Optimal Settings for FASTEST Simultaneous DVD ISO Writes

[JetsetJoey]

Hello~

I just upgraded my computer from 8GB to 16GB RAM, an Intel 2500K i7 to 3770K processor, replaced a mechanical HDD with a SSD for my Operating System which is Windows 7 64-bit Ultimate & finally an ASUS P868 to P8Z77 Motherboard. I'm using the same three SATA ASUS DRW-24B1ST Optical Drives. & running the same version of ImgBurn 2.5.7.0. This new system has far outperformed the old in EVERY way except one...

 

With my OLD system, I was simultaneously burning three 4.5GB ISO/DVD files in an average time of 6-7 min. Now, with my NEW system, it takes an average of 8-10 minutes to burn three discs simulaneously! Maybe a setting or settings need to be changed- even though I didn't have to do anything special when I upgraded my system in the past. My best deductions is that before my OS was on a mechanical HDD & the files were on another HDD. Now my OS is on an SSD & the ISO files are on an HDD. Maybe the 3 burners should be on a different controller on the Motherboard?!? I attatched a copy of the Log & if anyone has any ideas, as to WHY my new/improved system is burning multiple discs slower, I'd MUCH welcome your input!!!

 

*** Notes:

a ) If I burn only one single full (4.5GB) disc @ a time, the speed averages only 5.5 min.

b ) YES, I am using the same media as before.

c ) YES, my Motherboard chipset & controller drivers are updated to the latest versions.

 

Thanks~

 

Copy of LOG:

 

I 19:49:44 ImgBurn Version 2.5.7.0 started!

I 19:49:44 Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Edition (6.1, Build 7601 : Service Pack 1)

I 19:49:44 Total Physical Memory: 16,724,440 KB - Available: 13,781,676 KB

I 19:49:44 Initialising SPTI...

I 19:49:44 Searching for SCSI / ATAPI devices...

I 19:49:44 -> Drive 1 - Info: ASUS DRW-24B1ST a 1.04 (F:) (ATAPI)

I 19:49:44 -> Drive 2 - Info: ASUS DRW-24B1ST a 1.04 (E:) (ATAPI)

I 19:49:44 -> Drive 3 - Info: ASUS DRW-24B1ST a 1.04 (G:) (ATAPI)

I 19:49:44 -> Drive 4 - Info: MagicISO Virtual DVD-ROM 1.0A (N:) (Unknown)

I 19:49:44 Found 1 DVD-ROM and 3 DVD±RW/RAMs!

I 19:49:58 Operation Started!

I 19:49:58 Source File: D:\Joey\Movies & More\PROMETHEUS.iso

I 19:49:58 Source File Sectors: 2,188,208 (MODE1/2048)

I 19:49:58 Source File Size: 4,481,449,984 bytes

I 19:49:58 Source File Volume Identifier: PROMETHEUS_2012_DVD

I 19:49:58 Source File Volume Set Identifier: 414414D4________PROMETHEUS_2012_DVD

I 19:49:58 Source File Implementation Identifier: VsoSoftware

I 19:49:58 Source File File System(s): ISO9660, UDF (1.02)

I 19:49:58 Destination Device: [0:3:0] ASUS DRW-24B1ST a 1.04 (E:) (ATAPI)

I 19:49:58 Destination Media Type: DVD-R (Disc ID: CMC MAG. AM3)

I 19:49:58 Destination Media Supported Write Speeds: 6x, 8x, 12x, 16x

I 19:49:58 Destination Media Sectors: 2,297,888

I 19:49:58 Write Mode: DVD

I 19:49:58 Write Type: DAO

I 19:49:58 Write Speed: MAX

I 19:49:58 Link Size: Auto

I 19:49:58 Lock Volume: Yes

I 19:49:58 Test Mode: No

I 19:49:58 OPC: No

I 19:49:58 BURN-Proof: Enabled

I 19:49:59 Write Speed Successfully Set! - Effective: 22,160 KB/s (16x)

I 19:49:59 Advanced Settings - Force HT: No, Online HT: No, OverSpeed: No, SmartBurn: Yes

I 19:49:59 Filling Buffer... (80 MB)

I 19:50:01 Writing LeadIn...

I 19:50:27 Writing Session 1 of 1... (1 Track, LBA: 0 - 2188207)

I 19:50:27 Writing Track 1 of 1... (MODE1/2048, LBA: 0 - 2188207)

I 19:55:18 Synchronising Cache...

I 19:55:24 Exporting Graph Data...

I 19:55:24 Graph Data File: C:\Users\Joey\AppData\Roaming\ImgBurn\Graph Data Files\ASUS_DRW-24B1ST_a_1.04_WEDNESDAY-OCTOBER-03-2012_7-49_PM_CMC_MAG._AM3_MAX.ibg

I 19:55:24 Export Successfully Completed!

