Problem
Cache files are stored on a slower HDD than the source SSD, making cached playback slower than direct playback.
Solution
Root Cause / Diagnostic:
Default NLE scratch disk configurations often point cache directories to primary system drives or secondary mechanical archive hard drives. Because mechanical HDDs possess low random-read IOPS and slow throughput (sub-150 MB/s), reading uncompressed render cache files performs worse than direct source playback.
Actionable Fix:
1. Direct the NLE cache, scratch, and gallery directories in preferences to your fastest local NVMe PCIe Gen4 solid-state drive.
2. Manually delete the legacy cache directory from the slow mechanical drive to recover disk space.
3. Re-cache a complex timeline segment and confirm instantaneous, dropped-frame-free playback from the high-speed NVMe volume.
Pro Tip:
Dedicate a high-end 1 TB or 2 TB NVMe SSD exclusively as a dedicated scratch/cache disk; keeping cache I/O isolated from media and OS drives maximizes overall editing responsiveness.
Default NLE scratch disk configurations often point cache directories to primary system drives or secondary mechanical archive hard drives. Because mechanical HDDs possess low random-read IOPS and slow throughput (sub-150 MB/s), reading uncompressed render cache files performs worse than direct source playback.
Actionable Fix:
1. Direct the NLE cache, scratch, and gallery directories in preferences to your fastest local NVMe PCIe Gen4 solid-state drive.
2. Manually delete the legacy cache directory from the slow mechanical drive to recover disk space.
3. Re-cache a complex timeline segment and confirm instantaneous, dropped-frame-free playback from the high-speed NVMe volume.
Pro Tip:
Dedicate a high-end 1 TB or 2 TB NVMe SSD exclusively as a dedicated scratch/cache disk; keeping cache I/O isolated from media and OS drives maximizes overall editing responsiveness.