[expert][tip] Using a RAMdisk to speed up your HDD - and/or reduce SSD trashing

[HalfAHertz]

Great thread. I got 24GB of RAM on the way. Going to make some "tweaks" to my primary workstation. I'm having some great results using Dataram's RAMdisk application. Throughput rates are simply ridiculous. I'm getting around 25 to 30 times faster overall performance compared to stuff you can find in retail, SSD-wise.

RAMdisk setups seem pretty rare. Anyone got info to share on best ways to utilize such setups aside from obvious ways? I plan to run a tweaked and modified version of Windows straight off of it. With some symlink trickery I should be able to utilize such a small amount to a farthest degree.

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You can't install windows on a ram-drive for a couple of reasons. It's not gonna work with the current programs on market because they load after windows boot and because they can only format your ram as FAT and not NTFS meaning that a logical drive partition can't be sored permanently

 

[Velvet Wafer]

You can't install windows on a ram-drive for a couple of reasons. It's not gonna work with the current programs on market because they load after windows boot and because they can only format your ram as FAT and not NTFS meaning that a logical drive partition can't be sored permanently

Romex can do NTFS
But of course, they still wont work due to what you said

 

[OneMoar]

win pe > ram disk > windows
OR get a ssd

 

[scaminatrix]

Just to add to HAH's comment: moving a pagefile to RAM will also help save writes to your precious SSD. So IF your pagefile is being used, moving it to RAM will speed it up and save you writes. With modern workstations with 8GB and more memory, you might as well fix the pagefile to 1GB and stick it in a ramdrive.

There is another good reason to have your pagefile on a RamDISK:
If you're a video editor. Keeping your HDD as empty as possible is a must for a video editor who can't afford/accomodate a decent rig/extra HDD's. If a video editor's HDD performance is low, but RAM usage is also low, performance may be gained through ramdisking your pf to free up the vital space on your HDD.

I know it's an old-ish thread, just wanted to expand on why Ramdisk pagefile's have their uses IMO.

 

[Neuromancer]

Great thread, I have not run a ramdisk in years.

 

[Completely Bonkers]

If you are using the RAMdisk to hold internet temps, then please note something I have just seen with Chrome. When chrome updates, it rewrites its links and shortcuts. It therefore overwrites any command line switches you have set, incl. redirecting temps to the ramdisk. Therefore, after each update, you need to add the command line switch again:

Instructions:
1./ Right click on your chrome shortcut
2./ Properties
3./ Edit Target, as follows: "C:\Documents and Settings\...\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --disk-cache-dir=z:\

Change the last part, z:\, to your ramdrive if not on Z:

Repeat. You have to do this again each time chrome updates.

 

[t_ski]

Did anybody ever figure out how to load the whole OS to a ram disk?

 

[Mussels]

Did anybody ever figure out how to load the whole OS to a ram disk?

you could run a VMware from a RAMdisk, thats about it. every OS out there needs a reboot after installation, so it wouldnt work for normal use.

 

[Velvet Wafer]

just for your information... Romex Ramdisk was renamed and is now called Primo Ramdisk.
Still the most capable tool regarding ramdisks, in my opinion.

 

[catnipkiller]

Would this work well on 4 gb if i just use 1 gb for ram disk?

 

[Velvet Wafer]

Would this work well on 4 gb if i just use 1 gb for ram disk?

dependant on what you want to do with it, it might

 

[Completely Bonkers]

Would this work well on 4 gb if i just use 1 gb for ram disk?

On my 2GB Atom netbook, I have a 256MB RAMdisk to hold temps. Chrome temps are pointed there as are Windows TMP and TEMP. It makes a heck of a difference when browsing the internet or using MS Office. And I don't need to worry about CCleaner on internet temps... since they get shredded on powerdown

 

[xBruce88x]

I use a ramdisk for Sim City 4 on my main rig. It solves a lot of performance issues due to the way the game is constantly loading from the hard drive. I use this program, the free version lets you make up to a 4GB ramdisk.

http://memory.dataram.com/products-and-services/software/ramdisk

 

[n-ster]

I found the, IIRC the name is Qsoft to be the fastest

 

[lemonadesoda]

There's another ramdisk contender on the block. I've been using it and quite impressed with the results. Compatible with Windows XP, 2003, 2008, Vista, 7 and 8. Works in both 32 and 64 bit editions of Windows. Now the two major pluses: It's fast, and it's FREE.

http://www.softperfect.com/products/ramdisk/

 

[n-ster]

There's another ramdisk contender on the block. I've been using it and quite impressed with the results. Compatible with Windows XP, 2003, 2008, Vista, 7 and 8. Works in both 32 and 64 bit editions of Windows. Now the two major pluses: It's fast, and it's FREE.

http://www.softperfect.com/products/ramdisk/

hmmm I'll probably try to compare Qsoft to this to see, thanks

so far though Qsoft has always been the fastest for me

 

[voidberg]

hey got a random idea and read about this today at school and came home and tested it tried it out a little and im satisfied with it thank you very much also found if you install java onto it it make java games run amazingly

 

[Arjai]

Just browsing through, didn't see anything about SuperCache.

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

I used it to Crunch CEP2, a major disc thrasher. Works great because it is dynamic with it's saves to HDD or SSD. see my posts about it...

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190280

My trials with a ramdisk and SuperCache are there.

Just my 2 cents.