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Question about a 64GB MicroSD card for the 3DS

L

L~A

Member
Since my 32GB SD Card is almost full (don't think it'll last until the end of the year), I'm looking into replacing it with a 64GB card (128GB is way too expensive for now) for my 3DS. And since Nintendo revealed the New 3DS yesterday, and this one doesn't work with regular SD Cards (there's only a MicroSD port), I've been looking into MicroSD Cards, so that I can switch before doing the 3DS > N3DS transfer next year.

I actually found one card, and I'd like to know if it's good enough (by good I mean : it'll work with the 3DS, speeds are good enough).

It's a SanDisk SDSDQU-064G-FFP Ultra 64 GB Class 10 Micro SD Card

10 UHS-I Class
Read speed : up to 30 Mo/s

I'd also like to get some feedback from fellow gaffers who already upgraded to a 32GB+ SD Card (since the 3DS doesn't officially support those). Any funny things happening (like slowdowns, crashes, files getting corrupted)? I know you have to format the card (FAT32), but I'd like confirmation that it's 100% safe, even when the card is almost full.

Thanks for your help!
 
I have a 32GB SD card, and I have had no problems with it in any way.

edit: Oh, you meant strictly larger than 32GB, then I cannot help, sorry.
 
Format to FAT32, and just put it in. It just works. Block size just leave it default when you use a software to format it

I have a Sony (lawl) 64 GB SD card in my 3DS.

As for speeds, anything above Class 4 which is what the 3DS comes with is fine.
 
I have a similar question if that's okay.

I was hoping to use one of the SanDisk 128 GB microSD cards with the new 3DS. Do you think it will work?
 
NeOak said:
Format to FAT32, and just put it in. It just works. Block size just leave it default when you use a software to format it.
Click to expand...

While that'll usually work, the support isn't flawless. Some people have issues with the system spontaneously saying the card cannot be found when using SDHX cards, even when formatted to FAT32. Usually a reboot fixes it and I haven't heard anything about data getting corrupted, but still, there definitely is a chance for issues.
 
L~A said:
Since my 32GB SD Card is almost full (don't think it'll last until the end of the year), I'm looking into replacing it with a 64GB card (128GB is way too expensive for now) for my 3DS. And since Nintendo revealed the New 3DS yesterday, and this one doesn't work with regular SD Cards (there's only a MicroSD port), I've been looking into MicroSD Cards, so that I can switch before doing the 3DS > N3DS transfer next year.

I actually found one card, and I'd like to know if it's good enough (by good I mean : it'll work with the 3DS, speeds are good enough).

It's a SanDisk SDSDQU-064G-FFP Ultra 64 GB Class 10 Micro SD Card

10 UHS-I Class
Read speed : up to 30 Mo/s

I'd also like to get some feedback from fellow gaffers who already upgraded to a 32GB+ SD Card (since the 3DS doesn't officially support those). Any funny things happening (like slowdowns, crashes, files getting corrupted)? I know you have to format the card (FAT32), but I'd like confirmation that it's 100% safe, even when the card is almost full.

Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...


Yes, it works great ! Also buy this on instead http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00M55C1I2/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
 
I bought this 128GB SD Card for my 3DS a while back. Formatted it to FAT32 and it works, but I noticed that my 3DS became significantly slower after using the card. DS games and GBA games take forever to load on it, and sometimes when GBA games load, the screen will be slightly off.

Was it the way it was formatted? I used some random converter program online. Maybe some expert can explain this to me.
 
lobdale said:
The Japanese new 3DS website specifically says microSDXC cards are not supported.
Click to expand...

Well, Nintendo also said that only SD cards up to 32GB are supported by the original 3DS. I just refuse to believe that Nintendo would effectively downgrade the amount of storage you can have on a 3DS.
 
The original 3DS also doesn't support SDXC... which is why people in this thread are saying to format to FAT32. They work.
 
lobdale said:
The Japanese new 3DS website specifically says microSDXC cards are not supported.
Click to expand...

I bolded the important part. SDXC cards are SDHC with a new, proprietary file format. Make it FAT32 and you're good to go.

