Is an SSD a replacement or an addon? [Gaming]

Zarotu · Jul 6, 2014

I am considering purchasing a SSD, but it seems as though most programs must be re-installed onto the SSD rather than the HDD. I don't own media files, so most of my space will be programs. If I were to get an SSD, would it act as though it is replacing my HDD with less space and having the HDD as a storage

Or is it more of an addon where I can place just games (and OS if I have to) to load the games faster while having everything else on the HDD?

VADemon · Jul 6, 2014

To avoid misunderstanding, here's my definition on that:
While a decent SSD (128-256GB) has enough space to install an OS, frequently used programs and some games on it, it cannot fully replace an HDD because for rarely accessed media files (photo archive etc.) you need a cheap and *large* data storage.
So by byuing a SSD you will move/reinstall some of your stuff though still leaving a lot of data on your HDD.
From that perspective, SSD is a good addition to an HDD.
I'm totally happy with my SSD+HDD pair.

PS: I only have 4 games installed on my SSD and those programs that load on startup, also a true reinstallation onto SSD is the best way for the OS to adapt to a SSD

ss202sl · Jul 6, 2014

There are large (1TB)SSD's. If you have enough of a budget you can replace the HDD, and have evrything on a SSD.

People usually add a SSD for the OS, and a few apps only because of the cost. As prices continue to drop more and more systems will use a SSD only.

It's not technical reason why SSD's aren't entirely replacing the HDD.

Zarotu · Jul 9, 2014

VADemon :

When you say true installation, do you mean reinstalling a clean OS? Can I reuse my Windows 8.1 CD that I used to install on my HDD? If I were to do this and wipe my HDD, will this remove any and all viruses that may have been found. There was a problem with my computer and I am extremely paranoid.

VADemon · Jul 9, 2014

Zarotu, yes I meant that you should (don't have to, but personally, I would) reinstall your OS on the SSD. You can use your previous DVD to install Windows 8 on the SSD. During the installation process Windows automagically adjusts to fit better with an SSD (specific options, you can also find tutorials on the Internet).

When installing Windows on the SSD you do NOT have to wipe your HDD (but after a successful installation you may want to remove the old Windows from the HDD).

If you are afraid of viruses: unless you run infected executables from your old HDD, your new Windows installation will remain 100% clean from old junk.
If you want to scan your entire system for free then I recommend you to make a live USB with Kaspersky Rescue Disk on it (you should have LAN so it can update before running a full scan). To make a bootable live USB I used a free tool called YUMI http://www.pendrivelinux.com/yumi-multiboot-usb-creator/ (but it failed the last time I tried to launch the rescue disk, maybe you have more luck)
In case you're interested in YUMI and the antivirus scan feel free to ask me for a detailed how-to.

ss202sl · Jul 9, 2014

Your current windows cd and license. It is valid for this machine - even if you re-install the OS.

Zarotu · Jul 9, 2014

But I still would have to remove games, drivers, and Windows from my HDD. Wouldn't formatting the HDD be a better idea? I don't have anything personal as I just built the computer and played games on it for the past month.

I also looked up Kaspersky and it seems reliable. But, I rather avoid the whole USB clean up for now.

hang-the-9 · Jul 9, 2014

It's a lot better to use the SSD as the main drive instead of a secondary one for storage if you need to separate the two.
If your existing drive is the same size or smaller than the SSD, you can use a cloning program to clone the driver to the other one and won't have to re-install anything.

Some more advanced utilities will let you clone from a larger to a smaller drive as long as the amount of space used is not over the capacity of the target drive.

If you are talking about moving data from the old drive, after it's backed up to another location, you can format it and copy the files back. Keep in mind you will want a backup drive also if you will not be using one of those drives as a backup.

Loaph · Jul 9, 2014

Zarotu :

In this case, if you only use the computer for gaming, have some time, and unnattached to any files you may have, I would just wipe the hard drive and reinstall a clean OS/drivers/essential programs/games on the SSD, and then move all the user documents, pictures, etc.. to the HDD. After that, I would download the programs I don't use so much to the HDD.

