SSD and page file question


  1. Posts : 661
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit
       #1

    SSD and page file question


    My (gaming) PC has two 500GB SSDs, and no HDDs. The first SSD has two partitions, the first, smaller one (80GBs), being the C Drive for the O/S. The second SSD also has one smaller partition and one large.

    As I have 16GBs of RAM - and I find that leaving Windows to manage the page file (rather than set minimum and maximum sizes, or tinker with it in any other way, as I always used to, once upon a time) gives the best, stutter-free performance results - I obviously as a consequence have 16GBs of space used up on my C drive for the page file: as the Windows partition is getting fuller, I'd like to reclaim this...

    Is there any reason why I shouldn't leave just a small page file on the C-Drive and set up the system managed page file (so, 16GBs) on the 2nd. (large) partition of the 2nd SSD (where there's loads of room)? I am presuming that, being SSDs, the location of the page file isn't important from a performance point of view. Or would that somehow interfere with (and make pointless) having Windows managing the page file, if I have set it up on a partition other than the one with the O/S in it?

    I know I could just reduce the page file to 1GB, or whatever, but as I say, it seems to me that I get the best gaming performance with the page file left for Windows to manage...

    I do not have a hibernation file, for obvious reasons...


    Thanks!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #2

    Let Windows 7 continue to manage all memory.
    If your "C" partition is getting full, just make it bigger.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 20,583
    Win-7-Pro64bit 7-H-Prem-64bit
       #3

    Hi,
    You should update your system spec's they seem old compared to your question.
    Gaming performance might suffer more on a 2gb card more than a 4gb card
    So with a 2gb card you might be more reliant on a page file.
      My Computer


  4. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #4

    With 16GB of RAM, I would set the pagefile to 1GB. It will probably never be used.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 661
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Hi. I have updated my system specs - thanks.

    As I say, I could reduce the page file to 1GB but I think I get more reliable performance leaving it managed by Windows. With an SSD there is of course no issue with fragmentation. I read a lot of posts on this at the time and the consensus seemed to be that setting a min and max for the page file is 'old thinking' and not the best option.

    But what about me moving the page file to a different SSD? I guess I could increase the size of the C drive (it's not critical yet, I have 19GBs free out of 80), but on occasion the process has gone wrong (using whatever tool, Partition Manager and the like) and I've ended up with a PC that won't boot. I don't want to risk it unless essential. Call me a coward if you like..
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 20,583
    Win-7-Pro64bit 7-H-Prem-64bit
       #6

    Hi,
    I'd use Samsung magician
    It will adjust everything for you and also update the firmware which is probably old too.
    Scroll down the list for it,
    Samsung SSD Downloads | Samsung SSD
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 661
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #7

    I'll have a look at the 'Samsung Magician'! The SSDs are 850 EVO, probably up to date, but I'll check it out. Thanks...
    Last edited by martinlest; 23 Feb 2016 at 12:22.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 20,583
    Win-7-Pro64bit 7-H-Prem-64bit
       #8

    Hi,
    No firmware is up to date on new items bought
    They have shelf time
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 661
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #9

    There are no firmware updates on the Samsung site for the 850 - only the 840s.and earlier
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 20,583
    Win-7-Pro64bit 7-H-Prem-64bit
       #10

    The s. magician utility will offer the firmware update.
      My Computer


 

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