The same old READYBOOST question...

[Frederick]

My laptop has a flush-mounted flash memory card in one
slot, permanently. It is an 8GB super fast SanDisk
Ultra, but I use less than 2GB for a running backup of
working files.

So, the question:

Given a T7700 2.4GHz laptop with 4GB of installed RAM
(3.2GB recognized), is there any reason whatsoever to
allocate part of that fast flash card to READYBOOST?

I've seen information suggesting that Readyboost was
intended to enable low-RAM computers to use Vista, but
that does not answer my question. Even a 2% improvement
would make sense, since the add-on memory is free and
available.

Thanks!

Fearless Fred

 

[Saucy]

My laptop has a flush-mounted flash memory card in one slot, permanently.
It is an 8GB super fast SanDisk Ultra, but I use less than 2GB for a
running backup of working files.

So, the question:

Given a T7700 2.4GHz laptop with 4GB of installed RAM (3.2GB recognized),
is there any reason whatsoever to allocate part of that fast flash card to
READYBOOST?

I've seen information suggesting that Readyboost was intended to enable
low-RAM computers to use Vista, but that does not answer my question. Even
a 2% improvement would make sense, since the add-on memory is free and
available.

Thanks!

Fearless Fred

No. IMHO, with 4GB RAM already installed there's no need for ReadyBoost. If
I remember correctly, the whole idea behind ReadyBoost was to help laptops
with, say, just 1GB [or less] RAM run Vista.

Saucy

 

[Paul Montgomery]

Given a T7700 2.4GHz laptop with 4GB of installed RAM
(3.2GB recognized), is there any reason whatsoever to
allocate part of that fast flash card to READYBOOST?

I've seen information suggesting that Readyboost was
intended to enable low-RAM computers to use Vista, but
that does not answer my question. Even a 2% improvement
would make sense, since the add-on memory is free and
available.

If you're going to ignore what the experts say - that it's for
low-memory systems - and think that you can feel a 2% boost, then why
are you here?

Go for it. Nothing anyone here can say will keep you from trying.

 

[Quaoar]

My laptop has a flush-mounted flash memory card in one slot,
permanently. It is an 8GB super fast SanDisk Ultra, but I use less than
2GB for a running backup of working files.

So, the question:

Given a T7700 2.4GHz laptop with 4GB of installed RAM (3.2GB
recognized), is there any reason whatsoever to allocate part of that
fast flash card to READYBOOST?

I've seen information suggesting that Readyboost was intended to enable
low-RAM computers to use Vista, but that does not answer my question.
Even a 2% improvement would make sense, since the add-on memory is free
and available.

Thanks!

Fearless Fred

I've installed ReadyBoost on two Vista computers, both with 2GB RAM, and
all I can see is something between zero and nothing in performance gain.
I would use your card for the important function you use it for now.

Q

 

[Frederick]

I'm pretty happy with the current situation, but like
most here I'm always looking for improvement...

Adding complexity always adds risk, so if there's no
benefit I won't even experiment with it.

Thanks!
Fred

 

[John Barnett MVP]

In my opinion if you have 4GB RAM installed the you 'don't' need ready
boost. As I've said before to other posters I haven't seen any noticeable
increase in performance on any machine with 2GB or more of RAM. Yes, you
will see a performance increase if you have less than "GB RAM, but certainly
not with more than 4GB

--

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://www.silversurferguide.org

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[Phillips]

You need USB2.0 controller and flash... but it still has no positive effect
on a 4GB RAM machine.
Michael

 

[AJR]

Most ReadyBoost information ismisleading and not accurate. It is not an
adjunct to RAM - it "assists" Superfectch and works with ReadyBoot. Another
Ready device is ReadyDrive - a flash cache installed on a HD.

A ReadyBoost device is tested by Vista as to whether or not it's Read/Write
specs meet or exceed those of the HD - ReadyBoost is usually not of any
benefit on desktops with high spec HDs., however it is usually of benefit in
laptops because of laptop HD speeds and lower Read/Write specs.

ReadyBoost performance depends primarily on the type of HD activity -
non-sequential Read/writes are directed to the ReadyBoost device and
sequential to the HD.

In addition, over a period of time, ReadyBoost works in concert with Vista
in "tracking" startup and application usage to provide improved prformance
(In some circumstances however, ReadyBoost may increase boot time)..

 

[Phillips]

Yeah, nice... only that I tried 2 different flash drives both on PC and
laptop and RBoost failed miserably - slow, sleep/wakeup issues w/ USB. maybe
a real top speed flash-drive would do the trick.
Michael