Inconsistent Boot Times with Readyboost

[Distorted Vision]

I tested Readyboost on my Windows Vista Ultimate machine. It is an AMD 64
3500+ with 2Gb PC3200 RAM in dual channel mode and command rate 1T. I was
using a Kingston DataTraveler 2Gb and whilst this drive isn't marketed for
use with Readyboost I tested the transfer rates with SiSoftware Sandra and
it easily meets the requirements.

Here are the results:
Boot Time
(seconds)
Readyboost Enabled
Readyboost Disabled

166
191
177
131
162
140
161
261
161
166

242

Mean 165
189
Standard Deviation 6.1
48.8

I don't understand why:

1. Readyboost seems to be increasing boot times
2. Giving massively varying / inconsistent boot times.

I look forward to your comments.

Many thanks!

 

[Paul Smith]

ReadyBoost doesn't increase boot times. ReadyBoost assists the page file by
acting a low latency store.

ReadyDrive, where a hard drive has a cache of flash memory built in *may*
increase boot time, but the key purpose in my opinion to to save battery
power by not keeping the disk spun up all the time.

--
Paul Smith,
Yeovil, UK.
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User.
http://www.windowsresource.net/

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[Distorted Vision]

So its not very useful in desktop machines?

ReadyBoost doesn't increase boot times. ReadyBoost assists the page file
by acting a low latency store.

ReadyDrive, where a hard drive has a cache of flash memory built in *may*
increase boot time, but the key purpose in my opinion to to save battery
power by not keeping the disk spun up all the time.

--
Paul Smith,
Yeovil, UK.
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User.
http://www.windowsresource.net/

*Remove nospam. to reply by e-mail*

 

[Richard G. Harper]

It is useful for its intended use. During startup, it does nothing to
improve performance. While the system is up and running it improves virtual
memory performance.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
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[Distorted Vision]

I was thinking about getting the Corsair TurboFlash for use with
ReadyBoost. However they only make 1Gb and 512Mb versions. Is the 1Gb
one big enough for a machine with 2Gb of RAM?

Many thanks.

 

[AJR]

Your post refers to inconsistent boot times?

ReadyBoost's main function to support the "superfetch" function - an added
benefit is that "over a period of time" it maps computer usage and provides
faster boots.

As to size - one gig would be fine - suggest you check that the memory is
compatible with ReadyBoost.

 

[Puppy Breath]

My own gut feeling on that is that you might as well hold out for the full
4GB. It's not just about boot time or any one thing in particular. It's
about everything that goes on with the paging file. The more stuff you have
on the flash drive, the better performance you'll get all around (depending
on how you use your computer of course).