Using bcache and preload, need an SSD?

[SyncroScales]

Hello,

I think this is the right place for this type of question, a moderator can move it if necessary. I have this topic asking about if there is something similar to ReadyBoost but for Linux. viewtopic.php?f=90&t=251328

Linux Mint Cinnamon 64-bit 18.2. People recommended programs called bcache and preload.

Preload seems to make a list of programs used most often or at startup and loads them in priority compared to others that are not so important. But in their description/web-site it is said that it won't make a computer run faster or do anything other than load certain programs faster (which in theory helps with some speed or a quicker star-up).

bcache's web-page/wiki mentions SSD's and creating a HHD/SSD hybrid. For a program such as bcache to work, is an SSD necessary? Can a regular flash stick work? Would USB2 or USB3 make a difference? Or it is not worth it except if you have a small SSD as the main drive and a large HHD for storage?

[catweazel]

I used preload and prelink on Mint 18.2 KDE, which did make the system significantly faster. Prelinking killed every Cinnamon installation I tried it on. There's no point using bcache unless you want to make use of a tiny SSD. I can't vouch for the effectiveness of preload as I have 3.2GB/s NVMe.

[Hoser Rob]

I think you could reasonably ask whether you'd need preload et al if you had an SSD.

[SyncroScales]

I only have some USB2 Flash sticks and HDD's. Not an SSD.