I 19:55:24 Operation Successfully Completed! - Duration: 00:05:25

I 19:55:24 Average Write Rate: 15,091 KB/s (10.9x) - Maximum Write Rate: 21,758 KB/s (15.7x)

I 08:18:26 Operation Started!

I 08:18:26 Source File: D:\Joey\Movies & More\PROMETHEUS.iso

I 08:18:26 Source File Sectors: 2,188,208 (MODE1/2048)

I 08:18:26 Source File Size: 4,481,449,984 bytes

I 08:18:26 Source File Volume Identifier: PROMETHEUS_2012_DVD

I 08:18:26 Source File Volume Set Identifier: 414414D4________PROMETHEUS_2012_DVD

I 08:18:26 Source File Implementation Identifier: VsoSoftware

I 08:18:26 Source File File System(s): ISO9660, UDF (1.02)

I 08:18:26 Destination Device: [0:2:0] ASUS DRW-24B1ST a 1.04 (F:) (ATAPI)

I 08:18:26 Destination Media Type: DVD-R (Disc ID: CMC MAG. AM3)

I 08:18:26 Destination Media Supported Write Speeds: 6x, 8x, 12x, 16x

I 08:18:26 Destination Media Sectors: 2,297,888

I 08:18:26 Write Mode: DVD

I 08:18:26 Write Type: DAO

I 08:18:26 Write Speed: MAX

I 08:18:26 Link Size: Auto

I 08:18:26 Lock Volume: Yes

I 08:18:26 Test Mode: No

I 08:18:26 OPC: No

I 08:18:26 BURN-Proof: Enabled

I 08:18:26 Write Speed Successfully Set! - Effective: 22,160 KB/s (16x)

I 08:18:26 Advanced Settings - Force HT: No, Online HT: No, OverSpeed: No, SmartBurn: Yes

I 08:18:26 Filling Buffer... (80 MB)

I 08:18:37 Writing LeadIn...

I 08:19:07 Writing Session 1 of 1... (1 Track, LBA: 0 - 2188207)

I 08:19:07 Writing Track 1 of 1... (MODE1/2048, LBA: 0 - 2188207)

W 08:19:39 Waiting for buffers to recover... (LBA: 136192)

W 08:19:53 Waiting for hard disk activity to reach threshold level...

I 08:19:55 Writing Sectors...

W 08:20:41 Waiting for buffers to recover... (LBA: 327872)

W 08:20:49 Waiting for hard disk activity to reach threshold level...

I 08:20:50 Writing Sectors...

W 08:21:42 Waiting for buffers to recover... (LBA: 540192)

W 08:21:51 Waiting for hard disk activity to reach threshold level...

I 08:21:51 Writing Sectors...

I 08:28:30 Synchronising Cache...

I 08:28:45 Exporting Graph Data...

I 08:28:46 Graph Data File: C:\Users\Joey\AppData\Roaming\ImgBurn\Graph Data Files\ASUS_DRW-24B1ST_a_1.04_THURSDAY-OCTOBER-04-2012_8-18_AM_CMC_MAG._AM3_MAX(2).ibg

I 08:28:46 Export Successfully Completed!

I 08:28:46 Operation Successfully Completed! - Duration: 00:10:19

I 08:28:46 Average Write Rate: 7,787 KB/s (5.6x) - Maximum Write Rate: 11,364 KB/s (8.2x)

Edited October 4, 2012 by JetsetJoey

[LIGHTNING UK!]

Ok well what I'd probably do to start with is use Discovery mode and burn in test mode so as to not waste any DVD-R.

 

If it manages to burn those ok (without the buffers dropping and buffer recovery cutting in), burning to 3 drives at a time is fine and the problem lies with reading 3 image files off your hdd at the same time.

[JetsetJoey]

@ LIGHTNING UK!~

Wow, thanks for the prompt reply & I just updated/edited my post... perhaps lending better insight to my quandary!

Trying the Discovery mode suggestion...

Cheers~ Joey

[JetsetJoey]

@ LIGHTNING UK!~

Okay, I used Discovery Mode & burned 3 DVD-R discs simultaneously in 5:31 seconds, which I think is great!!!

My Windows 7 Ultimate OS is on an SSD (C:\), which is where the ImgBurn program is installed & my library of ISOs that I burn are stored on a 2TB HDD (D:\)

 

Now what???

 

Thanks~ Joey

[LIGHTNING UK!]

I guess you have to assume your hdd can't cope with the 3 simultaneous transfers. Is it quick in its own right? Do a transfer rate test in HD Tune Pro or something.

