USB Linux – Device Testing

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I wanted to try out a USB linux distro to see if it is useful to me for work/diagnostics/geeking out. Well, I have two devices to use and I wanted to test their performance. I ran SteelBytes HD Speed on both devices, and on my hard drives to get an idea of their respective speeds, so I can choose the right (read: fastest) device. I was surprised not by the USB devices, but by my hard drives.

Heres the read averages of my devices, block sizes ranging from 1KB to 16MB. The first two drives (green) are the ones I was considering using for USB linux, the others (blue) are for comparison. Model numbers and use are at the side in italics.

  • A-Data 8GB USB (Unknown Model #)(Extra Pen Drive)
    • Read 24.8 MB/s (14 MB/s on small blocks)
  • Kingston 8GB USB (DTI/8GB)(Extra Pen Drive)
    • Read 24.8 MB/s (17 MB/s on small blocks)
  • Corsair Flash Survivor (Unknown Model #)(Primary/Work Pen Drive)
    • Read 33 MB/s (25MB/s on small blocks)
  • 36GB Western Digital Raptor SATA (WD360GD-00FNA0)(1 for OS, 1 For Apps/Swap)
    • Read 56 MB/s
  • 160GB Seagate SATA (ST3160815AS)(Storage/Data Drive)
    • Read 75.4 MB/s

The results are obvious: the Kingston is the right drive. Relatively fast drive with better small block throughput would make it the likely candidate. (And the Corsair Flash Survivor is a kick ass device, BTW. Insanely fast and virtually indestructable. Faster than its reviews, and even faster than my last drive, which I thought was insanely fast to begin with. However, I digress..)

What’s really astonishing is the performance of my WD Raptors. They feel faster when I am using them for my OS/Apps drives compared to other run-of-the-mill SATA drives, even though they are older. However, they test an astonishing 20MB/s slower on reads. I think the fact that they have a 4.6ms seek average instead of an 11ms seek average makes up for the lack in throughput. By a long shot. Really.

Goes to show you that the spindle speed can do quite a bit for performance. Now, if I could only get my hands on some Velociraptors, I would be totally set. Yum.

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