Increase write speed by 'aligning' FAT32

TheKid7 · Mar 12, 2012

If found the following forum thread on how to increase the speed of a USB Flash Drive. However, it seems to be a bit "HEAVY" for me.

http://www.patriotmemory.com/forums/showthread.php?3696-HOWTO-Increase-write-speed-by-aligning-FAT32

Some Questions:

1. Is it worth the effort to 'align' FAT32? (If it ain't broke, don't fix it.)

2. Can this operation be done easily with BIBM (BootIt Bare Metal)? If yes, what are the recommended steps?

Thanks in Advance.

Brian K · Mar 12, 2012

I have no idea if this relates to flash drives. From Dan Goodell...

Things are different if you format FAT32 because MB-aligning the partition boundaries still doesn't guarantee the file clusters will also align. In FAT file systems the clusters begin immediately after the FAT tables. The size of the FATs are directly related to the size of the partition, so on partitions of different sizes the FATs will be different sizes, and the clusters will thus begin at some irregular spot within the partition.

...it's worth noting that *NTFS* clusters will align if the partition boundaries are aligned, but that's not true if you format the partition FAT32. You can align a FAT32 partition's boundaries but that doesn't mean the clusters will necessarily line up correctly. That's the purpose behind BIBM's "Align for NTFS conversion" option
Click to expand...

OldMX · Mar 13, 2012

Aligning a drive is way easier under diskpart on windows vista or 7.

Cudni · Mar 13, 2012

I think it is a wasted effort

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Increase write speed by 'aligning' FAT32

TheKid7 Registered Member

Brian K Imaging Specialist

OldMX Registered Member

Cudni Global Moderator

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Increase write speed by 'aligning' FAT32

TheKid7 Registered Member

Brian K Imaging Specialist

OldMX Registered Member

Cudni Global Moderator

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