I'll add the information I always say in every SD 3DS thread:

While just copying the data from the old SD to the new SD usually works, sometimes and for seemingly no reason it just doesn't. It happened to me when I last changed mine. What works 100% of the time is to make a raw copy of the partition, transfer it to the new SD, and expand it. I used dd because I'm on Linux but I'm sure there are tools for every OS to do that.

Of course never erase or format the old SD before you are sure the new one is working properly. Everything is safe in the old one and you can still put it back in the console to play as if nothing ever happened.

DON'T START ANIMAL CROSSING BEFORE EVERYTHING IS DONE AND FINE. The way the game saves means you WILL fuck up your save and lose your village if you start a game without your old save. Even your old save on the old SD that you didn't mess with will be useless. Just don't fuck with Animal crossing unless everything else is fine and you are sure your save was transferred correctly.
 
NeOak said:
Format to FAT32, and just put it in. It just works. Block size just leave it default when you use a software to format it

I have a Sony (lawl) 64 GB SD card in my 3DS.

As for speeds, anything above Class 4 which is what the 3DS comes with is fine.
Click to expand...

Ah ok, thanks a bunch (especially for the speed part).

azizhud said:
Yes, it works great ! Also buy this on instead http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00M55C1I2/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Click to expand...

Nah, I just put the link as reference (so people could see which card it was), I'm not buying from there.

wrowa said:
Well, Nintendo also said that only SD cards up to 32GB are supported by the original 3DS. I just refuse to believe that Nintendo would effectively downgrade the amount of storage you can have on a 3DS.
Click to expand...

I don't think they actually could do that, unless they purposefully updated the OS to block SD cards above 32GB, I guess.

Khaz said:
I bolded the important part. SDXC cards are SDHC with a new, proprietary file format. Make it FAT32 and you're good to go.

I'll add the information I always say in every SD 3DS thread:

While just copying the data from the old SD to the new SD usually works, sometimes and for seemingly no reason it just doesn't. It happened to me when I last changed mine. What works 100% of the time is to make a raw copy of the partition, transfer it to the new SD, and expand it. I used dd because I'm on Linux but I'm sure there are tools for every OS to do that.

Of course never erase or format the old SD before you are sure the new one is working properly. Everything is safe in the old one and you can still put it back in the console to play as if nothing ever happened.

DON'T START ANIMAL CROSSING BEFORE EVERYTHING IS DONE AND FINE. The way the game saves means you WILL fuck up your save and lose your village if you start a game without your old save. Even your old save on the old SD that you didn't mess with will be useless. Just don't fuck with Animal crossing unless everything else is fine and you are sure your save was transferred correctly.
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot for the information. I wasn't going to format the old SD card anyway.

Only game that could cause problem would be Pokémon, but I know about the workaroudn (even if it doesn't work, I'll just boot Pokémon Bank, upload all my Pokémon to the cloud and call it a day, since I'm not gonna replay Pokémon X (not with ORAS coming soon).


Anyway, thanks a lot for all your answers! Ordering the card later today, will get it on Tuesday (too late for shipping today).
 
Faustek said:
Didn't Nintendo quote which third party cards would work?
And it was a 32GB something SanDisk that was the largest?
Click to expand...

Again, you can already use 64GB and 128GB cards on the current 3DS even though they aren't supported. The key is to use FAT32 for the file system.

Superblatt said:
Aren't there issues transferring the ambassador games via the copy paste method?
Click to expand...

I didn't have any issues doing so going from my launch to an XL. And even if you do, they aren't very large and can thus easily be redownloaded.
 
KojiKnight said:
Again, you can already use 64GB and 128GB cards on the current 3DS even though they aren't supported. The key is to use FAT32 for the file system.



I didn't have any issues doing so going from my launch to an XL. And even if you do, they aren't very large and can thus easily be redownloaded.
Click to expand...

What program are people using to format it to FAT32?
 
Various Peeps said:
What program are people using to format it to FAT32?

Was it the way it was formatted? I used some random converter program online.

just leave it default when you use a software to format it
Click to expand...

Surely the 3DS itself would format a blank card if inserted, and with the specs best suited for the device? I would imagine that to be the optimal way to set up your new memory card.
 
Unfortunately, I won't recommend to use 64GB Micro SDXC card on the 3DS that includes New 3DS series.

