Is 64GB of HDD cache enough to read UHD videos?

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  1. Arese
    Posts : 59
    Windows 10
       New #1

    Is 64MB of HDD cache enough to read UHD videos?


    Hey guys,

    Currently running 2 old Seagate 7200RPM class HDDs with 64MB cache.
    One is failing and I'm looking to replace it with a quieter HDD as I turned this rig into an HTPC.

    I decided to downgrade to a 5400RPM as I heard they were quieter/generating less vibration and more reliable which is what I need.

    For now I'm set on the WD Blue 3TB 5400RPM 64MB

    However I'm wondering if there would be any benefits to upgrade to a 5400RPM 128MB HDD?

    And to answer that question I need to know how media players, MPC-HC more specifically, use HDD caches if they use at all. Do they cache bits of video files ahead of reading that passage to serve as some sort of buffer in case?

    Any insights would be appreciated

    Thanks
    Last edited by Arese; 16 Jun 2020 at 21:10.
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  3. LMiller7
    Posts : 1,255
    Windows 10 Pro
       New #2

    Applications and the OS itself have no access to the HD cache. This is used internally by the drive itself. The cache that is relevant to video playback is the file cache maintained by the OS. With 8 GB RAM this will typically be several hundred MB but can be much larger if there is a need. Task Manager will tell you nothing about this. The "Cached" value shown in Task Manager is something else.

    I would expect a larger HD cache to have little relevance to your purposes.
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  4. Megahertz
    Posts : 6,320
    Windows 11 Pro - Windows 7 HP - Lubuntu
       New #3

    Are you talking about HDD for desktop or laptop?
    5400RPM HDD are normally for laptops (2.5") as they have lower gyroscopic effect.
    WD blue isn't first grade line. I wold look for WD black or Gold (5 years warranty)
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  6. NavyLCDR
    Posts : 18,432
    Windows 11 Pro
       New #4

    Hard drive cache size is not going to matter for reading video files.
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  7. Compumind
    Posts : 5,048
    Windows 10/11 Pro x64, Various Linux Builds, Networking, Storage, Cybersecurity Specialty.
       New #5

    @Arese -

    Why not a 2 TB SSD?

    For HDD's - when you read large continuous files (like movies) then you are limited to the speed of the data transfer. Cache will not boost this.

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  8. Megahertz
    Posts : 6,320
    Windows 11 Pro - Windows 7 HP - Lubuntu
       New #6

    Compumind said:
    @Arese -

    Why not a 2 TB SSD?
    Besides 5400, RPM HDD's are slow. Cache or not.

    It is the best technical choice, but the price..
    A 2T SSD will cost around US$ 200 and a 2T WD Gold will cost US$114
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  9. Compumind
    Posts : 5,048
    Windows 10/11 Pro x64, Various Linux Builds, Networking, Storage, Cybersecurity Specialty.
       New #7

    Megahertz said:
    It is the best technical choice, but the price..
    A 2T SSD will cost around US$ 200 and a 2T WD Gold will cost US$114
    LOL. I'm spoiled. Costs me around US $160.

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  10. Megahertz
    Posts : 6,320
    Windows 11 Pro - Windows 7 HP - Lubuntu
       New #8

    Compumind said:
    LOL. I'm spoiled. Costs me around US $160.

    Yes, SSD's prices are inflating. A 120G that I paid US$20 is now for US$27. (35% higher)
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  12. Berton
    Posts : 14,020
    Win10 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home, Win7, Linux Mint
       New #9

    Arese said:
    Hey guys,

    Currently running 2 old Seagate 7200RPM class HDDs with 64MB cache.
    One is failing and I'm looking to replace it with a quieter HDD as I turned this rig into an HTPC.

    I decided to downgrade to a 5400RPM as I heard they were quieter/generating less vibration and more reliable which is what I need.

    For now I'm set on the WD Blue 3TB 5400RPM 64MB

    However I'm wondering if there would be any benefits to upgrade to a 5400RPM 128MB HDD?

    And to answer that question I need to know how media players, MPC-HC more specifically, use HDD caches if they use at all. Do they cache bits of video files ahead of reading that passage to serve as some sort of buffer in case?

    Any insights would be appreciated

    Thanks
    Your Subject says 64GB but the question mentions 64MB, can it be assumed the 64MB is intended?

    One thing additional RAM may help is in streaming videos, I need to upgrade her Toshiba from 4GB RAM to 8GB or maybe its maximum of 16GB for her viewing of live streaming. If it were on-drive video playing all the way through then replaying usually smooths things out.
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  13. Compumind
    Posts : 5,048
    Windows 10/11 Pro x64, Various Linux Builds, Networking, Storage, Cybersecurity Specialty.
       New #10

    Megahertz said:
    Yes, SSD's prices are inflating. A 120G that I paid US$20 is now for US$27. (35% higher)
    You must mean the opposite.

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