Possible to use SSD as write cache in Windows 7?

[jimbob200521]

I would like to add in an SSD to my server to use as a write cache between my mechanical storage and the rest of the network. Is this something that can be accomplished via Windows 7 or do I need to use a different OS?

 

[frowertr]

What's a Win 7 box doing that it is this write intensive?

I, unfortunately, have no idea what would entail enabling a write cache via Windows. It can be accomplished via ZFS or with a hardware RAID card with a cache module.

 

[jimbob200521]

What's a Win 7 box doing that it is this write intensive?

I, unfortunately, have no idea what would entail enabling a write cache via Windows. It can be accomplished via ZFS or with a hardware RAID card with a cache module.

It's doing nothing nearly intensive enough to really warrant/require it but I like to tinker and figured it'd be a fun project.

 

[frowertr]

Here is the 1st hit on Google. Have no idea if this makes it work though.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/10392-write-caching-enable-disable.html

 

[nanaki333]

I think what you want is Primocache. I use it for my servers at work so I can get the cheap mechanical drives for storage but accelerate them with an SSD; allocating ~24GB per virtual OS makes them boot and run super smooth.

https://www.romexsoftware.com/en-us/primo-cache/


I also run it on my desktops at home so I can use "deferred writing". That way it takes a bunch of random writes Windows makes in to memory, then makes just 1 write every 1 hour (or whatever you set it to).

What you want is to setup "Level 2 Cache" with it. That will let you allocate as much or little of an SSD as you want to a mechanical partition (you can accelerate arrays too). There is no limit on SSD allocation either. I generally do not use more than 60% of SSDs in this manner so as to keep them fresh for longevity. Even a small 24GB goes a long way to accelerating a partition though.


EDIT: It has a 60 day free trial to test it out and is only like $30 to purchase if you like it.

 

[sdifox]

How much ram do you have? Maybe this instead of an ssd?

http://www.superspeed.com/desktop/supercache.php

 

[Phynaz]

I think what you want is Primocache. I use it for my servers at work so I can get the cheap mechanical drives for storage but accelerate them with an SSD; allocating ~24GB per virtual OS makes them boot and run super smooth.

https://www.romexsoftware.com/en-us/primo-cache/


I also run it on my desktops at home so I can use "deferred writing". That way it takes a bunch of random writes Windows makes in to memory, then makes just 1 write every 1 hour (or whatever you set it to).

What you want is to setup "Level 2 Cache" with it. That will let you allocate as much or little of an SSD as you want to a mechanical partition (you can accelerate arrays too). There is no limit on SSD allocation either. I generally do not use more than 60% of SSDs in this manner so as to keep them fresh for longevity. Even a small 24GB goes a long way to accelerating a partition though.


EDIT: It has a 60 day free trial to test it out and is only like $30 to purchase if you like it.

This.

 

[PingSpike]

Intel Smart Response SSD cache feature? There's a write cache mode last time I checked.

 

[nanaki333]

Intel Smart Response SSD cache feature? There's a write cache mode last time I checked.

not every intel board has it, nor does AMD have it at all if that's what he uses. intel SRT is also limited to like 64GB, which if he wants more, will have to go with a 3rd party solution.