Lightroom PC drive usage?

[ajf]

Would be interested in seeing how Lightroom users here configure drives in terms of cache, catalog, program and image files.

Some articles I have read suggest using seperate drives for cache, catalog and program then just use external (presumably USB) drives for the image files.

I am trying to decide the best drive spec and arrangement for a new PC.

 

[ajf]

Thanks for the feedback.
I'm still debating the final spec etc so this will help hopefully!

I've read conflicting views about the catalog size so I might do some tests with my existing setup anyway and see if there are distinct differences.

Regarding external storage of images my understanding was because once the initial import is done, most edits are being written to the catalog and cache etc, so there is only a small performance hit from the lower speeds.

I must admit though I couldn't see a specific advantage to using external drives other than maybe different drives for different subjects etc, or security.