Currently working on RAMDisks Roundup and testing v2.
All further updates will be in the new thread.
Wasn't sure whether to post this in the storage or memory section, but I guess it makes most sense here.
For the past couple of years I been interested in and running a RAMDisk, but to my great frustration it has been really hard to find any kind of performance testing of RAMDisks. Most of what you find is superficial at best if not downright misleading.
So with the goal of coming up with some sort comprehensive testing of RAMDisk I thought I would start by finding as many RAMDisk software as I can and make a short evaluation of each of them. Then perhaps, as a community, will could come to some kind of consensus as to how to test them.
Keep in mind that many of those program can only create a Direct-IO Disk, which means benchmarks such as HDTune and HDTach will not be able to see those disks. Other benchmarks such as AS SSD often have erratic behavior when testing RAMDisks and will frequently crash. So as you can see finding good benchmark tools for testing RAMDisks might be problematic.
As far as performance testing goes, I intend to test as many variables as I can to see their impact on performance (if any), but I will limit my tests to only 64bit OS. I'm still finalizing my list but coming up with a testing method that's more than just running CrystalDiskMark on each RAMDisk and calling it a day is more pressing right now.
Downsides of RAMDisks should also be kept in mind. Since data on RAMDisks are volatile backup option are useful, unfortunately some program only offer to backup on shutdown (leaving you SOL in case of a crash) other offer even less options (if they have them at all). Backup options might not be useful to every usage pattern but it's never a bad thing to have them.
Also RAMDisks have an impact on CPU utilization, most of them will peg 1 core at 100% when operating at peak performance.
With all that said, if you notice any mistakes or oversight let me know and I will rectify them. Now let's move on to listing all the RAMDisks that I was able to run on Win7 64bit (in alphabetical order).
ArchiCrypt Ramdisk
Version: 3.9.1.4216
Source: http://www.archicrypt.de/archicrypt_ultimate_ram_disk.html
File systems: FAT/FAT32
Size: 5MB-32GB
SCSI Disk: No
Direct-IO Disk: Yes
Max # of RAMDisk: 6
Backup Options: Save on Shutdown, Load on Boot, Periodic Backup (at interval)
Price: 24,95 €, evaluation version available
Notes: Software is in German only
Bond Disc
Version: 1.40
Source: http://www.bonddisc.com
File systems: FAT
Size: 1MB-640MB
SCSI Disk: No
Direct-IO Disk: Yes
Max # of RAMDisk: 1
Backup Options: Save on Shutdown, Load on Boot, Periodic Backup (at interval)
Price: Free
Notes: Unsigned driver
Development has stopped
Buffalo Ramdisk
Version: 3.2.5.0
Source: http://buffalo.jp/download/driver/memory/ramdisk.html
File systems: FAT/FAT32
Size: 32MB-32GB+
SCSI Disk: No
Direct-IO Disk: Yes
Max # of RAMDisk: 1
Backup Options: Save on Shutdown, Load on Boot, Synchronous Backup, Backup when idle
Price: Free
Notes: Requires reboot to change disk size or enable/disable
Dataram RAMDisk
Version: 4.1.0.RC25
Source: http://memory.dataram.com/products-and-services/software/ramdisk
File systems: FAT/FAT32/RAW
Size: 5MB-64GB
SCSI Disk: Yes
Direct-IO Disk: No
Max # of RAMDisk: 1
Backup Options: Save on Shutdown, Load on Boot, Synchronous Backup, Periodic Backup (at interval)
Price: $18.99 USD, free version available (limited to 4GB or 6GB with Radeon Memory)
Notes: Requires .NET Framework 4
Gavotte Ramdisk
Version: 1.0.4096.2
Source: http://www.chweng.idv.tw/swintro/ramdisk.php
File systems: see notes
Size: see notes
SCSI Disk: see notes
Direct-IO Disk: see notes
Max # of RAMDisk: see notes
Backup Options: see notes
Price: Free
Notes: A 64bit compatible version is available but i haven't been able to get it (Chinese forum)
http://bbs.et8.net/bbs/showthread.php?t=853020
Gilisoft RAMDisk
Version: 5.1
Source: http://www.gilisoft.com/product-ramdisk.htm
File systems: FAT/FAT32/NTFS
