Setup for best performance

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bill Bradley
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Bill Bradley

I'm purchasing a Dell Dimension X600, with two SATA-II 250 GB drives.
Typically, I used to install Windows +Apps on C:, and the Paging File on D:
(and, also use D: for backups, but, for nothing else). I was wondering if
that's still the best tack, or, should I put Windows + Paging File on C:,
then Apps on D:? I'll have 2 GB RAM and a 4 GB Paging File.

I'm not interested in doing RAID, either 0 or 1.

Thanks.
 
The first thing to know is that Windows runs perfectly with everything in one partition.

If you want to repartition your hard disk, do so for convenience. The setup you have - Windows and programs in one partition, data files in a second partition - is quite common and is convenient for backup and recovery.

There is a theoretical performance advantage to be gained from putting the paging file on a separate physical hard disk. I say "theoretical" because while it is technically correct you are unlikely to notice any difference in your day-to-day computing.

If you decide to go this way, read this advice from Microsoft:

"How to configure paging files for optimization and recovery in Windows XP"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314482/en-us

I did this, and I thought to myself "Steven, you are one sharp dude." Then I realized that it didn't make any difference that I could discern.

Steven
 
Thanks. I wasn't talking about two partitions on one hard drive--that would
never be faster since there's only the one head (set of heads) being used,
although, it's convenient to have OS and Apps separated, sometimes.

On our servers, we generally put Windows and Paging file on one volume, with
Apps or databases on other volumes, and, that IS faster.

I know it doesn't make much difference, but, just wondered what others are
doing...

Thanks!
The first thing to know is that Windows runs perfectly with everything in
one partition.

If you want to repartition your hard disk, do so for convenience. The setup
you have - Windows and programs in one partition, data files in a second
partition - is quite common and is convenient for backup and recovery.

There is a theoretical performance advantage to be gained from putting the
paging file on a separate physical hard disk. I say "theoretical" because
while it is technically correct you are unlikely to notice any difference in
your day-to-day computing.

If you decide to go this way, read this advice from Microsoft:

"How to configure paging files for optimization and recovery in Windows XP"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314482/en-us

I did this, and I thought to myself "Steven, you are one sharp dude." Then I
realized that it didn't make any difference that I could discern.

Steven
 
Bill said:
I'm purchasing a Dell Dimension X600, with two SATA-II 250 GB drives.
Typically, I used to install Windows +Apps on C:, and the Paging File on D:
(and, also use D: for backups, but, for nothing else). I was wondering if
that's still the best tack, or, should I put Windows + Paging File on C:,
then Apps on D:? I'll have 2 GB RAM and a 4 GB Paging File.

I'm not interested in doing RAID, either 0 or 1.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Most Dells have very little to tweak in the BIOS, so not much there. I
suppose it's standard stuff like don't have a whole bunch of
quickstarters you don't need.

The system you describe should perform fine with 2 Gig of RAM and leave
the pagefile alone at default.
 
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