What's your hard drive assessment speed?

[Firestrider]

I'm curious to see what other people are getting for their WEI disk scores. I would like to see all types and combinations of drives to see how they differ in performance. If possible try to keep HDTach/HDTune/etc. scores to a minimum as there is another thread for that.

Some general questions for this thread (answered through benchmarks):

• How does RAID affect random reads/writes and latency?
• How much does NV Cache help?
• What subtest shows the biggest difference between and SSD and HDD?
• Can defragmenting a used HDD actually improve benchmark scores?
• What's the difference between a used SSD with TRIM vs. non-TRIM?

Here's mine (Seagate Crockett 5400RPM):

C:\Windows\system32>winsat disk
Windows System Assessment Tool
> Running: Feature Enumeration ''
> Run Time 00:00:00.00
> Running: Storage Assessment '-seq -read -n 0'
> Run Time 00:00:15.05
> Running: Storage Assessment '-ran -read -n 0'
> Run Time 00:00:14.90
> Running: Storage Assessment '-scen 2009 -drive C:'
> Run Time 00:01:41.00
> Running: Storage Assessment '-seq -write -drive C:'
> Run Time 00:00:13.90
> Running: Storage Assessment '-flush -drive C: -seq'
> Run Time 00:00:14.38
> Running: Storage Assessment '-flush -drive C: -ran'
> Run Time 00:00:26.32
> Running: Storage Assessment '-hybrid -ran -read -n 0 -ransize 4096'
NV Cache not present.
> Run Time 00:00:00.08
> Running: Storage Assessment '-hybrid -ran -read -n 0 -ransize 16384'
NV Cache not present.
> Run Time 00:00:00.06
> Disk  Sequential 64.0 Read                   54.79 MB/s          5.5
> Disk  Random 16.0 Read                       1.11 MB/s          3.2
> Responsiveness: Average IO Rate              7.08 ms/IO          4.5
> Responsiveness: Grouped IOs                  11.72 units          6.8
> Responsiveness: Long IOs                     33.56 units          1.9
> Responsiveness: Overall                      393.42 units          4.1
> Responsiveness: PenaltyFactor                1.0
> Disk  Sequential 64.0 Write                  54.00 MB/s          5.5
> Average Read Time with Sequential Writes     17.962 ms          2.8
> Latency: 95th Percentile                     102.751 ms          1.9
> Latency: Maximum                             229.118 ms          7.2
> Average Read Time with Random Writes         32.215 ms          1.9
> Total Run Time 00:03:07.33

Simple directions to run test:

1. Press Windows key.
2. Type "cmd" without quotes.
3. Right click on the program that pops up and select "Run as administrator".
4. Type "winsat disk" without quotes in the command prompt.
5. After the test is done right click in the black area of the command prompt and choose "Select All"
6. Press Enter to Copy.
7. Ctrl+V to Paste here.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Here is mine. This is an 18 month old WD Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640 gig drive:

 

[Nokternol]

WD Raptor 150GB

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7600]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Windows\system32>winsat disk
Windows System Assessment Tool
> Running: Feature Enumeration ''
> Run Time 00:00:00.00
> Running: Storage Assessment '-seq -read -n 0'
> Run Time 00:00:07.91
> Running: Storage Assessment '-ran -read -n 0'
> Run Time 00:00:08.36
> Running: Storage Assessment '-scen 2009 -drive C:'
> Run Time 00:01:04.91
> Running: Storage Assessment '-seq -write -drive C:'
> Run Time 00:00:09.67
> Running: Storage Assessment '-flush -drive C: -seq'
> Run Time 00:00:05.27
> Running: Storage Assessment '-flush -drive C: -ran'
> Run Time 00:00:09.83
> Running: Storage Assessment '-hybrid -ran -read -n 0 -ransize 4096'
NV Cache not present.
> Run Time 00:00:00.03
> Running: Storage Assessment '-hybrid -ran -read -n 0 -ransize 16384'
NV Cache not present.
> Run Time 00:00:00.03
> Disk Sequential 64.0 Read 75.68 MB/s 6.1
> Disk Random 16.0 Read 2.09 MB/s 4.2
> Responsiveness: Average IO Rate 2.95 ms/IO 6.4
> Responsiveness: Grouped IOs 10.26 units 7.1
> Responsiveness: Long IOs 11.45 units 7.3
> Responsiveness: Overall 117.55 units 6.7
> Responsiveness: PenaltyFactor 0.0
> Disk Sequential 64.0 Write 111.50 MB/s 6.8
> Average Read Time with Sequential Writes 4.953 ms 6.0
> Latency: 95th Percentile 9.714 ms 5.8
> Latency: Maximum 416.439 ms 4.7
> Average Read Time with Random Writes 4.943 ms 6.0
> Total Run Time 00:01:47.33

