CARDSPEED - Card Readers and Memory Cards

SDXC and SD 3.00

CARDSPEED Benchmarks · Press Releases · Market Overview · Card Readers · Formatting · Links

For information regarding the previous SD specifications up to SD 2.00, see the old SD Compatibility Page .

The SD Specification 3.00 includes these key features:

Pad layout identical to SD/SDHC cards, still 4-bit data bus, but higher clock (up to 208MHz) at lower voltage (1.8V vs. 3.3V)
Maximum clock of 208MHz (UHS-I UHS104 SDR104) for up to 104M Bytes per second (binary calculation 99MB/s)
Additional modes at 1.8V: SDR12 (25MHz), SDR25 (50MHz), SDR50 (100MHz) and DDR50 (50MHz)
Class 10 speed rating with 10MB/s minimum sustained write rate
UHS Speed Class 1 (U1 symbol) for "real-time video recording", whatever that should mean...
UHS-I bus interface indicator (I symbol) for UHS50 (50M Bytes per second) or UHS104 (104M bytes per second) interface speed
SDXC specification for cards of more than 32GB (in general from 64GB on, sometimes 48GB)
exFAT Filesystem for cards of more than 32GB (in general from 64GB on, sometimes 48GB)

The SD Specification 4.00 will introduce a second row of pads, allowing a transfer rate of up to 312M Bytes per second (UHS-II). Future plans are to double that rate with the next specification.

Summary of SD modes:

UHS UHS Transfer Transfer Theoretical Real-World

Introduced Interface Mode Voltage Data Clock Mode Decimal Rate X-Rate Rate X-Rate

SD 1.0 3.3V 4bit 25MHz DS 12.5M B/s 11.92MB/s 81× ~11.5MB/s ~75×

SD 3.0 1.8V 4bit 25MHz SDR12 12.5M B/s 11.92MB/s 81× ~11.5MB/s ~75×

SD 1.1 3.3V 4bit 50MHz HS 25.0M B/s 23.84MB/s 162× ~23.0MB/s ~150×

SD 3.0 1.8V 4bit 50MHz SDR25 25.0M B/s 23.84MB/s 162× ~23.0MB/s ~150×

SD 3.0 UHS-I UHS50 1.8V 2×4bit 50MHz DDR50 50.0M B/s 47.68MB/s 325× ~45.5MB/s ~310×

SD 3.0 UHS-I UHS50 1.8V 4bit 100MHz SDR50 50.0M B/s 47.68MB/s 325× ~45.5MB/s ~310×

SD 3.0 UHS-I UHS104 1.8V 4bit 208MHz SDR104 104.0M B/s 99.18MB/s 677× ~95.0MB/s ~650×

	UHS	UHS				Transfer	Transfer	Theoretical	Real-World
Introduced	Interface	Mode	Voltage	Data	Clock	Mode	Decimal	Rate	X-Rate	Rate	X-Rate
SD 1.0			3.3V	4bit	25MHz	DS	12.5M B/s	11.92MB/s	81×	~11.5MB/s	~75×
SD 3.0			1.8V	4bit	25MHz	SDR12	12.5M B/s	11.92MB/s	81×	~11.5MB/s	~75×
SD 1.1			3.3V	4bit	50MHz	HS	25.0M B/s	23.84MB/s	162×	~23.0MB/s	~150×
SD 3.0			1.8V	4bit	50MHz	SDR25	25.0M B/s	23.84MB/s	162×	~23.0MB/s	~150×
SD 3.0	UHS-I	UHS50	1.8V	2×4bit	50MHz	DDR50	50.0M B/s	47.68MB/s	325×	~45.5MB/s	~310×
SD 3.0	UHS-I	UHS50	1.8V	4bit	100MHz	SDR50	50.0M B/s	47.68MB/s	325×	~45.5MB/s	~310×
SD 3.0	UHS-I	UHS104	1.8V	4bit	208MHz	SDR104	104.0M B/s	99.18MB/s	677×	~95.0MB/s	~650×

CARDSPEED Benchmark Results

Card	Read		Write		Type	Interface
integral/Toshiba SDXC UHS-I 64GB	60.81MB/s	415x	38.45MB/s	262x	SDXC	UHS104
SanDisk Extreme Pro SDHC UHS-I 32GB	45.48MB/s	310x	44.13MB/s	301x	SDHC	UHS50
Panasonic GOLD UHS-I SDHC 8GB	71.18MB/s	485x	18.73MB/s	127x	SDHC	UHS104

Press Releases

Important press releases...

