BootRacer:
BootRacer is a free utility from Greatis Software that is used to test your Windows boot speed. It measures the time to logon as well as the time from logon to desktop. This test was run twice using only the hard drive and then three more times with the SanDisk ReadyCache installed.
Normally, our test system took about 25 seconds to boot and reach the desktop. With the ReadyCache installed and enabled, the total boot time dropped to a mere 14 seconds.
PCMark Vantage - HDD Suite:
PCMark Vantage measures the performance of the latest PC hardware across a variety of common scenarios. It supports both system level and component level benchmarking and comprises several different test suites. To measure the performance of the ReadyCache, I used PCMark Vantage's HDD suite, which includes eight separate tests that simulate common hard drive usage.
The ReadyCache got off to a slow start, scoring only 4904 the first time the test was run. By the third test run, the score increased to 24,611. This was still no match for SanDisk's Extreme SSD or even OCZ's Synapse Cache, which scored 36,189 by its third test run.
Final Thoughts:
SanDisk's ReadyCache is an easy and affordable way to improve the performance of your desktop computer. This unique caching solution combines a 32GB SSD with Condusiv Technologies' ExpressCache software to boost a computer’s boot, shutdown and application launch times. The software is very easy to install and works silently in the background, pulling data from multiple hard drives of any capacity. While not as fast as OCZ's Synapse Cache, the end results were still impressive. The ReadyCache increased our test system's sequential read speed by more than 300 MB/s which resulted in greatly reduced boot times as well as a 6-fold improvement in benchmarks like PCMark Vantage. On the other hand, the ReadyCache did little to improve our system's random read and write speeds, but the average consumer probably isn't going to notice this during everyday use.
One thing the ReadyCache definitely has going for it is its price. SanDisk's caching solution currently retails for less than $47 on Amazon. In comparison, the 30GB Corsair Accelerator Series SSD Cache sells for $69 and the 50GB Crucial Adrenaline SSD Cache for about $85.
Highs:
- Improves a computer's boot, shutdown and application launch times
- Includes Condusiv Technologies' ExpressCache software
- Supports multiple hard drives of any capacity
- SATA 6Gb/s interface
- Includes 3.5" adapter bracket and SATA cable
- Easy to install
- 3 year warranty
- Reasonably priced
Lows:
- ExpressCache software only works with Windows 7
- Has little impact on random read and write speeds