 

[Wishmaster]

heres mine .. 30GB OCZ Vertex

Windows System Assessment Tool
> Running: Feature Enumeration ''
> Run Time 00:00:00.00
> Running: Storage Assessment '-seq -read -n 0'
> Run Time 00:00:02.45
> Running: Storage Assessment '-ran -read -n 0'
> Run Time 00:00:00.47
> Running: Storage Assessment '-scen 2009 -drive C:'
> Run Time 00:00:53.51
> Running: Storage Assessment '-seq -write -drive C:'
> Run Time 00:00:06.61
> Running: Storage Assessment '-flush -drive C: -seq'
> Run Time 00:00:01.45
> Running: Storage Assessment '-flush -drive C: -ran'
> Run Time 00:00:01.48
> Running: Storage Assessment '-hybrid -ran -read -n 0 -ransize 4096'
NV Cache not present.
> Run Time 00:00:00.01
> Running: Storage Assessment '-hybrid -ran -read -n 0 -ransize 16384'
NV Cache not present.
> Run Time 00:00:00.00
> Disk Sequential 64.0 Read 211.91 MB/s 7.3
> Disk Random 16.0 Read 107.35 MB/s 7.2
> Responsiveness: Average IO Rate 0.90 ms/IO 7.9
> Responsiveness: Grouped IOs 7.97 units 7.5
> Responsiveness: Long IOs 3.40 units 7.9
> Responsiveness: Overall 27.04 units 7.6
> Responsiveness: PenaltyFactor 0.0
> Disk Sequential 64.0 Write 141.41 MB/s 7.1
> Average Read Time with Sequential Writes 1.374 ms 7.4
> Latency: 95th Percentile 3.666 ms 6.9
> Latency: Maximum 9.014 ms 7.9
> Average Read Time with Random Writes 1.461 ms 7.9
> Total Run Time 00:01:06.66

 

[pparks1]

This is on my test box at work. Hard Drive is 500GB Western Digital Caviar Blue, using Windows 7 64-bit with Microsoft drivers;

C:\Windows\system32>winsat disk
Windows System Assessment Tool
> Running: Feature Enumeration ''
> Run Time 00:00:00.00
> Running: Storage Assessment '-seq -read -n 0'
> Run Time 00:00:09.66
> Running: Storage Assessment '-ran -read -n 0'
> Run Time 00:00:11.62
> Running: Storage Assessment '-scen 2009 -drive C:'
> Run Time 00:01:06.22
> Running: Storage Assessment '-seq -write -drive C:'
> Run Time 00:00:07.94
> Running: Storage Assessment '-flush -drive C: -seq'
> Run Time 00:00:05.43
> Running: Storage Assessment '-flush -drive C: -ran'
> Run Time 00:00:08.55
> Running: Storage Assessment '-hybrid -ran -read -n 0 -ransize 4096'
NV Cache not present.
> Run Time 00:00:00.14
> Running: Storage Assessment '-hybrid -ran -read -n 0 -ransize 16384'
NV Cache not present.
> Run Time 00:00:00.05
> Disk Sequential 64.0 Read 77.42 MB/s 6.1
> Disk Random 16.0 Read 1.41 MB/s 3.8
> Responsiveness: Average IO Rate 2.95 ms/IO 6.4
> Responsiveness: Grouped IOs 10.05 units 7.2
> Responsiveness: Long IOs 11.75 units 7.2
> Responsiveness: Overall 118.01 units 6.7
> Responsiveness: PenaltyFactor 0.0
> Disk Sequential 64.0 Write 90.07 MB/s 6.4
> Average Read Time with Sequential Writes 5.277 ms 5.9
> Latency: 95th Percentile 10.055 ms 5.7
> Latency: Maximum 174.392 ms 7.4
> Average Read Time with Random Writes 5.495 ms 5.8
> Total Run Time 00:01:51.01

 

[HammerHead]

