Vista users: ReadyBoost!

Iryssinia · 07-21-2007, 09:01 PM

Not entirely sure how it works to make things faster, but I picked up a 2gig USB thumb drive for $15 and enabled ReadyBoost usage on it, and the game really runs a lot better now. I think it's a pretty worthwhile investment for people who's systems aren't exactly the latest and greatest.

Kradun · 07-21-2007, 09:07 PM

details please.

Slippery · 07-21-2007, 09:10 PM

Windows Vista: Features Explained: Windows ReadyBoost

Niber · 07-21-2007, 09:13 PM

Quote:

ReadyBoost is a disk caching technology first included with Microsoft's Windows Vista operating system. It aims to make computers running Windows Vista more responsive by using flash memory on a USB 2.0 drive, SD card, CompactFlash, or other form of flash memory, in order to boost system performance.

ReadyBoost is also used to facilitate ReadyBoot, an updated version of Windows XP's prefetcher which performs analysis of boot-time disk usage patterns and creates a cache which is used in subsequent system boots.[1]

LINK

I had considered it while I had Vista installed but I recently reverted back to XP.

killua_ncream · 07-21-2007, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Niber

LINK

I had considered it while I had Vista installed but I recently reverted back to XP.

In short, it's essentially a swap file on a flash drive?

Platfarmer · 07-21-2007, 09:48 PM

readyboost is overrated.. I have done ALOT of testing with it and games, shit like hl2, css, dods, I averaged like.. 2 more fps, so the changes are minimal if anything :P

Niber · 07-21-2007, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killua_ncream

In short, it's essentially a swap file on a flash drive?

That was my interpretation. It might help with faster zoning? But I doubt much else.

Bruised · 07-22-2007, 08:13 AM

Readyboost should work OK if you have like 512-1GB of RAM, and even then the results will vary by application.

It's also a good way to wear out thumbdrives FAST.

MeridianR · 07-23-2007, 08:43 AM

It is a pretty neat idea, even though I doubt performance for a decently spec'd system will increase much if at all.

Iryssinia · 07-23-2007, 09:39 AM

Did some actual numbers testing...

On Extreme Quality with Particles and shadows toned down, ReadyBoost added 4-5 DPS in both raid and non-raid situations. Zoning also screams now. Never timed it before, but I'm usually middle of the pack when it comes to zoning into a raid zone with my settings up there, and now I'm in the top 5.

I also haven't had a CTD since, and I was averaging 1-2 a night.

System specs:

Athlon 64 X2 3800+
512 MB GeForce 7900 GTX
2 GB RAM (I forget the speed)

EDIT: Civ 4 also doesn't slow down nearly as bad when I have a ton of units automated.