2008-08-27: » SanDisk Extreme III 30MB/s Class 6 SDHC
2009-01-07: » SDXC Announced
2009-06-24: » SanDisk Extreme 30MB/s Class 10 SDHC
2009-08-04: » Toshiba 60MB/s UHS-I SDHC/SDXC
2010-01-20: » Panasonic 48GB and 64GB SDXC (RP-SDW)
2010-06-01: » Kingston 64GB UHS-I SDXC
2010-06-23: » Speed Class 10 and UHS-I Symbols introduced
2010-09-02: » SD 4.00 Teaser
2010-09-02: » Toshiba 95MB/s SDHC and 40MB/s microSDHC
2010-09-03: » Panasonic 60MB/s UHS-I SDHC (RP-SDY)
2011-01-03: » Lexar Professional 133x SDXC 128GB
2011-01-05: » Kingston ultimateXX UHS-I SDHC
2011-01-05: » UHS-II Announced
2011-01-17: » SanDisk Extreme Pro UHS-I SDHC
2011-05-25: » Panasonic RP-SDA 90MB/s SDHC
2011-09-14: » SanDisk 95/90MB/s Extreme PRO SDHC/SDXC and Mobile Ultra microSDXC

Market Overview

Faster SDHC Cards · UHS SDHC Cards · SDXC Cards

Faster SDHC Cards
Last Update: 2010-09-09

Brand Series Class Mode Speed 4GB 8GB 16GB 32GB

SanDisk Extreme III SDHC Class 6 30MB/s 30MB/s SDSDX3-004G SDSDX3-008G SDSDX3-016G -

SanDisk Extreme SDHC Class 10 30MB/s 30MB/s SDSDX3-004G SDSDX3-008G SDSDX3-016G SDSDX3-032G

UHS SDHC Cards
Last Update: 2011-09-15

Brand Series Class Mode Speed 4GB 8GB 16GB 32GB

Delkin Elite 633 SDHC UHS 1 UHS104 95MB/s R, 80MB/s W - DDSDELITE633-8GB DDSDELITE633-16GB DDSDELITE633-32GB

Kingston ultimateXX SDHC UHS 1 UHS104 60MB/s R, 35MB/s W - SDHA1/8GB SDHA1/16GB SDHA1/32GB

Panasonic SDHC Class 10, UHS 1 UHS104 90MB/s R, 80MB/s W - RP-SDA08G RP-SDA16G RP-SDA32G

Panasonic SDHC Class 10, UHS 1 UHS104 90MB/s R, 25MB/s W - RP-SDB08G RP-SDB16G RP-SDB32G

Panasonic SDHC Class 10, UHS 1 UHS104 60MB/s - RP-SDY08G RP-SDY16G -

Pretec SDHC HD Video Class 16 ? ? - - SHS316G SHS332G

Pretec SDHC 233x Pro Class 16 ? 35MB/s R, 20MB/s W SHSP04G-I3 SHSP08G-I3 - -

Pretec SDHC 233x Class 10 ? max. 35MB/s SHS204G SHS208G SHS216G SHS232G

SanDisk Extreme Pro SDHC UHS 1 UHS104 95MB/s R, 90MB/s W - SDSDXPA-008G SDSDXPA-016G SDSDXPA-032G

SanDisk Extreme Pro SDHC UHS 1 UHS50 45MB/s R/W - SDSDXP1-008G SDSDXP1-016G SDSDXP1-032G

Toshiba SDHC Class 10, UHS 1 UHS104 95MB/s R, 80MB/s W - THNSU008GAA21J THNSU016GAA21K THNSU032GAA21L

Toshiba SDHC Class 10, UHS 1 UHS104 60MB/s R, 35MB/s W - - THNSU016GAA2BA THNSU032GAA2BB

Toshiba microSDHC Class 10, UHS 1 UHS50 DDR50 40MB/s R, 20MB/s W THNSU004GBB2A0 THNSU008GBB2A0 THNSU016GBB2A0 -

