hdparm

hdparm is a <a href="/facts/Command-line_interface/R9JpGmXQ">command line</a> program for <a href="/facts/Linux/9FvCKSTq">Linux</a> to set and view <a href="/facts/Parallel_ATA/QPchqXH8">ATA</a> <a href="/facts/Hard_disk_drive/kekLSGSE">hard disk drive</a> hardware parameters and test <a href="/facts/Computer_performance/td1qKox4">performance</a>. It can set parameters such as drive caches, sleep mode, power management, acoustic management, and <a href="/facts/Direct_memory_access/DWuVgclV">DMA</a> settings. <a href="/facts/GParted/BTaRfAcn">GParted</a> and <a href="/facts/Parted_Magic/ljlQRhQT">Parted Magic</a> both include hdparm.
Changing hardware parameters from suboptimal conservative defaults to their optimal settings can improve performance greatly. For example, turning on DMA can, in some instances, double or triple data throughput. There is, however, no reliable method for determining the optimal settings for a given controller-drive combination, except careful trial and error.
Depending on the given parameters, hdparm can cause computer crashes or render the data on the disk inaccessible.

hdparm open-in-new

hdparm