HDD cache

[Dolby]

Hi guys,

Just wondering how much of a difference cache makes in a HDD?

My HDDs now have 32MB cache - but I'm thinking of a WD 2TB for my TViX and notice it's got 64MB cache. Would it be notacable?

 

[SouthBit]

The general opinion out there, even by some of the manufactures is that once you 32MB cache there's not much point in going further, 64MB cache drives don't seem to possess any significant performance improvements.

 

[P924]

You most certainly will not notice a difference when only using it for watching media...

 

[Budza]

The general opinion out there, even by some of the manufactures is that once you 32MB cache there's not much point in going further, 64MB cache drives don't seem to possess any significant performance improvements.

Cool. Didn't know that.

You most certainly will not notice a difference when only using it for watching media...

So for straight copying of HD media, cache is irrelevant? Watching, you could get away with lower RPM and cache. Does cache help with fragmentation? Or the scheduling of read/writes so the current task can be completed?

 

[SouthBit]

Cache in the HDD is essentially RAM, like in your desktop/laptop. All the processing is done my the main controller chip. Cache size won't affect fragmentation, that's dictated by the file system. If you're just watching then a low RPM drive, 5400rpm, is more than adequate.