What is the significance of cluster size

[Oilybohunk]

I'm setting up a new drive, and I have the choice of cluster size. What does this impact, and is there a best choice?

Thanks,

JCC

<font color=purple> I doubt, therefore I might be </font color=purple>

 

[sen2000]

If u use a high clustersize the disk is faster, but u have more wastspace on it. If u use low clustersize the disk is slower, but u get less wastspace. Today u will not notice the deffirence unless u go from 512 Byte closter up to 32 KB cluster. Don't use cluster smaller than 2KB!!!

 

[Oilybohunk]

Sen2000,

Thanks for the explanation. Is the waste of space due to allocating a cluster and not filling it? Just curious.

Also, does anyone know of a good source for understanding files sturctures and hard drive intricacies.

Thanks,

JCC

<font color=purple> I doubt, therefore I might be </font color=purple>

 

[btvillarin]

<font color=green>Also, does anyone know of a good source for understanding files sturctures and hard drive intricacies.</font color=green>

<A HREF="http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/file/index.htm" target="_new">Hard Disk Logical Structures and File Systems (PCGuide.com)</A>

Bryan

<font color=red><A HREF="http://www.btvillarin.com" target="_new">btvillarin.com</A> - My Windows XP-based Website</font color=red>

 

[VulcanSoulPatch]

Here's a good one: <A HREF="http://fdisk.radified.com" target="_new">Radified FDISK Guide to Partitioning a Hard Drive</A>

In a nutshell (from the miscellaneous section near the bottom of the first page):

The default cluster size increases from 4kb to 8kb for partitions that exceed 8GB. For maximum space utilization, make your partitions no larger than 8GB. In general you want *smaller* clusters for the partition(s) where you'll store/load your operating system (Windows), which is full of many small files (less than 1KB).

You want *larger* cluster sizes for partitions that will be used to archive large media files, such as MP3s, video, and graphics. So, if you want to create a partition that is roughly 8 gigs to be used to store your MP3s, you'd do better to make it 8.1GB, rather than 7.9GB. This would increase the cluster size.

The default cluster size increases from 8kb to 16kb for partitions that exceed 16GB. The default cluster size jumps again for partitions that exceed 32GBs.

There's a known-issue with (trying to) create FAT32 partitions larger than 32GBs using Windows 2000 CD. (You will have no such problem is you use FDISK from DOS, like described here).

On a related note, you may also not be able to create a partition greater than 32MB because of BIOS restrictions. If you are using an older motherboard, you'll need to duoble-check its ability to recognize larger drives.

Even if you can get your BIOS to recognize drives larger than 32GB, it may still not be able to recognize drives larger than 64GB. Be careful, otherwise you will eat it in the end.

Here's why: <A HREF="http://www.spcug.org/reviews/bl0107.htm" target="_new">IDE hard drive size limits</A>

Thanks to <b>Toejam31</b> for all of these extremely helpful links.

Good luck.

VSP

<i>Upon the occasion in which the defecation comes into contact with the oscillating ventilator.</i>