April 7, 2015 at 14:54A “different” look at choosing a new flash drive
Greetings to dear Khabravchan! On the pages of the Hardmaster blog today, our workshop colleague Viktor Mrikh, who will talk about the torment of choosing USB flash drives in the context of possible data recovery from them.
Very often friends and acquaintances, knowing the specifics of my work, come up with the question of choosing a good / reliable / stylish drive for storing data. Someone needs another flash drive, someone needs a memory card for a new gadget or camera. Usually I answer that all carriers are almost equally unreliable, but as a rule, such an answer few people are satisfied with and perceived as an act of disrespect and do not care about the questioner. The most stubborn ones continue to insist: “That's how you choose your flash drives and memory cards?” And I decided to answer ...
I choose such drives from which it is possible, in case of any trouble, to restore data with the greatest probability. The specifics of my work is as follows: absolutely new Flash disks get into our company for research, and the main task is to simulate the breakdown of this flash drive and restore the contents from it.
It recovered quickly, with the help of already existing developments - well, it didn’t recover - you need to understand and replenish the knowledge and experience base. Thus, there was a situation in which a list of manufacturers of flash drives and specific media models from which data recovery, in the event of a hardware failure, is determined without any problems, is defined.
This is important, since it should be noted that today there are flash drives, the recovery of information from which has not been studied not only within the framework of our company, but also because we communicate closely with all the leading experts around the world and keep our finger on the pulse, we know that some devices are not yet recoverable in principle.
An idea came to mind. And why not review the flash drives from this installment on behalf of the data recovery engineer? Perhaps this information will be useful to someone, and it will be read before the flash drive dies, burying files that are not backed up in time.
In this article, we will talk about seven USB flash drives. All of them were bought in one of the chain stores on the same day.
For the speed test, I specifically did not use software written by my colleagues. To test the speed of the drives, the publicly available CrystalDiskMark version 3.0.3 was chosen. Very simple and clear softinka that shows:
The test was performed on the same computer, on the same port. Although most flash drives in this review have a USB 3.0 interface, often this connector is not very conveniently located and many users insert USB flash drives into the USB 2.0 connector on the front of the computer, so the review will show the operating characteristics when connected to USB 3.0 and USB 2.0.
USB 3.0
Port USB 2.0 Port
USB 3.0
Port USB 2.0 Port
USB 3.0
Port USB 2.0 Port
USB 3.0
Port USB 2.0 Port
USB 3.0
Port USB 2.0 Port
USB 3.0 port
Here, an inattentive reader will say: “Why so little ???” An attentive reader will pay attention to the packaging from this flash drive and see that it has a USB 2.0 interface. Most likely this explains the lowest price in this group of flash drives.
USB 2.0 port
USB 3.0
Port USB 2.0 Port
Transcend JetFlash 780 Drive Leader in Read Speed SanDisk Extreme Drive Leader in Write Speed
After conducting tests of read and write speeds, we will calculate several important factors that will help determine the most profitable drive in terms of several parameters.
Calculating the ratio of read speed to the cost of 1 GB of memory , we got the following values (the higher the value, the more profitable to use the drive):
Calculating the ratio of write speed to the cost of 1 GB of memory , we got the following values (the higher the value, the more profitable to use the drive):
It will also be useful to know the ratio of write speed to read speed . The closer the value is to 1, the device is more versatile, and using the drive is more “comfortable”.
So, it's time to draw basic conclusions from this bunch of pictures:
But Hollywood cinema in general, and Ethan Hunt in particular, have laid in my mind that the most important indicator of the performance of drives is recording speed .
Some manufacturers on the packaging for their drives draw read / write speed indicators in the hope that, when choosing, the buyer will pay attention to this and make a choice in favor of this product. Let's check how the declared values differ from the real ones.
Reading
Write
It is clear that near each declared value there is a small " * ", which refers to a barely noticeable text. It says that real data may differ, testing took place in special conditions and UAVs UAVs UAVs.
The most “honest” is the Transcend JetFlash 780 flash drive . Missing interest can be attributed to the measurement error. In second place are SanDisk Extreme and Toshiba SUZAKU .
Flash drives tend to break at the most inopportune moment. And it contained important data that was needed two hours ago. Frustrated, you search and find a company engaged in data recovery and go there with the hope of hearing the answer that everything will be ready in a few days.
