I've noticed that my desktop PC feels way snappier than my laptop, even though they have similar specs. My desktop has a 3060 Ti, while the laptop has a GTX 1650, so I don't want to compare them for gaming. My laptop is a Zephyrus G14 with a 5800HS CPU and an Intel 660p SSD, but despite this, it feels slower in general web usage and programming than my recent build, which has a 5700X processor, a B450M motherboard, and a Kingston A1000 SSD that is slower on paper. Both SSDs have similar read/write speeds, but the Kingston has DRAM cache, which I thought wouldn't matter much. However, Windows 11 runs smoothly on my PC, while my laptop lags during similar system writes. IDEs like Visual Studio load faster on my desktop, and coding feels more responsive compared to my laptop, which often lags during autocomplete. I have a hunch that thermals or the SSD are playing a role. I got my Kingston A1000 SSD second-hand, and now I'm thinking about replacing it with a WD SN5000, which has impressive specs but no DRAM cache. I'm unsure if the presence of DRAM cache makes that big of a difference or if something else is at play. Any insights?
3 Answers
Firstly, keep in mind that desktop chips and laptop chips are quite different in performance characteristics. Desktop CPUs generally have higher power limits and can perform better under load. As for SSDs, DRAM cache makes a significant difference because it helps with handling random writes more efficiently. So, yes, your Kingston SSD with DRAM cache could be making your desktop feel snappier, especially during heavy tasks.
Don't forget to consider the thermal aspects too. Those desktop CPUs can handle much higher wattages compared to laptop chips, leading to better sustained performance. Laptops are usually designed for efficiency and portability, which limits their performance under load. And regarding RAM, check what RAM you have in both machines. Fast RAM on the desktop can contribute to overall responsiveness.
I think you're overanalyzing this a bit. If your systems were not clean installs, that could skew your perception. Old Windows installs can slow down over time due to background processes and leftover files. And while the SSD matters, the difference may not be as drastic as you're imagining. Doing file transfers to/from faster drives is where NVMe drives really shine.
Related Questions
Lenovo Thinkpad Stuck In Update Loop Install FilterDriverU2_Reload