Partitioning 2TB HDD, also have 256 GB SSD

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So I got the PC assembled today, and i got to the partitioning phase..

I have a 2 TB, WD Black and 256 GB, Samsung 840 Pro
..and a 60 GB mSATA, Muskhin Atlas.. wanted to use it as cache for HDD, but now I found out that it can only do that for the booting disk. So I will use it for some important stuff.

This is my current plan, what do you think:

SSD:
C: SSD
-- OS (Windows 7), Security stuff, drivers, players (Flash player, Quick Time, Java, etc.) and often used programs (e.g. Photoshop, Office, Chrome)

HDD:
D: Documents
-- documents (Word, PowerPoint, PDFs, etc)

F: Files
-- Downloads, installers, temporary stuff I want to organize, and similar

G: Games
-- Well, games

M: Media
-- Images, music, videos

P: Programs
-- All the other programs that are less important (e.g. Music Players, DVD Burner, some sound editing program; there will also be big programs here, like e.g. AfterEffects, only few most important on the SSD)

mSATA SSD:
I will find something, suggest if u have ideas

---------
Is it ok to make 5 partitions on one drive? I saw some people make 8 or more.
I know its not good to partition the SSD, so i just left it as it is. The question with that is, is it ok to put the programs, drivers, all i listed, on the same place as the OS?

Short:
- Is my way of partitioning OK, what do you think?
- What should I put on my mSATA SSD?
- is 5 partitions on 1 drive OK?
- program on SSD with OS, OK?

Answers wanted, suggestions welcome
Thanx!
 
Solution
USAFRet
because I also have a 'System Reserved' partition of 100 MB, made by the guys that assembled the PC I guess.

Oh my. This is on the HDD? That is the sign of a rushed build.

That 100MB partition is the Win7/8 boot partition. Ideally, when you install 7 or 8, you should only tfe boot drive connected. That way, it forces Windows to put that 100MB System Reserved partition on that same drive.

With 2 drives connected, you get what you have here. The OS on one drive, and the boot info on another.
It still works. Until you disconnect that secondary HDD.

Most people never, ever notice. But it is not the optimal configuration.
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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- Is my way of partitioning OK, what do you think?
- What should I put on my mSATA SSD?
- is 5 partitions on 1 drive OK?
- program on SSD with OS, OK?

5 partitions are OK, but I just think it is way too complex. Different top level folders, sure.

On a single spinning drive, having the OS in its own partition is helpful, because you can reinstall the OS without disturbing the other data. But individual partitions for different types of data? I don't see the need or benefit.

For the mSATA? Maybe current working docs.
Programs on the SSD? Sure. Just don't let it get too full.
 
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I

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thanks.

it doesn't let me partition more than 3 I think, I just tried. I decided to merge 'Documents', 'Files' and 'Media' into one partition, and 'Programs' and 'Games' into another, now I have 101 GB free, and can't turn that into another partition because I also have a 'System Reserved' partition of 100 MB, made by the guys that assembled the PC I guess. so that's the third par. on the disk, the first two being the ones I said - which doesn't allow me to create the fourth - why?
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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because I also have a 'System Reserved' partition of 100 MB, made by the guys that assembled the PC I guess.

Oh my. This is on the HDD? That is the sign of a rushed build.

That 100MB partition is the Win7/8 boot partition. Ideally, when you install 7 or 8, you should only tfe boot drive connected. That way, it forces Windows to put that 100MB System Reserved partition on that same drive.

With 2 drives connected, you get what you have here. The OS on one drive, and the boot info on another.
It still works. Until you disconnect that secondary HDD.

Most people never, ever notice. But it is not the optimal configuration.
 
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Solution
photonboy

photonboy

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Jun 20, 2006
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Recommended configuration:
*DON'T PARTITION!

1) SSD - Windows and programs installed to entire SSD (overprovisioning applied)

2) 2TB SSD formatted (with folders for files)

There's really no reason to partition. Simply create FOLDERS for any files you want and subfolders within them.

There's no reason to use an mSATA SSD when you already own an SSD with Windows installed.

I have TWO download folders. I download to the SSD to prevent the hard drive from starting and if I have large files I want to save I periodically copy to the hard drive to store them.

SUMMARY:
- don't partition your two drives
- no need for an mSATA SSD
- Windows and programs on SSD.
- Windows Image backup and downloads etc. on hard drive
 
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