Page 22 - Computer Power User - February 2017
P. 22

“Solid-state drives grab
                                                                                   all the headlines, but this
                                                                                 memory card knows how
                                                                                   to wield its NAND, too.”



                                                                                  Benchmark Results*  Patriot Memory
                                                                                                   LX Series 256GB

                                                                                  CrystalDiskMark 5.2.1
                                                                                  Sequential read  83.68
                                                                                  Sequential write  71.09
                                                                                  2GB Folder Transfer
                                                                  LX Series 256GB
                                                                                  Read             56.35
                                                                       $199.99
                                                                   Patriot Memory  Write           15.75
                                                             www.patriotmemory.com  *all results in MBps


           Patriot Memory LX Series 256GB



             or a while, we forgot about memory   So, apologies for the belabored   time comes to move everything to a PC,
           F cards. They were indispensable during the   introduction, but there are plenty of reasons   expect the LX Series card to make short
           era of digital cameras (and they’re still vital for   that Patriot’s recently announced 256GB   work of the transfer.
           prosumers using D-SLRs), supplying enough   LX Series microSDXC card deserves time in   To test the 256GB LX Series
           ammo to take thousands of shots without   the spotlight. Most of the time, we turn to   microSDXC card, we dropped it into the
           needing to reload. Once smartphones and   Patriot for DDR4 and solid-state drives, but   mircoSD slot of a Dell Venue 11 Pro tablet,
           cloud storage came along, casual types   the company churns out memory cards like   which includes a 1.6GHz Intel Core i5-
           stopped lugging around a separate camera,   the LX Series on a regular basis, too. Patriot   4300Y, 8GB of DDR3-1600, and a 256GB
           which of course obviated the need for   debuted the 256GB LX Series card at CES;   SanDisk X110 SSD. First, we pitted the
           capacious memory cards. Niche markets still   power users take note.  card against CrystalDiskMark’s sequential
           demanded them, but SD, CF, microSD, and   Armed with a complement of 3D TLC   read and write tests. Next, we transferred
           other varieties of pint-sized removable storage   NAND, the new LX Series microSDXC   a 2GB folder of assorted files to and from
           needed to find new homes.          card follows the same trend we’ve seen with   the card, timing the trip each direction.
             Leave it to enthusiasts to revitalize demand   solid-state drives. TLC NAND allows for   Predictably, the LX Series card likes to eat
           for big and fast memory cards. Photos are so   more storage without compromising much   big bites of data: Images and videos flew
           2004. Now, we’re using action cameras and   throughput. As a result, this card can claim   back and forth between card and tablet,
           zipping through the sky with drones. Digital   some fairly impressive reads and writes.   while tiny Office files caused throughput
           images? That’s rich. Now, 4K video is all the   According to Patriot, with the pedal to the   (particular writes) to plummet.
           rage, so high-performance memory cards   metal, the new LX Series card cruises along   SSDs grab all the headlines, but this
           with hundreds of gigabytes of capacity are   at 90MBps for sequential reads. The card’s   memory card knows how to wield its
           more important than ever.          maximum sequential writes are nearly as as   NAND, too. Not everyone needs a memory
             But don’t count out smartphones   fast, maxing out at 80MBps. Bottom line:   card with a quarter of a terabyte of storage,
           (and tablets), either. Plenty of Android   You can fill up the 256GB LX Series with   but for those who do, Patriot’s 256GB LX
           devices have expandable storage, another   massive amounts of media, whether that’s   Series microSDXC doesn’t disappoint.  ■
           opportunity for truly superior memory   hours of 4K video, thousands of  hi-res
           cards to give power users a leg up.  images, or a mix of both. Then, when the            BY VINCE COGLEY


            Specs: Capacity: 256GB; Maximum sequential read/write (advertised): 90MBps, 80MBps; Class 10; U3-qualified; SD adapter included; Warranty: Two years
            Test system specs: Processor: 1.6GHz Intel Core i5-4300Y; RAM: 8GB DDR3-1600; Storage: 256GB SanDisk X110: OS: Windows 10 Enterprise




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