Next, a specialist begins to recover information from flash drives. He disassembles the drive and begins to shaman and get the data piece by piece, step by step. And he thinks to himself: “Well, why again these poor-quality microcircuits, again a complex controller, etc.”
We tried to look at the flash drives presented in the review through the eyes of an data recovery engineer and evaluate them. And that’s what happened.
Let's try to evaluate the drives on a 9-point system. 4 criteria will be considered:
Dismantling memory chips
Read memory chip dump
Preliminary Conversions
Image assembly
Accordingly, the less points a drive collects in total, the higher the likelihood of data recovery and the speed of work to save these files.
The composition of any flash drive includes a controller (the microprocessor responsible for the distribution of user data) and memory chips (at least 1, but maybe several. Actually, the memory chips store data in a specific form). The task of the engineer to recover data from flash drives to simulate the operation of a controller that has failed. Let's see what our drives consist of:
1. Kingston DataTraveler HyperX 3.0
2. Toshiba SUZAKU
3. Kingston DataTraveler G4
4. Qumo Aluminum 3.0
5. Transcend JetFlash 780
6. Kingston DataTraveler 101 G2
7. SanDisk Extreme
A short-term analysis makes it clear that almost all drives have controllers and memory chips of the same generation, manufactured at the same factories. Also, these data confirm the thesis that all drives are equally unreliable, because they are made from almost the same components.
After completing all the necessary steps when recovering data from these flash drives, we got the following results:
The winner in the nomination for the most likely successful file recovery in the event of a breakdown was the Toshiba SUZAKU drive , since this flash drive scored the least points. If I chose the drive for myself, on the basis of the greatest chances of successful file recovery in the event of a hardware failure, I would choose it. Data recovery from it is the fastest, and the probability of receiving data is very high. In fairness, it should be noted that USB drives under the Toshiba brand appeared relatively recently. This is a new player in the market, such low prices are associated with the company's marketing moves, and, according to forecasts, the prices for these products will rise.
Each of you will be able to quickly and without unnecessary efforts assess the likelihood of recovering data from your flash drive in two simple steps:
By downloading from flashboot.ru a special program that will help determine the composition of the drive’s components without disassembling it. For example, Flash Drive Information Extractor 7.5
Having learned the labeling of the controller, go to the site " Solution Systems"AceLab company and search for your controller. If the controller is listed, then your data can be restored on special equipment. If disaster strikes and the flash drive still breaks, then look for specialists who use the PC-3000 Flash hardware and software system in your work. If your controller is not in the list, then advice - replace your USB flash drive with the one with which you can restore the data.
In the final, I want to add - when choosing a drive, carefully study the prices, read reviews and look at our Habra blog or on the Ait "Hardmaster." Perhaps, this flash drive has already been with us in the surveys, and the results of tests to help make the right choice.
That's all. And remember, Lost forever still can be found ...
The emergence of a "different" look at the choice of flash drives
Very often friends and acquaintances, knowing the specifics of my work, come up with the question of choosing a good / reliable / stylish drive for storing data. Someone needs another flash drive, someone needs a memory card for a new gadget or camera. Usually I answer that all carriers are almost equally unreliable, but as a rule, such an answer few people are satisfied with and perceived as an act of disrespect and do not care about the questioner. The most stubborn ones continue to insist: “That's how you choose your flash drives and memory cards?” And I decided to answer ...
I choose such drives from which it is possible, in case of any trouble, to restore data with the greatest probability. The specifics of my work is as follows: absolutely new Flash disks get into our company for research, and the main task is to simulate the breakdown of this flash drive and restore the contents from it.
It recovered quickly, with the help of already existing developments - well, it didn’t recover - you need to understand and replenish the knowledge and experience base. Thus, there was a situation in which a list of manufacturers of flash drives and specific media models from which data recovery, in the event of a hardware failure, is determined without any problems, is defined.
This is important, since it should be noted that today there are flash drives, the recovery of information from which has not been studied not only within the framework of our company, but also because we communicate closely with all the leading experts around the world and keep our finger on the pulse, we know that some devices are not yet recoverable in principle.
An idea came to mind. And why not review the flash drives from this installment on behalf of the data recovery engineer? Perhaps this information will be useful to someone, and it will be read before the flash drive dies, burying files that are not backed up in time.
