SSD Advisory on Virtual Memory

[ticker]

I've been looking up Hybrid Drives and Solid State Drives, and the common Component to both of these is the NAND flash memory which is 100 % in use on the SSHD, but on the Hybrid its fitted as a Closed circuit board in the corner of the Case acting as a buffer to output and Input Now I did read up in the Comments/Feedback on some forums that the worst thing you can do is set up a Virtual Memory cache with both of these. It either leads to Early total Failure of the SSHD or premature NAND Circuit failure on the Hybrid Drive
So for longest life and reliability, its NO Page file! as there is no point in Setting it up anyway, the Drive is many times faster than the standard Drives in Transfer times.

I also watched this video.

http://briteccomputers.co.uk/posts/f...mize-your-ssd/

I had a problem with streetview in which chrome would shut down and was warned of a Low Memeory issue. My virtual memory was set to 0(no page file) I only set it to zero because I had watched the short video from the link above.
So what do I do, turn on Page file or turn off Page file

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

my page file is on another hard drive.

 

[Boston Pro Comp Serv LLC]

Run enough RAM that you don't need a page file. Lol neither of us are helpful huh... I wouldn't run a pagefile with an SSD even if I hadn't read your OP. Though I suppose that wouldn't work with a machine with not alot of RAM would it.

 

[angry_geek]

I run 16gb of ram on my laptop with a 128 gb ssd. I set a static 1gb page file. No problems.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Bear in mind...there is some software out there which will spit up an error if there is no virtual memory for Windows. Some software needs a pagefile.

Personally, I like to set a pagefile on any spindle..and let Windows manage it. If you have enough system RAM, the pagefile will not be used. If some application needs it, it won't error out since there is one there.

I know..I know...most people don't run software that will cough up an error if there is no pagefile, or perhaps never saw software that did, I have, and I know some that have had it happen.

Really is harmless to leave the pagefile enabled.

 

[ohio_grad_06]

If it's a desktop, just put your page file on the secondary data drive which is likely a mechanical hard drive, and no page file on the SSD. Should give you best of both worlds imo.

 

[Mokester]

Damn...wish I still had that link...someone did a test of different types of SSD drives and how everyone was saying that they are prone to failure with limited writes...well they basically put it on a stress test and ran it for months...before it failed. Based on their estimates, the drive would have lasted I think around 20 years...I'll try to find and post the link...

 

[Markverhyden]

Bear in mind...there is some software out there which will spit up an error if there is no virtual memory for Windows. Some software needs a pagefile.

Personally, I like to set a pagefile on any spindle..and let Windows manage it. If you have enough system RAM, the pagefile will not be used. If some application needs it, it won't error out since there is one there.

I know..I know...most people don't run software that will cough up an error if there is no pagefile, or perhaps never saw software that did, I have, and I know some that have had it happen.

Really is harmless to leave the pagefile enabled.

Yep. A number of years ago I tried playing around with the pagefile thing. Many times apps would choke for no reason at all. Call the vendor and, after some discussion, pagefile comes up. When I mentioned that I had it turned off they said that was the problem. When I tried to get more information none was forth coming. So that is one of those M$ features I don't bother messing around with anymore. Nothing wrong with putting on another drive but beyond that I don't do anything else.

 

[bertie40]

Obviously, the constant set of reads and writes that a pagefile needs, is generally detrimental to an ssd.

I agree with markvh, there should always be, at the very least, a small swap file.
If my system has two drives, I have a token fixed page file on C, plus a win managed pagefile on D.

 

[ticker]

I have decide to Disable page file for the SSD (C:/) and move it to my back-up HDD

Here under Page file management:
http://www.registryrecycler.com/blog...-a-windows-pc/

 

[SAG]

Based on their estimates, the drive would have lasted I think around 20 years...I'll try to find and post the link...

I have enough anecdotal evidence to disprove that.
I've seen tons of then fail. Don't trust them with my business clients unless they KNOW the possible outcome.

But then again, I run a 500GB Samsung SSD in my laptop.

 

[JustInspired]

I have decide to Disable page file for the SSD (C:/) and move it to my back-up HDD

Here under Page file management:
http://www.registryrecycler.com/blog...-a-windows-pc/

Registry Recycler? REALLY??

 

[bertie40]

Registry Recycler? REALLY??

Yep. Lol.!
Ok, it may have changed, but I always believed that some software (albeit badly written) refuses to work, or are buggy, unless there a token page file on the host drive.

That's why I always have a fixed "C" drive swap file, even a very small one.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Damn...wish I still had that link...someone did a test of different types of SSD drives and how everyone was saying that they are prone to failure with limited writes...well they basically put it on a stress test and ran it for months...before it failed. Based on their estimates, the drive would have lasted I think around 20 years...I'll try to find and post the link...

Got our own "shelf of proof".....many failing within 6 months.
Don't even know why we take the time to RMA the failed SSD for the replacment, as none of us in our office will use those replacements. Just got a pile of them building up collecting dust.

 

[angry_geek]

I'm in the same boat. Even a couple of the expensive "server-grade" drives. All toast. I have an ssd in my laptop. Nothing important on it. Don't care if it fails. However, I'm paranoid. Therefore, I keep a mechanical drive in my bag with win 7 on it and all my apps and tools. If the ssd fails in the field when I need it, I can pop that other drive in and go.