SDXC Cards
Last Update: 2011-09-15

Brand Series Class Mode Speed 48GB 64GB 96GB 128GB

A-Data SDXC Class 10 ??? ??? - ASDX64GCL10-R - -

AgfaPhoto SDXC Class 10, UHS 1 UHS104 60MB/s R, 35MB/s W - 10410 - -

Apacer SDXC Class 10, UHS 1 UHS 40MB/s - ??? - -

Buffalo SDXC Class 10, UHS 1 UHS ??? - RSDX-64GU1 - -

Delkin Elite 633 SDXC UHS 1 UHS104 95MB/s R, 45MB/s W - DDSDELITE633-64GB - -

Hama SDXC Class 10, UHS 1 UHS?? 25MB/s R, 20MB/s W - 00104379 - -

Integral ultimaPRO Class 10, UHS 1 UHS104 60MB/s R, 35MB/s W - INSDX64G10RU1 - -

Kingston SDXC Class 10, UHS 1 UHS104 60MB/s R, 35MB/s W - SD10A/64GB - -

Kingston SDXC Ultimate Class 6 HS? 133x - SD6/64GB-U - -

Lexar SDXC Class 10 HS? 133x, 20MB/s min. - LSD64GCRBxx133 - LSD128CRBxx133

Mustang SDXC Class 10 UHS?? 45MB/s R, 20MB/s W - SD64GXCCL10MU-R - -

Panasonic Gold SDXC Class 10 HS? 22MB/s RP-SDW48G RP-SDW64G - -

Patriot SDXC LX Series Class 10, UHS 1 UHS50 SDR50 ??? - PSF64GSDXC10 - -

PQI SDXC Class 10 ? ??? - ??? - -

Pretec SDXC HD Video Class 16 ??? ??? - SXC064G - -

RiData SDXC Class 10, UHS 1 UHS ??? - ??? - -

SanDisk Extreme Pro SDXC UHS 1 UHS104 95MB/s R, 90MB/s W - SDSDXPA-064G - -

SanDisk Ultra SDXC Class 4 HS? 15MB/s - SDSDRH-064G - -

SanDisk Mobile Ultra microSDXC UHS 1 UHS 30MB/s - SDSDQY-064G - -

Team Group SDXC ??? ??? 30MB/s R - ??? - -

TOPRAM SDXC Class 10, UHS 1 UHS104 60MB/s R, 35MB/s W - TOPRAM64GSD - -

Toshiba SDXC Class 10, UHS 1 UHS104 60MB/s R, 35MB/s W - THNSU064GAA2BC - -

Transcend SDXC Ultimate Class 10 HS ??? - TS64GSDXC10 - -

Verbatim SDXC Class 10, UHS 1 UHS ??? - 44024 - -

Faster SDHC Cards	Last Update: 2010-09-09
Brand	Series	Class	Mode	Speed	4GB	8GB	16GB	32GB
SanDisk	Extreme III SDHC	Class 6	30MB/s	30MB/s	SDSDX3-004G	SDSDX3-008G	SDSDX3-016G	-
SanDisk	Extreme SDHC	Class 10	30MB/s	30MB/s	SDSDX3-004G	SDSDX3-008G	SDSDX3-016G	SDSDX3-032G
UHS SDHC Cards	Last Update: 2011-09-15
Brand	Series	Class	Mode	Speed	4GB	8GB	16GB	32GB
Delkin	Elite 633 SDHC	UHS 1	UHS104	95MB/s R, 80MB/s W	-	DDSDELITE633-8GB	DDSDELITE633-16GB	DDSDELITE633-32GB
Kingston	ultimateXX SDHC	UHS 1	UHS104	60MB/s R, 35MB/s W	-	SDHA1/8GB	SDHA1/16GB	SDHA1/32GB
Panasonic	SDHC	Class 10, UHS 1	UHS104	90MB/s R, 80MB/s W	-	RP-SDA08G	RP-SDA16G	RP-SDA32G
Panasonic	SDHC	Class 10, UHS 1	UHS104	90MB/s R, 25MB/s W	-	RP-SDB08G	RP-SDB16G	RP-SDB32G
Panasonic	SDHC	Class 10, UHS 1	UHS104	60MB/s	-	RP-SDY08G	RP-SDY16G	-
Pretec	SDHC HD Video	Class 16	?	?	-	-	SHS316G	SHS332G
Pretec	SDHC 233x Pro	Class 16	?	35MB/s R, 20MB/s W	SHSP04G-I3	SHSP08G-I3	-	-
Pretec	SDHC 233x	Class 10	?	max. 35MB/s	SHS204G	SHS208G	SHS216G	SHS232G
SanDisk	Extreme Pro SDHC	UHS 1	UHS104	95MB/s R, 90MB/s W	-	SDSDXPA-008G	SDSDXPA-016G	SDSDXPA-032G
SanDisk	Extreme Pro SDHC	UHS 1	UHS50	45MB/s R/W	-	SDSDXP1-008G	SDSDXP1-016G	SDSDXP1-032G
Toshiba	SDHC	Class 10, UHS 1	UHS104	95MB/s R, 80MB/s W	-	THNSU008GAA21J	THNSU016GAA21K	THNSU032GAA21L
Toshiba	SDHC	Class 10, UHS 1	UHS104	60MB/s R, 35MB/s W	-	-	THNSU016GAA2BA	THNSU032GAA2BB
Toshiba	microSDHC	Class 10, UHS 1	UHS50 DDR50	40MB/s R, 20MB/s W	THNSU004GBB2A0	THNSU008GBB2A0	THNSU016GBB2A0	-
SDXC Cards	Last Update: 2011-09-15
Brand	Series	Class	Mode	Speed	48GB	64GB	96GB	128GB
A-Data	SDXC	Class 10	???	???	-	ASDX64GCL10-R	-	-
AgfaPhoto	SDXC	Class 10, UHS 1	UHS104	60MB/s R, 35MB/s W	-	10410	-	-
Apacer	SDXC	Class 10, UHS 1	UHS	40MB/s	-	???	-	-
Buffalo	SDXC	Class 10, UHS 1	UHS	???	-	RSDX-64GU1	-	-
Delkin	Elite 633 SDXC	UHS 1	UHS104	95MB/s R, 45MB/s W	-	DDSDELITE633-64GB	-	-
Hama	SDXC	Class 10, UHS 1	UHS??	25MB/s R, 20MB/s W	-	00104379	-	-
Integral	ultimaPRO	Class 10, UHS 1	UHS104	60MB/s R, 35MB/s W	-	INSDX64G10RU1	-	-
Kingston	SDXC	Class 10, UHS 1	UHS104	60MB/s R, 35MB/s W	-	SD10A/64GB	-	-
Kingston	SDXC Ultimate	Class 6	HS?	133x	-	SD6/64GB-U	-	-
Lexar	SDXC	Class 10	HS?	133x, 20MB/s min.	-	LSD64GCRBxx133	-	LSD128CRBxx133
Mustang	SDXC	Class 10	UHS??	45MB/s R, 20MB/s W	-	SD64GXCCL10MU-R	-	-
Panasonic	Gold SDXC	Class 10	HS?	22MB/s	RP-SDW48G	RP-SDW64G	-	-
Patriot	SDXC LX Series	Class 10, UHS 1	UHS50 SDR50	???	-	PSF64GSDXC10	-	-
PQI	SDXC	Class 10	?	???	-	???	-	-
Pretec	SDXC HD Video	Class 16	???	???	-	SXC064G	-	-
RiData	SDXC	Class 10, UHS 1	UHS	???	-	???	-	-
SanDisk	Extreme Pro SDXC	UHS 1	UHS104	95MB/s R, 90MB/s W	-	SDSDXPA-064G	-	-
SanDisk	Ultra SDXC	Class 4	HS?	15MB/s	-	SDSDRH-064G	-	-
SanDisk	Mobile Ultra microSDXC	UHS 1	UHS	30MB/s	-	SDSDQY-064G	-	-
Team Group	SDXC	???	???	30MB/s R	-	???	-	-
TOPRAM	SDXC	Class 10, UHS 1	UHS104	60MB/s R, 35MB/s W	-	TOPRAM64GSD	-	-
Toshiba	SDXC	Class 10, UHS 1	UHS104	60MB/s R, 35MB/s W	-	THNSU064GAA2BC	-	-
Transcend	SDXC Ultimate	Class 10	HS	???	-	TS64GSDXC10	-	-
Verbatim	SDXC	Class 10, UHS 1	UHS	???	-	44024	-	-

