Gain OS performance by moving swap files?

eslite · **Gain OS performance by moving swap files? -** 02-04-2009, 03:43 | posts: 32

I read from an article somewhere suggested that by moving paging files from primary drive to slave drive to increase vista's gaming performance.

I have a faster Western digital Raptor 74GB 10000rpm where my OS is installed and a slower IBM 60GB 7200rpm.
Should I create paging files on my old IBM drive? But how?

Any suggestions?

CPC_RedDawn · 02-04-2009, 03:48 | posts: 4,439 | Location: Wolverhampton/United Kingdom

I did read this somewhere too I think it was on tweakguides.com in the Tweak Guides Tweaking Companion for Vista. Its did say that using a second HDD or a different partition should increase performance. But I'm not sure if it works. I would like to know my self. I install all my games on a different partition on my 1TB Samsung Spinpoint drive anyway so I'm also not sure if it would help me.

Denial · 02-04-2009, 03:54 | posts: 6,348 | Location: Above Earth in a Big Rocket Ship

I believe the point here is to avoid fragmentation of the page file. I doubt you'll see a huge performance increase anyway.

MrN · 02-04-2009, 04:29 | posts: 65

Quote:

Originally Posted by eslite

I read from an article somewhere suggested that by moving paging files from primary drive to slave drive to increase vista's gaming performance.

Link?

Pill Monster · 02-04-2009, 05:48 | posts: 20,467 | Location: NZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denial

I believe the point here is to avoid fragmentation of the page file. I doubt you'll see a huge performance increase anyway.

Actually the reason is that a PC can read from 2 Hard drives faster than it can read from one.
This applies to XP as well, not just Vista.

When the PF is on the same drive as your OS, the read/write heads have to move back and forth between the PF and whatever application you happen to be running at the time.

By moving the PF to a separate drive, NOT a separate partition, the OS can read from the application and access the PF at the same time.

1 HDD = PF on same partition
2 HDD = PF on separate drive.

XP w/2GB or more RAM = PF disabled.
My PC = PF disabled.

Palerider · 02-04-2009, 08:16 | posts: 4,352 | Location: Toledo Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pillmonster

Actually the reason is that a PC can read from 2 Hard drives faster than it can read from one.
This applies to XP as well, not just Vista.

When the PF is on the same drive as your OS, the read/write heads have to move back and forth between the PF and whatever application you happen to be running at the time.

By moving the PF to a separate drive, NOT a separate partition, the OS can read from the application and access the PF at the same time.

1 HDD = PF on same partition
2 HDD = PF on separate drive.

XP w/2GB or more RAM = PF disabled.
My PC = PF disabled.

What are the pros and cons of disabling your page file?

Pill Monster · 02-04-2009, 08:35 | posts: 20,467 | Location: NZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palerider

What are the pros and cons of disabling your page file?

No PF = no HDD access = less CPU/GPU waiting time. Less wear & tear on your hard drive.

The CPU/GPU doesn't have to wait for the PF to be accessed because the info it needs is already sitting in physical RAM.

In a nutshell - better performance in gaming lol, less lag, no stutter, more responsive desktop...

I know there will be somebody out there who will try and prove me wrong though, so I suggest you try it yourself and see if you can tell the difference...

vindassius · 02-04-2009, 08:44 | posts: 495 | Location: Manchester UK

hints on how to turn off page file

Pill Monster · 02-04-2009, 08:59 | posts: 20,467 | Location: NZ

Only do this if you never use more than the amount of ram installed in your rig, or you'll get CTD.

My Computer >>>> Properties >>> Advanced >>>> Performance >>>> Settings >>>> Advanced >>>>Change >>>> No Paging File.

Deathspank · 02-04-2009, 13:29 | posts: 1,293 | Location: Wolverhampton/England

just use ready boost, it doesnt put the entire page file on the usb stick but put stuff it want to access fast and often. so it benifits gaming.

but im using V/sp2 beta so it may have improved ready boost features. one things for sure ready boost does improve gaming.

Iarwain · 02-04-2009, 14:02 | posts: 3,048

Readyboost is definitely helpful, I even run it.

Disabling the page file doesn't help at all, it's placebo effect.

Yes you can gain performance by moving the page file. For instance, in the Vista experience index (Best bench ever amirite) I usually scored a 5.2 with my harddrive. After moving the page file to another hard drive, viola, 5.9

Pill Monster · 02-04-2009, 14:19 | posts: 20,467 | Location: NZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iarwain

Readyboost is definitely helpful, I even run it.
Disabling the page file doesn't help at all, it's placebo effect.

Have you got something to back that up with?

It's not a placebo effect - even less so if your drive is fragmented.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iarwain

Yes you can gain performance by moving the page file. For instance, in the Vista experience index (Best bench ever amirite) I usually scored a 5.2 with my harddrive. After moving the page file to another hard drive, viola, 5.9

Which is what I said in my first post.
And what does your HDD score have to do with your PF...??

I think you misunderstand what a paging file is used for.

Psytek · 02-04-2009, 14:47 | posts: 3,370 | Location: UK

If your RAM is getting used to the extent you have to start paging IN-GAME, then you probably don't have enough RAM.

Personally I don't have any games other than maybe company of heroes that has used more than 2GB all to itself.

