ReadyBoost (Best Format?)

[Neil Turkenkopf]

Hi folks!

[Win7 64bit, 4 GB RAM]

My system is running fine (happy to say) but I'm curious about Formatting,
specifically for ReadyBoost.
I got a great deal on a 8 GB PNY Class 10 SDHC card, and I want to dedicate
it to ReadyBoost.

I noticed that it's pre-formatted to FAT32, but I also have the choice of
NTFS (what I normally pick) and a new one I'm not familiar with at all:
exFAT.
I've done several searches to find the best format size, but every one I
look at has a different answer! Has anyone here actually had any luck with
the "Chosen One"? <g>

Thanks in advance!
Neil ¦¬D

 

[Ken Blake]

Hi folks!

[Win7 64bit, 4 GB RAM]

My system is running fine (happy to say) but I'm curious about Formatting,
specifically for ReadyBoost.
I got a great deal on a 8 GB PNY Class 10 SDHC card, and I want to dedicate
it to ReadyBoost.

With 4GB of RAM, you almost certainly will see no improvement with
ReadyBoost. You can try it if you like, but I recommend not using it.

 

[Neil Turkenkopf]

"Ken Blake" wrote in message

Hi folks!

[Win7 64bit, 4 GB RAM]

My system is running fine (happy to say) but I'm curious about Formatting,
specifically for ReadyBoost.
I got a great deal on a 8 GB PNY Class 10 SDHC card, and I want to
dedicate
it to ReadyBoost.

With 4GB of RAM, you almost certainly will see no improvement with
ReadyBoost. You can try it if you like, but I recommend not using it.

 

[Bob I]

Why bother, you likely aren't even using up all 4 GB you have installed!

 

[Ken Blake]

"Ken Blake" wrote in message

Hi folks!

[Win7 64bit, 4 GB RAM]

My system is running fine (happy to say) but I'm curious about Formatting,
specifically for ReadyBoost.
I got a great deal on a 8 GB PNY Class 10 SDHC card, and I want to
dedicate
it to ReadyBoost.

With 4GB of RAM, you almost certainly will see no improvement with
ReadyBoost. You can try it if you like, but I recommend not using it.

You're welcome. Glad to help.

 

[Neil Turkenkopf]

"Bob I" wrote in message
Why bother, you likely aren't even using up all 4 GB you have installed!

Hi folks!

[Win7 64bit, 4 GB RAM]

My system is running fine (happy to say) but I'm curious about
Formatting, specifically for ReadyBoost.
I got a great deal on a 8 GB PNY Class 10 SDHC card, and I want to
dedicate it to ReadyBoost.

I noticed that it's pre-formatted to FAT32, but I also have the choice
of NTFS (what I normally pick) and a new one I'm not familiar with at
all: exFAT.
I've done several searches to find the best format size, but every one I
look at has a different answer! Has anyone here actually had any luck
with the "Chosen One"? <g>

Thanks in advance!
Neil ¦¬D

......................
Hi Bob,

Probably true, but all I was asking is "Which format is best for
ReadyBoost?"

Neil ¦¬D
......................

 

[Char Jackson]

"Bob I" wrote in message
Why bother, you likely aren't even using up all 4 GB you have installed!

Hi folks!

[Win7 64bit, 4 GB RAM]

My system is running fine (happy to say) but I'm curious about
Formatting, specifically for ReadyBoost.
I got a great deal on a 8 GB PNY Class 10 SDHC card, and I want to
dedicate it to ReadyBoost.

I noticed that it's pre-formatted to FAT32, but I also have the choice
of NTFS (what I normally pick) and a new one I'm not familiar with at
all: exFAT.
I've done several searches to find the best format size, but every one I
look at has a different answer! Has anyone here actually had any luck
with the "Chosen One"? <g>

Thanks in advance!
Neil ¦¬D

.....................
Hi Bob,

Probably true, but all I was asking is "Which format is best for
ReadyBoost?"

I seriously doubt you'd see any difference between one format versus
another. There is no 'best' format in your situation.

 

[Paul]

"Bob I" wrote in message
Why bother, you likely aren't even using up all 4 GB you have installed!

Hi folks!

[Win7 64bit, 4 GB RAM]

My system is running fine (happy to say) but I'm curious about
Formatting, specifically for ReadyBoost.
I got a great deal on a 8 GB PNY Class 10 SDHC card, and I want to
dedicate it to ReadyBoost.

I noticed that it's pre-formatted to FAT32, but I also have the choice
of NTFS (what I normally pick) and a new one I'm not familiar with at
all: exFAT.
I've done several searches to find the best format size, but every one I
look at has a different answer! Has anyone here actually had any luck
with the "Chosen One"? <g>

Thanks in advance!
Neil ¦¬D

.....................
Hi Bob,

Probably true, but all I was asking is "Which format is best for
ReadyBoost?"

Neil ¦¬D
.....................

