Okay to disable Write-cache on SSD in Windows 7?

nine9s

Senior member
May 24, 2010
334
0
71
I have a Samsung 830 SSD. For the last year, I had write-cache enabled in Windows 7, but recently turned it off. I notice no difference in performance. Perhaps there is benchmark difference, I did not do any tests, but I notice nothing different.

If no perceivable difference in performance, I figured I will leave it off to remove the risk, even if small, of data loss on power failure.

Is there any other benefit to write-cache other than performance - any reason I should leave write-cache on?
 

Cerb

Elite Member
Aug 26, 2000
17,484
33
86
In theory, SSD longevity, since writes can be coalesced with caching, and some writes that are overridden never need to be made at all...but in practice, that's splitting hairs.
 

nine9s

Senior member
May 24, 2010
334
0
71
Thanks.

Perhaps I will turn it back on. I have lost power probably a dozen times, yet never had lost data, at least never had a problem, and SFC /scannow has never had to repair any files.

Is the risk of data loss pretty low if I leave write-cache enabled and keep buffer flushing enabled?
 
Last edited:

Cerb

Elite Member
Aug 26, 2000
17,484
33
86
Technically, caching should reduce it, but if you're doing lots of IO, there's plenty of chances, and if you're not, there aren't. Quantifying the difference would be difficult, at best, but I doubt it's much, either way.

Corruption that leads to bricking, while losing power, would be the worrisome thing, though, not a little data loss. NTFS has been handling data loss OK for many years, now.