Pill Monster · 02-04-2009, 15:38 | posts: 20,467 | Location: NZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psytek

If your RAM is getting used to the extent you have to start paging IN-GAME, then you probably don't have enough RAM.

Personally I don't have any games other than maybe company of heroes that has used more than 2GB all to itself.

Amen to that....

eslite · 02-04-2009, 22:29 | posts: 32

So should I disable paging files or moving it to another drive?
Can someone tell me how to move the paging files?

Denial · 02-04-2009, 23:17 | posts: 6,348 | Location: Above Earth in a Big Rocket Ship

Microsoft recommends not disabling the page file and I've seen animatrix link several sites in the past where it's explained why it's not a good thing.

Animatrix · *Last edited by Animatrix; 02-04-2009 at 23:25.*

Right i say move it, i would never suggest to disable it.

Edit: Just so it's clear. The link is a page file guide, it will show you how to move it and where it's best located (i.e. outer tracks and on a separate hard disk from the OS).
http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=143

eslite · 02-05-2009, 00:29 | posts: 32

Thanks, I'll try moving it to see the difference.

I think all dx10 games are using up more than 2GB ram, but my OS is 32 bit.

Iarwain · 02-05-2009, 02:29 | posts: 3,048

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pillmonster

Have you got something to back that up with?

It's not a placebo effect - even less so if your drive is fragmented.

Which is what I said in my first post.
And what does your HDD score have to do with your PF...??

I think you misunderstand what a paging file is used for.

Just google disable page file and see how many genuine sources you get, not gaming forums, that say it's a good idea. Even Microsoft says you shouldn't, and Vista will recreate the page file anyway when it needs it.

If you really want to speed up the page file thing, get an extra 2-4GB of memory and create a RAMdisk and put your page file there.

As for how my score increased without the page file, I would think that's pretty obvious. Windows accesses the page file less during the test, the hard drive can focus entirely on the test, the score increases.

Pill Monster · 02-05-2009, 04:27 | posts: 20,467 | Location: NZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iarwain

Just google disable page file and see how many genuine sources you get, not gaming forums, that say it's a good idea. Even Microsoft says you shouldn't, and Vista will recreate the page file anyway when it needs it.

If you really want to speed up the page file thing, get an extra 2-4GB of memory and create a RAMdisk and put your page file there.

As for how my score increased without the page file, I would think that's pretty obvious. Windows accesses the page file less during the test, the hard drive can focus entirely on the test, the score increases.

That's nonsense.
Your OS will still use the same amount of memory regardless.
What's more you're referring specifically to hard drive performance which is irrelevant.
And if it's a bad thing can you tell me why I don't have any trouble with my computer - even though I haven't used a PF in about 3 years?

Do you even know the reasoning behind a PF or in fact how outdated it is?
If you did we probably wouldn't be having this debate, but you can find out on google, you should prob have a read.

But I'll tell you how old it is -Windows 3.1. That's how old. Did you also know that the 1.5x the amount of installed ram rule has never been changed since it was implemented?
When was 3.1 released you ask? Well off the top of my head I it was around 1992 give or take.

So you're looking at a rule that was implemented 17 years ago. That is a very long time - almost an eternity when it comes to Information Technology - would you not agree?

HeavyHemi · 02-05-2009, 05:42 | posts: 3,091 | Location: Wooing whilst wearing only socks.

Okay, here's what MS *REALLY* has to say about it.

Comparison of memory and CPU limits in the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows
When you set up a 32-bit version or a 64-bit version of Windows Server 2003 or Windows XP, a page file is created that is one and a half times the amount of RAM that is installed in the computer provided there is sufficient free space on the system hard disk. However, as more RAM is added to a computer, the need for a page file decreases. If you have enough RAM installed in your computer, you may not require a page file at all, unless one is required by a specific application.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/889654

3x3cUt0r · 02-05-2009, 05:52 | posts: 319 | Location: Colombia

If you disable page files some programs (DoW2, CoH and a few others) will not work at all.

Pill Monster · 02-05-2009, 06:04 | posts: 20,467 | Location: NZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeavyHemi

Okay, here's what MS *REALLY* has to say about it.

Comparison of memory and CPU limits in the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows
When you set up a 32-bit version or a 64-bit version of Windows Server 2003 or Windows XP, a page file is created that is one and a half times the amount of RAM that is installed in the computer provided there is sufficient free space on the system hard disk. However, as more RAM is added to a computer, the need for a page file decreases. If you have enough RAM installed in your computer, you may not require a page file at all, unless one is required by a specific application.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/889654

Thank you....

I get sick of debating this topic with people who don't fully understand what a PF is or just repeat things they hear somewhere..

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3x3cUt0r

If you disable page files some programs (DoW2, CoH and a few others) will not work at all.

FFS.....Back that it up please or GTFO.

3x3cUt0r · 02-05-2009, 06:14 | posts: 319 | Location: Colombia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pillmonster

FFS.....Back that it up please or gtfo.

Link 1
Link 2

Pill Monster · 02-05-2009, 06:27 | posts: 20,467 | Location: NZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3x3cUt0r

Link 1
Link 2

Those links are to a Forum Thread, they prove nothing, sorry to say...

Just for future reference and I'm not being arrogant here, when you need info from those that are in the industry, or if you need to reference something IT related, you're best going to somewhere like Technet or to a published article on a site like AnandTech, but not to a forum...just so you know