It probably doesn't matter. If you format the drive, then turn on
ReadyBoost, it creates a single file. The magic is hidden inside
that file. As far as the file system is concerned, there is a grand
total of one file present, with contiguous clusters/blocks. I doubt
the file system has to break a sweat, locating a particular sector.
Then, the ReadyBoost software decrypts and uncompresses the data.
All that processing (as a rate limiting step), kinda makes up for
the limitations of your storage device. If your device was faster,
eventually the AES-128 step is rate limiting.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Readyboost

The article says to test the storage device first, with "winsat".

You'd probably choose NTFS, purely to allow a larger file for
ReadyBoost storage. That would allow you to use the entire 8GB.

While you're at it, you can stock up on some of those
hybrid hard drives (which also use Flash memory for cache).
The opportunities to buy "half an SSD", abound.

Paul

 

[Neil Turkenkopf]

"Char Jackson" wrote in message

"Bob I" wrote in message
Why bother, you likely aren't even using up all 4 GB you have installed!

Hi folks!

[Win7 64bit, 4 GB RAM]

My system is running fine (happy to say) but I'm curious about
Formatting, specifically for ReadyBoost.
I got a great deal on a 8 GB PNY Class 10 SDHC card, and I want to
dedicate it to ReadyBoost.

I noticed that it's pre-formatted to FAT32, but I also have the choice
of NTFS (what I normally pick) and a new one I'm not familiar with at
all: exFAT.
I've done several searches to find the best format size, but every one I
look at has a different answer! Has anyone here actually had any luck
with the "Chosen One"? <g>

Thanks in advance!
Neil ¦¬D

.....................
Hi Bob,

Probably true, but all I was asking is "Which format is best for
ReadyBoost?"

I seriously doubt you'd see any difference between one format versus
another. There is no 'best' format in your situation.

--

Char Jackson

..............
Thanks, Char!
Neil ¦¬D
..............

 

[Neil Turkenkopf]

"Paul" wrote in message

"Bob I" wrote in message
Why bother, you likely aren't even using up all 4 GB you have installed!

Hi folks!

[Win7 64bit, 4 GB RAM]

My system is running fine (happy to say) but I'm curious about
Formatting, specifically for ReadyBoost.
I got a great deal on a 8 GB PNY Class 10 SDHC card, and I want to
dedicate it to ReadyBoost.

I noticed that it's pre-formatted to FAT32, but I also have the choice
of NTFS (what I normally pick) and a new one I'm not familiar with at
all: exFAT.
I've done several searches to find the best format size, but every one I
look at has a different answer! Has anyone here actually had any luck
with the "Chosen One"? <g>

Thanks in advance!
Neil ¦¬D

.....................
Hi Bob,

Probably true, but all I was asking is "Which format is best for
ReadyBoost?"

Neil ¦¬D
.....................

It probably doesn't matter. If you format the drive, then turn on
ReadyBoost, it creates a single file. The magic is hidden inside
that file. As far as the file system is concerned, there is a grand
total of one file present, with contiguous clusters/blocks. I doubt
the file system has to break a sweat, locating a particular sector.
Then, the ReadyBoost software decrypts and uncompresses the data.
All that processing (as a rate limiting step), kinda makes up for
the limitations of your storage device. If your device was faster,
eventually the AES-128 step is rate limiting.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Readyboost

The article says to test the storage device first, with "winsat".

You'd probably choose NTFS, purely to allow a larger file for
ReadyBoost storage. That would allow you to use the entire 8GB.

While you're at it, you can stock up on some of those
hybrid hard drives (which also use Flash memory for cache).
The opportunities to buy "half an SSD", abound.

Paul
................
Thanks, Paul!

I had already reformatted it from the stock FAT32 to NTFS first thing,
so that it could use the full 8 GB.

I guess I was (still am) confused between NTFS and the newer exFAT.
I should've phrased my question better. Sorry everyone!

Neil ¦¬D
.............

 

[Paul]

"Paul" wrote in message

"Bob I" wrote in message
Why bother, you likely aren't even using up all 4 GB you have installed!

Hi folks!

[Win7 64bit, 4 GB RAM]

My system is running fine (happy to say) but I'm curious about
Formatting, specifically for ReadyBoost.
I got a great deal on a 8 GB PNY Class 10 SDHC card, and I want to
dedicate it to ReadyBoost.

I noticed that it's pre-formatted to FAT32, but I also have the choice
of NTFS (what I normally pick) and a new one I'm not familiar with at
all: exFAT.
I've done several searches to find the best format size, but every one I
look at has a different answer! Has anyone here actually had any luck
with the "Chosen One"? <g>

Thanks in advance!
Neil ¦¬D

.....................
Hi Bob,

Probably true, but all I was asking is "Which format is best for
ReadyBoost?"

Neil ¦¬D
.....................

