SSD Thread (Benchmarks, Brands, News, and Advice)

[chimpanzee]

This is exactly what paging is. You guys need to read about virtual memory and how it works in Windows. Classic case in point: disable pagefile.sys, run Latmon and let your computer idle. Watch the page faults roll in.

So many people don't seem to understand that Windows is pretty much always maintaining a backing store. That is, you have a copy of everything in RAM on disk. If you need to use more memory than you have physically available, Windows can clear physical memory very quickly because the contents can be paged back in from the storage disk when necessary. If Windows doesn't need to do that, it won't do it. If Windows doesn't need to swell pagefile.sys because the contents are elsewhere on the disk, it won't do it. It won't gobble up storage disk space for the hell of it.

This article explains the basics very well.

I used to disable page file on this Samsung(HDD, 2.5G) as an old habit developed since XP(I know my usage would not exceed). Reading that Microsoft has been less aggressive in swaping in later Windows, I re-enabled page file again recently.

However, I started to see more of the 'spinning wheel' which while is not annoying(may be a second or two) is noticeable. In addition, I hear a slightly increased fan noise(this machine's cooling system is aging and I am very sensitive to it) as well. Through this time, I have constantly ~1.2G reported as memory used for cache, so I am not short of memory.

This prompt me to disable it again and after 24 hours of so usage, I no longer see the level of spinning wheel as before(when page file was enabled) with the memory profile shown being almost the same.

This indicates to me that Windows still behaves differently when page file is enabled, not as aggressive as XP but still doing unnecessary swaping(I see activity to the pagefile when there are still lots of thing being cached) as indicated by the lengthened spinning wheel time and the fan(indication of more activity in the system).

I would keep the page file enabled on my SSD equipped machine as the slightly increased unnecessary swapping is not large enough for me to worry about endurance and it doesn't caused any noticeable change on it(SSD is fast) but does give me the possible boost of memory if needed.

[Les]

I find it interesting how many would keep page file on just because. To me the service becomes moot with an SSD unless someone can somehow show any reason or performance gains with it on. By show, I mean give me the result not the discussion surrounding it.

Show me the money!

[chimpanzee]

I find it interesting how many would keep page file on just because. To me the service becomes moot with an SSD unless someone can somehow show any reason or performance gains with it on. By show, I mean give me the result not the discussion surrounding it.

Show me the money!

page file are used(well for me anyway) as extended memory and SSD actually helps if I need that(i.e. if I have already max out my memory or for any reason don't want to add more memory). So I don't see why it becomes moot with an SSD.

[Les]

It becomes moot because, with an adequate amount of RAM such as 4GB combined with Win 7 and the way it works with memory prioritization, you will never max out your memory.

The only use that I know of page file is that, if for some odd reason your system crashes, pagefile will have saved the dump file which will assist in determining the reason.

I always suggest to people to give a specific example of where pagefile is truly needed in their use and the simple reason is, if there is an example in most cases there is a problem somewhere else limiting memory allocation.

I have been w/o pagefile since the first day we got Vista 64 running several years ago. To this day, not a single prob and I push my system trust me.

In the end, I know of no benefit to its enabling yet the detriment is additional writes to the ssd. In shutting it down, you get yourself almost 5GB of valuable SSD property back and more if you close down hiberfile.

[chimpanzee]

It becomes moot because, with an adequate amount of RAM such as 4GB combined with Win 7 and the way it works with memory prioritization, you will never max out your memory.

The only use that I know of page file is that, if for some odd reason your system crashes, pagefile will have saved the dump file which will assist in determining the reason.

Never ? That depends on usage. No matter how you prioritize thing, if your 'dirty' memory exceed the physical memory size, you would face OOM situation. For most people, it is very unlikely but try to run a few VM at the same time, you would see this.

Of course that situation can be mitigated by adding more RAM.

I have always said that given the current price of RAM, max out the RAM first before reaching out the page file as extended RAM but there are cases where page file is still needed, just very rare for modern notebooks(where 8GB is reachable and 8GB DDR3 is considered cheap).

edit:

except for the case mentioned by Judicator where program refuse to run without a 1.5GB page file, luckily I don't need to deal with such brain dead programs.

[Les]

And that brings up another point... Pagefile, when enabled is always in use. The only way to truly force your system to use the ram u paid for is to shut it down. I cannot document a performance increase but its a logical statemen in consideration of ram speed even to ssd speed.

[chimpanzee]

And that brings up another point... Pagefile, when enabled is always in use. The only way to truly force your system to use the ram u paid for is to shut it down. I cannot document a performance increase but its a logical statemen in consideration of ram speed even to ssd speed.

Yes, that is why I respone to the claim that Windows only used it when necessary and my observation and test said that it is not the case. Much better than XP but still doing unnecessary swap and why I shut it down on my HDD setup(which shows noticeable slow down).

But my work situation is a little bit different. It use only DDR2 RAM and is currently 2GBx2. I need to run 2 VM simultaneously recently for some projects which push the limit of that to beyond 4GB.

The choice on hand is either I get a 4GB stick which is about 150 or so or I just use page file on the SSD. Obviously the SSD is slower than RAM but given that this requirement is temperary and occasional(i.e. it is only needed for say < 5% of my anticipated usage time), it is ok for me to just use it as slower RAM as I don't care about the 'shortened' life.

[bigspin]

[vinuneuro]

It doesn't take anything away from the C400, but doing a side by side comparison with a 1.8" hdd is just sleezy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0v0Sp_DoZo&feature=player_embedded

[Les]

The C400 is going to be released after the Corsair; the Corsair is expected in Feb and, as per specs, the Corsair is showing better numbers.

They both have the same controller. Personally, I think Micron/Crucial has the advantage having been the pioneer out with the SATA3.