title: SFV/CRC32 checksum good and fast enough to check for common backup files?
body: <p>I have 3 terabytes, more than 300,000 reference files of all sizes (20, 30, 40, 200 megas each) and I usually back them up regularly (not zipped). A few months ago, I lost some files probably due to data degradation (as I did "backup" of damaged files without notice).</p>
  
  <p>I do not care about security, so do not need MD5, SHA, etc. I just want to be assured that the files I'm copying are good (the same bits and bytes) and verify that backups are intact after a few months before making backups again.</p>
  
  <p>Therefore, my needs are basic because the files are not very important and there is no need for security (no sensitive information).
  My doubt: the format/method "SFV CRC/32" is good and fast for my needs? There is something better and faster than that? I'm using the program ExactFile.</p>
  
  <p>Are there any checksum faster than SFV/CRC32 but that is not flawed? I tried using the MD5 but it is slow and since I do not need data security, I preferred the SFV/CRC32. Still, it's painful, because there are more than 300,000 files and takes hours to make the checksum of all of them, even with CPU xeon 8 cores HT and fast HDD. </p>
  
  <p>From the point of view of data integrity , there is some advantage in joining all the files in one .ZIP or .RAR instead of letting them " loose " in folders and files?</p>
  
  <p>Some tips?</p>
  
  <p>Thanks!</p>