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    M11x SSD and Page File POLL

    Discussion in 'Alienware M11x' started by stevenxowens792, Aug 20, 2010.

  1. stevenxowens792

    stevenxowens792 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Poll - M11x Owners with SSD

    Do you utilize the Windows Page File?
    Have you benchmarked games with Page file enabled and Disabled?
    Did you notice a change in Gameplay?

    The reason I ask is because recently, in a benchmark I noticed that I always set my page file to manual and set the size to around 2gb. I changed this to 4 and saw a 2fps increase in a benchmark (lost colony 2 example). So I disabled it and it cost me 3 fps. Curious to see what others are doing here for max performance.

    Thanks,

    StevenX
     
    stevenxowens792, Aug 20, 2010
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  2. MaxGeek

    MaxGeek Notebook Evangelist

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    I have an old 1GB intel turbo memory miniPCI-e module that I use for my page file. Instead of using it as turbo memory (readyboost, ready drive) you can turn 1 & 2 GB turbo memory modules into just a disk drive. I use mine just for the page file. Having the page file off my SSD saves me a little bit of space and reduces the wear on my MLC based SSD. I have 8GB of ram so I have the page file just for compatibility and errors dumps.

    I'm surprised your seeing a difference in FPS with the page file when you already have 4GB of ram.
     
    MaxGeek, Aug 20, 2010
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  3. DrGoodvibes

    DrGoodvibes Notebook Deity

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    That surprises me.

    Maybe the bench mark is old school and expecting to use the pagefile...big time.
    Must be some game if it's using the pagefile beyond 2GB.

    Mind you thinking about it, if one mapped the game into memory and paged out the non-immediate focus that was beyond the scope of current RAM..

    What happens if you go larger than 4GB pagefile?
    I notice my system managed pagefile is:

    Minimum: 16MB
    Recommended: 5994MB
    Current: 3996MB

    Do you see much pagefaulting?

    Then begs the question, would you see another improvement with 8GB RAM as you'd reduce the overhead of paging. :D

    An SSD for paging is way cool, but with extra memory even the overhead of paging is removed/reduced... where would it end...

    Also means people benchmarking the same game using a 7200RPM HDD will never get the same fps as an SSD if paging is required.

    Paging on 4200RPM compared to 5200RPM is noticeable slower.
     
    DrGoodvibes, Aug 20, 2010
    #3