 IOPS]
Random Write 4KB (QD=32) :     0.466 MB/s [   113.8 IOPS]

androidmonkey · Jun 17, 2011

natebetween said:
Hey all...noob on this site..just getting started w/ my NC. Getting ready to get CM7 up and running.

Went to Radio Shack with my $10 coupon in hand and bought a Sandisk 8GB/4 and 16GB/4 for ~$33. I'm happy, because even if one is not great for the NC, I can still use it for several other applications.

Where did you get the coupon?

natebetween · Jun 17, 2011

androidmonkey said:
Where did you get the coupon?

Can't post the link since I'm a noob, but basically if you complete an online survey about your last transaction at radioshack, you can get a $10 off of $40 coupon.

Link for survey is w w w . tellradioshack . com

Basically it will take ANY info you put in it in any of the fields. If you haven't been to RS lately, I suggest you look up the store number of a RS near you and give them ALL perfect marks...that way you don't ding someone's store when you're trying to get your coupon.

Price for both was $39.98, but manager let it go through.

jay_ntwr · Jun 17, 2011

I have a very stable 8GB SanDisk Class 4 but can't get the CrystalDiskMark 3.0.1 to run. Each time I try it says that "Failed Create File". I'm right clicking on both the 32 bit and 64 bit versions and run as admin in Windows 7 64bit on my laptop w/ the built in SD card reader and an adapter. Any ideas? Should the cards be formatted first or will this work as long as there is free space on them? There is little info in the help file or online as far as I can tell.

I also have a Microcenter 16GB Class 4 that works fine except for the web browsing thing. I was wondering if there is a way that I can rip the .img file off that card and move it to a SanDisk 16GB card with the "dd if=/" thing but can't figure out how to do that in Linux. I tried "sudo dd if=/dev/sdc if=/dev/sdd/ucenter.img" hoping to rip the card to an image file on a USB drive but it didn't work saying something on the order of the file wasn't present.

Thanks for the info in this thread and this forum. I'm really enjoying the Nook w/ CM7 on it.

Blue6IX · Jun 17, 2011

jay_ntwr said:
I have a very stable 8GB SanDisk Class 4 but can't get the CrystalDiskMark 3.0.1 to run. Each time I try it says that "Failed Create File". I'm right clicking on both the 32 bit and 64 bit versions and run as admin in Windows 7 64bit on my laptop w/ the built in SD card reader and an adapter. Any ideas? Should the cards be formatted first or will this work as long as there is free space on them? There is little info in the help file or online as far as I can tell.

I also have a Microcenter 16GB Class 4 that works fine except for the web browsing thing. I was wondering if there is a way that I can rip the .img file off that card and move it to a SanDisk 16GB card with the "dd if=/" thing but can't figure out how to do that in Linux. I tried "sudo dd if=/dev/sdc if=/dev/sdd/ucenter.img" hoping to rip the card to an image file on a USB drive but it didn't work saying something on the order of the file wasn't present.

Thanks for the info in this thread and this forum. I'm really enjoying the Nook w/ CM7 on it.

Check for a little switch on the side of the memory card/adapter. It's probably just set to "read only" - you can't create the file, hence the error.

jay_ntwr · Jun 17, 2011

Blue6IX said:
Check for a little switch on the side of the memory card/adapter. It's probably just set to "read only" - you can't create the file, hence the error.

My car isn't running either. Should I check for gas? Man, I feel like an idiot. That was exactly the problem. Thanks.

Also, I found a bit of a description on wikipedia for "dd" that is pretty good. I'm going to try to make an image and put it on the other card.

Results will be here when done.

jay_ntwr · Jun 17, 2011

SanDisk 8GB Class 4:
Sequential Read : 10.243 MB/s
Sequential Write : 4.118 MB/s
Random Read 512KB : 10.128 MB/s
Random Write 512KB : 1.089 MB/s
Random Read 4KB (QD=1) : 2.222 MB/s [ 542.5 IOPS]
Random Write 4KB (QD=1) : 0.484 MB/s [ 118.2 IOPS]
Random Read 4KB (QD=32) : 2.239 MB/s [ 546.5 IOPS]
Random Write 4KB (QD=32) : 0.373 MB/s [ 91.2 IOPS]

MicroCenter 16GB Class 4:
Sequential Read : 15.749 MB/s
Sequential Write : 7.619 MB/s
Random Read 512KB : 15.197 MB/s
Random Write 512KB : 1.160 MB/s
Random Read 4KB (QD=1) : 2.528 MB/s [ 617.1 IOPS]
Random Write 4KB (QD=1) : 0.034 MB/s [ 8.2 IOPS]
Random Read 4KB (QD=32) : 2.757 MB/s [ 673.2 IOPS]
Random Write 4KB (QD=32) : 0.040 MB/s [ 9.8 IOPS]

SanDisk 16GB Class 2 (at least 2 years old from my phone):
Sequential Read : 19.416 MB/s
Sequential Write : 11.682 MB/s
Random Read 512KB : 19.135 MB/s
Random Write 512KB : 2.156 MB/s
Random Read 4KB (QD=1) : 3.299 MB/s [ 805.3 IOPS]
Random Write 4KB (QD=1) : 0.021 MB/s [ 5.2 IOPS]
Random Read 4KB (QD=32) : 3.450 MB/s [ 842.3 IOPS]
Random Write 4KB (QD=32) : 0.028 MB/s [ 6.9 IOPS]

