Windows 7 - Did you move your Firefox cache into RAM/off your SSD?

FliGi7 · 02-06-2012

I recently moved my FF cache to memory using the instructions here:

SSD owners: Set Firefox to memory cache instead of disk

I did this in light of minimizing writes to the SSD in order to prolong its life. However, I'm not really convinced as to whether or not it really has an impact on the life of the drive. I believe this optimization was done several versions of Firefox ago and I'm not sure it's still relevant, considering I was reading up on a Mozilla dev/support site from a while back and they stated they were going to implement better caching into memory in future builds so that users didn't have to make this manual change to benefit from it.

My question is, have any of you moved your cache off SSD? If so, is it to RAM or another drive? I considered just moving it to another drive but am trying the move to RAM currently. I have noticed a bit of a slowdown after doing so in rendering pages (which was also mentioned might happen if you do this) but can't tell if it's just in my head or not.

ignatzatsonic · 02-06-2012

I have moved my Firefox cache to a spinning drive, purely to reduce writes to the SSD.

Probably silly, pointless, and a gross over-reaction.

I don't notice any performance impact.

I wasn't aware of "memory cache". I'm still on Firefox 5.0.

pparks1 · 02-06-2012

I'm not that worried about writes to my SSD. I'm sure it will last plenty long enough with the browser cache writing to it.

GeneO · 02-06-2012

Quote: Originally Posted by FliGi7

I recently moved my FF cache to memory using the instructions here:

SSD owners: Set Firefox to memory cache instead of disk

I did this in light of minimizing writes to the SSD in order to prolong its life. However, I'm not really convinced as to whether or not it really has an impact on the life of the drive. I believe this optimization was done several versions of Firefox ago and I'm not sure it's still relevant, considering I was reading up on a Mozilla dev/support site from a while back and they stated they were going to implement better caching into memory in future builds so that users didn't have to make this manual change to benefit from it.

My question is, have any of you moved your cache off SSD? If so, is it to RAM or another drive? I considered just moving it to another drive but am trying the move to RAM currently. I have noticed a bit of a slowdown after doing so in rendering pages (which was also mentioned might happen if you do this) but can't tell if it's just in my head or not.

I have a 3GB Friefox cache on my SSD. I also have tmp and Photoshop caches on it. At my current usage, the SSD will wear out in 13 years. I will be either dead or spoon fed in a nursing home by then.

Wear leveling in modern SSD is very good. You should not worry about wearing your SSD out with caches, etc.

FliGi7 · 02-06-2012

This is something I figured, but it's always good to hear positive reinforcement.

GeneO · 02-06-2012

Quote: Originally Posted by ignatzatsonic

I have moved my Firefox cache to a spinning drive, purely to reduce writes to the SSD.

Probably silly, pointless, and a gross over-reaction.

I don't notice any performance impact.

I wasn't aware of "memory cache". I'm still on Firefox 5.0.

He is talking about RAM disk. Really it is silly, use the SSD for what it is intended - high IOPs for small random reads and writes - like the browser cache. You will have aged significantly before your SSD wears out from this, but you will have replace it before then

Windows 7 - Did you move your Firefox cache into RAM/off your SSD?

Did you move your Firefox cache into RAM/off your SSD? problems?