Disk Assess

Drive #2 - WDC WD3000HLFS-01G6U (279 GB)
Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7600]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
C:\Windows\system32>winsat disk
Windows System Assessment Tool
> Running: Feature Enumeration ''
> Run Time 00:00:00.00
> Running: Storage Assessment '-seq -read -n 1'
> Run Time 00:00:07.91
> Running: Storage Assessment '-ran -read -n 1'
> Run Time 00:00:05.68
> Running: Storage Assessment '-scen 2009 -drive C:'
> Run Time 00:00:53.87
> Running: Storage Assessment '-seq -write -drive C:'
> Run Time 00:00:06.05
> Running: Storage Assessment '-flush -drive C: -seq'
> Run Time 00:00:04.20
> Running: Storage Assessment '-flush -drive C: -ran'
> Run Time 00:00:06.24
> Running: Storage Assessment '-hybrid -ran -read -n 1 -ransize 4096'
NV Cache not present.
> Run Time 00:00:00.02
> Running: Storage Assessment '-hybrid -ran -read -n 1 -ransize 16384'
NV Cache not present.
> Run Time 00:00:00.01
> Disk Sequential 64.0 Read 101.08 MB/s 6.6
> Disk Random 16.0 Read 2.96 MB/s 4.6
> Responsiveness: Average IO Rate 1.50 ms/IO 7.5
> Responsiveness: Grouped IOs 8.66 units 7.4
> Responsiveness: Long IOs 2.91 units 7.9
> Responsiveness: Overall 25.20 units 7.6
> Responsiveness: PenaltyFactor 0.0
> Disk Sequential 64.0 Write 123.83 MB/s 6.9
> Average Read Time with Sequential Writes 5.218 ms 5.9
> Latency: 95th Percentile 12.793 ms 5.3
> Latency: Maximum 91.778 ms 7.7
> Average Read Time with Random Writes 6.380 ms 5.5
> Total Run Time 00:01:24.91
C:\Windows\system32>

If I am reading this correctly, the price I paid for this drive was wasted as far as performance is concerned.

 

[pparks1]

Here are the results from my work Dell Latitude E6400 notebook with 160GB hard drive.

C:\Windows\system32>winsat disk
Windows System Assessment Tool
> Running: Feature Enumeration ''
> Run Time 00:00:00.00
> Running: Storage Assessment '-seq -read -n 0'
> Run Time 00:00:11.51
> Running: Storage Assessment '-ran -read -n 0'
> Run Time 00:00:12.15
> Running: Storage Assessment '-scen 2009 -drive C:'
> Run Time 00:01:17.69
> Running: Storage Assessment '-seq -write -drive C:'
> Run Time 00:00:12.18
> Running: Storage Assessment '-flush -drive C: -seq'
> Run Time 00:00:09.05
> Running: Storage Assessment '-flush -drive C: -ran'
> Run Time 00:00:12.25
> Running: Storage Assessment '-hybrid -ran -read -n 0 -ransize 4096'
NV Cache not present.
> Run Time 00:00:01.22
> Running: Storage Assessment '-hybrid -ran -read -n 0 -ransize 16384'
NV Cache not present.
> Run Time 00:00:01.08
> Disk Sequential 64.0 Read 72.00 MB/s 6.0
> Disk Random 16.0 Read 1.47 MB/s 3.9
> Responsiveness: Average IO Rate 4.47 ms/IO 5.6
> Responsiveness: Grouped IOs 11.73 units 6.8
> Responsiveness: Long IOs 13.11 units 7.1
> Responsiveness: Overall 153.72 units 6.6
> Responsiveness: PenaltyFactor 0.0
> Disk Sequential 64.0 Write 70.74 MB/s 6.0
> Average Read Time with Sequential Writes 9.076 ms 4.7
> Latency: 95th Percentile 20.632 ms 4.5
> Latency: Maximum 122.629 ms 7.6
> Average Read Time with Random Writes 11.174 ms 4.2
> Total Run Time 00:02:21.12

 

[Wishmaster]

Drive #2 - WDC WD3000HLFS-01G6U (279 GB)


If I am reading this correctly, the price I paid for this drive was wasted as far as performance is concerned.

Single Raptor?

