[mnm222876]

I'm trying to figure out how to create the fastest storage sub-system for my new workstation, but there seems to be conflicting info out there on how to accomplish this. I just placed an order for all my new parts that will make up the new machine based on the new LGA 2011 socket. In addition I puchased two Vertex 3 60GB SSD's and a RevoDrive 3 X2 Max IOPS 240GB card.

I already own a NAS for storage, so my questions are about how to create the fastest system (OS and programs).


1. Boot from single Vertex 3 for the OS, and then all the programs on the RevoDrive?

2. Boot from two Vertex 3's in RAID0 for the OS, and then all programs on the RevoDrive?

3. Return the Vertex 3's all together, and boot from RevoDrive with all programs on the RevoDrive? I've read that this takes much longer because the card has to initialize first.


Also, I read that there is a file in the Window OS that if you put it on a separate drive other than the boot drive that it will significantly speed up the Windows OS. What's this all about? Where in Win 7 is this file located, and does this really work?

One last question regarding RAM. I'm installing 16 GB of DDR 2133 quad channel RAM. Is there any benefit to install more RAM or is the speed of the RAM the only important factor?

Thanks.

[continuum]

How fast do you need to be and how much space do you need?

Honestly for 99% of users a single SSD is so fast, you will not be able to tell the difference between a pair of them in RAID0 or whatnot.

Unfortunately the one assumption is that you've bought fast SSDs; the smaller capacity versions of most SSDs is the slowest, in some cases by a fair margin.

In your case I would return both of the Vertex 3 60GB's and just use the RevoDriveX2 240GB you have for everything. The smallest member of the Vertex 3 family is significantly slower on writes (still waaaay faster than a regular harddisk) compared to the 240GB version of it (let alone the RevoDrive X2) that I wouldn't bother.


I believe you speak of the pagefile; there is a lot of misinformation on this. Let Windows manage it and let it sit on the SSD and don't worry about it; with 16GB of memory you won't be hitting the pagefile much and hence don't really need to worry about it, period. (but you absolutely do need to keep the pagefile on. Google away on this, check your sources before you go too far!)

As far as memory, well, how much do you need? Read the benchmarks on Xbitlabs, HardOCP, Anandtech, Lostcircuits, or any other major reputable site-- most modern chips at stock clock speeds (be it Intel's Sandy Bridge chips or AMD's Bulldozer) don't benefit much (at least in not in any user-perceptible situation) from faster memory than they officially support which is typically DDR3-1600 or so. If you're overclocking, even then it's a bit thin, DDR3-1866 or faster (such as DDR3-2133) simply brings no benefit to most users, and while 16GB is nice and cheap, if you're not actually using it, it brings zero gain as well.

Now you could be in the 1% or 0.1% of users who actually will gain, but you have not provided sufficient information for us to confirm that or not!

[mnm222876]

Thanks for your input continuum. I work with 3d modeling and HD video editing, and I usually have multiple programs running at once. I'm also extremely impatient and need instant gratification.

Since I only reboot my machine two or three times a week I've decided to ignore the slow initialization time of the PCIe card. And after reading numerous benchmarks it seems that the sole drive for both OS and programs will work out fine.

I'm still confused about the pagefile thing... It seems that all the info out there on location, size, etc. contradicts each other. Lots of opinions but no definitive truth?

[dimsi]

Leave pagefile on SSD, info on net are mostly old and for first gen SSD, and therefore obsolete.

[mike2h]

the pagefile info out there is confusing. wished there was a definitive(backed up by facts) guide for it- especially in conjunction withh ssd

This post has been edited by mike2h: 20 February 2012 - 05:53 PM

[dimsi]

Well there is, on several places, but it is true there are many erroneous info too.

Why put it on a slow HDD, and it is 95% read anyway!

[mike2h]

was thinking more about wether to actually have it enabled. & if so wether to manually set the size parameters.

[dimsi]

Enabled, yes unfortunately some programs desperately needs it, stupid Windows . And manually yes, if you have more than 8GB of memory or more, 2-1GB is max you would ever need.

[continuum]

Absolutely keep the pagefile enabled. Period.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/889654

http://arstechnica.c...?f=17&t=1163548

http://arstechnica.c...p?f=17&t=111618

http://arstechnica.c...438752#p3438752