SanDisk 16GB Class 4 (brand new, just purchased)
Sequential Read : 10.276 MB/s
Sequential Write : 5.470 MB/s
Random Read 512KB : 10.117 MB/s
Random Write 512KB : 1.319 MB/s
Random Read 4KB (QD=1) : 2.180 MB/s [ 532.2 IOPS]
Random Write 4KB (QD=1) : 0.431 MB/s [ 105.2 IOPS]
Random Read 4KB (QD=32) : 2.249 MB/s [ 549.1 IOPS]
Random Write 4KB (QD=32) : 0.503 MB/s [ 122.7 IOPS]

SanDisk 32GB Class 4 (brand new, got off eBay)
Sequential Read : 19.464 MB/s
Sequential Write : 6.450 MB/s
Random Read 512KB : 18.915 MB/s
Random Write 512KB : 2.097 MB/s
Random Read 4KB (QD=1) : 2.640 MB/s [ 644.6 IOPS]
Random Write 4KB (QD=1) : 0.540 MB/s [ 131.9 IOPS]
Random Read 4KB (QD=32) : 3.176 MB/s [ 775.5 IOPS]
Random Write 4KB (QD=32) : 0.607 MB/s [ 148.2 IOPS]

Aerlock · Jun 17, 2011

For those looking for a specific place to purchase a card instead of hoping an praying that the one you find at your local B&M will work like I have been (up to 3 16GB cards right now 1 good 2 bad for CM7 on SD), this card right here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004XZY71G

benches in the included adapter at:

Sequential Read : 10.535 MB/s
Sequential Write : 6.072 MB/s
Random Read 512KB : 10.370 MB/s
Random Write 512KB : 0.880 MB/s
Random Read 4KB (QD=1) : 2.439 MB/s [ 595.4 IOPS]
Random Write 4KB (QD=1) : 1.281 MB/s [ 312.8 IOPS]
Random Read 4KB (QD=32) : 2.679 MB/s [ 654.0 IOPS]
Random Write 4KB (QD=32) : 1.300 MB/s [ 317.4 IOPS]

Test : 100 MB [G: 0.0% (0.0/14.8 GB)] (x5)
Now these numbers seem to change for me depending on the test. The first test I ran on the Random 4k QD=32 got me 1.5MB/s write. The next 2 got me .8 and .9. This last one got the above. Curious about that but it seems I have a winner for CM7 on SD. I'll have to wait til Monday to try it our since I'm currently not able to access the internet at home.

- Aerlock

natebetween · Jun 18, 2011

Thanks for the great posts all...I'm up and running and my Sandisk 8GB card is doing just fine. Gonna try it all over again with the 16GB card to see if I notice any difference.

Now on to the customizing!

Grogck · Jun 21, 2011

Picked up a Nook and am planning on grabbing a card at lunch. I gather from reading/searching this thread that Sandisk class 2/4 is a good general rule of thumb, but have noticed the 8GB versions seem to get mentioned a lot more often. Are the 16GB versions less reliable?

Staples/Radio Shack both have the 16GB Sandisk (class 2) on sale for the same price as the class 2 8GB so I was planning to pick the 16GB model up unless it's more prone to flakiness.

androidmonkey · Jun 21, 2011

Grogck said:
Picked up a Nook and am planning on grabbing a card at lunch. I gather from reading/searching this thread that Sandisk class 2/4 is a good general rule of thumb, but have noticed the 8GB versions seem to get mentioned a lot more often. Are the 16GB versions less reliable?

Staples/Radio Shack both have the 16GB Sandisk (class 2) on sale for the same price as the class 2 8GB so I was planning to pick the 16GB model up unless it's more prone to flakiness.

I am running a Sandisk 16GB Class 4, seems to be running pretty good.

How can I test how fast this card is in the Nook compared to others?

Blue6IX · Jun 21, 2011

Grogck said:
Picked up a Nook and am planning on grabbing a card at lunch. I gather from reading/searching this thread that Sandisk class 2/4 is a good general rule of thumb, but have noticed the 8GB versions seem to get mentioned a lot more often. Are the 16GB versions less reliable?

Staples/Radio Shack both have the 16GB Sandisk (class 2) on sale for the same price as the class 2 8GB so I was planning to pick the 16GB model up unless it's more prone to flakiness.

No, the 8 gig are just more available, and cost less money.

I have 5 of the 8 gig SanDisk class 4 cards. I have 3 of the SanDisk 16 gig cards, one in class 2, the others in class 4.

The 16 gig SanDisk cards outperform the 8 gig SanDisk cards across the board.

Consider that any one of my 8 gig SanDisk cards would run android fine, but the 16 gig cards run it better.

We generally recommend the SanDisk class 2 or 4 in either 4 or 8 gig capacities, due to cost and availability.

The results vary a lot from card to card, but all SanDisk results are many orders of magnitude faster then anything else we've seen so far - with regards to small block write.

From my own personal experience, and a few scattered results posted by people with 16 gig SanDisk cards, i'd say the 16 gig was a better buy then the 8 gig.

The general advice from the forum being more cautious, tested and true, the 8 gig version is recommended.

Whatever you do, just make sure it's SanDisk.

Edit to add:

androidmonkey said:
I am running a Sandisk 16GB Class 4, seems to be running pretty good.

How can I test how fast this card is in the Nook compared to others?

Link : Crystal Disk Mark

To compare results to the most other tests in this thread, use the 50mb test at 5 times.

Just make sure to un-check the bundled promotional software when you install it.

You should test all, but the statistic that's most important for running the android os is the "4k QD=32" (write)

Something like .5 or better to run android smoothly, with live wallpapers and resource hungry apps like pulse.

Anything under .5 can potentially limit your usability of the device, but there are things you can do to help it.

Someone else who's been playing along may swing by sooner then i'll be back if you need more info, but probably everything else you need is spread out back to the beginning of the thread.

SD Strange-results - or - How I learned to love CM7 on SD - Dec-11 results compiled!

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