There is a report that It's very unstable when you use 64GB SD Card on 3DS Series. (Source (Korean))

It actually works. But It "JUST" works, but very unstable.
The Loading speed slightly increased, and sometimes It's out of control that suddenly and frequently stop the system.
 
catmario said:
Unfortunately, I won't recommend to use 64GB Micro SDXC card on the 3DS that includes New 3DS series.

There is a report that It's very unstable when you use 64GB SD Card on 3DS Series. (Source (Korean))

It actually works. But It "JUST" works, but very unstable.
The Loading speed slightly increased, and sometimes It's out of control that suddenly and frequently stop the system.
Click to expand...

Damnit, just ordered a 64GB. I am all digital so I need more then 32GB.
 
catmario said:
Unfortunately, I won't recommend to use 64GB Micro SDXC card on the 3DS that includes New 3DS series.

There is a report that It's very unstable when you use 64GB SD Card on 3DS Series. (Source (Korean))

It actually works. But It "JUST" works, but very unstable.
The Loading speed slightly increased, and sometimes It's out of control that suddenly and frequently stop the system.
Click to expand...

I can't imagine why this would impact the new 3DS and not the old 3DS. My old XL has had a 64 gb card for months now and I've never experienced a single issue.
 
catmario said:
Unfortunately, I won't recommend to use 64GB Micro SDXC card on the 3DS that includes New 3DS series.

There is a report that It's very unstable when you use 64GB SD Card on 3DS Series. (Source (Korean))

It actually works. But It "JUST" works, but very unstable.
The Loading speed slightly increased, and sometimes It's out of control that suddenly and frequently stop the system.
Click to expand...

What do you even mean by '3DS series'? My 64GB have been working flawlessly ever since I started using it, several months ago. Haven't tried on the N3DS XL obviously.
 
In general, what would be the best MicroSD for a New 3DS XL? I currently have an 8 GB SanDisk Ultra in my OG 3DS, but I would like at least 16 GB or even 32 if I want to splurge.
 
As long as it's class 10, quality (not cheap Chinese knock-off), everything's good.

16GB is good if you don't buy everything digital, and at least you're safe until the end of the generation. 32GB is required if you buy lots of digital stuff, especially retail games.
 
bit off topic but... meh:
will the activity log(playtime plus played games) also be transfered to my new 3ds when I do the transfer?
 
iamaustrian said:
bit off topic but... meh:
will the activity log(playtime plus played games) also be transfered to my new 3ds when I do the transfer?
Click to expand...

Yup, everything transferred. Used to have an OG 3DS, and the playtime from that time is there on my 3DS XL :)
 
I just swapped my 16GB SD card for a 64GB MicroSD (in the adapter for now) in anticipation of the New 3DS tonight actually.

I formatted it to FAT32 but it didn't work when I put it in the 3DS. Looked up the problem and my problem was I'd just chosen "FAT32" without setting options.

Repeated the process and chose the following settings:

File System: FAT32 (duh)
Type: Primary
Cluster Size: 32KB

When I did it that way, and copied my old data on the card, my 3DS recognized the 64GB card immediately.

Used the MiniTool Partition Wizard on Windows, if that helps.
 
I really want a 64gb card for my New 3DS XL so I'm shopping around to order one to receive it before my XL gets here.

Despite some positive claims in this thread, there are still a lot of claims about avoiding anything over 32GB and not buying SDXC cards... even if you format them properly, things could go wrong even if it seems to work initially.

I've read reports that even if it seems to work, once you try to put more then 32GB of data on it, all bets are off.

So I'm worried and a bit torn about what to do :/
 
Can you add the new microSD in as soon as you get the New 3DS XL or do you have to start the system first?
 
this thread

gawd dammit

I really can't deal with my 32 gig any more. It's not enough.

all this unstable shit with 64 and higher ;_;
 
Formatted a 64GB micro and now copying files off to PC from the 32GB. Has anyone who owns a 64GB card had any issues with anything past 32GB?
 
Zulithe said:
I really want a 64gb card for my New 3DS XL so I'm shopping around to order one to receive it before my XL gets here.

