Reinstalling windows 7 on existing SSD + attaching another SSD (used)

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MKBL

Splendid
Nov 17, 2011
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Current desktop has 1 SSD + 1 HDD setup, which I want to change into 2 SSDs + 1 HDD. I am seeking for advice how to proceed this transition smoothly.

- Current setup
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
System drive: Samsung 840 Pro 256 GB
Data drive; Samsung 500 GB HDD
Case: Antec 300

- New setup (to be done)
OS: the same Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit (I have the DVD)
System drive: Samsung 830 128 GB (previously installed with Windows 7 Home)
Data drive: Samsung 840 Pro 256 GB (current system drive)
Samsung 500 GB HDD (current data drive)

- Questions
Should I format (or secure erase) the 830 before installing Windows? If so, what is the best course of action?
Should I format (or secure erase) 840 drive before reassigning it as a data drive?
Any other recommendation to maximize the performance of the system using 2 SSDs + 1 HDD?
 
Solution
Danra
Look at benchmarks, some newer SSDs are faster than older ones. I think that you would be better off with a 1TB hard drive. Make a 150GB partition in the front [outer platter] and install programs there [most people do not know about this, it is very fast and is formatted faster than an entire drive], copy the data from your old drive to the large partition on the 1TB drive. You will end up with a fast data write, read for programs and more room for back-up, downloads or whatever you currently store on your HHD [other than programs, which will be faster from a "smaller" front partition].

I have 2 Intel SSDs [more expensive but last longer], a 1TB HHD and two 640GB Western Digital Black hard drives.

I am now only running the fastest...
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m3ch

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Jun 9, 2006
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I would advise against changing your system drive from the 256Gb SSD to the 128Gb SSD as the 256Gb will have noticeable performance gains over the smaller drive. Having your Operating System on the fastest drive is most recommended. Therefore, I would simply use the 128Gb as a data drive.
 
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Danra

Danra

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May 25, 2005
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Look at benchmarks, some newer SSDs are faster than older ones. I think that you would be better off with a 1TB hard drive. Make a 150GB partition in the front [outer platter] and install programs there [most people do not know about this, it is very fast and is formatted faster than an entire drive], copy the data from your old drive to the large partition on the 1TB drive. You will end up with a fast data write, read for programs and more room for back-up, downloads or whatever you currently store on your HHD [other than programs, which will be faster from a "smaller" front partition].

I have 2 Intel SSDs [more expensive but last longer], a 1TB HHD and two 640GB Western Digital Black hard drives.

I am now only running the fastest SSD as the boot drive [and a few installed programs, drivers and so on]. I use the outer partition of my 1TB Western Digital for programs, including games, and the large partition for downloads, back-ups, and so on. I do not use both SSDs or all three hard drives.

NOTE: This has worked very well for me for decades, including before SSDs were viable [using the fastest area of a hard drive for the OS and programs].
 
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