HyperX Gaming microSD 128GB Review

Name: HyperX Gaming microSD 128GB
Brand: HyperX

HyperX introduces its own gaming microSD!

VIEW GALLERY - 6

Tyler Bernath

In Loving Memory

Published Nov 17, 2018 10:00 AM CST
Updated Nov 3, 2020 6:57 PM CST

Manufactured by HyperX

2 minutes & 30 seconds read time

TweakTown's Rating: 83%

The Bottom Line

The HyperX microSD is a solid choice for those that want reliable performance from their microSD solution.

VIEW GALLERY - 6 IMAGES

We typically think of RAM or its line of headsets when thinking of the HyperX brand but more recently Kingston has taken its gaming brand to new levels introducing SSDs, Portable SSDs, and MicroSD cards. Today, we have their 128GB microSD in-house.

From the outside looking in, it appears HyperX has put a large emphasis on having an all-around solid performer when it comes to their gaming microSD. Typical microSD cards are broken down into several classes. We first had Class 2 through 10 after which UHS Speed Classes were introduced that designated a card U1 or U3 and more recently we have Video Speed Class along with Application Performance Class for consumers that use memory cards for application-based workloads.

HyperX has been certified UHS-I U3 with the A1 designation, this means this card is guaranteed to provide 1500 random read IOPS and 500 random write IOPS with a minimum sustained write speed of 10 MB/s on top of being rated U3 for a sustained write speed of 30 MB/s. Confusing I Know.

The HyperX Gaming microSD is being offered in several capacity options including 64, 128 and 256GB. Performance is rated at 100 MB/s read and 80 MB/s write. Compatibility includes devices with a microSD port but is aimed at Smartphones, Tablets and Nintendo Switch. MSRP of the 128GB HyperX Gaming Micro SD comes in at $79.99 with a lifetime warranty.

Packaging is the typical bubble type we see with microSD and other memory cards. Capacity is listed in the center along with performance. To the left we have targeted uses listed as Nintendo Switch and mobile devices.

The back includes warranty information and the model number.

The card takes on the standard microSD form factor with a red on white colorway. Capacity info is listed to the right along with certifications.

Testing performance, we see a nice 92 MB/s read and 72 MB/s write.

To test the durability and performance of each microSD, I put them through a three-hour write test to make sure they don't fail or otherwise drop out. With the HyperX gaming, you can see we had a solid 79 MB/s write with very little variation for the entire three-hour test.

I had a few occasions to use the HyperX mSD in a mobile device, the first being Nintendo Switch. My experience with the card in this use case was fantastic; the card offers plenty of performance while downloading games to the card and load times were similar to internal storage. Build quality is yet to be seen as there are no noticeable defects in the card and it operates as normal, that said the HyperX does carry a lifetime warranty.

Performance was at the upper tier for microSD cards. We don't always see cards that are just as capable in write as they are in read and the HyperX delivered on this point. In testing we saw 92 MB/s read and 72 MB/s write while our stress test showed a solid 79 MB/s over the three hours tested.

The HyperX fits right in with cards like the Extreme Pro from SanDisk with similar performance and pricing. For those in the market, it's a solid choice for your Switch or Mobile device.