Harddrive Cache

JBannister · JBannister #1 (**permalink**)

10-24-2007, 04:13 PM

So this is probably a dumb question but as I have looked over external harddrives there is always a different cache number, so my question is what is better a lower numbered mb or highger?

goobimama · goobimama #2 (**permalink**)

10-24-2007, 04:23 PM

Cache is really fast memory. The way it works is, when the hard drive is accessing files on the disk, it takes those files and put them on the cache so the CPU can access them. Cause some times the Hard drive will be able to access data fast, while other times, when the data is fragmented, it will be slower. So the cache acts as a buffer between the disk and the CPU.

Now if you have more cache, then there will be more amount of buffer available for the hard drive to dump data into resulting in faster data processing and such. Now this does not 'necessarily' transform into better performance, cause file systems are quite efficient nowadays and disks are also pretty fast. In most cases it does, but it also depends on other factors. But you can't go wrong with more cache....

JBannister · JBannister #3 (**permalink**)

10-24-2007, 04:43 PM

Awesome thanks man.

goobimama · goobimama #4 (**permalink**)

10-24-2007, 05:02 PM

Always here to help... (and increase my post count

)

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JBannister #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 20, 2007 Location: Temple, GA Posts: 91	10-24-2007, 04:13 PM So this is probably a dumb question but as I have looked over external harddrives there is always a different cache number, so my question is what is better a lower numbered mb or highger?
	QUOTE Thanks

goobimama #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 28, 2006 Posts: 2,542 Mac Specs: iMac Core Duo 20", iBook G4, iPhone 8GB :)	10-24-2007, 04:23 PM Cache is really fast memory. The way it works is, when the hard drive is accessing files on the disk, it takes those files and put them on the cache so the CPU can access them. Cause some times the Hard drive will be able to access data fast, while other times, when the data is fragmented, it will be slower. So the cache acts as a buffer between the disk and the CPU. Now if you have more cache, then there will be more amount of buffer available for the hard drive to dump data into resulting in faster data processing and such. Now this does not 'necessarily' transform into better performance, cause file systems are quite efficient nowadays and disks are also pretty fast. In most cases it does, but it also depends on other factors. But you can't go wrong with more cache....
	QUOTE Thanks

goobimama #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 28, 2006 Posts: 2,542 Mac Specs: iMac Core Duo 20", iBook G4, iPhone 8GB :)	10-24-2007, 05:02 PM Always here to help... (and increase my post count )
	QUOTE Thanks

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