Windows 7- 2 HDD's Main + Data

[keto6789]

Hi.

I'm thinking it would be wise to go with 2 HDD's instead of one 1 TB HDD, is this a good idea? I'm thinking maybe a small (say 250G HDD) HDD for my Windows 7 drive and then a 1 TB (or whatever) for data.

Also, how small can the main HDD be for Windows 7 home/pro?

Thanks kindly.

 

[Ubrales]

Your idea is a good one, and stay with it. The 250 GB HDD is a nice size for the operating system, and 1TB is a good size for data.

Win7 requires about 16 GB for the system. To this, provide capacity for updates, service packs. However, these days, a 250 GB HDD is quite inexpensive and will help the virtual memory situation too (RAM + unused HDD space)

 

[keto6789]

Your idea is a good one, and stay with it. The 250 GB HDD is a nice size for the operating system, and 1TB is a good size for data.

Win7 requires about 16 GB for the system. To this, provide capacity for updates, service packs. However, these days, a 250 GB HDD is quite inexpensive and will help the virtual memory situation too (RAM + unused HDD space)

I've selected a WD 500 gb for my build, but you're right, maybe a 250G will save me money and be a little more economical for the system? Maybe something smaller??

Hmmmm ....

 

[Ubrales]

You will not find much price difference between a 250 GB and a 500 GB HDD. Go with whichever is on sale at the time.

Here are some choices to consider:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136320
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136320
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395

 

[galeener]

Just make sure its at least a 7200rpm drive and maybe 32k cache or more. Doesnt seem like a lot of difference but every little bit helps.
To bad SSds are not cheaper. A good 64gig ssd would be great for OS.

 

[keto6789]

Just make sure its at least a 7200rpm drive and maybe 32k cache or more. Doesnt seem like a lot of difference but every little bit helps.
To bad SSds are not cheaper. A good 64gig ssd would be great for OS.

Well, then I guess I'll go back to my WD 500 gb with 23mb cache and 7200 RPM.

I thought performance-wise a 500 or 250g would be better than a 1TB drive?

 

[galeener]

It really depends on the drive how many platters things like that density blah blah.
There are some hdd reveiws floating around Toms if you would like to look at some just do a bit of searching. Some folks are buying 1tbs and short stroking them but thats a different thread topic I guess. You could probably do that with the 500gig also but I am not sure you see a real would difference or its mostly for bench racing.

 

[keto6789]

It really depends on the drive how many platters things like that density blah blah.
There are some hdd reveiws floating around Toms if you would like to look at some just do a bit of searching. Some folks are buying 1tbs and short stroking them but thats a different thread topic I guess. You could probably do that with the 500gig also but I am not sure you see a real would difference or its mostly for bench racing.

So I'm not gonna see much performance diff between a 250 or 500 or even maybe a 1 tb drive for a main drive?

I think I'll just go with the 500g as a main drive and then add a 1tb as a storage.

 

[Ubrales]

So I'm not gonna see much performance diff between a 250 or 500 or even maybe a 1 tb drive for a main drive?

I think I'll just go with the 500g as a main drive and then add a 1tb as a storage.

Yes! 500 GBs for the drive with the OS and programs - 1TB for data files, music, videos, etc. Catch these products on sale.

 

[galeener]

Yep unless your really just going for numbers they will be about the same unless you get an SSD.
You could go with a 250 but for what the 500s are going for why limit yourself
I mean for between 130 and 150 dollars a 500 and a 1tb is easy to get.
If you were worried about loosing things then I would suggest 2 1tb drives in raid 1 that way your datas secure.
but thats a different topic.
If the 500g and a 1tb is in your budget that would be a nice set up.

 

[Ubrales]

Agree! My OS (Win7 64-bit) and all programs is on a 750 GB HDD (overkill, but I had it laying around). My data files are on two 1TB HDDs set up in RAID1 (mirroring).

In addition to this, my backups are on a separate external 1.5 TB HDD. RAID is not a substitute for backup.