Size: 1MB-32GB+
SCSI Disk: No
Direct-IO Disk: Yes
Max # of RAMDisk: 1
Backup Options: Save on Shutdown/Sleep, Load on Boot, Synchronous Backup, Periodic Backup (at interval)
Price: $39.95 USD, 14 days trial available
Notes: Unsigned driver
Gizmo Drive
Version: 2.7.9
Source: http://arainia.com/software/gizmo/overview.php?nID=4
File systems: FAT/NTFS
Size: 3MB-4GB
SCSI Disk: No
Direct-IO Disk: Yes
Max # of RAMDisk: 26
Backup Options: None
Price: Free
Notes: If you enter a capacity above 4GB the RAMDisk will be modulo(4GB) instead
Documentation is scarce
Program seems to be abandonware
ImDisk
Version: 1.7.1
Source: http://www.ltr-data.se/opencode.html/#ImDisk
File systems: RAW
Size: 1MB-32GB+
SCSI Disk: No
Direct-IO Disk: Yes
Max # of RAMDisk: No Limit
Backup Options: Manually only
Price: Free, open source
Notes: Configure through command line or control panel
Passmark OSFMount
Version: 1.5.1013
Source: http://www.osforensics.com/tools/mount-disk-images.html
File systems: RAW
Size: 1MB-32GB+
SCSI Disk: No
Direct-IO Disk: Yes
Max # of RAMDisk: 26
Backup Options: Manually only
Price: Free
Notes: Based off ImDisk
Crashes if it can't assign a drive letter
Primo Ramdisk Ultimate
Version: 5.6.0
Source: http://www.romexsoftware.com/en-us/primo-ramdisk/download.html
File systems: FAT/FAT32/NTFS
Size: 1MB-1TB
SCSI Disk: Yes
Direct-IO Disk: Yes
Max # of RAMDisk: 128
Backup Options: Save on Shutdown, Load on Boot, Synchronous Backup, Periodic Backup (at interval)
Price: $69.95 USD, 30 trial available
$49.95 USD for Professional Edition (32GB limit)
$29.95 USD for Standard Edition (8GB limit)
Notes:
RamPhantomEX
Version: 1.0.0
Source: http://www.iodata.jp/product/soft/speed/ramphantomex/
File systems: FAT/NTFS
Size: 1MB-32GB+
SCSI Disk: No
Direct-IO Disk: Yes
Max # of RAMDisk: 2 (possible limitation of the evaluation version)
Backup Options: Save on Shutdown, Load on Boot, Synchronous Backup, Backup when idle
Price: ¥2,980, evaluation version available
Notes: Software is in Japanese
256MB limit on the evaluation version
SoftPerfect RAM Disk
Version: 3.3.3
Source: http://www.softperfect.com/products/ramdisk/
File systems: FAT/FAT32/NTFS/RAW
Size: 1MB-32GB+
SCSI Disk: No
Direct-IO Disk: Yes
Max # of RAMDisk: 26+
Backup Options: Save on Shutdown, Load on Boot, Periodic Backup (at interval)
Price: Free
Notes:
StarWind RAM Disk
Version: 5.6
Source: http://www.starwindsoftware.com/high-performance-ram-disk-emulator
File systems: FAT/FAT32/RAW
Size: 8MB-32GB+
SCSI Disk: Yes
Direct-IO Disk: No
Max # of RAMDisk: 26+
Backup Options: None
Price: Free
Notes:
SuperSpeed RamDisk Plus
Version: 11.7.1007
Source: http://www.superspeed.com/desktop/ramdisk.php
File systems: FAT/FAT32/NTFS/exFAT/UDF
Size: 1MB-512GB
SCSI Disk: Yes
Direct-IO Disk: No
Max # of RAMDisk: 99
Backup Options: Save on Shutdown, Load on Boot
Price: $79.95 USD, 14 days trial available
$59.95 USD for RamDisk version (no Backup Options, max of 1 RAMDisk)
Notes:
VSuite Ramdisk Server
Version: 4.6.7531.1240
Source: http://www.romexsoftware.com/en-us/vsuite-ramdisk/download.html
File systems: FAT/FAT32/NTFS/RAW
Size: 1MB-2048TB
SCSI Disk: Yes
Direct-IO Disk: Yes
Max # of RAMDisk: 128
Backup Options: Save on Shutdown, Load on Boot, Synchronous Backup, Periodic Backup (at interval)
Price: $119.00 USD
Notes: Superseded by Primo Ramdisk, only Server edition remains available
WinRamTech (QSoft)
Version: 5.3.2.14
Source: http://winramtech.hostei.com/RAMDriv
File systems: FAT/FAT32/NTFS/exFAT
Size: 1MB-64GB
SCSI Disk: No
Direct-IO Disk: Yes
Max # of RAMDisk: 1
Backup Options: Save on Shutdown, Load on Boot, Synchronous Backup, Periodic Backup (at interval/fixed times)
Price: 25$USD (free updates), free version available (expires every 4 months)
12$USD (no updates)
Notes: Can't disable the RAMDisk without uninstalling the driver or disabling it in device manage (requires reboot)
Configurable through the device manager
Wow, that took longer than expected
Anyway, I'll start looking for some suitable benchmark tools, but I'd appreciate your feedback.
