Ramdisk

[WunderWuffle]

Can someone give me an explanation on how a Ramdisk works? I know it is MANY MANY times faster than an SSD, but can it save your information that you store on it? Also, what is an appropriate amount of ram to set aside for the disk is I were to be using 32gb of ram?

 

EDIT: Are there also downsides to using a Ram disk, other than not having #GB of ram to use?

[ErickS89]

If you're using 32GB of ram?  I'd probably use 8 to 16GB and either store your most used applications on that disk or games.

[WunderWuffle]

If you're using 32GB of ram?  I'd probably use 8 to 16GB and either store your most used applications on that disk or games.

But if I shut down my PC, will the information be saved on the disk?

[Elven]

Heya,

 

Ram disk is a piece of software that allows you to utilise a partition of your RAM memory (available). You can assign part of your RAM to use as a fast access scratch disc for applications. It will appear as a hard drive storage in the list with your existing hard drives.

 

There is an option to save what ever you store on the ram disc but it is backed up onto the hard drive. Then, when you boot up, it transfers the back up from the hard drive onto the Ram disc.

 

Elven

[ErickS89]

But if I shut down my PC, will the information be saved on the disk?

Yes, It will save.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/260918/how_to_supercharge_your_pc_with_a_ram_disk.html

[WunderWuffle]

Heya,

 

Ram disk is a piece of software that allows you to utilise a partition of your RAM memory (available). You can assign part of your RAM to use as a fast access scratch disc for applications. It will appear as a hard drive storage in the list with your existing hard drives.

 

There is an option to save what ever you store on the ram disc but it is backed up onto the hard drive. Then, when you boot up, it transfers the back up from the hard drive onto the Ram disc.

 

Elven

I remember watching a video on YouTube about a software that allows you to have a ram disk, but when you shutdown, it takes much longer.... Is that true?

[ProKoN]

if using ramdisc your computer will take longer to shut down and boot up.

 

JJ from asus suggests it adds 3-4 min when restarting the computer.

[WunderWuffle]

if using ramdisc your computer will take longer to shut down and boot up.

 

JJ from asus suggests it adds 3-4 min when restarting the computer.

I dont think it's worth it to have a SUPER speedy drive, but if it takes an extra 3-4 minutes to boot, I'm not gonna use a ram disk... Shutting down doesn't matter to me, because I don't wait for it to shut down, i just click shutdown, and turn off my monitor then let it do it's own thing.

[JohnnyGrey]

I remember watching a video on YouTube about a software that allows you to have a ram disk, but when you shutdown, it takes much longer.... Is that true?

Yes, as it has to save the data on the RAM disk to the hard drive. RAM is volatile memory, and gets wiped when power is pulled from it. Another thing to worry about is power outtages and hard resets. I'm not sure if the RAM disk is backed up periodically, or just at shut down, but if a power outtage occurs, you'll lose the changes since the last backup.

[WunderWuffle]

Yes, as it has to save the data on the RAM disk to the hard drive. RAM is volatile memory, and gets wiped when power is pulled from it. Another thing to worry about is power outtages and hard resets. I'm not sure if the RAM disk is backed up periodically, or just at shut down, but if a power outtage occurs, you'll lose the changes since the last backup.

That was one of my worries, too.

[Art Vandelay]

If you use a RAM disk, your operating system won't be able to use that RAM as a cache, so your system may slow down, if you don't have that much RAM and are already using a lot. It really slows your system down when it doesn't have much RAM left to cache in, and you have a mechanical hard drive.