Hardware Allocation Unit Size for microSDs

[R4ismychildhood]

Hi. I'm deciding what allocation unit size I'm gonna use for my 64GB SDXC for my N3DSXL.

https://3ds.hacks.guide/
The guide says 'If you need to format a brand new SD card, you can use guiformat and set to an Allocation Unit Size of 32K (32768). If your SD card is 64GB or larger, use an Allocation Unit Size of 64K (65536) instead.'

My question is even the Switch uses 32K according to the steps from (https://nh-server.github.io/switch-guide/user_guide/emummc/partitioning_sd/), (results checked by hekate), I use a 256GB SDXC on that one; why does the 3DS require a larger allocation unit size than the newer and more powerful Switch?

P.S. There's no official guide for formatting for DS flashcarts on 3DS. Is 32K for FAT32 the best choice and why?

Thank you.

 

[fmkid]

My question is even the Switch uses 32K according to the steps from (https://nh-server.github.io/switch-guide/user_guide/emummc/partitioning_sd/), (results checked by hekate), I use a 256GB SDXC on that one; why does the 3DS require a larger allocation unit size than the newer and more powerful Switch?

I don't want to sound rude, but, for Switch related questions, you have its own forum here (perharps there you will get the answer that you need about):
https://gbatemp.net/categories/nintendo-switch-discussions.282/

P.S. There's no official guide for formatting for DS flashcarts on 3DS. Is 32K for FAT32 the best choice and why?

I say yes to your presumption. And because a 32kB cluster size is a good choice thinking on R/W file proccessing and compatibility with the flashcard. It's basically an standard, if you will.

The general explanation for cluster size effects is (having in account that files are divided and stored on that clusters):

• The more cluster size, the faster R/W proccessing speed on the SD card.
• But also, the more cluster size, the more size for storing files on the SD card.

 

[R4ismychildhood]

I don't want to sound rude, but, for Switch related questions, you have its own forum here (perharps there you will get the answer that you need about):
https://gbatemp.net/categories/nintendo-switch-discussions.282/


I say yes to your presumption. And because a 32kB cluster size is a good choice thinking on R/W file proccessing and compatibility with the flashcard. It's basically an standard, if you will.

The general explanation for cluster size effects is (having in account that files are divided and stored on that clusters):

• The more cluster size, the faster R/W proccessing speed on the SD card.
• But also, the more cluster size, the more size for storing files on the SD card.

Thanks for the explanation on microSD for DS flashcarts on 3DS. I'm not asking about the Switch microSD formatting, I was asking about the 3DS microSD formatting, as it is confusing to have 64K instead of 32K on an older console.

If I post it in the Switch forum and ask 'why does 3DS use 64K instead of Switch's 32K' than that would be irrelevant. The subject is the 3DS microSD.

 

[fmkid]

Thanks for the explanation on microSD for DS flashcarts on 3DS. I'm not asking about the Switch microSD formatting, I was asking about the 3DS microSD formatting, as it is confusing to have 64K instead of 32K on an older console.

If I post it in the Switch forum and ask 'why does 3DS use 64K instead of Switch's 32K' than that would be irrelevant. The subject is the 3DS microSD.

Oh, ok. I misread your question about. Sorry

And answer is usually:

• 32kB for SD/SDHC type (32GB or less)
• 64kB for SDXC type (64GB or above).

However, in the exclusive case of 64GB cards, 32kB cluster size is also recommended and works very well

 

[R4ismychildhood]

Oh, ok. I misread your question about. Sorry

And answer is usually:

• 32kB for SD/SDHC type (32GB or less)
• 64kB for SDXC type (64GB or above).

However, in the exclusive case of 64GB cards, 32kB cluster size is also recommended and works very well

Thanks! Just wanna make sure I made the right choice and didn't overlook anything. I'll follow the guide and use 64k for now.

 

[yuyuyup]

Well I use 64kb for my 128gb upon TurdPooCharger recommendation, but he also alluded to 64kb having issues with the theme shuffler "anemone" I haven't had any issues but I'm sure he can speak on it, here is the info about that specific issue https://github.com/astronautlevel2/Anemone3DS/issues/132