 

See what happens if you enable the 'Reading - Always Use Buffered I/O' option on the I/O tab in the Settings and try to burn another 3 images/discs in Write mode with 'Test Mode' enabled.

[JetsetJoey]

@ LIGHTNING UK!~

I ran HD Tune Pro & don't know what to make of the results, so I've included the image. You stated that it seems "the drive can't keep up;" however, all the ISOs are on the SAME drive. Now I'll try the "Reading - Always Use Buffered I/O" option.

Ciao~ Joey

[JetsetJoey]

@ LIGHTNING UK!~

Okay, I changed the "Reading...I/O" option & burned 3 Images/Discs in Write Mode with Test Mode enabled & the time was 5:20 for all 3 drives. I guess that setting made all the difference, eh? WHY would anyone not want that setting enabled; i.e., is there any potential disadvantage/problem with it enabled? If not, why not have it enabled by default???

 

Now I'll try burning in regular/non Test mode & post the result(s).

 

Ciao~ Joey

[JetsetJoey]

@ LIGHTNING UK!~

Well, this time I actually burned 3 discs simultaneously (vs. Test Mode) & 5:20 across the board! That setting was it, so again, is there any potential disadvantage/problem with it not enabled? If not, considering it was very advantageous for my situation, why not have it enabled by default? In any case, THANK YOU VERY MUCH for the great product & YOUR HELP!!!

 

Ciao~ Joey

[LIGHTNING UK!]

Well, you wouldn't normally want the OS to buffer/cache a 4, 8. 25 or 50GB file as you burn it to disc. It zaps the machine of resources that are better used elsewhere.

Not only that, as you're typically only reading it once from start to end, it's fairly pointless.

 

So for that reason, it's disabled by default.

 

The option basically controls whether or not the program sets the 'FILE_FLAG_NO_BUFFERING' flag when calling the 'CreateFile' Windows API function (which it does to open files for reading/writing).

[JetsetJoey]

@ LIGHTNING UK!~

In light of what you [last] wrote, I wonder if this setting, whereby the OS is caching/buffering, is bad for my SSD because ideally the # of writes should be minimized with SSDs... as it shortens their lifespan. I guess it'd behoove me to conduct further research online, as to an alternative remedy. Again, the D:\ drive is the SAME drive & so it doesn't seem plausible that it would be the culprit, insofar as its "ability to cope with 3 simultaneous transfers.

 

Thanks again~ Joey

 

PS: I'll be sure to make a donation to your outstanding services :-)

[LIGHTNING UK!]

I'd have expected it to be caching/buffering in memory (non swap file regions only), not anywhere else. Your SSD should be quite safe.

 

Did you reinstall when you put the SSD in? If it worked ok before with 3, maybe you had already enabled that option?

 

It could also be something with the drivers you're now running. Don't forget that the speed of drives trails right off as they fill up (as seen in your screenshot), so make sure you defrag the drive to ensure all the data is as close to the start of the drive as possible.

[JetsetJoey]

@ LIGHTNING UK!~

This system is completely new except for the D:\ (Storage) drive, 3 burners & video card; so yes, I reinstalled Windows. No, I didn't enable that option on the previous system. Also, the D:\ drive is 0% fragmented. I think I'll disable that caching/buffering option & try switching the D:\ drive to the same controller as the burners & if that's not better then I'll put it on the same controller as the C:\ drive... & if that still doesn't work, I'll re-enable that option.

 

Ciao~ Joey

Edited October 4, 2012 by JetsetJoey

[LIGHTNING UK!]

Ah it was on a different controller was it?

 

I figured you had all of them on the Intel one

 

I assume you're on the latest bios for the motherboard and the latest Intel Rapid Storage Tech drivers? They're all things that could help out.

[JetsetJoey]

@ LIGHTNING UK!~

Well, there's a limited # of ports & controllers; w/that said, I've 1 SSD, 2 HDDs & 3 burners... so let's just call the Intel controller beach front property! I have the OS & ImgBurn program on my C:/SSD & my library of ISOs on my D:(HDD). Which controller should the 3 burners be on, C:\ (with the OS & ImgBurn program) or D:\ (with the ISO file)???

 

Grazie~ Joey

[LIGHTNING UK!]

If you board is anything like all the other ones around these days, you'll have 6 ports on that Intel controller. 2 of those are normally the SATA 3 (6Gbps) ones and the other 4 are SATA 3 (3GBps).

 

Obviously you want the SSD on the primary SATA 3 - Port 0 or whatever.

Then stick the hdds on Ports 1 and 2.

The burners then follow on Ports 3, 4 and 5.