Faster Disk Access – Create a Partition for Swapfiles

Trevor · #1 02-02-2003, 01:52 PM

I got this information from the System Commander Version 7 Users Manual. Has anyone tried this and benchmarked it. Does it work. Is it true. Would it work for Windows XP.

Faster Disk Access – Create a Partition for Swapfiles

One way to enhance the speed of your system while running Windows 95/98/Me or Windows 3.x is to place the swap file in a partition by itself. This forces Windows to use the swap file more efficiently than it currently does. In addition, placing it in its own partition makes it easier for Windows to find the file.

Windows uses the swap file on the hard drive to hold data for which there is not enough room in RAM. When manipulating large files or using complex applications, reads and writes to the swap file can be numerous. Optimizing this function can significantly improve system performance on many systems.

After using Partition Wizard to create the partition, you will have to start Windows and change the default location of the swap file to the new partition. Simple instructions for doing this are provided by Partition Wizard and are repeated in the section …….

From page 159 of “System Commander Version 7 Users Manual”

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beeboy · #2 02-02-2003, 02:45 PM

This is standard procedure for linux. I'm sure it would help performance in windows too especially if you are running minimum ram.

ziggie · #3 02-02-2003, 05:32 PM

I created a (2) gig partition on a separate HD and set it 700 min and 1500 max and it really doesn't seem to be a improvement "TILL" u play a resource intense game or start-up Photo-shop ... then u notice the diff.

ESALADUANE · #4 02-02-2003, 07:49 PM

I've heard alot of ideas about enhancing performance by manipulating the page file. But when I ask them if they noticed any difference in performance, the answers all sound like:

"I think so, I'm not sure, maybe it's my imagination or wishful thinking."

curtybob · #5 02-02-2003, 09:17 PM

i have to agree with ziggie, if you are not manipulating really large files, or playing some of the newer generation games, or if you already messed with your swap file settings and screwed 'em up, then you will not notice much of a difference. bottom line: if all you do is surf the net, and do light office tasks, don't play with the swap file. if you routinely edit digital video, or 3 megapixel images, play unreal tournament2003, or run benchmarking utilities and print your results in poster mode so you can have something to hang on the wall between that old lita ford poster and your optimus prime doorsized poster, then , wait, what were we talking about again?

....what? as if you have never done that!

wantmilk · #6 02-04-2003, 08:01 AM

So what would you guys think about putting the pagefile on a raid 0 device? Other than the disk the system files are on. I know that raid 0 is less then stable... what happens if your pagefile gets corrupted?

curtybob · #7 02-04-2003, 12:57 PM

rather than spend the money on the drive, if it were me, i would just go out and buy a gig of ram, and use the conservative swap file usage system.ini hack. raid might be faster at reading or writing than a drive on a standard ide setup, but it ain't got nothing on some good old fashioned (heh heh!) pc1066!!!