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polymorphic
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is it best to leave ntfs drives alone or partition them ?
- Joined
- 24 Jan 2002
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your preferance is the only thing that matters in this regard with the nt file system...if you are used to partitions, you should partition.
if you are not used to partitions, there is a performance hit with partitions when you use the nt file systemt, so it's best not to get used to the fun people seem to have with their partitions
there is no organizational benefit to partitions, as you can create what I call virtual partitions on a single volume with a nice file system, and your organization convienience is identical.
also, xp optimization doesn't work across volumes, so a single partition is best unless your apps are on the same drive as your os
also, copying files is obviously faster with one volume, as the os will just assign a differant pointer.
with a partition, the os has to actually hardwrite the entire data...quite a bit slower.
there is one perormance benefit I agree with in partitins FOR A VERY SELECT FEW.
if you like a very large temporary internet file, that you don't like to clear often, then it's a fine idea to give this file it's own partition...(with plenty of headroom for defragmentation.)
this way you can defrag the partition in a very short time...it's this file that fragments most in most peoples computing.
however, since with ntfs, you only need to defrag when your volume is neer full, (operformance drops are not noticeable till you get ohh, 75 to 85 percent)...but, you will obviously need to defrag this as a partition more often then if it was one volume.
it's a trade.
performance of a more fragmented volume more often slowing you down, traded for super quick defragmentation.
the other good reason to partition is if it is impossible for you to back up off the box.
if this is true, then you shoould absolutely paartition, and this will be a backup, though a very dangerous one indeed,as everyone will have their hardrive fail sooner or later
my personal belief and challenge is that my computor with a single partiton will finish a days work minutes before anyone with a partitoned drive...even f they have twice the processor speed and twice the ram....
this due to constant copying of files to various folders that most computing involvs for most people
if you are not used to partitions, there is a performance hit with partitions when you use the nt file systemt, so it's best not to get used to the fun people seem to have with their partitions
there is no organizational benefit to partitions, as you can create what I call virtual partitions on a single volume with a nice file system, and your organization convienience is identical.
also, xp optimization doesn't work across volumes, so a single partition is best unless your apps are on the same drive as your os
also, copying files is obviously faster with one volume, as the os will just assign a differant pointer.
with a partition, the os has to actually hardwrite the entire data...quite a bit slower.
there is one perormance benefit I agree with in partitins FOR A VERY SELECT FEW.
if you like a very large temporary internet file, that you don't like to clear often, then it's a fine idea to give this file it's own partition...(with plenty of headroom for defragmentation.)
this way you can defrag the partition in a very short time...it's this file that fragments most in most peoples computing.
however, since with ntfs, you only need to defrag when your volume is neer full, (operformance drops are not noticeable till you get ohh, 75 to 85 percent)...but, you will obviously need to defrag this as a partition more often then if it was one volume.
it's a trade.
performance of a more fragmented volume more often slowing you down, traded for super quick defragmentation.
the other good reason to partition is if it is impossible for you to back up off the box.
if this is true, then you shoould absolutely paartition, and this will be a backup, though a very dangerous one indeed,as everyone will have their hardrive fail sooner or later
my personal belief and challenge is that my computor with a single partiton will finish a days work minutes before anyone with a partitoned drive...even f they have twice the processor speed and twice the ram....
this due to constant copying of files to various folders that most computing involvs for most people
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Just did some crude math and I apparently joined almost 18yrs ago, how is that possible???
Just did some crude math and I apparently joined almost 18yrs ago, how is that possible???
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