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Optimize NTFS Performance (Page 2)

Users can determine many of the factors that affect an NTFS volume's performance: choosing important elements such as an NTFS volume's type (SCSI, IDE), speed (RPM of the disk), and the number of disks the volume contains. In addition to these components, the following factors also influence an NTFS volume's performance:

  • The cluster and allocation unit size
  • If the NTFS volume was created from scratch or converted from an existing FAT volume
  • If the volume uses NTFS compression
  • The location and fragmentation level of frequently accessed files, such as the Master File Table (MFT), directories, special files containing NTFS metadata, the paging file, and commonly used user data files
  • Whether you disable unnecessary NTFS behaviors


Cluster Size

Choose a volume's cluster size based on the average type and size of file that the volume will store. Ideally, the volume cluster size should be evenly divisible by the average file size (rounded to the nearest KB). An ideal cluster size minimizes disk I/O overhead and wasted disk space. You should note, however, that using cluster sizes greater than 4KB has several potentially negative side effects:

  • Disk-defragmentation utilities can't defragment the volume
  • NTFS file compression can't be used
  • The amount of wasted disk space increases

There are several options to determine the average file size. One option is to run CHKDSK on the volume (Start > Run type cmd in the Open box, press OK. In the command window type chkdsk, press [Enter]), then divide the total kilobyte disk usage by the number of files on the volume. Another option is to use Performance Monitor (Start > Settings > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Performance) to track the LogicalDisk object's Average Disk Bytes/Transfer counters for the disk in question. This method provides you with a more accurate idea of the average file size as well as the type of data stored on that disk.


Converting from FAT

Volumes that are converted from FAT to NTFS will lack some performance benefits. Fragmentation of the MFT (Master File Table) might occur, and on boot volumes, NTFS permissions are not applied after the volume is converted.

To check the level of fragmentation of the MFT, select Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter. Run an Analyses of the drive, then press View Report. Scroll down to the entry for Master File Table fragmentation.

Master File Table fragmentation

When you convert a FAT volume to NTFS, 512 bytes clusters are used, this also increases the likelihood of fragmentation, and on large volumes, will cause the Disk Defragmenter to take a significant amount of time to defragment. So, all in all, you are better off in formatting a drive as an NTFS drive in the first place.


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Last Updated: October 24, 2000