“Is a 256mb cache HDD significantly faster than a 64mb cache HDD?”

(Answer requested by Gabriel Yeung)

You want the technical answer, or the practical answer?

Technically speaking, if your average working dataset is larger than 64MB, then YES, a HDD (hard drive) with a larger internal electronic cache (aka “buffer”) will probably perform better than the same drive with a smaller cache because the cache can accept data in bigger chunks, meaning there’ll be fewer operations required — and thus less time spent — to move data in and out of the cache.

But practically speaking, will the larger cache make a meaningful difference in the routine use of a normal PC? Almost certainly: NO; not enough to notice.

Besides, a hard drive with a big cache is still a hard drive: It will never be fast — just a little less slow.

If you’re looking for a truly meaningful speed boost, go with an SSD (solid state drive); SSDs cost roughly the same as HDDs these days, except in unusual sizes and configurations.

In a way, an SSD can be thought of as a fast all-electronic “cache” large enough not to need any slow-spinning mechanical underpinnings at all! Again, in a way, an SSD is “all cache, all the time.” 🙂

And even a cheap SSD will absolutely, positively, no-question-about-it be “significantly faster” than any HDD setup!

Make the move. You won’t regret it!

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