virtualbox.org

Hi,

I am not sure, if to store VM files

on fast , but the same physical disk as the system,
( on data partition - system one does not have enough space,
SATA II AHCI 7200RPM, 250GB, 50GB system+200GB data,
typical max steady transfer speed 60-80 MB/s)

or on slower, but separate PATA IDE disk 5400RPM, ATA mode not handy, transfers about 30 MB/s.

Speed speaks for the former, but there can be "fight" over disk operation between host and guests.
The fight cound be mitigated by NCQ AHCI feature.

As far VirtualBox forum did not provide any advice,
I have asked at virtualPC usenet group.

The opinion was to leave VMs on separate, even slower disk,
not to cause the drop of performance of both a host and a guest.