Flash Cache is the same basic concept as ReadyBoost but maybe more like SuperFetch - it caches frequently used files off of the hard disk and loads them into the Flash Cache.
You'll possibly see more of a benefit in battery life because after the files have been cached to the flash the hard disk can spin down.
It goes by the brand name Intel Turbo Memory. it looks like they only sell it to OEMs though, so if you already have your laptop you may be out of luck....
Thank you very much! I do already have my laptop (I'm very happy with it), so I guess it wouldn't be all that easy to get flash cache installed. I could always just get more RAM, too. I guess that if I buy a higher speed SD card and use it as ReadyBoost, it would be doing the same thing as flash cache. Although, I have read that SD cards (and actually, all flash memory chips) have a lifetime depending on how many reads/writes are performed on them. Even though the do have a "lifespan", it is supposed to last at least 10 years. I'm not even sure if I'll have my laptop for ten years! But, I have a slight fear that I'll be doing some work one day, and the flash ReadyBoost will conk out and I'll lose all the data that was in the pagefile. That would be aggravating.
Found it :-) I ordered the 1GB FCM from Amazon and installed it as instructed, it works great! For anyone else interested you can one for $30 here:
http://tinyurl.com/3ybkd6
meryl_streep
179 Posts
0
March 24th, 2008 23:00
Flash Cache is the same basic concept as ReadyBoost but maybe more like SuperFetch - it caches frequently used files off of the hard disk and loads them into the Flash Cache.
You'll possibly see more of a benefit in battery life because after the files have been cached to the flash the hard disk can spin down.
It goes by the brand name Intel Turbo Memory. it looks like they only sell it to OEMs though, so if you already have your laptop you may be out of luck....
bassmann710
62 Posts
0
March 25th, 2008 16:00
Thank you very much! I do already have my laptop (I'm very happy with it), so I guess it wouldn't be all that easy to get flash cache installed. I could always just get more RAM, too. I guess that if I buy a higher speed SD card and use it as ReadyBoost, it would be doing the same thing as flash cache. Although, I have read that SD cards (and actually, all flash memory chips) have a lifetime depending on how many reads/writes are performed on them. Even though the do have a "lifespan", it is supposed to last at least 10 years. I'm not even sure if I'll have my laptop for ten years! But, I have a slight fear that I'll be doing some work one day, and the flash ReadyBoost will conk out and I'll lose all the data that was in the pagefile. That would be aggravating.
Thanks again!
lilla
1 Rookie
•
18 Posts
0
March 26th, 2008 02:00
I'm not sure if it is the same for Inspiron 1520, but for XPS M1330, Flash Cache Memory is a user installable option, you...
o remove a screw on a door on the bottom of the computer and insert the module there.
o enable Flash Cache Module in BIOS
o assure that the Dell driver for turbo memory is installed
Intel Turbo Memory (aka Flash Cache Memory)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Turbo_Memory
FCM for XPS M1330?
http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/forums/replypage/insp_general/274788http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/forums/replypage/insp_general/274788