Trying to contemplate running my OS and programs on my SSD and storage on an HDD

calalk · Apr 24, 2016

So I'm a bit new to the PC building scene. I've been using a handed-down Macbook Pro for the past 2 years and have finally amassed enough money to buy myself a decent computer that will more than likely to suffice in the future.

With these points in mind, I have seen many people run their OS and programs on a SSD and keep all their storage on a HDD. While there is no question that I will be using an SSD, there are just so many different types to choose from--SATA 3, M.2, PCI-E--and I'm not sure which one is the most future-proof. I've read extensively to try to fill my ill PC-educated brain about each type, yet there is no clear answer.

As much as I'd like to buy as I refer to a "SATA SSD" because of the price compared to...well...any other type of SSD...I'm just worried in a year from now motherboards will start to standardize the other SSD forms.

As for HDDs, I honestly know very little about them due to the time I have invested in the latter. So, with all this said, here are my questions.

okcnaline · Apr 24, 2016

Before anything.... Do you often shut down your computer?

calalk · Apr 24, 2016

okcnaline :

whoops...did not mean to mark that as the solution. Not sure if I emphasized this, but the computer build is in the works. Not sure what you're getting at

okcnaline · Apr 24, 2016

Do you often shut down and restart the computer? If you don't you have barely any need for an SSD.

Nishant0462 · Apr 24, 2016

See the m.2 is best one.
I think you should check out samsung 950 pro M.2
That is sick. Check this out. Its the link for 950 pro M.2
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-950-PRO-Internal-MZ-V5P256BW/dp/B015SOI392/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1461553729&sr=8-1&keywords=samsung+950+pro+m.2

Gnuffi · Apr 24, 2016

for the love of god dont get an M.2 or PCIe SSD the performance just doesnt justify the cost for most people
and for 95% of consumers it will even benefit them 0!

USAFRet · Apr 24, 2016

okcnaline :

This makes absolutely zero sense.
There are FAR more reasons to utilize an SSD besides simply boot time.

okcnaline · Apr 24, 2016

This makes absolutely zero sense.
There are FAR more reasons to utilize an SSD besides simply boot time.

Well, data copying, render cache. But then if OP only plays games and go on YouTube with that machine... I don't see a reason to get an SSD.

Gnuffi · Apr 24, 2016

the best "mainstream" ssd is the Samsung 850 EVO
for OS you need atleast like 60gb depending on OS, reason is you want your SSD to be larger than the space used, becasue ssd get slightly slower when full
for "optimal" performance you want 2 ssds, 1 for your OS and 1 for your programs, for regular storage still keep to a regular HDD, a video and music doesnt play any faster on an SSD

regarding SSD size, for OS you dont need much, the only thing is, SSD's like most storage gets significantly cheaper in size-dollar ratio the bigger you get, so you can get something like a 240gb ssd, thats double the size of an 120gb but only at like 50% increased cost, and so on
but for programs depending on what/how many programs you use and plan to install you might want fair bit, i think the advice was dont fill your drive up more than 80-90% because then it gets slower, personally i use a 500gb for regular programs, which suits my needs more than enough, rest goes on HDD storage

as for HDD i think Seagate Baracuda is one of teh cheapest out there and performs rock solid, so no reason to spend 50% more on something like a Western Digital Black, for regular consumer user Seagate Baracuda 7200 RPM is perfect

USAFRet · Apr 24, 2016

"What is the best SSD is terms of value right now?"

Probably the Samsung 850 EVO

"What is the best SSD in terms of future-proofing?"

Same

"How large of an SSD should I use for running my OS and programs?"

The current sweet spot for size vs price is 250GB

"What HDD do you personally prefer?"

The above Samsung.

"Is there a way to have the HDD preview as drive C: and the SSD as drive D: instead of vise versa?"

No, but that is not what you want to do.

The OS residing on the SSD ( as it should) will see itself as the C drive.
I think you're trying to make things automagically download or save to the HDD instead of filling up the smaller SDD.
Drive letter does not matter.

