Description
The Lexar Professional Gold Series CFexpress Type B 4.0 card represents a generational leap in storage technology, utilizing the PCIe Gen 4 interface to double the performance of previous standards. With a massive 3600MB/s maximum read speed and a guaranteed sustained write speed of 3000MB/s, this card is engineered for the most demanding cinema cameras and high-resolution mirrorless systems. It ensures that every frame of 8K or 6K video is captured without dropped frames, significantly accelerating post-production offloading times.
- Professional Cinematographers: Those shooting in 8K RAW or high-bitrate ProRes who require consistent 3000MB/s sustained write speeds to prevent recording interruptions.
- Sports and Wildlife Photographers: Action shooters utilizing high-speed burst modes on flagship cameras like the Nikon Z9 or Canon EOS R3 who need instant buffer clearing.
- DITs and Digital Editors: Production professionals who need to offload terabytes of data quickly to meet tight turnaround deadlines using the 3600MB/s read capability.
- Outdoor and Adventure Creators: Users working in extreme climates who benefit from the wide -12°C to 72°C operating temperature range.
- Future-Proof Enthusiasts: Early adopters of next-generation camera hardware looking for the highest available bandwidth provided by the CFexpress 4.0 standard.
- Interface: PCIe Gen 4 x2
- Form Factor: CFexpress Type B
- Maximum Read Speed: 3600MB/s
- Maximum Write Speed: 3300MB/s
- Sustained Write Speed: 3000MB/s
- Available Capacities: 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, 4TB
- Operating Temperature: -12°C to 72°C (10.4°F to 161.6°F)
- Storage Temperature: -25°C to 85°C (-13°F to 185°F)
- Dimensions: 29.6mm x 38.5mm x 3.8mm
- Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty
In real-world testing, the Lexar Gold Series 4.0 card transforms the user experience by making the storage medium invisible to the creative process. When paired with a compatible CFexpress 4.0 reader, transferring a full 1TB card takes minutes rather than hours, allowing for immediate backup and editing. The thermal management is notably efficient; even during prolonged 8K recording sessions, the card maintains its 3000MB/s sustained write floor, preventing the thermal throttling often seen in lower-tier media.
Compared to standard CFexpress 2.0 Type B cards, the Lexar Gold 4.0 offers twice the theoretical bandwidth, moving from PCIe 3.0 to PCIe 4.0. While CFexpress 2.0 cards typically peak at 1700MB/s read, this Lexar card reaches 3600MB/s. It remains backward compatible with CFexpress 2.0 host devices, though speeds will be limited to the host's maximum bus speed. This makes it a superior choice over the Silver series for professionals who prioritize write consistency over cost.
- Is this card backward compatible with CFexpress 2.0 cameras? Yes, the Lexar Professional Gold CFexpress 4.0 card is backward compatible with existing CFexpress Type B cameras, though it will operate at the camera's maximum supported speed (Gen 3).
- What is the difference between maximum write speed and sustained write speed? Maximum write speed (3300MB/s) is the peak burst rate, while sustained write speed (3000MB/s) is the minimum speed the card maintains during continuous recording, which is critical for 8K video.
- Does this card require a specific reader to reach 3600MB/s? To achieve the full PCIe Gen 4 speeds, you must use a CFexpress 4.0 compatible reader connected to a high-bandwidth port like USB4 or Thunderbolt.
- How does the Lexar Gold Series handle extreme temperatures? The card is rated for operation between -12°C and 72°C, making it suitable for both freezing outdoor shoots and high-heat studio environments.
- What does the limited lifetime warranty cover? Lexar provides a limited lifetime warranty that covers manufacturing defects and hardware failures under normal use conditions for the life of the product.
