8MB or 2MB Cache for A Boot Drive?

[HarryManback]

I recently picked up a 7200rpm 8mb cache drive to go with my 7200rpm 2mb drive. Is it worth making the 8mb my main drive and putting the OS on it, or is it really not going to make that much of a difference? I've read some conflicting reports regarding the performance gains of the 8mb cache compared to the 2mb. Thanks in advance for any comments

 

[thorin]

8mb for boot drive .... hands down, no questions

Thorin

 

[bgeh]

definitely 8mb

 

[HarryManback]

Sounds like the 8mb boot drive is the way to go. What about gaming performance though? I imagine that the 8mb cache helps speed up file transfers and programming loading, but will putting games on the that drive make a difference? I asssume most games actually run from memory (provided you have enough) so I don't imagine there would be much of a performance gain there.

 

[thorin]

Heh your games (and computer) can only hold so much in RAM (and games are designed to work on systems with 256 min) so alot of HD reading/swapping is going on during map loads etc.....

Thorin

 

[HarryManback]

I currently have 768mb of RAM, but I can see how it could improve the loading time for maps and such. I guess the smart thing to do is watch my drive light next time during a game and see how often it's being hit. Anxious to see how a 8mb cache drive performs compared tp the 2mb.

 

[Serp86]

it IS better but NOT magical.

however, since you have both, it would be a waste to boot from the 2mb one

 

[Whitedog]

I will never buy another Hard Drive with less than 8MB cache. Ever. Makes no since (from an enthusiasts perspective).

I assume it's large enough.... so use the 8MB for everything (partition it if you have to) and only use the 2MB for storage.

my .02

 

[chin311]

8mb for sure

i want a 8mb cache HD /cries

 

[HarryManback]

Thanks for the replies everyone! So how about the swap file?? I understand putting it on the other drive is the way to go, but since my other drive will only have 2mb cache, is it better to leave it on the 8mb??

 

[Whitedog]

Just get more memory (if you don't have like 512MB). Then you don't have to "concern yourself" with a swap file... as it wouldn't be used hardly.

The best place to put it though, is on your "storage" drive... as it free's up space on the drive you load programs, plus, the storage drive is not being used during program execution (which would be when the swap file would be used). I don't think having your swap on a 2MB drive is going to kill you!

 

[HarryManback]

I do have 768mb of RAM, so like you said, the swap file shouldn't be that critical of an issue. Plus, I was just doing some more research and discovered that unless your second drive is on a different IDE channel, moving the swap file to it is a waste. Since I only have 2 IDE channels and they're both filled to capacity, looks like I'll be leaving the swap file on the new drive anyway.

Thanks for the reply Whitedog!

 

[AthlonXP]

8mb, duh!