Yes, Windows 10 ReadyBoost can improve performance by speeding up boot times and running apps faster.
Yes, Windows 10 ReadyBoost can improve performance by speeding up boot times and running apps faster.
The function was added to give systems with limited memory more space, but instead of relying on a dedicated RAM disk, it utilizes USB flash drives as page files. This isn't a direct swap with physical RAM, since the processor isn't physically connected to it like traditional slots. The CPU can only interact with RAM, and any data from HDD or SSD must be moved to RAM in small chunks or all at once. The concept is leveraging the quick access of USB drives compared to slower HDDs, highlighting why SSDs generally outperform HDDs—not just in speed but also in retrieval time. This approach is aimed at users whose systems are fixed (hardwired memory or unsupported upgrades) or who lack technical knowledge about RAM expansion. As Microsoft notes, the improvement isn't as significant as raw RAM speed, but it does surpass HDD performance. Not all USB drives work; only those with sufficient speed will be effective. Those generic or low-quality drives are unlikely to function properly, though a decent one should work.
Even USB 4.0, if you can picture the details. The issue with USB is that it lacks a completely dedicated controller—it relies on the CPU, which causes delays. That’s why SATA exists, with its own processor handling data transfer. For PCIe drives, the price is higher than SATA because they require their own specialized controllers, which are also compact. Consequently, not only does your CPU usage increase slightly, but you’ll also face extra delays. Latency matters a lot for RAM, so switching to an SSD would be a smarter choice.
Have noticed it being promoted as not suitable for certain storage options.