Using different HDD for OS? (For new build 3D workstation)

[Hopdedix]

Hello,
I am a newbie 3D artist and building a new workstation for 3D rendering, but i don't have much experience on hardware and seek some advice. The configuration I am planning to buy:
Motherboard:
GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R rev2.0 Corei7, X58,

CPU:
INTEL Core i7-930 D0 SLBKP, 2.80GHz

CPU Cooler:
NOCTUA NH-U12P SE2 CPU COOLER

Memory:
PATRIOT PVT36G1333LLK EP Viper 3x2GB DDR3-1333MHz, XMP, Cas7, 1.65V

Graphics:
POWERCOLOR AX5850 1GBD5-PPDHG HD5850 PCS+, PCI-E16 2.1, 1GB/256bit

Storage:
WESTERNDIGITAL WD1002FAEX Caviar Black 1TB 64MB 7200rpm SATA 6.0Gb/s
plus ???? for OS
SEAGATE ST3250318AS Barracuda 7200.12 250GB 8MB 7200rpm NCQ SATA 3.0Gb/s

Case:
COOLER MASTER HAF 932(RC-932)

PSU:
CORSAIR CMPSU-750HXEU HX Serisi 750W

OS:
Windows 7 64bit

Where I become hesitant is the seperate HDD for OS and applications part. I read in some forums that, a setup of one HDD for OS and all other applications, and a seperate HDD for storage only is handy, since you can format the HDD with OS when necessary without concerning to move large portions of media files. So I decided to add an 250 gb HDD to purchase list. I will use this only for OS and programs. What kind of effect can this have on performance? Any other suggestions are welcome.


Besides I would be happy if you can critique the whole config..

Thanks in advance.

 

[boldor]

If you want a separate hdd for OS and programs i would strongly reccomend an SDD disk for that. They are expensive but your preformance will improve dramaticly.
If you cant afford an sdd disk a normal one will be fine aswell but you wont notice the difference, or u might even notive a slight decrease in preformance since the 250gb disk u chose for the OS is slower then the 1tb one.

 

[Somebody_007]

+1 small disks are ussually slow(exept ssd's) so unless you're getting a (veloci)raptor or an ssd I'd stick with one big drive.

 

[Hopdedix]

Hmm thank you, this was very useful.

Ok then, can dividing one disk into partitions be a solution for keeping the files at least organized? What are your opinions on partitions?

(Sorry, maybe this question belongs to HDD forum.)

 

[Somebody_007]

Yeah partitions should be fine. I don't really like them because then you have one partition that's too small and the other has space to spare and then you're wasting space so I'm not a fan of them.

I ussually just make one folder in the C drive hide all windows and app folders and put all my data in the one folder in many many subfolders. It's very organized and you don't have to go through the hassle of partitions.

But if you prefer partitions then sure go with that.