All further updates will be in the new thread.
Wasn't sure whether to post this in the storage or memory section, but I guess it makes most sense here.
For the past couple of years I been interested in and running a RAMDisk, but to my great frustration it has been really hard to find any kind of performance testing of RAMDisks. Most of what you find is superficial at best if not downright misleading.
So with the goal of coming up with some sort comprehensive testing of RAMDisk I thought I would start by finding as many RAMDisk software as I can and make a short evaluation of each of them. Then perhaps, as a community, will could come to some kind of consensus as to how to test them.
Keep in mind that many of those program can only create a Direct-IO Disk, which means benchmarks such as HDTune and HDTach will not be able to see those disks. Other benchmarks such as AS SSD often have erratic behavior when testing RAMDisks and will frequently crash. So as you can see finding good benchmark tools for testing RAMDisks might be problematic.
As far as performance testing goes, I intend to test as many variables as I can to see their impact on performance (if any), but I will limit my tests to only 64bit OS. I'm still finalizing my list but coming up with a testing method that's more than just running CrystalDiskMark on each RAMDisk and calling it a day is more pressing right now.
Downsides of RAMDisks should also be kept in mind. Since data on RAMDisks are volatile backup option are useful, unfortunately some program only offer to backup on shutdown (leaving you SOL in case of a crash) other offer even less options (if they have them at all). Backup options might not be useful to every usage pattern but it's never a bad thing to have them.
Also RAMDisks have an impact on CPU utilization, most of them will peg 1 core at 100% when operating at peak performance.
With all that said, if you notice any mistakes or oversight let me know and I will rectify them. Now let's move on to listing all the RAMDisks that I was able to run on Win7 64bit (in alphabetical order).
ArchiCrypt Ramdisk
Version: 3.9.1.4216
Source: http://www.archicrypt.de/archicrypt_ultimate_ram_disk.html
File systems: FAT/FAT32
Size: 5MB-32GB
SCSI Disk: No
Direct-IO Disk: Yes
Max # of RAMDisk: 6
Backup Options: Save on Shutdown, Load on Boot, Periodic Backup (at interval)
Price: 24,95 €, evaluation version available
Notes: Software is in German only
Bond Disc
Version: 1.40
Source: http://www.bonddisc.com
File systems: FAT
Size: 1MB-640MB
SCSI Disk: No
Direct-IO Disk: Yes
Max # of RAMDisk: 1
Backup Options: Save on Shutdown, Load on Boot, Periodic Backup (at interval)
Price: Free
Notes: Unsigned driver
Development has stopped
Buffalo Ramdisk
Version: 3.2.5.0
Source: http://buffalo.jp/download/driver/memory/ramdisk.html
File systems: FAT/FAT32
Size: 32MB-32GB+
SCSI Disk: No
Direct-IO Disk: Yes
Max # of RAMDisk: 1
Backup Options: Save on Shutdown, Load on Boot, Synchronous Backup, Backup when idle
Price: Free
Notes: Requires reboot to change disk size or enable/disable
Dataram RAMDisk
Version: 4.1.0.RC25
Source: http://memory.dataram.com/products-and-services/software/ramdisk
File systems: FAT/FAT32/RAW
Size: 5MB-64GB
SCSI Disk: Yes
Direct-IO Disk: No
Max # of RAMDisk: 1
Backup Options: Save on Shutdown, Load on Boot, Synchronous Backup, Periodic Backup (at interval)
Price: $18.99 USD, free version available (limited to 4GB or 6GB with Radeon Memory)
Notes: Requires .NET Framework 4
Gavotte Ramdisk
Version: 1.0.4096.2
Source: http://www.chweng.idv.tw/swintro/ramdisk.php
File systems: see notes
Size: see notes
SCSI Disk: see notes
Direct-IO Disk: see notes
Max # of RAMDisk: see notes
Backup Options: see notes
Price: Free
Notes: A 64bit compatible version is available but i haven't been able to get it (Chinese forum)
http://bbs.et8.net/bbs/showthread.php?t=853020
Gilisoft RAMDisk
Version: 5.1
Source: http://www.gilisoft.com/product-ramdisk.htm
File systems: FAT/FAT32/NTFS
Size: 1MB-32GB+
SCSI Disk: No
