Os on SSD then SRT with HHD possible?

[nikoloy]

is it possible to install the OS on SSD then partition the rest of the SSD to be used as SSD cache for a HDD? I don't like having to decide which storage to put stuff on. I just want all my files on one location and have the SRT decide which apps i use the most and have it cached.

 

[Solandri]

I tried to do exactly that a couple months ago. I found instructions, but wasn't able to get it to work due to the OS already being on my SSD (wiping and reinstalling wasn't an option).

http://www.overclock.net/t/1404323/guide-using-1-ssd-as-system-drive-os-and-acceleration-drive-raid-smart-response-technology-ssd-caching

Good luck.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

That's a waste of an SSD. Use the SSD for Windows and all your programs. Use the HDD for storage of pictures, music, movies etc. Using the SSD as a cache is just a waste of money. Even a ~120GB SSD can take Windows and your programs and several largish games at a time. Just remember to keep roughly 20% of the SSD as free space so TRIM can function correctly.

 

[JohnnyLucky]

Sounds like wishful thinking.

Here is a copy of a post that I have been making about SRT since 2010:

Intel's SRT caching technology was designed for buyers who could not justify or afford the cost of a larger capacity solid state drive. According to Intel, the original idea was that for about $100.00 a user could purchase a small capacity ssd of about 10GB and use it as a cache to improve hard disk drive performance. The operating system and all applications remained on a hard disk drive. The actual improvement could not compare to a stand alone ssd. Intel also tested different capacities all the way up to 512GB and concluded 64GB was the point of diminishing return. It made more sense to use a 64GB ssd as a boot drive that also contained software programs. Intel was hoping that if business clients saw an increase in performance, then they would be induced to purchase larger capacity ssd's.

With modern, larger capacity ssd's there is no point in fooling with SRT.

A price of $100.00 for an Intel 10GB ssd is a clue that SRT is an "old technology". You can buy a lot more than a 10 GB ssd for $100.00. I've read two recent articles suggesting SRT is rapidly becoming obsolete.

That is what I used to post - sometimes several times in one day. If you jump forward to 2015 you can buy a 256GB ssd for less than $100.00. Entry level 256GB ssd's can be purchased on sale for $75.00

BTW - It is neither required nor recommended that ssd's be partitioned like a hard disk drive. Data storage for an ssd is different than data storage for a hard disk drive.

 

[Solandri]

BTW - It is neither required nor recommended that ssd's be partitioned like a hard disk drive. Data storage for an ssd is different than data storage for a hard disk drive.

This is true if the partitions are meant to store data (i.e. you'll have free space in the partition). Microsoft really needs to get on the ball and allow overprovisioning of partition sizes like modern filesystems do.

In this particular application though, you'd have a small partition (8-16 GB should be enough) completely dedicated to caching the HDD, and the rest of the SSD available for use as your boot drive. The cache partition will be completely used, with no unused space.

I've tested different SSD cache sizes for a HDD, and the benefits with even a 8GB cache were dramatic enough that I think this is worth doing if you have a SSD + HDD system with frequently-accessed files (e.g. games) on the HDD. I don't know about OP, but the laptop I was trying to get it working on had a 256 GB SSD. So losing 8-16GB of it to a HDD cache was no big deal, whereas having a cache for the 1TB HDD where all my games were stored was a huge deal.