Definitive answer on SD Cards in G55VW?

[Dan-in-TX]

Can I get a definitive answer on what kind of SD Card can be used in reader on the G55VW? I've searched, and it doesn't seem to have been answered yet.

I'd like to stick a 64GB SDXC card in there and configure it to be the Intel cache drive. And if that doesn't work well, it'll become a dedicated Virtual machine drive instead (I'll void my warranty later and install an mSATA drive).

The only info I could find here in the forum was that SDHC cards worked, but there is no mention of the higer-capacity and faster SDXC cards. I don't have a camera to support it, so I don't want to buy one if I can't use it.

[Myk_SilentShado]

Isn't there a manual that came with your G55? surely there should be something in there.....

[Dan-in-TX]

Yeah, but all it says is "3 -in-1 card reader ( SD/ MS/ MMC)". There are multiple specifications under the SD umbrella, and I can't determine whether the SDXC card is compatible. Those cards are US$50 and up - I don't want to spend it and find out that it won't work, and then have to deal with the return process.

[Myk_SilentShado]

Ok a very quick Google and short read has given me this answer which I will quote for you

SDXC memory cards use the newer “exFAT” file system that is more efficient for SDXC card’s large capacities, while SD and SDHC memory cards use the FAT32 file system. This difference is the reason that the new SDXC format is NOT backwards compatible with host devices that only take SD (128MB to 2GB) or SDHC (4GB to 32GB) cards.
PLEASE NOTE: Use of SDXC memory cards in non-SDXC compatible host devices may result in data loss, as the non-SDXC hosts do not understand the file system. Contact your device manufacturer for details.
To ensure compatibility, look for the SDXC logo on both cards and host devices (cameras, camcorders, etc.).

Q. Can I use an SDXC memory card with an SDHC host device?

No. SDXC cards are only compatible with devices that support the SDXC format. Refer to the chart below for a complete listing of SD host devices and the memory cards each supports.

The document is a few years old, but this should hopefully help you out 🙂

http://au.lexar.com/content/sdxc-faqs

[Dan-in-TX]

Thanks, Myk, but that didn't help a lot.

The only info I can gather from the hardware device from Win8 is that it's an Alcor Micro USB 2.0 card reader. Alcor's website doesn't help much either.

However, finding out that it's only USB 2.0 and not a direct access reader like I thought has changed my mind on my intended use. I guess I'll keep the 32GB card I just picked up at Costco for US$35 and use it for an extra card for the Panasonic Lumix instead.

Oh, and the deafening silence from the Asus reps has been outstanding. :rolleyes:

[Vicodin]

You have walmart where you are at? They will take anything back. Just buy one, if it doesn't work, return it. Not the best ethics, but that's what I would do. HaHa

[Vicodin]

Also, installing mSATA will not officially void your warranty. I installed one in my G55. The only "warranty void if removed sticker" is covering a screw to remove the heatsink off of the processor. The only downfall is, if you have to RMA it, you are going to have to go back in there and take that thing out. This is NO easy task by any means.