VirtualBox HardDrive Problem

[Elvis Lin]

HELLO~~~ every one

I am used to put virtual box files in SSD and Machine directory put in HDD
recently I am thinking to buy a SSHD to my NB, my NB has just one sata interface (no dvd to extent)

I would like discuss these situations, is there any one can provide a technical support

1) VirtualBox Instance is installed in SSD + Default Machine Directory in SSD
2) VirtualBox Instance is installed in SSD + Default Machine Directory in HDD
3) VirtualBox Instance is installed in HDD + Default Machine Directory in SSD
4) VirtualBox Instance is installed in HDD + Default Machine Directory in HDD
5) VirtualBox Instance is installed in SSHD + Default Machine Directory in SSHD

I think (if we use the same machine and just change hdd)

the speed to open a virtual box instance is in the order 1 =2 > 3 = 4 , but how about 5 ?

and the vm guest boot speed is 1=3>2=4, how about 5?

the total speed (instance open + boot a vm) 1> 2 ? 3 > 4, how about 5?

[mpack]

Typically you install the VirtualBox software itself on the SSD, and you set the Default Machine Folder (in Preferences) to a folder on the HDD. It is good practice to keep all VM files together in one folder, so I would not recommend subdividing beyond that.

[scottgus1]

Best as I understand re #5, an SSHD is a platter drive with an SSD-style buffer. Smaller files that get used often get buffered onto the SSD portion so they can get accessed & written quickly. I feel pretty sure the file size for a virtual disk would preclude its getting put on the SSD part.

[mpack]

While I've never used this technology, I'd imagine that it would work on a sectors level (being hardware), rather than files, in which case it should work just as well for the contents of VM files. I.e. the most frequently access x% of sectors get mapped to the SSD. Effectively it's just an hdd with a persistent cache.