Flash drives 64 GB. Prices
In this article, we will talk about seven USB flash drives. All of them were bought in one of the chain stores on the same day.
- Kingston DataTraveler HyperX 3.0 - 4 630 rub. (72.34 rub for 1 GB)
- Toshiba SUZAKU - 1 840 rub. (28.75 rub for 1 GB)
- Kingston DataTraveler G4 - 1 920 rub. (30 rubles for 1 GB)
- Qumo Aluminum 3.0 - 2 120 rub. (33.13 rubles for 1 GB)
- Transcend JetFlash 780 - 3 820 rub. (59.69 rubles per 1 GB)
- Kingston DataTraveler 101 G2 - 1 840 rub. (28.75 rub for 1 GB)
- SanDisk Extreme - 3 270 rub. (51.09 rubles per 1 GB)
Read and write speed
For the speed test, I specifically did not use software written by my colleagues. To test the speed of the drives, the publicly available CrystalDiskMark version 3.0.3 was chosen. Very simple and clear softinka that shows:
- Sequential read / write speed
- 512 Kb random read / write speed
- 4 Kb random read / write speed of blocks (Queue depth 1)
- 4 Kb random read / write speed (Queue depth 32)
The test was performed on the same computer, on the same port. Although most flash drives in this review have a USB 3.0 interface, often this connector is not very conveniently located and many users insert USB flash drives into the USB 2.0 connector on the front of the computer, so the review will show the operating characteristics when connected to USB 3.0 and USB 2.0.
Kingston DataTraveler HyperX 3.0
USB 3.0
Port USB 2.0 Port
Toshiba SUZAKU
USB 3.0
Port USB 2.0 Port
Kingston DataTraveler G4
USB 3.0
Port USB 2.0 Port
Qumo Aluminum 3.0
USB 3.0
Port USB 2.0 Port
Transcend JetFlash 780
USB 3.0
Port USB 2.0 Port
Kingston DataTraveler 101 G2
USB 3.0 port
Here, an inattentive reader will say: “Why so little ???” An attentive reader will pay attention to the packaging from this flash drive and see that it has a USB 2.0 interface. Most likely this explains the lowest price in this group of flash drives.
USB 2.0 port
Sandisk extreme
USB 3.0
Port USB 2.0 Port
Test Subtotal
Transcend JetFlash 780 Drive Leader in Read Speed SanDisk Extreme Drive Leader in Write Speed
Analysis of intermediate test results
After conducting tests of read and write speeds, we will calculate several important factors that will help determine the most profitable drive in terms of several parameters.
Calculating the ratio of read speed to the cost of 1 GB of memory , we got the following values (the higher the value, the more profitable to use the drive):
Calculating the ratio of write speed to the cost of 1 GB of memory , we got the following values (the higher the value, the more profitable to use the drive):
It will also be useful to know the ratio of write speed to read speed . The closer the value is to 1, the device is more versatile, and using the drive is more “comfortable”.
Logical conclusions
So, it's time to draw basic conclusions from this bunch of pictures:
- If the budget is very limited and you need to find the cheapest option, the obvious choice is the Toshiba SUZAKU for 1,840 rubles.
- If you need an optimal option that takes into account reading speed and cost, then the choice would be Qumo Aluminum 3.0 for 2 120 rubles.
But Hollywood cinema in general, and Ethan Hunt in particular, have laid in my mind that the most important indicator of the performance of drives is recording speed .
- Therefore, if they showed me all these tests and asked, “what would you personally choose for yourself?”, I would answer that in terms of price and performance, I would take SanDisk Extreme .
Honesty test
Some manufacturers on the packaging for their drives draw read / write speed indicators in the hope that, when choosing, the buyer will pay attention to this and make a choice in favor of this product. Let's check how the declared values differ from the real ones.
Reading
Write
It is clear that near each declared value there is a small " * ", which refers to a barely noticeable text. It says that real data may differ, testing took place in special conditions and UAVs UAVs UAVs.
The most “honest” is the Transcend JetFlash 780 flash drive . Missing interest can be attributed to the measurement error. In second place are SanDisk Extreme and Toshiba SUZAKU .
If something went wrong ...
Flash drives tend to break at the most inopportune moment. And it contained important data that was needed two hours ago. Frustrated, you search and find a company engaged in data recovery and go there with the hope of hearing the answer that everything will be ready in a few days.
