Read Performance

Large Files Sequential Reads

This test is designed to test the throughput of the flash chips. Both 1GB and 2GB DataTraveler drives had a read speed of about 13.6MB/s, which would give it a 90X rating for reads. This is a pretty high read speed, matching the Corsair Flash Voyager although speed champions like the OCZ Rally series are still much faster. The 512MB model is particularly fast at over 16.8MB/s. That's over 23% faster than the Kingston DataTravelers.

Small Files Sequential Reads

This test is designed to stress the flash controller. Although it is a more strenuous test, the DataTraveler did better here. The 2GB model managed a read speed of over 5.5MB/s while the 1GB model did better at almost 5.7MB/s. That made it virtually as fast as the OCZ 2GB Rally and just 3.3% slower than the OCZ 512MB Rally.

Random Reads

This test examines the drives' ability to support Windows Vista's ReadyBoost requirements. Although Kingston claimed a 4KB read speed of 5MB/s, both DataTraveler 1GB and 2GB managed far less. The 1GB model was faster at 2.6MB/s with the 2GB model trailing at just 2MB/s. That means only the 1GB model is actually qualified for ReadyBoost, as far as our test results show. However, both drives successfully passed the ReadyBoost test in Windows Vista, so as far as Windows Vista is concerned, both are ReadyBoost-capable.