SDXC Card Readers

To make use of the full speed of SD 3.0, a fast interface like, for example, PCIe x1 or USB 3.0 is required. Even USB 2.0 card readers could offer some more speed than the 20.5MB/s of SD 1.1/2.0 over USB 2.0. But it looks like there will be no USB 2.0 readers with support for UHS50 data rates.

The » JMicron JMB389 and the » Realtek RTS5209 are multi card to PCIe x1 card reader controllers with support for SDXC at full UHS-104 speed.
Below is a list of available UHS enabled ExpressCard adapters.

Manufacturer Model Controller

Carry » DR70 ?

Pretec » ERA001 JMicron JMB389

SanDisk » SDDR-300-RG56 JMicron JMB389

DeLock

» 61837 Realtek RTS5209

Manufacturer	Model	Controller
Carry	» DR70	?
Pretec	» ERA001	JMicron	JMB389
SanDisk	» SDDR-300-RG56	JMicron	JMB389
DeLock
» 61837	Realtek	RTS5209

Panasonic offered the USB 2.0 SDXC card reader » BN-SDCLP3 "right from the start", but the reader seems to be unavailable outside Japan.

» Digisol released the 65 in 1 USB 2.0 multi card reader with ITE IT1345E controller with support for SDXC cards, but only at the usual "SD High Speed".

Formatting SDXC Cards

As with SD and SDHC cards, SDXC cards should only be formatted in SDXC compliant devices. If you need to format a card through a card reader, you should use the » Panasonic SD Formatter .

The SDXC formatter was scheduled for mid February 2010, but somehow got delayed. After the SD Association released the beta version, Panasonic added a link to the SD Association website download page with the note "Current formatter is beta version. Final version will be completed around the end of March." Note: It was meant to be March 2010.

The previous version is the » Panasonic SD/SDHC Formatter 2.0 .

The website of the SD Association offers the » Beta Version of the SD Formatter 3.0 for download.

Important Links about SDXC Cards

Hans-Jürgen Reggel · http://www.hjreggel.net/cardspeed/ · 2010-01-18 ~ 2011-09-15