Can i install windows on my SSD to have good boot times and then install all my games in to my second HDD?

trio1989 · Jul 16, 2013

will i be able to play games on my second HDD with no troubles with errors etc and just leave my SSD to boot windows?

USAFRet · Jul 16, 2013

Yes. No problem.

Steam? Install the steam client on the HDD. Verify in the Library location in the client settings.

trio1989 · Jul 16, 2013

USAFRet :

yes i will have steam.. i am building a new computer and i wanted my SSD to only boot windows with faster boot times and then every single game i ever install was off to be installed directly into the HDD not SSD are you sure this will work with no problems with loading the games if they are not in the same drive as windows as most games default installation is into the program files folder in windows?

USAFRet · Jul 16, 2013

trio1989 :

That is exactly how I have mine set up right now. Windows and almost all applications on the 128SSD. Steam and all of its games on an HDD.
Runs like clockwork.

When you install the Steam client, don't accept the default C location, but choose somewhere on the HDD. And this is the same with every other application. The default is C, but almost everything gives a Custom or Advanced option. This lets you be in control of where it goes.

After installation of Steam client, just verify (Settings) where it install things. For new games, it should default to where the client is.

trio1989 · Jul 16, 2013

USAFRet :

trio1989 :

That is exactly how I have mine set up right now. Windows and almost all applications on the 128SSD. Steam and all of its games on an HDD.
Runs like clockwork.

When you install the Steam client, don't accept the default C location, but choose somewhere on the HDD. And this is the same with every other application. The default is C, but almost everything gives a Custom or Advanced option. This lets you be in control of where it goes.

After installation of Steam client, just verify (Settings) where it install things. For new games, it should default to where the client is.

thank you for your answer it has helped alot i have one more question for you as for things like driver updates etc shall i just choose the SSD where windows is installed to install them?

USAFRet · Jul 16, 2013

trio1989 :

Drives need to go with Windows. They are tiny, so it makes no difference.

Tombomb24 · Nov 30, 2013

USAFRet :

What about the games for steam, would we download them onto the SSD but have the Steam Client on the HDD?

USAFRet · Nov 30, 2013

You can have the Steam client on either drive.

Within the Steam client, click Steam/Settings/Downloads/Steam Library Folders...
You can designate any place you want for where Steam games go.

Tombomb24 · Nov 30, 2013

USAFRet :

So if I download the steam client on the HDD, and the games on SSD, will the games load faster?

USAFRet · Nov 30, 2013

Tombomb24 :

How large is the SSD? The Steam client is relatively tiny, and won't really affect used space on whichever drive.

Tombomb24 · Nov 30, 2013

USAFRet :

Tombomb24 :

How large is the SSD? The Steam client is relatively tiny, and won't really affect used space on whichever drive.

256gb

USAFRet · Nov 30, 2013

Tombomb24 :

USAFRet :

256gb

Just put the Steam client on the boot drive. Games on whichever, depending on size.

Tombomb24 · Nov 30, 2013

USAFRet :

Tombomb24 :

Just put the Steam client on the boot drive. Games on whichever, depending on size.

And by boot drive you mean the ssd right?

USAFRet · Nov 30, 2013

Tombomb24 :

USAFRet :

Tombomb24 :

Just put the Steam client on the boot drive. Games on whichever, depending on size.

And by boot drive you mean the ssd right?

Right

Tombomb24 · Nov 30, 2013

USAFRet :

Tombomb24 :

USAFRet :

And by boot drive you mean the ssd right?

Right

Steam Client, SSD, games either or. So if the games are on the HDD they would have the same load time as on the SSD?

USAFRet · Nov 30, 2013

Tombomb24 :

USAFRet :

Steam Client, SSD, games either or. So if the games are on the HDD they would have the same load time as on the SSD?

Not quite. The system has to read the data, wherever it lives. If it is on the HDD, it will be 'slower' than if on the SSD.
Within the Steam Client, you can designate multiple install locations. With a 256 drive, you can put your 2 or 3 current favorites on the SSD, and others elsewhere.
Poof....fast.

NOTE: gameplay (FPS) is not really enhanced by being on the SSD. Load times is.

Tombomb24 · Nov 30, 2013

USAFRet :

Tombomb24 :

Not quite. The system has to read the data, wherever it lives. If it is on the HDD, it will be 'slower' than if on the SSD.
Within the Steam Client, you can designate multiple install locations. With a 256 drive, you can put your 2 or 3 current favorites on the SSD, and others elsewhere.
Poof....fast.

NOTE: gameplay (FPS) is not really enhanced by being on the SSD. Load times is.

Here just PM me about it

Can i install windows on my SSD to have good boot times and then install all my games in to my second HDD?

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