Expanding my SSD Storage

Bryan Kortez · 9 Apr 2017 at 16:09

I'm currently running just a single Samsung 250GB 840 EVO in my PC. I only need storage space on my PC for OS, Programs and games. All my data is stored on my Synology NAS.

My 250GB 840 EVO is at 20TB of total bytes written. I was thinking of getting an extra 250GB of storage, and use that just for game installations.

Which should I do:

1 - Buy a single 250GB 850 EVO, and make that my new OS/program drive, then make the current 840 my game drive.

2 - Buy 2 cheaper 120GB drives and run them in Raid 0 for just installing my games on.

ED209 · 9 Apr 2017 at 19:39

I would go with option one, no point in raiding ssds and once they are in raid you cannot do any firmware updates to them as the software doesn't see them.

I have 2 x 250gb one for os and the other is for games so when I format my games library is still there for steam and origin

Bryan Kortez · 9 Apr 2017 at 20:27

Do most games still work after re-formating the OS then? I thought it messed up the registry files, or is that a thing of the past now?

ED209 · 9 Apr 2017 at 21:03

This is my reason for having a second SSD.

steam and the library are installed to my second SSD, once formatted all I need to do is re create the steam short cut and then im good to go once logged in.

Origin can be a bit fiddly but again still works and saves having to download all the games again and the same with Uplay for the division.

if I have a OS issue I loose nothing by formatting the OS SSD and only takes about 20 mins to get windows back up and running, I keep all the drivers etc needed on the second SSD as well.

bledd · 11 Apr 2017 at 07:37

Option 1, that's exactly what I did.

Bryan Kortez · 12 Apr 2017 at 07:29

So my new Samsung 850 will be arriving soon. Is there an easy way to clone my current 840 to the 850 with both SSDs plugged in to the external data ports?

HoneyBadger · 12 Apr 2017 at 08:11

Use Macrium Reflect to clone the drives.

ED209 · 12 Apr 2017 at 09:22

guide to the software is here

https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/macrium-reflect-cloning-guide.18576917/

Disco_P · 12 Apr 2017 at 12:08

Option 3) Add the 850 EVO as another drive and use it for games. No point or need to move windows to the new drive.

Bryan Kortez · 12 Apr 2017 at 13:22

Only reason I was thinking of swapping my os to the new drive was for reliability. My current drive has done 25TB of writes, not sure if that means much or not

Disco_P · 12 Apr 2017 at 13:46

Not really. I'd only get worried when you start reaching hundreds of TB.

Just keep a good backup schedule.

Bryan Kortez · 12 Apr 2017 at 17:49

Nothing is saved on my PC anyway, all my info is stored on a NAS. Just obviously work down time if my PC crashes.

Disco_P · 12 Apr 2017 at 19:01

Yeah I take daily backups, not for the data but to avoid the shear hassle of reinstalling.

Mariusz · 17 Apr 2017 at 15:09

Don't bother with Raid, tried it with two Evo's, only lasted few months before it died and I had to reformat both drives.

Stick with one ssd for your OS and separate drives for your games. Due to the size of recent games I've got multiple drives for Origin, Steam, Uplay, etc.

mrrad1951 · 1 May 2017 at 20:14

So games can be installed on another ssd then the OS and it doesn't effect gaming performance at all ..My Corsair ssd is full and I would like to just add another ssd without moving the OS also ?

Disco_P · 1 May 2017 at 21:47

Pretty much

andreaboh1 · 10 May 2017 at 23:48

Another internal drive. With a SSD you can mount it basically anywhere.