It probably doesn't matter. If you format the drive, then turn on
ReadyBoost, it creates a single file. The magic is hidden inside
that file. As far as the file system is concerned, there is a grand
total of one file present, with contiguous clusters/blocks. I doubt
the file system has to break a sweat, locating a particular sector.
Then, the ReadyBoost software decrypts and uncompresses the data.
All that processing (as a rate limiting step), kinda makes up for
the limitations of your storage device. If your device was faster,
eventually the AES-128 step is rate limiting.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Readyboost

The article says to test the storage device first, with "winsat".

You'd probably choose NTFS, purely to allow a larger file for
ReadyBoost storage. That would allow you to use the entire 8GB.

While you're at it, you can stock up on some of those
hybrid hard drives (which also use Flash memory for cache).
The opportunities to buy "half an SSD", abound.

Paul
...............
Thanks, Paul!

I had already reformatted it from the stock FAT32 to NTFS first thing,
so that it could use the full 8 GB.

I guess I was (still am) confused between NTFS and the newer exFAT.
I should've phrased my question better. Sorry everyone!

Neil ¦¬D
............

There's some info here, from someone who has measured it. This
comment is with respect to writing the contents for ReadyBoost.
It would be interesting to find out exactly what they were measuring
(what the benchmark consisted of).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:ExFAT

"I'm not an expert on filesystems, but when I used a USB flash drive
for ReadyBoost, I found there were major differences in timings on
machines and filesystems used. On my thinkpad laptop, writing to
USB flash formatted NTFS was almost 6.5 times slower than if the same
drive was formatted with FAT32. And I found that ExFAT is about
20% to 30% slower than FAT32! This seems very significant and should
be mentioned in the article if someone can confirm this as well.
Stk (talk) 04:44, 22 September 2010 (UTC)"

HTH,
Paul

 

[Neil Turkenkopf]

"Paul" wrote in message

"Paul" wrote in message

"Bob I" wrote in message
Why bother, you likely aren't even using up all 4 GB you have installed!

Hi folks!

[Win7 64bit, 4 GB RAM]

My system is running fine (happy to say) but I'm curious about
Formatting, specifically for ReadyBoost.
I got a great deal on a 8 GB PNY Class 10 SDHC card, and I want to
dedicate it to ReadyBoost.

I noticed that it's pre-formatted to FAT32, but I also have the choice
of NTFS (what I normally pick) and a new one I'm not familiar with at
all: exFAT.
I've done several searches to find the best format size, but every one I
look at has a different answer! Has anyone here actually had any luck
with the "Chosen One"? <g>

Thanks in advance!
Neil ¦¬D

.....................
Hi Bob,

Probably true, but all I was asking is "Which format is best for
ReadyBoost?"

Neil ¦¬D
.....................

It probably doesn't matter. If you format the drive, then turn on
ReadyBoost, it creates a single file. The magic is hidden inside
that file. As far as the file system is concerned, there is a grand
total of one file present, with contiguous clusters/blocks. I doubt
the file system has to break a sweat, locating a particular sector.
Then, the ReadyBoost software decrypts and uncompresses the data.
All that processing (as a rate limiting step), kinda makes up for
the limitations of your storage device. If your device was faster,
eventually the AES-128 step is rate limiting.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Readyboost

The article says to test the storage device first, with "winsat".

You'd probably choose NTFS, purely to allow a larger file for
ReadyBoost storage. That would allow you to use the entire 8GB.

While you're at it, you can stock up on some of those
hybrid hard drives (which also use Flash memory for cache).
The opportunities to buy "half an SSD", abound.

Paul
...............
Thanks, Paul!

I had already reformatted it from the stock FAT32 to NTFS first thing,
so that it could use the full 8 GB.

I guess I was (still am) confused between NTFS and the newer exFAT.
I should've phrased my question better. Sorry everyone!

Neil ¦¬D
............

There's some info here, from someone who has measured it. This
comment is with respect to writing the contents for ReadyBoost.
It would be interesting to find out exactly what they were measuring
(what the benchmark consisted of).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:ExFAT

"I'm not an expert on filesystems, but when I used a USB flash drive
for ReadyBoost, I found there were major differences in timings on
machines and filesystems used. On my thinkpad laptop, writing to
USB flash formatted NTFS was almost 6.5 times slower than if the same
drive was formatted with FAT32. And I found that ExFAT is about
20% to 30% slower than FAT32! This seems very significant and should
be mentioned in the article if someone can confirm this as well.
Stk (talk) 04:44, 22 September 2010 (UTC)"

HTH,
Paul
...............
Hi Paul!

Thanks for the info!
I'd be lying if I said all is clear now, I think I'm more confused than
ever! <g>

Luckily, it was just an experiment and not really too important.
Maybe I'll continue the big experiment further by changing from
NTFS back to FAT32 just to see if there's any noticeable difference.

Then again, it could takes weeks or even months before I have to reboot!
(The only time that happens nowadays is after a Critical Windows Update.)

Thanks again,
Neil ¦¬D
...............