SSD as a cache

[Shrek]

I know one can use PrimoCache to use a SSD as a cache for a hard drive,
but I also see

• Intel's Smart Response Technology

which seems to be free.

Can't say I understand all of this, but has anyone used Intel's offering?

 

[LabRat 891]

I've not used Intel's since first building my Z77+3770k build. It was kinda complicated to set up, and I didn't feel it helped any. Then again, that was *years* ago, and I was.comparing RAID 0 64+MB cache'd 7.2kRPM drives vs. caching onto a Vertex 4 SATA SSD.

Since then, I've used PrimoCache to utilize surplus '16GB' x2 lane NVME Optane m.2 modules over PCIe x1 slots, as Cache.
Mixed results, but I do recall 'fiddling' with it to a point it was reliable and 'helping' performance.
(I've completed this experiment successfully on both 4th gen Intel platforms and my Ryzen build. Intel lied, and you can shove those Optane modules anywhere there's at least a single lane of PCIe, regardless of generation. They'll also work with AMD-RAID and Microsoft Storage Spaces, if you're like me and fancy building yourself a cheap and sizeable cache/scratch drive using Optane)

 

[Shrek]

Good to know, as I'm trying to avoid having to fiddle.

 

[LabRat 891]

Good to know, as I'm trying to avoid having to fiddle.

Edit: I checked out your system specs. If they're accurate, you're not compatible with iRST; PrimoCache will be your only known option. Even non-nvme-supporting motherboards will recognize and use NVME drives, even over PCIe 1.1 x1 lane.
You merely cannot boot from them without some finagling (custom bootloader on SATA drive that loads the NVME driver and 'points' to the NVME, or modded UEFI/BIOS)

If you have a fully-compatible Intel-platform system, I would 'trust' that iSRT has been developed into a fairly 'plug, play, and go' package.
Assuming compatibility, I'd try that first.

I haven't been able to try StoreMI on my AMD Ryzen builds, as I purposely chose an LTSC/LTSB version of Windows 10, and am 'stuck' on too old of a build. My other Ryzen, a 3600 build, is on Windows 7; built for my Dad, but have not yet gifted-over due to home improvement projects taking precedent.


PrimoCache is fantastic, but it purposefully allows a detailed and aggregate level of control over *how* it caches. IMO, it is the 'better' solution, but it does require you either:
A. Know exactly what you're doing, and what settings to set for your uses.
Or
B. Are willing to research and 'test' various settings until you find what's optimal for your particular use.

 

[Shrek]

Does PrimoCache accelerate boot time?

 

[johnspack]

No. And just like samsung rapid mode, it just uses ram cache. It doesn't actually make your drive faster. If you have huge amounts of extra ram... it might... otherwise don't bother.

 

[Shrek]

I am totally against RAM cache due to what is lost in a power outage; only SSD cache interests me. I thought Primocache could use an SSD for caching.

PrimoCache - Excellent Software Caching Solution to Accelerate Storage (romexsoftware.com)

• "Make your computer more responsive for creating, gaming and producing, with less boot and load times."
• "Complete write requests very quickly by temporarily storing incoming data into RAM or SSD storage first and writing them back to target disks later."

 

[shovenose]

I used Intel Smart Response for years, it actually worked great for what it was!

 

[IMABEARLOL]

No. And just like samsung rapid mode, it just uses ram cache. It doesn't actually make your drive faster. If you have huge amounts of extra ram... it might... otherwise don't bother.

PrimoCache can cache to RAM or a storage volume or both through a cache tiering system.

 

[johnspack]

Yes I do believe Primocache can use an ssd for caching. It doesn't cost much, and I think there is a trial version. Guess you might as well try it. I do know there is
at least one member in TPU who likes it....

 

[hat]

SSD storage is relatively cheap these days. Just buy an SSD big enough for your fast storage needs... there's your cache.

 

[johnspack]

True enough.

 

[OkieDan]

I am totally against RAM cache due to what is lost in a power outage; only SSD cache interests me. I thought Primocache could use an SSD for caching.

PrimoCache - Excellent Software Caching Solution to Accelerate Storage (romexsoftware.com)

• "Make your computer more responsive for creating, gaming and producing, with less boot and load times."
• "Complete write requests very quickly by temporarily storing incoming data into RAM or SSD storage first and writing them back to target disks later."

PrimoCache can use RAM and/or SSD for caching. If you don't want to lose data on power loss you should disable write caching in PrimoCache. Virus scans and indexing performed on the drive you want to cache can push things out of cache.

It won't speed boot times generally speaking, although it might if you have stuff loading from a spinning disk.