📎 AI Summary:
The thread discusses optimizing NTFS-formatted 4TB or 6TB hard disks for better random access speed, with the original poster asking about recommended cluster and sector sizes and their impact. The responder clarifies that sectors are physical storage units, typically fixed, while clusters are logical groupings of sectors that can be adjusted to improve performance, especially on spinning disks. They also suggest considering alternative filesystems like XFS for enhanced performance. Overall, the discussion indicates a focus on understanding how storage parameters affect access speed and performance optimization.
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tobwen

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Oct 17, 2020
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Thread Author #1
Whats the recommended cluster and sector size for 4TB or 6TB hard disk (formatted with NTFS)?
It should be optimized for random access speed.

Whats the difference between cluster and sector size at all?

And which one has more impact on the random access speed?

Toby
 

Solution
Neemobeer
A sector is a physical (smallest) chuck that data can be stored on. I believe it can be changed through a low level format (this is usually only done by the manufacturer). A cluster is a logical grouping of 1 or more consecutive sectors (always in increments of power of 2s). Sectors you shouldn't really ever need to change. You can adjust cluster size to match common file sizes you will be dealing with which may improve performance in spinning disks. You may want to go with a different filesystem like XFS which is more performant than NTFS
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Neemobeer

Neemobeer

Windows Forum Team
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#2
A sector is a physical (smallest) chuck that data can be stored on. I believe it can be changed through a low level format (this is usually only done by the manufacturer). A cluster is a logical grouping of 1 or more consecutive sectors (always in increments of power of 2s). Sectors you shouldn't really ever need to change. You can adjust cluster size to match common file sizes you will be dealing with which may improve performance in spinning disks. You may want to go with a different filesystem like XFS which is more performant than NTFS
 

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