SSD Caching...anyone doing it?

[Rhyalus]

Hello,

I have an OCZ Vertex 4 128 GB being used as a cache with a 2 TB Barricuda...

Using an Asus P9X79 Pro MB and the SSD caching functionality that comes with it. I needed a large C: drive, so this was my best option.

So far it is very cool, but hard to benchmark.

R

 

[Diogenes2]

We have had several discussions here..
Several are using caching on Z68 boards, but it's becoming less attractive with the price of SSD's coming down..

Caching on Z68 is limited to 64gb; I'm not sure about the Marvell controller with X79, but you would probably do better to just use the SSD attached to Intel SATA 3 for the OS and frequently used applications, and the HDD for your other storage..

 

[exdeath]

I cache my SSDs with DRAM. Does that count?

 

[rsutoratosu]

Im using ssd as cache drive on my nexenta nas, but its prob not the same as what you're using it for

 

[The_Golden_Man]

I use a 160GB Intel X-25 Gen.2 for OS and programs and recently got a hot deal on 2x 256GB Crucial M4's which I use for Steam games, configured in Software Raid 0 as one big 512GB drive.

Also have one 1TB Harddrive for other storage.

As another guy said here, the prices on SSD's are really starting to come down, so harddrive caching is not so interesting anymore.

You should use your 128GB for OS and programs. You could have your games on your harddrive, and just use Steam Mover to move the games you play over on to the SSD. And then move them back again, if you quit playing them. Really, 128GB is not that bad.

 

[GotNoRice]

SSD caching has worked absolutely fantastic on every system I've set it up on.

Really where it shines is the ability to use cheap 64gb SSDs, which on their own wouldn't really be big enough to install onto directly. I can build computers for customers and for $60 extra they can get the SSD experience without any of the hassles.

Also keep in mind that when using a larger SSD, the remaining space beyond 64GB is still available for your usage. You could have a 256GB SSD for example, setup as caching, but still have almost 200gb to work with to install stuff directly onto the SSD. No need to choose when you can have both.

I like to use SSD caching for the OS because there are a lot of files that end up on the main drive that would simply be wasted space if they were directly on an SSD. Temp files, downloaded files, unused windows system files, pictures, documents, etc taking up gigabytes of space on an SSD is a waste. I don't like having that claustrophobic feeling of being space limited on my main hard drive. I should never have to think twice about installing something because of the space it might take up.

 

[Rvenger]

I thought you couldn't cache on X79?

 

[Rhyalus]

I use the Asus SSD caching which works on X79. (P9X79 Pro is the MB that I have).

Unfortunately, it uses the whole drive (which in some ways is better than the SRT implementation).

I am VERY pleased with the results - I really dont want to move all of these apps back and forth. Now they are cached on the SSD drive and you can see the difference in load times, boot times, etc.

I admit that this is not better than having 2 big 512GB SSD drives, but it is what I will do for now.

Regards,
R