Clarify StoreMI and caching

[Mac29]

If I'm correct, StoreMI integrates with your OS files.Even if it does so only via a driver. Apparently it's difficult to uninstall. So unless I want to deal w/restoring my OS drive/partition a more simple solution would be to use an application to create a Ramcache from some of my 16GB. It's not apples and apples but the latter would speed some uses like games or possibly video editing. Any recommendations?

Also, if I use Windows and Linux I wouldn't have to wonder about StoreMi effecting my Linux at all b/c it only works with Windows. It's not like I have to do anything in the bios.

But, question: If I were to use an NvMe - which I do have to "config" in bios, then a Linux OS could recognize it and write over any files there. The next time I used Windows and StoreMI the software would start over, copying 'most used' files to the NVMe again, correct?

Can a SSD or NVMe be used with StoreMI where you divide it into two spaces? Is that possible?

Finally, some people love StoreMi while others report it hosed them big time, and I'm not talking noobs. Wondering how these users have their data set up that StoreMi would fail that badly?


Thanks,

Mac

 

[cbn]

Finally, some people love StoreMi while others report it hosed them big time, and I'm not talking noobs. Wondering how these users have their data set up that StoreMi would fail that badly?

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[kschendel]

I understand that StoreMI is a tiering driver, not a caching driver; it moves entire files around and not specific blocks. In a caching setup a frequently used block exists in both slow and fast storage, in a tiering setup it's one or the other.

Anyway ... I don't follow your question about linux and StoreMI. If you store a linux filesystem on the same partition that you set up StoreMI on, it will hose StoreMI completely and you'll have to start over from scratch, probably losing whatever files were on the SSD.

Doing a manual RAM cache is perfectly feasible if you're OK with the manual aspect and the size limitation, but keep in mind that the first access to load up the RAM cache will be slow. If the files aren't on persistent fast storage you have to pay the price at some point.

 

[Mac29]

That sounds correct but I could swear I've read StoreMI comments where they say the data is in both the fast and slow storage, as well others said they lost data on both. Not that I'm disputing.

I don't know much about Linux but I read that a capability similar to StoreMi has been used on Linux for years. I wouldn't be using StoreMi on my OS drive, except I think you load it and/or a driver such that it integrates w/your (Windows) OS. I'd want to use it on a separate SSD from my W10, in conjuction w/my Games HDD.

But if StoreMi were used w/an NVMe working w/my Games HDD, I was asking if a Linux OS would, or could, recognize the NVMe, and overwrite anything it found there. I believe you'd have to config the Linux OS for it to do that. Logically the next time I booted W10 it should start moving files again.

I have seen a number of posts where detractors of StoreMI report they use a Ramcache. Haven't heard about any downsides or if it would not be good for gaming.

But I appreciate the insight.

 

[bobalazs]

I would avoid StoreMI completely based on my experiences.
The software is not as simple as advertised and cause more trouble than what advantages it gives.
For example: You will have problems several problems. With ssd trim, as it will not be issued and run by the OS because of AMD StoreMI (aka FuzeDrive) driver - AMD Virtualized AHCI Controller for StoreMI - overtakes the default microsoft Standard SATA AHCI Controller. For me it started using this driver on its own, on the system drive, even though it was not added as a part of the StoreMI configuration.
I contacted Enmotus Support the maker of this software and they confirmed that this is a long standing bug, (trim not working) it will not be fixed in a short period, as it is not high on their priority list, but hope for the best.
Consider the scenario where anything happens to one of your disks, all the data will be lost. Any windows 10 update hiccup as it is quite common, will cause you to lose your data. The software's inner workings is basically hidden to windows, it considers the -2- drives as one raid 0 configuration basically.
Also removing the software involves deleting all your data in the affected disks. If it involves a system disk, you will also have to do manual cleanup, for which the instructions are on their website. Unless you made backups of the data expect a complete wipe.
BTW. the fusedrive drives will be unusable under linux or anything else than where it was configured.
A quick google will confirm the problems presented by this software.
Long story short, i would not advise to use this program.
The Ram Disk I do not know about, but i would avoid for the previously mentioned reason, that trim will not work.

 

[Mac29]

Most relevant. This is exactly what I was hoping for. While some report it works great I'm more concerned w/bad experiences and the possible downsides. Even a simple OS recovery from BU is a bit of a pain.

At 1st I thought 'take this w/a grain of salt' b/c, honestly, you have few posts here. But obviously, your Enmotus support remarks, raid, etc. force me to the conclusion another SSD would be far more simple AFA creating some type of gaming 'cache'. Bottom line think I'd skip sticking to B450 or X470 and consider other chipsets. Except those get me higher mem speeds and a more robust board, for future Ryzen chips.

Thank you.