Does Windows 7 on SSD speed up other apps?

[Makeem95]

I've got a specific query for which I haven't been able to find an answer for yet using Google so was wondering if there's anyone here with first-hand experience who can help.

I'm planning on buying the 64GB C300 SSD to act as my Windows 7 drive (and squeeze on Office there as well) and use my current Windows HDD (300GB Velociraptor) as my main apps & games drive.

The question I have is does having Windows on the SSD also lead to improvements to apps & games performance on a secondary HDD (as they will be running on top of Windows) or do the apps & games themselves also have to be on the SSD to see improvements?

Depending on the answer, I may wait till I can afford a larger SSD to install all my apps & games on.

Cheers in advance.

 

[Craigsup]

I've got the same set up as you, except my games are on the SSD.
Windows for me, loads up within a few seconds instead of 10+ seconds.
and games on the SSD are so quick its unreal.
Unfortunatly for you, everything on your HHD will load up slower (normal speed for a HHD) unless its actually on the SSD.

I have the same SSD as you :] It's 100% worth the money

 

[ran_out]

Not really possible to do a side by side analysis for me. The most notiocable improvements have been in windows boot time and time for startup programs to load (takes longer for the bios screen to go away than it does for windows to load now). If there's been any improvement to load times for other programs due to windows running on its own drive it hasn't been enough to notice.

There are some things you can do to reduce the amount of space used on the SSD. But there are some consequences and risks in doing a lot of these tweaks, so it's down to personal preference really. I dont mind disabling some services like system restore to save on HDD space but thats not the best option for everyone.

I still had over 40GB free after setting up windows and installing programs to the SSD so I just use that space to store whatever 2 or 3 games i play the most. My Steam folder is way over 200GB so it's not practical to look for an SSD that could fit everything.

 

[Makeem95]

@Craigsup
Yes, I can imagine your games on SSD will be fast, but really my question is regards games performance comparison given the two setups below:

a. Windows & Games on HDD
b. Windows on SSD, Games on HDD

I suppose having your page file on the SSD will offer a performance boost, especially if you don't have masses of RAM to minimise page file usage.

If you also have the 64GB C300, don't you find it rather a squeeze having your windows & games on there?

 

[Makeem95]

If there's been any improvement to load times for other programs due to windows running on its own drive it hasn't been enough to notice.

Cheers, that's the kind of answer I've been after.
I'll probably just get the 64GB C300 as I can't splash out 500 pounds for a 256GB to fit all my apps & games on.