Migrating from HDD to SSD+HDD combo

Tigro · May 30, 2014

So in a few days I'm going to be building a new PC in which I decided to icorporate an SSD (120GB) + HDD (1TB) combo. Are there any rules of thumb as to how you should divide your data among those two to allow the fastest experience?

As for my current plan, I know for sure I'm going to have the system itself installed on the SSD and some two-three games I'm currently playing which (after beating them) I'm going to move to my HDD if I suspect I may play them sometime in the future. But what else should you have on the SSD to not create unneccessary bottlenecks? Should the recycle bin be on the SSD or HDD? Pagefile? Temporary files? Should I keep my Program Files on HDD or SSD? Or maybe just some particular programs should be installed on the SSD? Or maybe it's the best to not clog it up and have there just the system and the games I'm currently playing?

Thank you for the suggestions in advance.

koreanoverlord · May 30, 2014

For one, when you install Windows make sure your 1TB drive is completely disconnected and non discoverable. If you do not do this, your Windows installation will become dependent on your 1TB drive and may save system files there.

You want to install all drivers, frequently used programs, and time critical/stream reliant games on your SSD.
Games like DayZ, BF4, Watchdogs, Saint's Row would be the games I would want on my SSD.

Save bulk data such as pictures, music, and larger games on the 1TB HDD.
Larger games such as Wolfenstein and Titanfall should stay on the HDD.

Always make sure your SSD keeps at least 20GB free, or else your performance will decline drastically. Ensure you have your Windows set for optimal performance, such as Trim and power settings. If you are getting an 840 EVO downloading Magician is a must.
The recycle bin will store the items on the storage device they were originally on, so nothing needs to be changed there. I would recommend you set your page file to SSD only.

Tigro · May 30, 2014

Thanks a lot for the info, especially the one about disconnecting HDD when installing Windows, had no idea it's necessary!

And as for the games - what's the difference (storage-wise) about games like BF4 and Watchdogs in comparison to the ones like Wolfenstein and Titanfall that you suggest to install the first group on the SSD and the second one on the HDD? Isn't it always the best to keep the games on the SSD for as long as you play them regularly and then just uninstall or move them to the HDD?

koreanoverlord · May 30, 2014

Tigro :

Open world games tend to stream data from the storage device much more than other types of games. So SSDs reduce the amount of stutter you would get when driving or moving fast throughout the world. BF4 doesn't wait for all players to load before people can spawn, so SSD's are popular to load in before other players.

Titanfall and Wolfenstein are both FPS games that don't get affected by load times so much, as Titanfall waits for all players and Wolfenstein is a single player FPS. They also take an enormous amount of space compared to the earlier mentionings.

Search

Migrating from HDD to SSD+HDD combo

Tigro

Distinguished

koreanoverlord

koreanoverlord

Honorable

Tigro

Distinguished

koreanoverlord

Honorable

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page