Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Computers & Peripherals => Topic started by: mdijb on March 09, 2017, 07:01:40 pm

Title: IS a dedicated scratch disc needed
Post by: mdijb on March 09, 2017, 07:01:40 pm
I am using a 2009 MAc Pro with Photoshop CC 2017, and am considering upgrading my machine with an SSD , a new video card with #gb of RAM, and adding RAm to total 32 GB from the folks at OWC.

My current config uses a dedicated, 10,000rpm hard drive as a scratch disc.

If i upgraded my machine with  the above, do I even need a dedicated scratch, or is the added Ram enough to give better performance?

MDIJB
Title: Re: IS a dedicated scratch disc needed
Post by: rdonson on March 10, 2017, 10:55:45 am
I think this was answered in another spot on the forum.  Anyway, what size SSD are you contemplating?  If it's adequately sized I don't think there's a need for a dedicated rotational scratch disk. 
Title: Re: IS a dedicated scratch disc needed
Post by: mdijb on March 10, 2017, 03:55:13 pm
I am considering a 1TB  SSD and about 50-60% will be used--so have a lot of extra, unused space.

MDIJB
Title: Re: IS a dedicated scratch disc needed
Post by: rdonson on March 10, 2017, 04:41:07 pm
I'm not sure that provides lots of extra unused space. You may want to check with some SSD performance gurus and sites. Most I've read recommend keeping 50% of the SSD capacity available. Rotational media and SSD drives differ greatly on how they reclaim free space.

I'll search and see if I can find some articles that confirm this or debunk this. SSD tech seems to move quickly.
Title: Re: IS a dedicated scratch disc needed
Post by: rdonson on March 10, 2017, 04:54:44 pm
I found some forum posts on Tom's Hardware recommending not to fill an SSD beyond 80% but that it varies by SSD. 
Title: Re: IS a dedicated scratch disc needed
Post by: Joe Towner on March 12, 2017, 01:24:48 pm
How big a file are you working with?  Generally speaking, unless you're working with huge files, you'll be fine with a single SSD.  The reason for a separate SSD would be for taking out the 3Gb/s limit on the SATA port.  I will state that PS really is a pig on free space, so keeping a good amount of free space is critical.
Title: Re: IS a dedicated scratch disc needed
Post by: mediumcool on March 15, 2017, 05:13:55 am
You could try creating a Fusion Drive via Terminal, though I believe it would benefit a slower spinner more than it would your 10K drive. Downside is that when one of the drives dies, everything is gone. But that’s what backups are for! ;)

How to roll your own (http://www.techrepublic.com/article/pro-tip-how-to-create-and-disable-a-fusion-drive/) Fusion drive.