Despite some positive claims in this thread, there are still a lot of claims about avoiding anything over 32GB and not buying SDXC cards... even if you format them properly, things could go wrong even if it seems to work initially.

I've read reports that even if it seems to work, once you try to put more then 32GB of data on it, all bets are off.

So I'm worried and a bit torn about what to do :/
Click to expand...

It's hogwash.
Just like people saying not to use thumb drives in the Wii U.
 
Sandisk is a good brand. Have no issues with them, Samsung, and PNY.
Also yeah you got to format it to FAT32 for some reason. Guess Nintendo doesn't allow 4 GB games on their eShop.
 
To those of you using a 64gb or larger card, what cluster size did you use?

32kb or 64kb? Apparently some reports that 64kb is faster?

Man, someone really needs to make a youtube video timing this!
 
Zulithe said:
To those of you using a 64gb or larger card, what cluster size did you use?

32kb or 64kb? Apparently some reports that 64kb is faster?

Man, someone really needs to make a youtube video timing this!
Click to expand...

I used 32kb, but I've heard that as well.

By the way, does anyone know what is the highest speed class the 3ds can take advantage of? I wonder if the New 3ds can use a faster speed grade.

https://www.sdcard.org/developers/overview/speed_class/
My current SD card is UHS 1 which is probably already overkill for the older 3ds.
 
i remember reading back around the time the original 3DS came out people were saying anything over Class 2 isn't going to matter much, but I think we need to reevaluate that with the New 3DS since so much hardware has changed, it's possible there may be some difference.

Most cards you can buy now are Class 10 so for people buying new cards it shouldn't be much to worry about.
 
LegendOfFalcon said:
By the way, does anyone know what is the highest speed class the 3ds can take advantage of? I wonder if the New 3ds can use a faster speed grade.

https://www.sdcard.org/developers/overview/speed_class/
My current SD card is UHS 1 which is probably already overkill for the older 3ds.
Click to expand...
The link explains that the Speed Class is only used to indicate minimum writing speed, not reading speed, so doesn't that mean it would only matter if you are downloading a game/making a save file/recording a video? When you are playing a game only the reading speed matters (unless the game constantly autosaves).

Edit: here's another anecdotal evidence:
Starwolf_UK said:
I don't know about extreme but there is certainly speed differences to be had with various cards.

Using a test of digital Kid Icarus my spare 3DS game with an unbranded "class 10" (my ass) SDHC card and it is a lot slower on the menus and the idol toss (Kid Icarus saves when both of these things are done and won't let you advance menus or enter the home menu until these things are done, making it a lot more sluggish) when compared with my main 3DS (which was a class 4 hence the my ass comment). I've not done any formal tests of these cards on a PC.
Click to expand...
Also be sure to use the official SD formatter released by the SD Association, as recommended by Nintendo.
 
Going to piggy back this thread, how much does SD card speed matter for the 3DS? I wonder if the difference will be bigger with the new 3DS since it's faster and maybe can make better use of higher bandwidth storage?
 
Zulithe said:
To those of you using a 64gb or larger card, what cluster size did you use?

32kb or 64kb? Apparently some reports that 64kb is faster?

Man, someone really needs to make a youtube video timing this!
Click to expand...

microSD cards have very slow random access speeds. The larger the cluster size the faster it gets but you lose space.

-----
If anyone wants to buy a card buy Samsung EVO, they have the fastest small file and random read/write on the market by quite a bit.
 
I've been using a 64GB card for years now and never had a problem. I'm actually thinking about getting a 128GB microSD for my new 3DS since my 64GB is almost full.
 
So i guess this would be a good choice assuming you don't own an adapter already...

http://amzn.com/B00IVPU7AO

I know earlier in this thread this one was suggested:

http://amzn.com/B00N2ROG9O

but it comes with no adapter. also the faster speed (90MB/s as opposed to 45MB/s) won't matter because that is only for the UHS interface which 3DS does not support.

You need a way to get your microsd into your older 3DS in order to do the migration as it is explained here:

http://lofi-gaming.org.uk/blog/2015/01/15/upgrading-your-3ds-sd-card/

(Thanks to previous posters for some of these links)

Any other thoughts before I buy? :p
 
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