Direct-IO Disk: Yes
Max # of RAMDisk: 1
Backup Options: Save on Shutdown/Sleep, Load on Boot, Synchronous Backup, Periodic Backup (at interval)
Price: $39.95 USD, 14 days trial available
Notes: Unsigned driver
Gizmo Drive
Version: 2.7.9
Source: http://arainia.com/software/gizmo/overview.php?nID=4
File systems: FAT/NTFS
Size: 3MB-4GB
SCSI Disk: No
Direct-IO Disk: Yes
Max # of RAMDisk: 26
Backup Options: None
Price: Free
Notes: If you enter a capacity above 4GB the RAMDisk will be modulo(4GB) instead
Documentation is scarce
Program seems to be abandonware
ImDisk
Version: 1.7.1
Source: http://www.ltr-data.se/opencode.html/#ImDisk
File systems: RAW
Size: 1MB-32GB+
SCSI Disk: No
Direct-IO Disk: Yes
Max # of RAMDisk: No Limit
Backup Options: Manually only
Price: Free, open source
Notes: Configure through command line or control panel
Passmark OSFMount
Version: 1.5.1013
Source: http://www.osforensics.com/tools/mount-disk-images.html
File systems: RAW
Size: 1MB-32GB+
SCSI Disk: No
Direct-IO Disk: Yes
Max # of RAMDisk: 26
Backup Options: Manually only
Price: Free
Notes: Based off ImDisk
Crashes if it can't assign a drive letter
Primo Ramdisk Ultimate
Version: 5.6.0
Source: http://www.romexsoftware.com/en-us/primo-ramdisk/download.html
File systems: FAT/FAT32/NTFS
Size: 1MB-1TB
SCSI Disk: Yes
Direct-IO Disk: Yes
Max # of RAMDisk: 128
Backup Options: Save on Shutdown, Load on Boot, Synchronous Backup, Periodic Backup (at interval)
Price: $69.95 USD, 30 trial available
$49.95 USD for Professional Edition (32GB limit)
$29.95 USD for Standard Edition (8GB limit)
Notes:
RamPhantomEX
Version: 1.0.0
Source: http://www.iodata.jp/product/soft/speed/ramphantomex/
File systems: FAT/NTFS
Size: 1MB-32GB+
SCSI Disk: No
Direct-IO Disk: Yes
Max # of RAMDisk: 2 (possible limitation of the evaluation version)
Backup Options: Save on Shutdown, Load on Boot, Synchronous Backup, Backup when idle
Price: ¥2,980, evaluation version available
Notes: Software is in Japanese
256MB limit on the evaluation version
SoftPerfect RAM Disk
Version: 3.3.3
Source: http://www.softperfect.com/products/ramdisk/
File systems: FAT/FAT32/NTFS/RAW
Size: 1MB-32GB+
SCSI Disk: No
Direct-IO Disk: Yes
Max # of RAMDisk: 26+
Backup Options: Save on Shutdown, Load on Boot, Periodic Backup (at interval)
Price: Free
Notes:
StarWind RAM Disk
Version: 5.6
Source: http://www.starwindsoftware.com/high-performance-ram-disk-emulator
File systems: FAT/FAT32/RAW
Size: 8MB-32GB+
SCSI Disk: Yes
Direct-IO Disk: No
Max # of RAMDisk: 26+
Backup Options: None
Price: Free
Notes:
SuperSpeed RamDisk Plus
Version: 11.7.1007
Source: http://www.superspeed.com/desktop/ramdisk.php
File systems: FAT/FAT32/NTFS/exFAT/UDF
Size: 1MB-512GB
SCSI Disk: Yes
Direct-IO Disk: No
Max # of RAMDisk: 99
Backup Options: Save on Shutdown, Load on Boot
Price: $79.95 USD, 14 days trial available
$59.95 USD for RamDisk version (no Backup Options, max of 1 RAMDisk)
Notes:
VSuite Ramdisk Server
Version: 4.6.7531.1240
Source: http://www.romexsoftware.com/en-us/vsuite-ramdisk/download.html
File systems: FAT/FAT32/NTFS/RAW
Size: 1MB-2048TB
SCSI Disk: Yes
Direct-IO Disk: Yes
Max # of RAMDisk: 128
Backup Options: Save on Shutdown, Load on Boot, Synchronous Backup, Periodic Backup (at interval)
Price: $119.00 USD
Notes: Superseded by Primo Ramdisk, only Server edition remains available
WinRamTech (QSoft)
Version: 5.3.2.14
Source: http://winramtech.hostei.com/RAMDriv
File systems: FAT/FAT32/NTFS/exFAT
Size: 1MB-64GB
SCSI Disk: No
Direct-IO Disk: Yes
Max # of RAMDisk: 1
Backup Options: Save on Shutdown, Load on Boot, Synchronous Backup, Periodic Backup (at interval/fixed times)
Price: 25$USD (free updates), free version available (expires every 4 months)
12$USD (no updates)
Notes: Can't disable the RAMDisk without uninstalling the driver or disabling it in device manage (requires reboot)
Configurable through the device manager
Wow, that took longer than expected
Anyway, I'll start looking for some suitable benchmark tools, but I'd appreciate your feedback.