ReadyBoost: how much does it help?

I've personally seen a noticeable performance gain when using ReadyBoost on my UMPC, but I've never quantified it. DarkVision Hardware just did, by testing the Kingston Data Traveler ReadyFlash on a Dell Inspiron 6400 notebook. While everyone's devices, configurations and potential choices for a ReadyBoost device are different, I know that many folks are wondering just how much ReadyBoost can help.

DV Hardware's test showed a meager 4.2% boost overall when running the PCMark05 benchmarks with and without ReadyBoost. Bear in mind the tested system was already in the high-end class of machines: 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo and 2 GB of RAM. I suspect that I was to run a similar test on a UMPC, we'd see a bit more of a boost, so I'll add this test to my to-do list; watch for an update before the end of the week.

(via Everything USB)

Comments

[Muliadi Jeo]

Kevin, is it only me or is it true that with ReadyBoost on, it causes the video streaming all jagged up. When I use ReadyBoost on my Q1, YouTube videos are running very roughly. Is this happening to you too?

[JohnNullstream]

Please include any impact on battery life in your test. Originally I was hoping that ready boost would reduce the hard drive thrashing and thus help batt life. (I'm not so sure about that anymore now that I understand more of what is it supposed to do). On the flip side though, having the USB dongle active the whole time will probably reduce battery life.