Zarotu · Jul 9, 2014

I suspect a possible virus on my machine. I posted a couple of threads on the problem. After a DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and restart, the problem seemed to have been fixed. But I am still paranoid and want to make sure this problem is fully fixed. I plan on wiping the HDD as I don't have anything worth saving and will be reinstalling games on the SSD. Where should drivers be installed?

Brogan · Jul 9, 2014

The answer to your question lies in figuring out exactly how much storage space you want to have on your computer. How many total GB's do you need for your games, progs, etc?

With SSD prices today, you don't need a slow, archaic optical HDD anymore. And if you need storage for mega media files, huge doc's, get an external drive like a WD My Passport 2TB and plug it into USB 3.0 when you need something off it. This way your system will boot up in under 10 seconds, ALL your apps and programs will fly, and games will load much faster (trust me, if you spend time gaming, that's more important than it initially seems).

Zarotu · Jul 10, 2014

Brogan :

The thing about that is that I don't have large files. Movies and documents are things I don't really own. And if I did, they would probably be on DVDs. I don't really know how to safely and legally download movies. Music, on the other hand, cover at most 4 GB. 500 GB worth of SSD does sound like a lot, yet 256 GB sounds like too little for some odd reason.

Brogan · Jul 10, 2014

Zarotu :

Again, it totally depends on how many GB's you actually need. The ideal scenario (IMO) for gaming is having everything you need on one single SSD with a nice chunk of it unused. No partitions, nothing complicated, stripped down lean 'n mean.

Figure out your GB's required, then decide your budget and go with something like a Samsung or Intel in the size you listed.

Personally, I have a Windows7 pure gaming rig, and I've had nothing but a 180GB Intel drive for the last 2 years, no other storage necessary and if I need some extra I have a couple Passports/myBooks via USB 3.0. (Though I am upgrading to the Samsung 850 Pro 256GB next week).

txgs · Jul 10, 2014

Zarotu :

OS, programs and games on SSD.
Personal files and media on HDD (if heavy).
128GB is plenty enough for windows 7/8, productivity suites and a small library of heavy games. 256GB will future proof you more and are usually faster than 128GBs.
If all your personal files are just 4GB of music, then they can remain on the SSD and you can use the HDD from time to time to backup the SSD.

Let us know how much free space your current installation has left and the capacity of the current disk so we can put it into perspective.

Zarotu · Jul 10, 2014

txgs :

Zarotu :

OS, programs and games on SSD.
Personal files and media on HDD (if heavy).
128GB is plenty enough for windows 7/8, productivity suites and a small library of heavy games. 256GB will future proof you more and are usually faster than 128GBs.
If all your personal files are just 4GB of music, then they can remain on the SSD and you can use the HDD from time to time to backup the SSD.

Let us know how much free space your current installation has left and the capacity of the current disk so we can put it into perspective.

Currently I am using 138 GB with just a few games installed. I will probably have more games and programs installed in the future. Will 256 GB suffice? I read that you still need 20% of the SSD free for optimal performance.

Brogan · Jul 10, 2014

Yep, you should leave a percentage empty, as a maxed SSD will likely cut down on it's total lifespan. Currently Amazon has Samsung's new 850 Pro 256 and 512GB models on pre-order for $20 off each ($199 and $399)

The 850 is going to be one of the most stable (and fastest) SATA based SSD's available for the next few years. Here's the review http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/samsung-850-pro-ssd-performance,3861.html

Do what I'm doing, pre-order the 256GB drive. You won't be disappointed.

Zarotu · Jul 11, 2014

Brogan :

That is whoa too expensive. I could get a Crucial MX100 512GB for even less than the 850 Pro 256GB. What is so special about 1) 850 and 2) Pro?

Brogan · Jul 11, 2014

Zarotu :

Stability, top end speed, a 10 year warranty, and top of the line support.

The other thing is this is the 1st SSD using 3D V-NAND, a much faster and more power efficient technology.

Is an SSD a replacement or an addon? [Gaming]

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