On my previous review, I tested both Lexar and Samsung express cards to see what the real world performance would be compared to the advertised specifications from the manufacturer. Today, I was able to get the "Gameplay' version of the SanDisk 512GB MicroSD Express Card ($78) from Walmart with some surprising results.
Moving MKW between Switch 2 and MicroSD EX: [Speeds calculated using Data Transfer Calculator]
| Brand | MicroSD EX -> Internal SSD | Read Speed | Internal SSD -> MicroSD EX | Write Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandisk | 4:02 | 90.5 MB/s | 3:30 | 104.3 MB/s |
| Lexar | 3:52 | 94.4 MB/s | 5:16 | 69.3 MB/s |
| Samsung | 3:47 | 96.48 MB/s | 5:00 | 73 MB/s |
MKW boot up times from Menu (1st time booting up NOT from sleep mode):
– Internal storage: 15.53s
– SanDisk: 17.20s
– Lexar: 20.35s
– Samsung: 19.75s
Before you ask……yes, I've tested SanDisk's Read speed multiple times, but came up with consistent results. Despite taking the "longest" to move MKW to the internal SSD however, SanDisk somehow outperforms the other two cards in the MKW loading time by a decent margin, which makes me scratch my head. As for the write speeds, SanDisk dominates the other two express cards thanks to the better sustained write performance. I also recently discovered that Lexar doesn't seem to be close to the advertised 600MB/s of Write speed. I have since returned the Lexar 1TB and opted to keep the SanDisk 512GB thanks to its superior price-to-performance ($220 for Lexar vs $78 for SanDisk)
by unknownbystander
22 Comments
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Ofc sandisk would be better. I thought it was obvious no
Test the Onn brand from Walmart
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clearly, sandisk is better optimized for discontiguous reads, and that’s what’s actually important to game performance. having a higher sustained read speed is worthless if you spend so much more time looking for what the game wants to read.
I’m interested in specs for the 256GB Mario themed one too, if you have them please!
Dude, wtf, I want those little figures holding the card. They’re cute
Was it the 1TB Lexar used in the tests, which you said you have since returned? If the other cards were 512GB then it’s not really apples to apples comparison. If it was Lexar 512GB vs other 512GBs then that’s a good test setup.
The problem is I don’t think either Sandisk or Samsung have came out with 1 TB yet.
Love my 1TB, would not trade it away for a smaller 512GB storage split between 2 cards.
It looks like the Switch 2 maximum SD Card to internal is in the 90s MB/s. This doesn’t look like a SD card issue, but a Switch one.
Fantastic data! Thank you for sharing.
Now if only I could get my hands on any of them
Got the 512 Lexar. Seems fine in-game so that’ll do for now until 1tb comes right down. Glad to have more storage space though it’s almost a necessity.
I did a transfer again with mkw from internal memory to micro sd and it took 5 mins 21 seconds to transfer. This is for 1tb lexar
Sandisk is selling unreliable garbage
I have a sandisk gameplay coming in a few days. Ebay seller had the 512s for grabs at $88 free ship, $10 over walmart but save time/money for gas.
Why is it impossible to find a 1 TB card?
Can you test gamestop ones?
Im curious about them since the price for 1tb is great
Is $78 okay for that amount of storage? Saw it today at Walmart but reconsidered as I don’t have that many SW2 digital games. But might need it next year.
So the Switch is basically saying ‘I’m not fast enough for you’ to these cards. Good to know for the Switch 2 though!
Awesome write up! I’m glad we have some actual numbers now. I got downvoted to hell for simply saying I prefer SanDisc over Luxar. Iv had a lot of issues with Luxar in the past so it’s all personal preference at the end of the day but it’s nice to see that SanDisc is ahead of the game even if it’s only a minor thing.
Gonna take me a while to fill up my 2’s drive, I’m sure we’ll have a lot more options in a year or two
Glad the cheapest option is the best one.
INTERNAL STORAGE IT IS
…man. When I went to the store to buy one, they gave me the Samsung one, and I contemplated asking for the SanDisk but decided there doesn’t seem to really be a difference so I just took it. I now regret that decision