101MB/s is very good for a spinning drive, not to mention seek times and Avg I/O

Wont get much better unless you go Raid 0 or SSD

 

[Jobs2k]

Brand new 1TB Samsung HD103SJ Spinpoint. Very Happy with it so far.
Don't think these results are bad:

C:\Windows\System32>winsat disk
Windows System Assessment Tool
> Running: Feature Enumeration ''
> Run Time 00:00:00.00
> Running: Storage Assessment '-seq -read -n 0'
> Run Time 00:00:09.70
> Running: Storage Assessment '-ran -read -n 0'
> Run Time 00:00:13.13
> Running: Storage Assessment '-scen 2009 -drive C:'
> Run Time 00:01:03.50
> Running: Storage Assessment '-seq -write -drive C:'
> Run Time 00:00:06.33
> Running: Storage Assessment '-flush -drive C: -seq'
> Run Time 00:00:04.31
> Running: Storage Assessment '-flush -drive C: -ran'
> Run Time 00:00:08.66
> Running: Storage Assessment '-hybrid -ran -read -n 0 -ransize 4096'
NV Cache not present.
> Run Time 00:00:00.13
> Running: Storage Assessment '-hybrid -ran -read -n 0 -ransize 16384'
NV Cache not present.
> Run Time 00:00:00.05
> Disk Sequential 64.0 Read 116.83 MB/s 6.9
> Disk Random 16.0 Read 1.29 MB/s 3.6
> Responsiveness: Average IO Rate 2.44 ms/IO 6.7
> Responsiveness: Grouped IOs 9.34 units 7.3
> Responsiveness: Long IOs 10.15 units 7.4
> Responsiveness: Overall 94.75 units 6.8
> Responsiveness: PenaltyFactor 0.0
> Disk Sequential 64.0 Write 196.72 MB/s 7.3
> Average Read Time with Sequential Writes 4.134 ms 6.3
> Latency: 95th Percentile 17.919 ms 4.8
> Latency: Maximum 286.310 ms 7.0
> Average Read Time with Random Writes 7.028 ms 5.3
> Total Run Time 00:01:47.14

 

[Thenight]

Samsung F3 HD502HJ 500GB

> Disk Sequential 64.0 Read 114.96 MB/s 6.8
> Disk Random 16.0 Read 1.61 MB/s 4.0
> Responsiveness: Average IO Rate 1.60 ms/IO 7.4
> Responsiveness: Grouped IOs 9.17 units 7.3
> Responsiveness: Long IOs 3.36 units 7.9
> Responsiveness: Overall 30.80 units 7.5
> Responsiveness: PenaltyFactor 0.0
> Disk Sequential 64.0 Write 162.39 MB/s 7.1
> Average Read Time with Sequential Writes 5.551 ms 5.8
> Latency: 95th Percentile 27.380 ms 3.9
> Latency: Maximum 71.882 ms 7.8
> Average Read Time with Random Writes 9.322 ms 4.7
> Total Run Time 00:01:29.65

 

[mpcrsc562]

western digital caviar black 1tb (wd1001fals-00j7b0)

(i don't know how much a difference running apps make when doing a disk performance test, but obviously, my browser is open and i'm also watching the gmac bowl via media center)

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Western Digital Green 1.5 TB with 3 platters:


E:\>winsat disk
Windows System Assessment Tool
> Running: Feature Enumeration ''
> Run Time 00:00:00.00
> Running: Storage Assessment '-seq -read -n 0'
> Run Time 00:00:09.27
> Running: Storage Assessment '-ran -read -n 0'
> Run Time 00:00:11.38
> Running: Storage Assessment '-scen 2009 -drive C:'
> Run Time 00:01:04.11
> Running: Storage Assessment '-seq -write -drive C:'
> Run Time 00:00:07.02
> Running: Storage Assessment '-flush -drive C: -seq'
> Run Time 00:00:05.61
> Running: Storage Assessment '-flush -drive C: -ran'
> Run Time 00:00:07.97
> Running: Storage Assessment '-hybrid -ran -read -n 0 -ransize 4096'
NV Cache not present.
> Run Time 00:00:00.08
> Running: Storage Assessment '-hybrid -ran -read -n 0 -ransize 16384'
NV Cache not present.
> Run Time 00:00:00.03
> Disk Sequential 64.0 Read 95.02 MB/s 6.5
> Disk Random 16.0 Read 1.45 MB/s 3.9
> Responsiveness: Average IO Rate 2.73 ms/IO 6.5
> Responsiveness: Grouped IOs 9.37 units 7.3
> Responsiveness: Long IOs 10.54 units 7.3
> Responsiveness: Overall 98.83 units 6.8
> Responsiveness: PenaltyFactor 0.0
> Disk Sequential 64.0 Write 110.10 MB/s 6.7
> Average Read Time with Sequential Writes 4.948 ms 6.0
> Latency: 95th Percentile 9.694 ms 5.8
> Latency: Maximum 180.594 ms 7.4
> Average Read Time with Random Writes 4.862 ms 6.0
> Total Run Time 00:01:46.97

E:\>

 

[Nokternol]

Unimpressed

I am seriously considering going SSD

75.68 MB/s is not what I would expect from a Raptor.
Especially as Jobs has 116.83 MB/s from his Spinpoint F3 (I have the same drive for storage)

I have kept the noisy Raptor as my boot drive for it's 10,000RPM thinking the read speed would be higher but clearly I was mistaken.