Next, a specialist begins to recover information from flash drives. He disassembles the drive and begins to shaman and get the data piece by piece, step by step. And he thinks to himself: “Well, why again these poor-quality microcircuits, again a complex controller, etc.”
We tried to look at the flash drives presented in the review through the eyes of an data recovery engineer and evaluate them. And that’s what happened.
Methodology and evaluation criteria
Let's try to evaluate the drives on a 9-point system. 4 criteria will be considered:
Dismantling memory chips
- 0 points - no special problems
- 1 points - possible difficulties
- 2 points - possibly under certain conditions
Read memory chip dump
- 0 points - no special problems
- 1 points - possible difficulties
- 2 points - long / laborious, impossible
Preliminary Conversions
- 0 points - no special problems
- 1 points - possible difficulties (solved)
- 2 points - possible difficulties (currently unsolvable)
Image assembly
- 0 points - no special problems
- 1 points - difficulties are possible (solvable, laborious, time consuming)
- 2 points - difficulties are possible (so far unsolvable)
Accordingly, the less points a drive collects in total, the higher the likelihood of data recovery and the speed of work to save these files.
Drive Components
The composition of any flash drive includes a controller (the microprocessor responsible for the distribution of user data) and memory chips (at least 1, but maybe several. Actually, the memory chips store data in a specific form). The task of the engineer to recover data from flash drives to simulate the operation of a controller that has failed. Let's see what our drives consist of:
1. Kingston DataTraveler HyperX 3.0
- Phison PS2251-01-L Controller
- 4 pcs memory chips in a TLGA-52 package, manufactured by Toshiba
2. Toshiba SUZAKU
- Toshiba Controller TC58NC2303GST (Marked Phison PS2251-03-v)
- Memory chips 2 pcs in the TSOP-48 package, Toshiba production
3. Kingston DataTraveler G4
- Phison PS2251-07-V Controller
- Memory chips 1 pc in the case of TLGA-52, manufactured by Toshiba
4. Qumo Aluminum 3.0
- Phison PS2251-07-6 Controller
- Memory chips 1 pc in the case BGA-132, production Toshiba
5. Transcend JetFlash 780
- Innostor IS903 Controller
- Memory chips 2 pcs in a case BGA-132, manufactured by Samsung
6. Kingston DataTraveler 101 G2
- Phison PS2251-68-5 Controller
- Memory chips 1 pc in the case of TLGA-52, manufactured by Toshiba
7. SanDisk Extreme
- SanDisk Controller 20-82-08369-1
- Memory chips 1 pc in the case of TLGA-52, manufactured by SanDisk
A short-term analysis makes it clear that almost all drives have controllers and memory chips of the same generation, manufactured at the same factories. Also, these data confirm the thesis that all drives are equally unreliable, because they are made from almost the same components.
Recovery Test Results
After completing all the necessary steps when recovering data from these flash drives, we got the following results:
The winner in the nomination for the most likely successful file recovery in the event of a breakdown was the Toshiba SUZAKU drive , since this flash drive scored the least points. If I chose the drive for myself, on the basis of the greatest chances of successful file recovery in the event of a hardware failure, I would choose it. Data recovery from it is the fastest, and the probability of receiving data is very high. In fairness, it should be noted that USB drives under the Toshiba brand appeared relatively recently. This is a new player in the market, such low prices are associated with the company's marketing moves, and, according to forecasts, the prices for these products will rise.
Practical findings
Each of you will be able to quickly and without unnecessary efforts assess the likelihood of recovering data from your flash drive in two simple steps:
By downloading from flashboot.ru a special program that will help determine the composition of the drive’s components without disassembling it. For example, Flash Drive Information Extractor 7.5
Having learned the labeling of the controller, go to the site " Solution Systems"AceLab company and search for your controller. If the controller is listed, then your data can be restored on special equipment. If disaster strikes and the flash drive still breaks, then look for specialists who use the PC-3000 Flash hardware and software system in your work. If your controller is not in the list, then advice - replace your USB flash drive with the one with which you can restore the data.
In the final, I want to add - when choosing a drive, carefully study the prices, read reviews and look at our Habra blog or on the Ait "Hardmaster." Perhaps, this flash drive has already been with us in the surveys, and the results of tests to help make the right choice.
That's all. And remember, Lost forever still can be found ...