Forum: MemoQ support
Topic: memoQ set-up with SSD (solid state drive)
Poster: FarkasAndras
Post title: SSD tech and OS es
[quote]Michael Beijer wrote:
[quote]Charlie Bavington wrote:
I hope to soon get a laptop with both an SSD (128 GB) and a conventional HDD.
Now, I understand that the memoQ application itself ought to be installed on the SSD. After all, the general guidance seems to be that the operating system, programs and applications go on the SSD, and "data" on the HDD.
The way I currently use (my fairly old version of) memoQ is that I create a new TM for each project, usually in a folder that is a sub-folder of the folder where the source files are stored.
I then add various individual TMX files into that TM, depending on the client, subject, etc. to build a TM I hope will be useful for that project.
Presumably, the files to be translated will be on the HDD, since they are "data". That is how I see the situation at the moment, anyway.
And I was going to do the same with the TMs that I create for each project; basically as I do now, in fact.
But I wonder whether, given memoQ gives you free choice of where the TM can be stored, whether it is likely to work faster/better if the TM is also on the SSD? Has anyone any experience to share? I've seen advice to be cautious about writing/deleting too often with SSDs, and putting a TM on the SSD would involve a fair amount of both, with my current workflow, at least.
Obviously, I could experiment, but if someone else has already tried it..... :-)
Thanks awfully!
Charlie
(FWIW, the idea is to get the latest version of memoQ, so the version I'm now using is probably not relevant info.) [/quote]
Best is memoQ program on one SSD, TMs on second SSD. However, second best is everything on the SDD. Don't worry, I don't think those write limits mean much. You'll most likely be on your next computer by the time you notice any ill effects. I've kept absolutely everything on my computer(s) on the same 3 SSDs for 2-3 years now, and no problems whatsoever. [/quote]
OK, let's have some storage nerdery. The SSD is so much fater than HDDs that the general rule is: put everything on the SSD if you can, and put large files that you don't need fast access for on the HDD. For this reason I would try and go for an SSD larger than 128 GB. I'd pick a 500GB SSD and no HDD over a 120GB SSD + 1TB HDD without a second's hesitation. If you do get dual storage, video files generally end up in the second bucket (HDD) because they are large and don't need fast reads.
The general advice is to put the operating system and programs on the SSD because those are the things that most users want to be read quickly. It speeds up booting and program startups. However, once a relatively small program like MQ has started, it runs in memory. I.e. in usage, you would probably not detect any difference between MQ itself being on a separate SSD, the same SSD as the TMs and an HDD. There aren't going to be many reads from storage that have to do with MQ as it's all loaded into RAM. In any case, I would suggest that you put your OS and programs on SSD as per the general advice.
Also put your TMs on the SSD as you most definitely want those to be accessed quickly.
Re: writing/deleting files often on SSDs, those technical issues have been essentially solved so you don't need to worry. If you buy a relatively recent model from an established brand, all you need to do is leave a bit of empty space on it and the firmware will take care of it. You can write and delete things all day long for years and it will be fine. The empty space should be at least a couple % of the drive's size, preferably 10% if you can spare that much. This is to allow the firmware to shuffle data around as needed. The technical details are tedious, but having a bit of empty space can lengthen the life of the drive even with modern firmware.