See this-
Win 7 & 8: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1834397/ssd-redirecting-static-files.html
Win 8.1 & 10: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2024314/windows-redirecting-folders-drives.html

Gnuffi · Apr 24, 2016

okcnaline :

eh.. going from like 1min+ load times in Fallout 4 on HDD to 15secs on SSD is very very nice

granted not all games use an SSD to the same benefit, but some games do benfit, and some more than others almost seem to "require" it these days.. fallout 4 being one

USAFRet · Apr 24, 2016

okcnaline :

OS and applications (browser, AV, etc, etc) living on the SSD. The whole system is 'faster'.
Even if you "only plays games and go on YouTube ", you will notice the difference.

Add in the lower heat value, less noise, probably higher reliability....
If the budget allows, there is no reason not to.

okcnaline · Apr 24, 2016

I guess...

Okay, you convinced me. I haven't been recommending SSDs because I just didn't see a reason to.

Gnuffi · Apr 24, 2016

okcnaline :

well if all i was doing was browsing, from Firefox HDD, to Firefoxx SDD, i would agree with you, i felt no noticeable difference there
but in other stuff, i felt loads of difference, beyond the placebo effect i might add

USAFRet · Apr 24, 2016

okcnaline :

My wife's PC.

Runs on a single 250GB drive.
Used to be a regular HDD.
Bare minimum user needs. Literally, Solitaire, Facebook, email, Firefox, youtube, etc.
One day, I swapped that out for a 250GB SSD, completely without her knowledge.
The next day..."What did you do? This thing is way faster"

Faster, quieter...that system now has but 2 moving parts. The exhaust fan and the CPU fan. I could probably take out the exhaust case fan.
I think I'll try that and see what happens with the temps.

calalk · Apr 24, 2016

Thanks for all the input! This tutorial that USAFRet posted cleared some things up for me.

http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2024314/redirect-folders-drives-windows-windows.html

From this discussion I have another question: If I install a game onto my SSD, will all the data and files from that game be on the SSD itself? To me, this makes sense since one will access these files when, for example, loading up the game. This seems like it would eventually be an issue in terms of how much space would be left in that said SSD once you install a few too many games. On the other side however, do people usually install their games on an SSD or HDD?

Also, another question. I'd like to edit videos on this build, and if I were to install Adobe Premiere on my SSD, would this simply improve the processes that the program undertakes? If the videos I am editing are on my HDD and the program is installed on my SSD...is there anything to gain here?

USAFRet · Apr 25, 2016

calalk :

Yes, if you instal a game on the SSD, all of it will be on the SSD.
Some games benefit from this, some not so much.

Steam specifically, allows multiple install locations. Some here, some there...

"usually" ? All depends on space. I have mine on a secondary SSD, only because that SSD was cheap and an addon to a 3 year old PC.

Adobe Premier? Yes, install it on the SSD. If you have it, you might as well use it.

Gnuffi · Apr 25, 2016

that would depend on teh game, since some game store it "Locally" i.e the game folder and others store it in a designated folder like "my games" in documents user files, which is usually located on your OS drive, usually there are some ways to point teh saves to a folder of own choosing, but at teh same time usually save files take up so little space, its rarely a concern

about games and SDD, this should be entirely up to what the game "needs", if its a slow loading game, place it on SSD, if not on HDD
example would be Fallout 4, 1min load times on HDD 15sec SSD,, place that game on SSD
Counter-Strike, 2sec loadtimes HDD; 1sec SSD (or there abouts) speedy game in load not much benefit from ssd speed

if you edit, render videos, most of the job is handled by your CPU not the drive, but, when the file is done, the writing speed will dertmine which drive you write it to, and it will ofc be faster to write teh finished file to teh SSD
but at teh same time if you stored an already ongoing project on HDD; your CPU might handle teh majority of the tasks, but because certain parts has to be Read from the HDD it will be a bit slower,
"create" on SSD, when done, move and store it on HDD

Gnuffi · Apr 25, 2016

another thing about games, if using a service like Steam/Origin/Uplay, install the service on the SSD, then you can always later point teh individual game installation onto either HDD or SSD

Trying to contemplate running my OS and programs on my SSD and storage on an HDD

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