It wasn’t just the hardware wars it was the OS wars – which basically ended when IBM ceded the space to Microsoft (although OS/2 never got the widespread adoption it could have). It was at least as much about the OS which included pre-emptive multitasking in a ridiculously small amount of RAM at a time when it was unheard of outside of Unix based systems (often so-called mini computers) and mainframes. There were 386 (and later 486SLC) bridgeboards for the Amigas that were contemporaneous.
Registration and license are not required for disks under 4 GB. Disks larger than 4 GB require registration and a license which can be purchased for $18.99 USD. Dataram RAMDisk is freeware for personal use (up to 4 GB disk size). Dataram RAMDisk is compatible with all versions of Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista (x86 and 圆4), Windows XP (x86 and 圆4), all editions of Windows Server 2003 (x86 and 圆4), all editions of Windows server 2008 (x86 and 圆4). Intel or AMD-based system with at least 512MB RAM.
You can download the Radeon RAMDisk software right here.ĭataram RAMDisk – Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, XP, Server It’s nice to have an inexpensive solution for people with workloads that can actually take advantage of the extra performance a RAM disk can provide, though. Given the cost and associated limitations, I suspect most consumers will stick with SSDs for their uber-fast storage needs. The imaging system can be configured to create backups at regular intervals and every time the machine is shut down.Įven at today’s low prices, RAM still runs about $5/GB-many times more than modern solid-state drives. A simple reboot will wipe the memory, which is why the Dataram software includes an automated imaging system that saves the contents of the RAM disk to traditional storage. However, DRAM’s volatile nature requires a steady stream of power to keep data stored. RAM disks are much faster than NAND-based solid-state drives, and there are no limitations on how much data can be written. Reserving a slice of system memory to act as data storage has some appeal.
Upgrading to Radeon RAMDisk Xtreme, which costs $19, allows for RAM disk capacities up to 64GB regardless of whose name is on the DIMMs. Folks with Radeon modules will be able to push that limit to 6GB.
Anyone can use the free trial to transform as much as 4GB of system memory into something Windows sees as a standard hard drive.
Fortunately, the Radeon RAMDisk software isn’t limited to folks with AMD memory. This venture might seem like an odd fit for AMD, but keep in mind the chipmaker started selling Radeon-branded memory modules last year. It seems AMD wants a piece of that action, because it’s partnered with Dataram to offer a Radeon-branded version of that company’s RAMDisk software. 16GB configs aren’t all that unreasonable when one considers the cost-and the fact that the extra memory can be put to use in a RAM disk.
Dual-channel kits routinely serve up 8GB for as little as $40, making it easy for just about anyone to load their system full of RAM. System RAM is pretty inexpensive these days.