Main Area and Open Discussion > General Software Discussion

RAMdisk on XP 32bit - brainstorming!

<< < (9/9)

Nod5:
Here's an updated roundup of ramdisk software. Update based on searching/website reading, I haven't had time to try new versions. I use Gavotte but plan to switch. Ramdisks are amazingly useful! Some uses: scratchdisk for image/video editing, download location for torrents, unrar location for video files before viewing, temp disk when you're doing a lot of file manipulations/conversions, proxy location for image thumbnails, use it to run disk intensive games, ...

SuperSpeed -- http://www.superspeed.com/ramdisk.php
1. Ramdisk Plus 11.0.1 ($60)
2. RamDisk 11.0.1 ($40)

RamDisk Plus: "can use "unmanaged" Windows' memory e.g. above 4GB. It can also use the stubbornly inaccessable memory between 3.2GB and 4GB."
http://www.superspeed.com/download/trialversions.php
http://www.superspeed.com/specialized/ramdisk-secure.php

- not free, expensive (only free trial)
+ actively developed
+ uses memory above 3.x GB in XP 32bit (only for Plus version!)
+ clear webpage, support, microsoft certified partner


DataRam RamDisk (formerly Cenatek) -- http://memory.dataram.com/products-and-services/software/ramdisk
v 3.5.130RC13a (released 2008/2009?)
free for <4GB disks, >4GB after free registration

+ free
+ (new) uses unused memory over 4GB in xp 32bit: "...allow you to enable a feature of RAMDisk that will allow you to use memory above the 4GB limit for 32-bit versions of Windows."
http://memory.dataram.com/__documents/Dataram_User_Manual_35(1).pdf
(I have not tried it yet)

Gavotte Ramdisk -- https://bbs.et8.net/bbs/showthread.php?t=906641
ramdisk5.7z (free) -- released 2008-11-17

+ free
- unclear developer, no official page
+ uses memory above 3.x GB in XP 32bit
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&u=http://www10.atwiki.jp/gavotterd/
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/05/27/free-ramdisk-for-windows-vista-xp-2000-and-2003-server/

Romex -- http://www.romexsoftware.com/main/products/
1. VSuite Ramdisk Free
2. VSuite Ramdisk Standard ($30)
3. VSuite Ramdisk Professional ($50)
http://www.romexsoftware.com/main/products/ramdisk-comparison.html

"... provides solution for the well-known "4GB RAM in 32-bit Windows" issue, thereby allowing all of its installed RAM to be fully utilised."
http://www.romexsoftware.com/main/products/

+ free (one version)
+ uses memory above 3.x GB in XP 32bit (as far as I can tell this goes for all three versions...)

--------------------------
Qsoft RAMDisk
RAMDisk Enterprise 5.3.2.12 ($ ??) -- 2010-05-10
http://members.fortunecity.com/ramdisk/RAMDisk/ramdiskent.htm
http://members.fortunecity.com/ramdisk/Download/brewing.htm

- not free
- can't use memory above 3.x GB in XP 32bit
- website problems: download not working, most of (fortunecity) homepage down, no contact info to author.
Really weird, given that the product seems to be continuously updated!

AR Soft -- http://www.arsoft-online.com/
AR RAM Disk (free) 1.20 -- released 2009-04-23

http://www.arsoft-online.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=26&Itemid=47
"The AR RAM Disk is no longer supported by AR Soft. You may continue to use the RAM Disk, but we will not provide any help or additional information. Since the development of this product has been stopped there will no more versions of the software."

+ free
- end of life
- can't use unused memory over 4GB in xp 32bit

ImDisk -- http://www.ltr-data.se/opencode.html#ImDisk
1. ImDisk (freeware) 1.1.4 -- 2009-04-21

+ free
+ actively developed ; author active in forum
+ can also mount image files (e.g. DVD .iso )
- can't use memory above 3.x GB in XP 32bit (but maybe later)

http://www.ltr-data.se/opencode.html#ImDisk (official page)
http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?act=SF&s=&f=59 (official forum)
http://www.boot-land.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=9637
(post from november 2009 where the dev says that support for memory above 3.x GB in XP 32bit is likely in the future)

FarStone -- http://www.farstone.com/software/virtualdrive-pro.php
VirtualDrive Pro 12($47)
- not free
- can't use memory above 3.x GB in XP 32bit (as far as I can tell...)


changelog:
100515 added Romex, reordered list, small updates
090511 added ImDisk, Farstone

Dormouse:
I notice that the SoftPerfect RAM disk is coming up at BdJ tomorrow ($9)

majoMO:
A very useful info, Nod5. Thanks for that.  :up:

Steven Avery:
Hi,

I notice that the SoftPerfect RAM disk is coming up at BdJ tomorrow ($9)
-Dormouse (May 15, 2010, 09:22 AM)
--- End quote ---
This is up on Bits again today.  Any comparisions from our techies ?

Steven

4wd:
I notice that the SoftPerfect RAM disk is coming up at BdJ tomorrow ($9)
-Dormouse (May 15, 2010, 09:22 AM)
--- End quote ---
This is up on Bits again today.  Any comparisions from our techies ?-Steven Avery (April 13, 2012, 09:26 AM)
--- End quote ---

Just looking at the specs would seem to indicate it can't make use of the unused portion of 4GB RAM, (512-768MB), on x86 systems:

*    Any number of RAM disks. In practice, up to 26 disks due to the number of drive letters available.
*    Any RAM disk size on 64-bit systems. Up to approximately 3.5 GB on 32-bit systems.
*    Persistent RAM disks with an associated on-disk image.
*    Volatile RAM disks whose content disappears on shutdown.
*    Built-in disk image manipulation tools.
--- End quote ---

This alone would put it one below the likes of free alternatives imdisk and Gavotte IMO.
The Persistent RAM disks are easily achieved via Logon/Logoff scripts.
The Built-in disk image manipulation tool sounds nice but in reality you could just load the RAM disk with image and then save it out after changes.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[*] Previous page