 

[Mokester]

Shoulda known...

Ha...shoulda known I'd get it for that. Look, I never said that they were rock solid reliable and WOULD last the 20 years...we all have seens many failures to disprove that. Mainly talking about TLC and MLC and how everyone is worried about burn out due to read/writes. There are a number of reasons for failures...just saying that according to this torture test, its not that big of a deal...hence...no need to move pagefile...

As promised...

http://us.hardware.info/reviews/417...dated-with-final-conclusion-update-2-april-17

I have enough anecdotal evidence to disprove that.
I've seen tons of then fail. Don't trust them with my business clients unless they KNOW the possible outcome.

But then again, I run a 500GB Samsung SSD in my laptop.

 

[Mokester]

Thats interesting...I've used them in all my laptops and our company swapped all our drives for samsung 840s....never seen any of them fail and we use them extensively...mind sharing what brands you all see failing? I'm a pure samsung guy...never used anything else.

Got our own "shelf of proof".....many failing within 6 months.
Don't even know why we take the time to RMA the failed SSD for the replacment, as none of us in our office will use those replacements. Just got a pile of them building up collecting dust.

 

[Markverhyden]

Ha...shoulda known I'd get it for that. Look, I never said that they were rock solid reliable and WOULD last the 20 years...we all have seens many failures to disprove that. Mainly talking about TLC and MLC and how everyone is worried about burn out due to read/writes. There are a number of reasons for failures...just saying that according to this torture test, its not that big of a deal...hence...no need to move pagefile...

As promised...

http://us.hardware.info/reviews/417...dated-with-final-conclusion-update-2-april-17

I followed that test with great interest. Generally I'm not too concerned about SSD reliability for consumers. Business applications is a different matter. So when they first started coming out with them I advised business customers to not get them. But, 5 years down the road, there is plenty of tests and statistics showing that they are just as reliable, if not more so, than regular spindle drives.

Every once in a while some news pops up but it is related to a specific model/brand. The latest complaints I've been hearing are about Apple's mSATA drives in the Retina's.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Thats interesting...I've used them in all my laptops and our company swapped all our drives for samsung 840s....never seen any of them fail and we use them extensively...mind sharing what brands you all see failing? I'm a pure samsung guy...never used anything else.

Largest % of clients with laptops with SSDs are Dell Latitude e4200's...which typically have Samsung SSDs in them and I'll admit they have a fairly decent reliability rate (seems to be the 3rd place brand SSD in reliability, behind Intel and Crucial M4). I've had to replace probably just under 10% of those drives. Dunno what size laptop fleet "your company" has to pull stats from, but I'm talking across all our SMB clients and the number of laptops in the several hundred range.

Some Asus laptops with them too.

The >50% failure rate we do we with SSDs are in edge appliances for networks. Firewalls, UTMs, spam filters, etc. Since just about all of those are based on *nix, and do lots of log files....the drives get used heavily. Those brands are mostly Transcend, A-Data, and Kingcrap...I mean.....Kingston. Insane failure rates, matter of fact...any new ones that we purchase to install a a client, we'll take apart.. and if there's an SSD in there, we'll clone her to a good 2.5" spindle and put that in instead, and basically discard the SSD.

 

[Mokester]

Thats interesting. "my company" should technically be called "my former company" as I left late last year.

As stated I'm a former full-time tech looking to start my own company...and be a police officer...why? Not sure...was making good money but kept getting the itch to do the job(police)...so figured I'd try while I'm still young enough...Well kinda...almost 30. LOL

Http://intech-hawaii.com (former company)

I like TN because until I get my own business started it gives me the opportunity to stay in touch with techs and be a part of the industry. Good news is I just sold my car on Oahu and that combined with the business loan I'm getting will be my startup capital so I should get going really soon...grand opening hopefully in april/may-ish...I'm super pumped to get going and I need to thank the professionalism and knowledgable members of this community as I've learned so much from these forums and gotten so much inspiration from all of you to strike out on my own!

Granted I havent been a member for that long...but I've read every article on this site...no joke. Some of it is outdated but still...very intresting read. Looking forward to being a contributing member to the community.

*sorry for hijacking the thread but just wanted to say how great I think TN is*

Largest % of clients with laptops with SSDs are Dell Latitude e4200's...which typically have Samsung SSDs in them and I'll admit they have a fairly decent reliability rate (seems to be the 3rd place brand SSD in reliability, behind Intel and Crucial M4). I've had to replace probably just under 10% of those drives. Dunno what size laptop fleet "your company" has to pull stats from, but I'm talking across all our SMB clients and the number of laptops in the several hundred range.

Some Asus laptops with them too.

The >50% failure rate we do we with SSDs are in edge appliances for networks. Firewalls, UTMs, spam filters, etc. Since just about all of those are based on *nix, and do lots of log files....the drives get used heavily. Those brands are mostly Transcend, A-Data, and Kingcrap...I mean.....Kingston. Insane failure rates, matter of fact...any new ones that we purchase to install a a client, we'll take apart.. and if there's an SSD in there, we'll clone her to a good 2.5" spindle and put that in instead, and basically discard the SSD.