Windows write cache buffer flushing

I found my pro benchmark writes were in a cliff dive and it turns out it was related to the intel rste drivers. Conclusion; WTF. Mark R said:. OK here's an update. I couldn't help myself and decided to really test out the setting. I disabled write cache buffer flushing, and enabled write back cache this only becomes an option when the former is disabled and I could definitely feel a performance improvement. It's slight though, so it doesn't really merit the dangers and in the end, I decided to turn it back off.

However, I have a question for Cerb or anyone informative. Now I was really perplexed. Something was causing my machine to become unstable, but since I had played hours of AC IV just a few days ago, I couldn't imagine what it was that was causing it.

Does disabling the write cache buffer flushing and enabling write back cache cause the CPU to work harder or something? Another factor was that I recently updated my RST to Not sure if that could have done it. Hmm, and here I was thinking it did what it said it did. Would it have also, "helped," Firefox, before they were forced to deal with the fsync bugs, instead of blaming OSes?

From the RST help docs. This means that the system will periodically instruct the storage driver to write all cached data to the main storage media. These periodic commands result in decreased overall system performance. Jan 24, 11 0 0. Why did this thread suddenly end with no definite answer?

BrightCandle Diamond Member. Mar 15, 4, 0 As a programmer when I flush the write buffer I really mean it, its important that this happen when I tell it to for the proper functioning of my software. Its not just basic data integrity its also that the software and its critical sections needs the write to have been done before the critical section is left.

Disabling this would make some of the software I have written in the past misbehave and crash in strange ways. Its not a good idea to disable this ever as I can't be the only developer that writes software with multiple threads where a lock is used to ensure the sanity of the system when writing and reading files concurrently, infact I know I am not. You must log in or register to reply here. Post thread. Hibernation: Amount of space saved by turning this off is equivalent to the amount of RAM in your system.

Not limited to 2GB. Also, hibernation has benefits over standby where hibernation will allow your system to return to a fully working state after removing power whereas standby requires power to still be supplied to your system. Laptops for example you'll want to hibernate to avoid discharging the battery while in sleep mode.

With system restore disabled, no swap file, and some of the additonal tweaks mentioned here, my two small capacity SSD's are running Win 7 effectively in a small footprint -- my 60GB Agility has 37GB free, while the XV in my laptop has over 20GB free.

The best part is keeping lots of extra space help longevity, while the tweaks enhance performance while keeping my drives free of junk. Thanks for another excellent article -- I'm surprised I haven't seen an article on this subject that's as comprehensive.

Toms to the rescue. Thanks for another great article. I would love to see a part 2 of the article where you would explore the causes of the performance drop.

To round you answer out perhaps you could include how you disable it. Also cite some sources that back up your position. But why does this make a difference? You have precisely the same problem if the power goes out before you click "Save" at all. CodeLurker, the performance benefits of caching are enough that it is generally worth the rare risk of power loss.

Obviously the circumstances will dictate whether it should be used or not such whether power is reliable or not, what types of files are predominantly used, and so on. Synetech That's basically no difference. There's a window in which you can lose data either way, and most of that window is before you click "Save".

You could also lose your data by getting crushed by a falling asteroid a split second before clicking [Save]. By your reckoning, you may as well not even bother using a computer at all since it is inevitable to lose your data. Show 1 more comment.

Sam Brightman Sam Brightman 7 7 silver badges 23 23 bronze badges. Sign up or log in Sign up using Google. Sign up using Facebook. Sign up using Email and Password. Post as a guest Name. Email Required, but never shown. The Overflow Blog. The best part is keeping lots of extra space help longevity, while the tweaks enhance performance while keeping my drives free of junk. Thanks for another excellent article -- I'm surprised I haven't seen an article on this subject that's as comprehensive.

Toms to the rescue. Thanks for another great article. I would love to see a part 2 of the article where you would explore the causes of the performance drop. KWReidIndexing is not used to access files more quickly.

Thanks for pointing both of these things out. You're absolutely correct about indexing.