Optimal hard drive configuration for new build?

[chisness]

I just ordered a new build from NewEgg with:

1) 300GB WD Velociraptor
2) 300GB WD Velociraptor
3) 640GB WD Caviar

My main needs are maintaining a PostgreSQL database that will probably only be a few gigs (but will be updated/accessed very often), running Vista, and storing a large amount of media.

I was thinking I'd put Vista and program installations on HD1, SQL and database software on HD 2, and media/my documents on HD 3.

How does this sound in terms of optimal performance? Is it necessary to do something special with the swap file? Should there be one on every drive or just one and if so which on which HD? I've read everything from doing nothing to manually making it 2.5x the size of memory in the machine (it will have 12GB RAM).

Thanks

 

[Blain]

With 12GB's of memory, why do you need a swap/paging file?

 

[betasub]

12GB and Vista caching optimizations? Leave the swap file to Windows.

Alternatively, set up a RAMdisk.

 

[chisness]

OK cool and as far as using the drives as I described

"I was thinking I'd put Vista and program installations on HD1, SQL and database software on HD 2, and media/my documents on HD 3. "

how does that sound?

 

[betasub]

Originally posted by: chisness
"I was thinking I'd put Vista and program installations on HD1, SQL and database software on HD 2, and media/my documents on HD 3. "

how does that sound?

:thumbsup: That would be logical 🙂

 

[imported_wired247]

sounds fine to me.


let windows manage the page file, it will take up quite a bit of space but it won't be accessed much.

I'd put the page file on a different HDD than windows

 

[Slugbait]

Originally posted by: wired247

I'd put the page file on a different HDD than windows

More specifically, on the second Velociraptor, if you choose to do this...you don't want the pagefile on a slower hard drive. In addition, you want to move the pagefile before anything else goes on that drive, and make it permanent...this will position the pagefile on the fastest part of the drive. And anything over 2x the amount of system memory sees diminishing returns.

But you're going to hit a wall at 4 gigs...you'll need to load the PAE kernel to get around it. 'nuther link for Vista. Personally, I would set permanent 4 gigs on each Velociraptor, save yourself a headache.

Quote:

Using multiple page files split over two or more physical disks is an even better idea, because your disk controller can process multiple requests to read or write data concurrently.

Originally posted by: Blain
With 12GB's of memory, why do you need a swap/paging file?

You don't get a choice in the matter...if you set all the drives to "No paging file", the OS will simply create a dynamic pagefile on C\: anyway. You can verify yourself with TaskMan or some system app like Everest. It's not just Windows that needs it, either...many games and apps also need a pagefile to be present.

 

[nineball9]

If you put your SQL and database software on a 2nd drive, you will still have registry entries (and maybe more) for them on your boot drive. Putting the actual data on a 2nd drive might be a good idea.

Get a 4th drive - internal or external depending on the value of your data - for backup purposes.

 

[chisness]

Does that mean each Veloci should have a special 4GB partition or just 1 partition and 4GB should be used by the file?

 

[Slugbait]

Originally posted by: chisness
Does that mean each Veloci should have a special 4GB partition or just 1 partition and 4GB should be used by the file?

Had to read that a few times...I think I understand what you're asking...

I'm assuming each drive will have a single partition (i.e. not partitioned). So 4 gigs is dedicated for the pagefile on the primary drive, and 4 gigs dedicated on the secondary drive.

If you partition the primary drive, the pagefile must stay on the C:\ partition. If you move it to a different partition on that drive, you will see a decrease in performance.

Likewise with the second drive: if you partition it, the pagefile needs to be on the first partition for perf reasons.

But otherwise, the optimal perf scenario is that both drives are single partitions, and each is set to have a 4 gig permanent pagefile.