Has any one tried Windows ReadyBoost?

[narrowgauge]

Has anyone tried ReadyBoost? It seems that it may make Trainz a little less sluggish.

Want a simple way to speed up your PC?
Just plug in a USB flash drive or card and let ReadyBoost borrow it. ReadyBoost is designed to help when your PC's memory is running low. Low memory can make your computer sluggish because Windows, which needs a place to stash data, turns to the hard drive. Flash memory offers a speedier alternative.
ReadyBoost works with most flash storage devices. In Windows 7, it can handle more flash memory and even multiple devices—up to eight, for a maximum 256 gigabytes (GB) of additional memory.

Easy enough to use, plug in the flash drive, select it, select properties, and ReadyBoost is in the top menu. Recommended flash disk size is 2 to 4 times more than installed memory. It is a Windows program, not some 3rd party gimmick, so it should have some effect.

Comments?

Peter

 

[Retro00064]

I'll have to try that, Peter. The flash drive I would have to use (which I used to use for backing up Trainz among other stuff, back when I actually did back-up stuff ) is a 2 GB one, which is the same size as my current computer's RAM. Would there still be a performance increase?

Thanks for the post!

---Zachary.

 

[narrowgauge]

Zachary

I think a 2 gb one is worth trying although it is less than the Windows recommendation. I have 4gb of ram and an 8gb flash drive. I was running the DHR and I could see the drive light flashing so it is being used, presumably in preference to writing to disk. If you have enough USB sockets you can use additional 2gb drives to make up the memory you want.

As it is possible to switch the drive on and off using the properties window, I intend to do some comparison tests.

Peter

 

[Retro00064]

I moved everything (the old backups) I had on my flash drive to my computer, and set up ReadyBoost to use the entire flash drive.

The flash drive's light does blink, so it does appear that it is being used.

I can't really say I am getting a performance boost in Trainz. But if it's even just slightly better, then I'll take it!

Perhaps there would be a performance boost if I used a 4 GB flash drive instead of this 2 GB one. I guess I'll never know unless I obtain a 4 GB flash drive and try it!

Regards,

Zachary.