Create RAM disk - how it works
If you want to get more performance out of your SSD, you can create a RAM disk with just a few clicks. In this practical tip, we show you what a RAM disk is, what advantages there are and how to set up the RAM disk.
Creating a RAM disk: what is it anyway?
- SSD hard drives are still a bit more expensive than classic HDD hard drives, but they are also a lot faster. Top models create write and read speeds of over 500 MByte / s.
- The RAM integrated in the computer works even faster. Depending on the model, these are another 10 to 26 times faster than an SSD. If you have 4, 8, 16 or even more gigabytes of RAM installed in your computer, you can safely branch off a few gigabytes for a RAM disk.
Overview of advantages and disadvantages of the RAM disk
- With special software and a driver, Windows is pretended that the working memory is an SSD hard disk. When restarting, however, the working memory is treated as such, so that all data on it is deleted.
- If you use the RAM disk for temporary files or as a kind of recycle bin, this property is the right choice for you. The right software also allows you to automatically copy the desired files to the RAM disk each time you restart.
- You should therefore not use the RAM disk as a storage location for important files. The RAM disk is best suited for the installation of programs that require a lot of computing power and therefore run much faster. But it can also be worthwhile for the automatic disposal of cache and temp files.
- There is no limit to the size of the RAM disk in 64-bit systems. If you use a 32-bit system, you can use a maximum of 3.5 gigabytes of RAM for a RAM disk.
Instructions: Create RAM disk under Windows
Several programs are suitable for setting up a RAM disk. In this guide, we use SoftPerfect RAM Disk. ArchiCrypt Ultimate RAM Disk offers a good alternative, but one that costs a fee. That's how it works:
- Download, install and start the software.
- Click on the plus symbol at the top left and select the size, the drive letter and "NTFS" as the file system.
- The RAM disk is created using the "OK" button. Shortly afterwards, it appears in Explorer as a usable hard disk.
- With a tool like CrystalDiskMark Portable you can now compare the speed of the RAM disk with your hard drive.
Create a RAM disk with permanent content
The content on a simple RAM disk is deleted each time Windows is started. To use a program permanently on the RAM disk, for example, you need an image of the RAM disk:
- Click on "Image" in SoftPerfect RAM Disk at the top and select the option "Create image".
- You can now create an image of the current RAM disk here. To do this, you must of course install the desired program on the RAM disk beforehand.
- If you select the RAM disk in the software with a double click, you can select the image you just created under "Image file name" above.
- If the image is to be updated after each use of the installed program, activate the "Save content in image" option.
- Close the window with "OK". When you restart your computer, the image, i.e. the contents of the RAM disk, is saved on your hard drive. After restarting Windows, the image is automatically transferred to the RAM disk.
In the next practical tip, we will show you how to check your RAM for errors.