Disk Partition Size

S

SlowJet

I thoht I would post this for those that have upgraded
from a Fat32 system, or have a need for a clean install,
or want to start over for SP2.

The PRO's and CON's of Disk Partition Sizes.AKA the sweet
spot of GB vs. MHertz.

Computers and Hard Disks have grown in speed and hard
disks have grown in size by 100's of times.

But the size of the CPU and Disks are about the same.
So this means the computer is faster and holds more data.
Although, we add bigger programs and run more at the same
time and use larger files,
the Hard disk size has grown faster than the amont of
data needed to operate the computer.

This makes the phyical mechanics and the electronic speed
relative to each other up to a certain size on the disk.
After that size the disk relation to the channel and
memory and cpu begin to degrade.

In the fisrt days of computing the disk had to move the
read-write head about 2 inches on avg to get 16K of data
while the 486 waited.
The relationship of mechanics to electronics was very big
(as ratio).
So any disk that was faster and bigger was great as it
reduced this ratio.

This relationship remained about the same until disk
became so big that the read-write head was moving half
way across the the disk on avg (like before),
but between the last portion of data and the start of the
page file (for example) widens as the disk partition gets
bigger.

Let us use a trip to the store and the speed of light to
explain this relationship for old computers and new
computers.

I want to go to the convientence store to get a sotapop.
There is one two miles away but on a faster street than
the one that is closest.
However, there is a third about half way between and on a
quick street with no long lights.
All of these trips take about the same time, 20 minutes
plus or minus 1 min..
Now I know if I go to one farther away even on the fast
street it will take even longer.
So one day sure enough, the store on the fast street was
closed.
Now I have to go to the one further away and it takes
longer.
I could go to one of the others but first, I must break
my auto habits of mindless driving.
If I make a conscious choice to turn left rather than
right, I will save myself 10 min. round trip and a cup of
gas.

The speed of light is hard to comprehend.
Light travels in one second 7 and a half times the
distance around the earth.
186,000 miles in one second.

But to get to the moon and back,
it takes forever,
an aganising 2 and a half seconds.

So is the case of the R/W head of your disk when the
system partition becomes very much larger than the data
stored on it.

So what is the sweet spot for the system partiton.
IMO, 16 GB primary system partition runs very quick and
very smooth with room to spare.
The MFT and page file are close, with head movement of
say, 3/8ths of an inch vs. a 80 GB partition of 1 and 1/2
inch (or 400% more time.)
On a 250 GB partiton that would be 933% more time. This
is now becoming noticable.
A Second large disk can be used for many things and does
not get in the way of recovery or repair to the small
System Partition.
Even Programs can be installed on a partiton on the
second drive and remain safe, as long as the recovery has
the registery entries.
In fact, the second disk as a dynamic disk can be more
protected and a volume on the disk can act as an
extention of the C: drive by being mounted to an empty
folder.

Also, some finer tuning can be attempted on the system
partition. For example, an 8K cluster size (which
prohibits compression but transfers more data with each
read. How much more. Almost twice as fast as a 4K on slow
and medium mobo and cpu's. 16 times faster than a
converted fat32 to NTFS with a cluster of 512 Bytes, yes,
1/2K.

The partitions on the second disk can be 4k for
compression, 8k for programs, and even 16K for databases.

Now think about the 7 and a half trips around the earth
or the trip to the moon, going on constantly 24X7.
Think about the extra 10 min. to the store to get data,
but only the computer is trying to take 30,000 trips a
second, but can only get 7,500 or 2,000 trips completed.

So you can see that the relative size of the disk
partiton can affect computer speed.
You will still need to get a 40, 60, or 80 GB drive for
the primary disk. But the primary system partition needs
to be in the relative size parms to get maximum
performance.

If this seems like a lot of work, it is not that much
more than normal install, but done up front it can save
many more troubles down the road, and enhance your
computing Xperience. :)
Try it, you'll like it.

SL
 
§

§kullywag©-

I thoht I would post this for those that have upgraded
from a Fat32 system, or have a need for a clean install,
<boring blo-hard snip>
Damn dude? where's the pay off? After bellowing all that wind, one
would think you might expel the meaning of life, instead of "small
partitions are good".

Spend your free time on a girl-friend instead of typing..........


§kullywag©-
 
S

SlowJet

I gues it gave you a chance to vent on my shoulder. :)

Love and Hugs,
Smooch

It was meant for the 20 or so simular questions the night
before about SP2.
But the flood gates have begun and now it just a party.

Have fun.
*hands on hips*
....you're not werring that to the party are you? :)

SJ

Don't wan no luvvvvvvvin' any morrrre,
each night I crrry,
when I hear this sounnnnnnnd,
Her she comemmmmmmmmms,
that's Cathy's Clown
 

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