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Where is Superfetch?

2K views 4 replies 3 participants last post by  rasmasyean 
#1 ·
I'm running XP Ultimate and went in to turn on superfetch after learning of it in a conference I was in today and I can't find it anywhere...can someone steer me in the right direction please?

thanks,

Brandon
 
#3 ·
More info...

Vista uses extra RAM to store commonly used files in an activity known as "SuperFetch". It basically turns your extra RAM into a "smart Hard Drive". The computer uses artificial intelligence to determine which files will be used most and copies it to RAM (where it is much faster than accessing your hard disk). This includes components of the programs you use on a regular basis and it even adapts to when and how you use these programs. So the more RAM (for SuperFetch) you have, the faster your computer will operate. Think multitasking. Think of returning to your computer from sleep with all your programs still open and your "smart HD" pre-filled and ready to work for you.
This can also be augmented (to a lesser effect) with a flash drive/card with a technology called ReadyBoost. Just stick it in and select "Speed up my system" and leave it there.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/windows-vista-superfetch-and-readyboostanalyzed,1532-5.html
http://www.anandtech.com/systems/showdoc.aspx?i=2917&p=6


Understanding how SuperFetch uses RAM to enhance system performance…
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/window-on-windows/?p=735

Windows Vista - SuperFetch & ReadyBoost
http://blogs.technet.com/askperf/archive/2007/03/29/windows-vista-superfetch-readyboost.aspx
 
#4 ·
Just an update...I was looking for superfetch in my program files - couldn't find it - turns out, it's not there but it is running, which is good...I just never knew it :) I just wanted to make sure it was running.

It just took a long time to find it...I was told it was wonderful as long as you have at least 2gigs ram...I have 4 so I guess it's running good, just can't compare how it was running to how it is running b/c it was already on...oh well.

Thanks for the info...

Brandon
 
#5 ·
Just an update...I was looking for superfetch in my program files - couldn't find it - turns out, it's not there but it is running, which is good...I just never knew it :) I just wanted to make sure it was running.

It just took a long time to find it...I was told it was wonderful as long as you have at least 2gigs ram...I have 4 so I guess it's running good, just can't compare how it was running to how it is running b/c it was already on...oh well.

Thanks for the info...

Brandon
Considering this, SuperFetch is probably the most significant feature that distinguishes Vista from all other OS's for users of all walks. Many other features won't be noticeable or even used by the common person (that is until commercial developers start using WPF/WFC etc., and even more DX10). So why not take advantage of it since RAM is so cheap?

Consider that many workers like to have, say 20 windows open and do not shut down in order to save time in the morning (even Monday morning), they can now leave 40 windows (or more) open. Also, the more RAM they have, the more stuff can be SuperFetched and Auto Disk Defragmenter and whatever can run more efficiently in the background when AFK too.

For the above scenario, workers will probably "lock" Vista with the S3 sleep more because they can resume in 5 seconds anyway…translating to a huge savings on energy consumption.

All these are big bonuses from having a large amount of RAM (which is dirt cheap these days as well as cheaper going forward).
 
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