RAMdisk with Windows Server 2016/2019 - Configuration Guide

[FelipeRolim]

Hello guys. After I spent a lot of time trying to make my dedicated computer work with RAMdisk, I finally managed to succeed in this endeavor. As I tried many different paths, I wrote down everything so that I had some "extra" information when I finally got it, and also to have a guide in case I had to do it again. Well, I didn't have to do it again, hehe, but I hope the information I wrote down as "definitive" in terms of functioning is actually correct and helpful to colleagues in the forum. As I am Brazilian and I wrote the text originally in Portuguese, I spent some time transcribing it into English, so that it is possible to share with colleagues of this forum. I think it's valid, because it really was very difficult to get it for the first time.

For those who don't know, RAMdisk is one of the most high-performance methods for audiophiles in the world, and although I've never read anything about it in this forum and only have a personal friend who has tested before me, I've read a lot, a lot , much information in international scope, where it seems that the theme is more evolved. Reducing latency and high throughput is only a small part of the benefits. If that weren't enough, I've never heard any "original" setup, with SSD, SD card, M.2, or anything else, that delivers audio quality as good as RAMdisk. For me, it's the best, but what I don't know is if there are different RAM models that deliver different sonorities (Corsair vs. Kingston; Kingston vs. Crucial; Corsair vs. GSkill; e.g.).

To make it easier for me and my colleagues, I created a PDF file that can be downloaded, because the text is large and I also attached some images to make the complicated parts more enlightening.

Finally, I remind colleagues that although there are Windows software that makes RAMdisk easily, they only allow a very limited part of RAM to be defined as storage, and they don't allow the operating system itself to be installed or loaded on it. The guide I've tried to create effectively causes 100% of the operating system to go to RAM and run from it.

Here is a working video:

 

 

RAMdisk with Windows Server 2016 Core Mode.pdf

RAMdisk Benchmark.pdf

RAMdisk Benchmark.pdf

[FelipeRolim]

Hello Ben, thanks for the encouragement message.

 

By what I followed, people gave up RAMdisk, first because they think that using those softwares that separate a little of RAM to install some applications suffice, and second because they have encountered difficulties specifically with Windows Server 2016. I noticed that installing Windows Server 2012R2 is easier than Server 2016, and many people were unable to install 2016. In fact, I tried many methods, watches a lot of videos on YouTube, but nothing worked well, so, I decided do try by myself. Until it worked, I wrote many, many pages of the step-by-step, because I was afraid that when I could, I couldn't remember the procedure. So, I decided to publish to help others.

 

I don't like any kind of software or hardware that is "plastered", which doesn't allow a large number of adjustment possibilities. Because of it, I haven't tried nothing like sMS-200 Ultra, ultraRendu and similar devices. I still don't know "peripherics devices", like ISO Regen and iFi iUSB 3.0. What I believe is that the most current solution is based on dual computer setup, and being sMS-200 a "nano-computer", I don't find any reason to adopt it, since I can do everything myself. Forthermore, I don't like to buy something that in a few years will be "abandoned" by the manufacturer and, to have something better, I'll need to buy the new one. I don't like this programmed obsolescence. In addiction, I cannot accept that they "push" equipment at me, as if were a necessity. I cannot accept that if I buy an sMS-200 Ultra, to obtain a good sound I need to buy a tx-USBultra, an sPS-500, because it makes appear that they don't want to attack the problem and are creating "solutions" that don't solve it effectively. For me, this is the greatest example.

 

My current system is based on a dual computer setup, on which I use Audiophile Optimizer and JPLAY, and I follow some assumptions that I have and that I consider to raise the audio quality. For example, I believe that the non-use or the minor use of SATA controllers brings more quality, and this is only one of many reasons for why I defend RAMdisk. So, if your library is stored inside the computer, on the same drive as Windows, by using RAMdisk you'll obtain reading exclusivity. If your library is stored inside the computer, but on another drive, you'll obtain less SATA controllers usage. If your library is stored outside the computer, you'll obtain no SATA controllers usage. In any case you gain sound quality. In my experience, it's not only use or not to use SATA controllers.The less you use, the better. So, for Audio-PC, no SATA connections are welcome (perfect context), but, for Control-PC, if music files are stored on an SSD, you still gain some quality by removing at least one SSD (where Windows is installed). I accidentally heard this when I removed an SSD from my dedicated computer, leaving only an 1TB SSD, and the sound quality improved a little. I always used an audiophile SATA cable (Audiopheeling Statement) and a SOtM SATA filters. So, although the dedicated cable and the filter improves sound quality (a lot!), by removing cable and drive, the sound improves a little bit more. By removing all internal drives and disabling SATA connections, the sound goes to another level of quality. This I only did on Audio-PC. Control-PC is still not as improved. Even so, the gain does exist. Besides that, if you see the file that I attached in the first post, you will see that RAMdisk greatly decreases latency and allows much faster Windows access speed, through a direct bus between processor and RAM, regardless of SATA controllers.

