Windows 7: Formatting 16Gb Flash Drive

gogreen · 01 Feb 2011

What exactly is ReadyBoost, and do I need it?

Also, I want to format the flash drive from FAT32 to NTFS. Apparently, the default allocation unit for NTFS is 4096 bytes. Do I accept this, or should I change it (see attached png)?

And if I reformat from FAT32 to NTFS, will I be deleting the drive's pre-installed ReadyBoost capability?

Thanks!

linnemeyerhere · 01 Feb 2011

Many here aren't fond of the ReadyBoost feature and with 8 gb's of quality ram the need is moot, but with that being said if your system allows a portion or all of the drive to allocated to RB then I've noticed slight improvements but ever since upping the ante with the SSD my system won't even recognized a need for it. To my knowledge by reformatting you won't be eliminating the RB feature as it's in Windows 7 and not the flash drive.

Sardonicus · 01 Feb 2011

With 8GB of RAM installed, I wouldn't even bother with ready boost.
You won't see any performance improvements.

gogreen · 01 Feb 2011

OK, linnemeyerhere and p5bdkw. Thanks!

DeaconFrost · 01 Feb 2011

You'd be fine to leave the formatting as the default size for NTFS as well.

gogreen · 01 Feb 2011

Quote: Originally Posted by DeaconFrost

You'd be fine to leave the formatting as the default size for NTFS as well.

Good deal. Thanks for that information.

Windows 7: Formatting 16Gb Flash Drive

Formatting 16Gb Flash Drive problems?