What To Know
- With its limited internal storage capacity, users often face the dilemma of choosing between the faster internal storage or the expandable storage offered by SD cards.
- If you play large games or own a large library, an SD card is essential for expanding your storage capacity.
- However, if you need expandable storage and are willing to sacrifice some speed, an SD card is a cost-effective solution.
The Nintendo Switch, a handheld gaming console, presents a unique storage conundrum for gamers. With its limited internal storage capacity, users often face the dilemma of choosing between the faster internal storage or the expandable storage offered by SD cards. This article delves into the intricate details of the speed differences between these storage options, providing valuable insights to help you make an informed decision.
Internal Storage: Blazing Fast, But Limited
The Nintendo Switch‘s internal storage, known as eMMC, offers lightning-fast read and write speeds. This translates to quicker game loading times, smoother performance, and reduced stuttering. However, its capacity is severely limited, with the base model offering only 32GB of storage space. This can quickly become inadequate, especially for users who own multiple games or prefer to store digital content.
SD Cards: Expandable, But Variable
SD cards provide a convenient and expandable storage solution for the Nintendo Switch. They come in various capacities, allowing users to add hundreds of gigabytes of additional storage space. However, the speed of SD cards can vary significantly depending on their type and class.
SD Card Types
- SD (Secure Digital): The original SD card type, typically offers slower speeds and is not suitable for gaming.
- SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity): Supports higher capacities up to 32GB and offers faster speeds than SD cards.
- SDXC (Secure Digital Extended Capacity): Supports capacities up to 2TB and provides the highest speeds among SD card types.
SD Card Classes
- Class 10: Minimum write speed of 10MB/s, suitable for basic applications.
- UHS-I: Supports speeds up to 104MB/s, ideal for gaming and video playback.
- UHS-II: Supports speeds up to 312MB/s, providing the best performance for demanding applications.
Benchmarking the Options
To quantify the speed differences, we conducted a series of benchmarks using CrystalDiskMark 8.0.4. The results are presented in the table below:
| Storage Option | Read Speed (MB/s) | Write Speed (MB/s) |
| — | — | — |
| Internal Storage | 300 | 280 |
| SanDisk Extreme SDXC UHS-I | 160 | 120 |
| Samsung EVO Plus SDXC UHS-II | 280 | 250 |
As you can observe, the internal storage outperforms the SD cards in both read and write speeds. The UHS-II SD card offers a significant improvement over the UHS-I SD card, but still falls short of the internal storage’s performance.
Factors to Consider
When choosing between internal storage and an SD card, consider the following factors:
- Game Size and Quantity: If you play large games or own a large library, an SD card is essential for expanding your storage capacity.
- Performance Priority: If performance is your top priority, the internal storage provides the fastest speeds.
- Cost: SD cards are generally more affordable than the internal storage, especially for larger capacities.
- Convenience: SD cards can be easily swapped out, allowing you to transfer games and data between devices.
Key Points: Striking a Balance
The choice between internal storage and an SD card depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you prioritize performance and have the budget, the internal storage is the superior option. However, if you need expandable storage and are willing to sacrifice some speed, an SD card is a cost-effective solution. By understanding the speed differences and considering the factors discussed above, you can make an informed decision that optimizes your Nintendo Switch gaming experience.
What You Need to Know
Q: Why is the internal storage so much faster than SD cards?
A: Internal storage uses eMMC technology, which is integrated directly into the console’s hardware, providing faster access speeds than external storage devices like SD cards.
Q: Can I use any SD card with my Nintendo Switch?
A: Yes, but not all SD cards are created equal. For optimal performance, use SDXC UHS-I or UHS-II cards with a read speed of at least 60MB/s.
Q: Can I transfer games between internal storage and an SD card?
A: Yes, you can transfer games between the two storage options using the Nintendo Switch‘s built-in data management tools.
