Benefits of SSD over HDD

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
W

Wareagle545

Reputable
Nov 12, 2014
17
0
4,510
So I was considering purchasing a Solid State Drive to coincide with my current Hard Drive.
Is it possible to use both for storage? I was planning on moving my essential windows files over to the new SSD, and along with it, a few games and other programs. Keep in mind, I would like to keep as much data on my hard drive as I can, but I would like my SSD to be my boot drive.
Is this possible? How much memory would I need for an SSD? Is the benefit worth it?
Thanks!
 
Solution
photonboy
Hi,
Example of final configuration:

1) SSD-> Windows + apps, and
2) HDD-> Games, backup image, other

Setup:
You can attempt to CLONE but that can be a bit involved. If planning to upgrade to Windows 10 now is a really good time. If you already did then it's even easier.

Example:
1. Buy 250GB Samsung 850 EVO
2. attach SSD and install Samsung Magician to test SSD, update firmware if needed
3. upgrade Windows 7/8 to Windows 10 if not done
4. Shut down PC.
5. unhook HDD
6. boot to Windows 10 Install media (use Media Creation Tool to create... if need be ask for how)
*update: you can do a CLEAN install of W10 if you upgraded the system already and NOT insert your code when prompted. It gets that from the network from when you upgraded.

A...
Sort by date Sort by votes
A

An AFK User

Reputable
Nov 13, 2014
384
0
4,960


What you want is possible, I would suggest a 240gb model. A SSD is much faster and quieter so if you have the money, I definitely recommend buying a SSD. I have a HDD as boot cause I'm too poor for a SSD and it's extremely slow. My friend has a SSD and has years faster booting speed. So yes, a SSD is worth it.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
T

Tolik_

Reputable
Sep 30, 2015
182
0
4,710
SSD are worth it. Your will feel the difference right the way. Your computer would be a lot faster right the way.
Yes you can install windows on ssd and boot from it, while keep rest of the files on hdd.
Size wise I would say from 240-500 gb.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
jsmithepa

jsmithepa

Polypheme
Jun 14, 2014
13,096
263
60,840


Is not only possible, is what most people do! Since having a total-SSD PC (no HD) would be expensive and unnecessary.

How much SSD space? At least to hold your OS and be <70% full. Beyond that, hold your OS + Programs. Talk to your wallet.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
photonboy

photonboy

Titan
Jun 20, 2006
21,567
13
85,015
Hi,
Example of final configuration:

1) SSD-> Windows + apps, and
2) HDD-> Games, backup image, other

Setup:
You can attempt to CLONE but that can be a bit involved. If planning to upgrade to Windows 10 now is a really good time. If you already did then it's even easier.

Example:
1. Buy 250GB Samsung 850 EVO
2. attach SSD and install Samsung Magician to test SSD, update firmware if needed
3. upgrade Windows 7/8 to Windows 10 if not done
4. Shut down PC.
5. unhook HDD
6. boot to Windows 10 Install media (use Media Creation Tool to create... if need be ask for how)
*update: you can do a CLEAN install of W10 if you upgraded the system already and NOT insert your code when prompted. It gets that from the network from when you upgraded.

A NEW version of the W10 Install media is going to allow you to insert the W7/W8 code during install or after to activate so you do NOT NEED TO UPGRADE TO W10 prior to clean install. It's coming this month but can't find any info beyond that. sorry if confusing.

7. Install W10, drivers etc.
8. Install Steam to C-drive (if Steam gaming)
9. Create a new Steam folder on the HARD DRIVE from the Steam library settings (you'll be wiping out some data on hard drive later) such as E:\Steam2
10. MOVE the "Steamapps" folder to the new drive
11. verify each game prior to launching
12. copy info from HDD to SSD you need (save the "Documents" folder as it contains game saves and other info but don't just overwrite everything).
13. DELETE the Windows folders you don't need on HDD when sure no longer needed

Other examples:
Cloning HDD to SSD etc, but this is getting pretty long already.

Summary:
I know it's a hassle and complicated, but IMO the easiest way is to do a CLEAN INSTALL of Windows 10 64-bit to the new SSD and sort things out from there.

Do plan it out carefully including e-mail info, etc. whatever you may miss. I like to keep the original version of Windows on the original drive for as long as possible in case you need to boot back into it for something you need.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
W

Wareagle545

Reputable
Nov 12, 2014
17
0
4,510

Thanks for the very detailed response, but I would like to keep Windows 7 due to its compatibility with most of my programs/games. Would the process to put Windows 7 on a SSD be similar?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
TbsToy

TbsToy

Reputable
Oct 19, 2015
869
0
5,160
Unnecessary? Huh? X99 OCd, 32 GB 2400 memory. C drive. Intel 750 400 GB.
E drive storage. 2 1TB 850 EVOs in a hardware RAID 0. F drive. 256 GB 850 EVO as a system image recovery drive. A 6 GB Blu-ray video file transfers between c and e either way in one second. A system image back up creation to the F drive takes less than 12 seconds. The box does everything instantly, and I do mean instantly. The slowest component is in between the chair and the keyboard. No hdds at all here. Once ya use a machine set up like this with a 120Mbs + or more connection you will never go back to anything less. And ya can believe that!
Sincerely,
Walt Prill:).
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
photonboy

photonboy

Titan
Jun 20, 2006
21,567
13
85,015
Windows 7 and SSD:

Two options:
1. CLONE from HDD to SSD (must have enough space after format/overprovisioning... roughly 200GB for 250GB SSD so look at current C-drive free space.

Machrium Reflect Free-> enable verify

After clone, I'd shut down and unhook the HDD to test. When you hook it back up it may boot to the HDD instead of SSD. If so, change the BIOS boot order for the motherboard to the SSD.


2. Reinstall Windows 7, drivers, etc
(Do the clone first. If it fails no harm as the HDD is still fine)

Other:
Windows 7 compatibility->
I've tested well over 100 games for W10 without issue. I do know a few have issues, but most if not all that I can think of have simple workarounds:
http://pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Category:Windows

Windows 10 has even solved a few issues. I know it works better in BF4 for some people due to how CPU management works, and for a couple games my HYPERTHREAD stutter is gone.

For the most part, Windows 10 is simply working great now for me, and I prefer it to Windows 7. In fact, I can't think of a good reason other than the hassle of upgrading.

(Windows 10 is definitely going to be more secure, stable and have better compatibility than Windows 7. It's going to vary a bit depending on what software/hardware you have but in general I've been dealing with a lot of systems and it's pretty great now.)

Eventually, you'll probably want to play a DX12 game so keep in mind that so far W10 is only free until July 29th 2016.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
W

Wareagle545

Reputable
Nov 12, 2014
17
0
4,510

Alright, thank you. I will take your opinion on Windows 10 into consideration.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
photonboy

photonboy

Titan
Jun 20, 2006
21,567
13
85,015
Update:
The latest ISO image from Microsoft's Media Creation Tool site (W10 download) makes it easier to upgrade now.

I mentioned it above somewhere, but I can confirm the latest build works just fine.

In other words, if you already have an activated W7/W8 build then you can do a CLEAN INSTALL of W10 just by booting to the W10 install disc/USB device (to blank SSD, and leave HDD unhooked). It did not prompt me to put in a serial though I'd probably want to put in a suitable MS account's e-mail and password.

(You'll still want to plan for a clean install in terms of backup of files etc but my steps should work. May want to PRINT them out and think about them)

**I must have updated my install comment as one has the "a new" line in it.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom