Source/Target Drives - Temp/Cache Drives ?

[ssmyth]

I would like advise on disk and file management.

I have MS5.2 setup on a system that has 2 4G IDE drives and 1 9G SCSCI drive.

The two IDE drives are partitioned as follows

IDE Disk 1
C:\ 2G for system files only
F:\ 2G

IDE Disk 2
D:\ 2G
G:\ 2G

SCSI Disk 3
E:\ 8G

Q1: Where would be the best place to locate the MS5.2 Temp and cache dir's.

Q2: Where should I locate my source capture files

Q:3 How can I best utilize my SCSI drive should I partition it or leave it as one large disk?

I am trying to understand the where to put my video files/system temp and cache dir's to produce the best performance with out causing the HD's to seek a lot.

Any advise on the "Best" setup for multiple disks would be great.

Thanks



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[Elie]

Well if that was my system here's what I would do,

The temp/cache directory can go either on d: or G:
and you would capture your AVI's to disk 3 the scsi drive.

Before doing anything though, can you please run the Matrox HD bench on all drives and post the results. because I can recommend a setup but if your drives aren't fast enough nothings gonna work.

Regards,
Elie

[ssmyth]

Hi Elie thanks for the reply.

Here are the results

C:\ Free 520MB
Performance 5.11 MB/sec

D:\ Free 2070MB
Performance 5.54 MB/sec

E:\ Free 2039MB
Performance 5.40 MB/sec

F:\ Free 2039MB
Performance 2.38 MB/sec

G:\ Free 2038MB
Performance 5.37 MB/sec

Thanks




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[ssmyth]

Correction

F:\ Free 2039MB
Performance 5.38 MB/sec

[Elie]

Hi,

Then I see no problems with what I suggested above.
GO FOR IT

Also you might wanta check out the Tips and Tricks on "this Idiot's page" for even more info.

Good Luck.
Elie

[ssmyth]

Do you have th URL for the tip & tricks page?

Also how is the 5+ MB/sec rate..is it fair,Ok,average?

What a really great rate and how would you acheive it?

[ssmyth]

Being a bit of an idiot myself..found the page under links.

Q:Hey does it matter where the proxy files are stored.

Q: where should I output my final video?

If my source capture files are on the SCSI where should I place my final video file

to the SCSI? or do I want to to place it on a different drive to avoid seeking?

Thanks again

[This_Idiot]

Depends on how much software you like to have loaded.

Personally, I think I'd have a go at either

a) Repartition IDE1 as full 4Gb and use it as a combined OS/apps drive, use IDE2 partition1 for swapfiles (inc windows) and IDE2 partition2 for other datafiles with the SCSI as capture drive

or

b) Repartition IDE2 as full 4Gb and use for all apps, retaining IDE1 partition 1 for OS and partition 2 for swaps, again keeping SCSI for vidcap.

The reason I recommend this is that if/when you come to reconfigure your system, it's a bitch when you have applications on more than one partition.

Elie, what's your opinion on this setup ?

[Elie]

Hi Guys,

Chris,
Your idea's are fine too, and is kinda like the way my current machine is setup.

Here's how I have mine setup.
PC#1
1 1gig drive just for OS and Ulead.
Fast track as D: drive for captured files and temp directory, also for wave files etc.

PC#2
1 1gig scsi drive for OS and Ulead
1 6.4 gig SCSI Ultra for temp/cache directory
4 2 gig scsi wide drives setup as stripe set under NT
fast track with 2 10gig maxtors for captured files, audio files and alpha channel TGA's etc.

ssmyth,
Don't worry your 5.x mbps data rate is good enough because all you really need is 3.102 mbps.
So if you have the option to reconfigure your machine before starting anything I would go for Chris's idea and format your IDE1 as a 4gig C: and IDE2 as a 4 gig D:
and the scsi left alone.
You will use the C: for OS + Ulead + Swap.
D: for temp/cache
SCSI for captured files if you have enough space left you can actually create your finished project on that drive too, if not use the D: drive.

Elie

[ssmyth]

Thank you for all the info. I think I will repartition as you have both suggested

One last question how large do you setup your windows swap file.

I have 128Meg of ram installed

[Elie]

Keep the swap file as default (let windows manage my virual memory settings recommended)

And if you experience problems then set it to about 500mb +/- 200mb

Regards,
Elie