optimum partion size

[Reza beglari]

Hi Dear

I have a question about Windows XP (SP1 or SP2): What is optimum partition
size for drive c in windows (particularly in Large Hard disk ex.160 GB)

I believe that because of using virtual memory (paging) in drive c, we can
configure it to large size (for example 20 Gb in 160 GB total) but my friend
thinks that if we configure Drive c to large size it will be slowly and
system performance will be down (because of search & fragment) and he
believes that we should use smallest size for partition of drive c (for
example 4GB).
If possible, describe that is right or no.

Thanks a lot
Best regards
Reza Beglari

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

On Sun, 6 Apr 2008 02:54:00 -0700, Reza beglari <Reza

I have a question about Windows XP (SP1 or SP2): What is optimum partition
size for drive c in windows (particularly in Large Hard disk ex.160 GB)

There is *no* optimum that's optimal for everyone. How big it should
be depends on you and your needs.

I believe that because of using virtual memory (paging) in drive c, we can
configure it to large size (for example 20 Gb in 160 GB total)

20GB isn't particularly large at all, but that's fine, if it meets
your needs.

but my friend
thinks that if we configure Drive c to large size it will be slowly and
system performance will be down (because of search & fragment)

Your friend is very much wrong. The size of the partition has hardly
any effect on performance. You'd never notice a difference either way.

and he
believes that we should use smallest size for partition of drive c (for
example 4GB).

4GB is *way* too small for almost everyone. You'd have almost no space
available to install programs in.

 

[Jim]

Hi Dear

I have a question about Windows XP (SP1 or SP2): What is optimum partition
size for drive c in windows (particularly in Large Hard disk ex.160 GB)

I believe that because of using virtual memory (paging) in drive c, we can
configure it to large size (for example 20 Gb in 160 GB total) but my
friend
thinks that if we configure Drive c to large size it will be slowly and
system performance will be down (because of search & fragment) and he
believes that we should use smallest size for partition of drive c (for
example 4GB).
If possible, describe that is right or no.

Thanks a lot
Best regards
Reza Beglari

Your friend knows too many things that aren't so.
Jim

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I have a question about Windows XP (SP1 or SP2): What is optimum
partition size for drive c in windows (particularly in Large Hard
disk ex.160 GB)

I believe that because of using virtual memory (paging) in drive c,
we can configure it to large size (for example 20 Gb in 160 GB
total) but my friend thinks that if we configure Drive c to large
size it will be slowly and system performance will be down (because
of search & fragment) and he believes that we should use smallest
size for partition of drive c (for example 4GB).
If possible, describe that is right or no.

Overthinking something that doesn't matter all that much.

Large enough not to run out of space given the current and future OS
requirements and what *you* utilize it for. You are not going to notice any
performance gain from partitioning on a single hard disk drive - because no
matter how you slice it - it is the same physical hard disk drive.

 

[Lil' Dave]

Hi Dear

I have a question about Windows XP (SP1 or SP2): What is optimum partition
size for drive c in windows (particularly in Large Hard disk ex.160 GB)

I believe that because of using virtual memory (paging) in drive c, we can
configure it to large size (for example 20 Gb in 160 GB total) but my
friend
thinks that if we configure Drive c to large size it will be slowly and
system performance will be down (because of search & fragment) and he
believes that we should use smallest size for partition of drive c (for
example 4GB).
If possible, describe that is right or no.

Thanks a lot
Best regards
Reza Beglari

All things being equal, the search function is dependent on the number of
files, not the size of the partition.
Defragmentation ability is dependent on the amount of freespace when things
get tight. So, he's got it backwards there.

What works for me is the base XP install, XP updates footprint,
applications, and a default page file (see RAM size vs.pagefile size). All
this times 2 at minimum for size of partition. I keep all my personal data
on another partition. Let XP breathe, just don't get carried away.