 

Well, to don't extend too much, I just point out that, in principle, my intention is to make the dual-PC setup go as far as possible (includind dedicated USB and LAN boards), and then start trying to compare with peripherals such as SOtM, Uptone, Sonore and many others. In terms of software, I've already tried foobar2000, JRiver, Album Player, JPLAY, KODI and some Linux, as Daphile, Jaguar Audio. For the moment, nothing is better than JPLAY in a dual-PC setup, but I keep listening and, at every update, I return to listen, especially JRiver. I haven't yet tested Roon, HQPlayer and Bughead Emperror, which are the three that most attract my attention, but this I'll only do after hit the hardware part even more.

[FelipeRolim]

Hello friends. I was warned that the NTBOOT.iso link I shared in the initial post file is no longer working. That's why I stored the file in Google Drive and created a sharing link. Follow:

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NmfP4X1_Q4gPLHSpHGAFOyO-A6xGCc3f/view?usp=sharing

[FelipeRolim]

3 hours ago, robocop said:

Try Xxhighend out its best sounding on Ram disk and with music on a separate server. I,ve not tried Jplay to know the difference. Certainly sound quality of Xxhighend is excellent. Also Wtfplay is better than Daphile Linux. It's just had an update.  

 

Thanks for indication robocop. No Linux I tested works better than Windows with the native DAC driver, unfortunately. The performance of Windows Server 2016 with Audiophile Optimizer is by far the best I've heard. I'll try this software you recommended.

[FelipeRolim]

People are saying that Server 2019 is even better than Server 2016. However, I'm waiting for the Audiophile Optimizer to develop further and also waiting for more consolidated opinions about it. The result, for now, is very good, but maybe it can be improved.

[FelipeRolim]

There is the GRUB4DOS link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1yi0bQQ5nkZtTi86HuIpfXnYwV0PS7JFJ?usp=sharing

[FelipeRolim]

I've never tried Windows Server 2019. I remind you that my version of Windows Server 2016 (build 14393.1532) requires only 7 GB of storage (so I can only use 8 GB of RAM to RAMdisk and have another 8GB to normal usage). I don't know how much it takes to install Windows Server 2019. I hope it works fine. Keep us informed.

[FelipeRolim]

6 hours ago, Gato said:

Under Windows Server 2016 core, I need the “Sound” app usually listed under “control panel”. This is mandatory to successfully install the DAC driver and test the RAMDISK way.

So how to install/enable the “Sound” app with Windows Server 2016 core?

thanks for help

christian  

 

Hi, Christian. I'm sorry, but I couldn't help. I've never done that kind of use. What your DAC and for what reason exactly do you need the "Sound" menu? Maybe we can find an alternative way...

[FelipeRolim]

Friends, some news. I'm currently testing some more operating system options, and I have some interesting remarks:

- The version of Windows Server 2016 I use is build 14393, which I can install on an 8GB .vhd and occupies 7.5GB of that .vhd with everything installed (JPLAY and Audiophile Optimizer).

- The latest Windows Server 2016 version I tested (build 17763) can only be installed on a 9GB .vhd, occupies 8.5GB of this .vhd with everything installed.

- I'm doing experiments with Windows Server 2019 (build 17763.253) and I'm surprised. I was able to install it in a .vhd of only 7GB and, with JPLAY FEMTO installed (without the Audiophile Optimizer), it occupied only 6.3GB of this .vhd. Still, with no optimization, I noticed that Windows needs 0.9GB of RAM to run, which indicates that with the Audiophile Optimizer approximately 0.5GB of RAM will be needed. This means that we will be able to make Windows Server 2019 work via RAM on computers with only 8GB installed, with a good leftovers. I haven't listened to it, and I may have been waiting for the Audiophile Optimizer 3.00 for this, but I think we can be optimistic...

[FelipeRolim]

Friends, I'm using Windows Server 2019 Standard Core with RAMdisk. I performed the procedure yesterday and it worked normally. I'm writing just to warn you that the manual is also fully functional for Server 2019.

 

Unlike Windows Server 2016, Server 2019 works with a VHD file of only 7GB. I believe that 8GB of RAM is insufficient for normal operation, but for those who have 16GB in the computer, it's possible to release 1GB more.