 

[Dom]

C:\Windows\system32>winsat disk
Windows System Assessment Tool
> Running: Feature Enumeration ''
> Run Time 00:00:00.00
> Running: Storage Assessment '-seq -read -n 0'
> Run Time 00:00:13.93
> Running: Storage Assessment '-ran -read -n 0'
> Run Time 00:00:17.67
> Running: Storage Assessment '-scen 2009 -drive C:'
> Run Time 00:01:27.99
> Running: Storage Assessment '-seq -write -drive C:'
> Run Time 00:00:14.44
> Running: Storage Assessment '-flush -drive C: -seq'
> Run Time 00:00:09.91
> Running: Storage Assessment '-flush -drive C: -ran'
> Run Time 00:00:15.98
> Running: Storage Assessment '-hybrid -ran -read -n 0 -ransize 4096'
NV Cache not present.
> Run Time 00:00:00.05
> Running: Storage Assessment '-hybrid -ran -read -n 0 -ransize 16384'
NV Cache not present.
> Run Time 00:00:00.03
> Disk  Sequential 64.0 Read                   48.85 MB/s          5.3
> Disk  Random 16.0 Read                       1.04 MB/s          3.1
> Responsiveness: Average IO Rate              5.83 ms/IO          5.1
> Responsiveness: Grouped IOs                  14.40 units          6.2
> Responsiveness: Long IOs                     17.76 units          6.6
> Responsiveness: Overall                      255.71 units          6.2
> Responsiveness: PenaltyFactor                0.0
> Disk  Sequential 64.0 Write                  52.93 MB/s          5.4
> Average Read Time with Sequential Writes     10.078 ms          4.5
> Latency: 95th Percentile                     59.220 ms          1.9
> Latency: Maximum                             284.136 ms          7.1
> Average Read Time with Random Writes         19.330 ms          2.5
> Total Run Time 00:02:41.45

Ordinary laptop 160gb.
In device manager it says: Hitachi HTS543216L9A300 ATA Device.
No idea if thats good or bad.

 

[Wishmaster]

I am seriously considering going SSD

75.68 MB/s is not what I would expect from a Raptor.
Especially as Jobs has 116.83 MB/s from his Spinpoint F3 (I have the same drive for storage)

I have kept the noisy Raptor as my boot drive for it's 10,000RPM thinking the read speed would be higher but clearly I was mistaken.

SSD is the one single upgrade Ive done in a very,very long time that I can honestly say was worth the investment.
The overgain performance gain is immediatley apparent.

 

[Billy]

Here's mine on a Western Digital Caviar Blue 320GB

C:\Windows\system32>winsat disk
Windows System Assessment Tool
> Running: Feature Enumeration ''
> Run Time 00:00:00.00
> Running: Storage Assessment '-seq -read -n 0'
> Run Time 00:00:09.38
> Running: Storage Assessment '-ran -read -n 0'
> Run Time 00:00:12.76
> Running: Storage Assessment '-scen 2009 -drive C:'
> Run Time 00:01:31.25
> Running: Storage Assessment '-seq -write -drive C:'
> Run Time 00:00:11.14
> Running: Storage Assessment '-flush -drive C: -seq'
> Run Time 00:00:06.43
> Running: Storage Assessment '-flush -drive C: -ran'
> Run Time 00:00:10.00
> Running: Storage Assessment '-hybrid -ran -read -n 0 -ransize 4096'
NV Cache not present.
> Run Time 00:00:00.14
> Running: Storage Assessment '-hybrid -ran -read -n 0 -ransize 16384'
NV Cache not present.
> Run Time 00:00:00.05
> Disk  Sequential 64.0 Read                   61.14 MB/s          5.7
> Disk  Random 16.0 Read                       1.36 MB/s          3.7
> Responsiveness: Average IO Rate              5.78 ms/IO          5.1
> Responsiveness: Grouped IOs                  14.72 units          6.1
> Responsiveness: Long IOs                     24.71 units          4.6
> Responsiveness: Overall                      363.59 units          4.7
> Responsiveness: PenaltyFactor                0.1
> Disk  Sequential 64.0 Write                  55.55 MB/s          5.5
> Average Read Time with Sequential Writes     5.848 ms          5.7
> Latency: 95th Percentile                     11.705 ms          5.5
> Latency: Maximum                             265.756 ms          7.1
> Average Read Time with Random Writes         5.954 ms          5.7
> Total Run Time 00:02:22.41

 

[meanhoe]

OCZ Vertex Turbo 60GB SSD. just got it yesterday and did a clean install of Windows 7 Ultimate 64. i previously had a Raptor 150GB. not sure if i'm crazy but i don't feel like there's a HUGE difference with the boot times. Photoshop opens up in a blink though!

