How do I test the speed and performance of my memory card?Updated 9 months ago
There are four free ways to test your memory card’s performance.
CrystalDiskMark - is an open-source benchmark tool that provides in-depth insights into your memory card’s read and write speeds. It has a user-friendly interface and straightforward design that makes it perfect for quickly determining the performance of your card. CrystalDiskMark is designed for Windows, but there is a macOS version called AmorphousDiskMark developed by Katsura Shareware.
ATTO Disk Benchmark - is another free and user-friendly benchmarking tool for Windows. Many drive manufacturers use ATTO to build and test drives.
AJA System Test - is a free tool available for both Windows and Mac that simplifies the process of checking memory card speed. It provides detailed graphs that offer a comprehensive visual representation of the memory card’s performance.
Blackmagic Disk Speed Test - is a prime tool to use to measure your memory card’s performance when working with high-quality video. With the click of a button, Disk Speed Test will write-test your disk using large blocks of data and then display the result. This tool works on both macOS and Windows.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Test the Speed and Performance of Your Memory Card:
Here’s a step-by-step guide to testing your SD card speed:
Step 1: Download Software – Choose from one of the memory card speed testing programs mentioned above and install the software.
Step 2: Insert Memory Card – Place your memory card into your memory card reader. Generally, for best results, you should use a high-speed memory card reader and not your computer’s built-in reader to avoid any potential issues.
Step 3: Open the Program and Select Drive – Launch the downloaded speed tester program, and in the program interface, choose the drive corresponding to your inserted memory card.
Step 4: Initiate Testing – Look for the “Start” or “Begin” button within the program and click it to commence the speed test. You should have the results within a couple of seconds.
Step 5: Verify Consistency – For a reliable assessment, it is advisable to repeat the test 3-4 times to confirm the consistency of the results.
After completing these steps, you will have gained valuable information on the speed and performance of your memory card.
To read the full article on testing your card’s performance, click here.