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7600]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation.  All rights reserved.

C:\Users\meanhoe>winsat disk
Windows System Assessment Tool
> Running: Feature Enumeration ''
> Run Time 00:00:00.00
> Running: Storage Assessment '-seq -read -n 0'
> Run Time 00:00:03.17
> Running: Storage Assessment '-ran -read -n 0'
> Run Time 00:00:00.42
> Running: Storage Assessment '-scen 2009 -drive C:'
> Run Time 00:01:02.17
> Running: Storage Assessment '-seq -write -drive C:'
> Run Time 00:00:07.03
> Running: Storage Assessment '-flush -drive C: -seq'
> Run Time 00:00:01.53
> Running: Storage Assessment '-flush -drive C: -ran'
> Run Time 00:00:01.47
> Running: Storage Assessment '-hybrid -ran -read -n 0 -ransize 4096'
NV Cache not present.
> Run Time 00:00:00.11
> Running: Storage Assessment '-hybrid -ran -read -n 0 -ransize 16384'
NV Cache not present.
> Run Time 00:00:00.22
> Disk  Sequential 64.0 Read                   234.17 MB/s          7.4
> Disk  Random 16.0 Read                       122.33 MB/s          7.3
> Responsiveness: Average IO Rate              1.84 ms/IO          7.2
> Responsiveness: Grouped IOs                  9.61 units          7.2
> Responsiveness: Long IOs                     11.93 units          7.2
> Responsiveness: Overall                      114.63 units          6.7
> Responsiveness: PenaltyFactor                0.0
> Disk  Sequential 64.0 Write                  111.99 MB/s          6.8
> Average Read Time with Sequential Writes     1.666 ms          7.2
> Latency: 95th Percentile                     9.152 ms          5.8
> Latency: Maximum                             11.544 ms          7.9
> Average Read Time with Random Writes         1.566 ms          6.9
> Total Run Time 00:01:17.70

C:\Users\meanhoe>

 

[pparks1]

OCZ Vertex Turbo 60GB SSD. just got it yesterday and did a clean install of Windows 7 Ultimate 64. i previously had a Raptor 150GB. not sure if i'm crazy but i don't feel like there's a HUGE difference with the boot times. Photoshop opens up in a blink though!

The boot times going from my Western Digital Caviar Black to my 80GB Intel SSD wasn't a huge difference either. Maybe 5 seconds or so. But like you said, it's everything else which is so fast. Virus scans, opening applications, searching the hard drive, loading games, etc.

 

[Nokternol]

SSD is the one single upgrade Ive done in a very,very long time that I can honestly say was worth the investment.
The overgain performance gain is immediatley apparent.

That 30GB Vertex is probably the fastest drive to have been posted yet. My question is simple. How do you store games with a 30GB Boot disk.
Does the seeking to a second drive not slow the performance over having the game files stored on the SSD..

Although considering that my second drive (Spinpoint F3 1TB) seems to outperform my Raptor I am not sure it matters.

I did remember last night that during my re-install nightmare I had a week or so ago I switched the settings for my HDD from AHCI to IDE and back a few times and I think it ended up on IDE (will need to change that back and re-test).

Can't really warrant the £350 it would be for a 160GB SSD as it is the same as I just spent on an HD5870.

Any suggestions?

 

[Wishmaster]

I have 2 other spinning drives, a WD640 and a 1TB WD black.

the 640 being the faster of the 2 is where i install games too and Documents folder
the 1TB holds pics,videos,music


But it doesnt seem to really hurt anything in regards to performance compared to when all was on HD's
Sure, a game may load faster on a SSD, but the system overall feels faster and more responsive set up like this oddly, even though some things are on spinning drives.

Such as, when you open the Game browser, its instant and lists all games. Where as the 1st time I would open it after reboot with a spinning drive, there was a couple second delay to list my games.
launching the actual game seems faster as well, although the actual load times are about the same and didn't benefit much. perhaps a little as theres no activity on that drive other than the games themselves.