Most efficient use of my hard drives?.....

Adam-182 · 14 Sep 2010 at 18:03

Hey guys just about to finish up my new build and im wondering what will be the most efficient way of using my hard drives with regards on where to install windows and what size/how many partitions to use, im using a 1tb samsung HDD and a 64GB Crucial C300 SSD. Thanks guys any feedback would be much appreciated - Adam

Duke · 14 Sep 2010 at 18:09

Have the SSD as C: for Windows and Program Files then have the 1TB drive split into a few partitions depending on what you want to store there, e.g. D: for Games, E: for Videos, F: for Music etc.

wapcatlet · 14 Sep 2010 at 19:43

I sort-of agree with Duke. Although I personally would not split the 1TB drive into separate partitions. There's no harm in it, it's just that I prefer to store stuff in different folders instead of partitions with different drive letters.

I've got a 128GB Crucial M225 SSD and a 1TB Samsung. All of my temp folders/files, emails, documents, videos and games are on the Samsung. Windows and program files are on the SSD.

Adam-182 · 14 Sep 2010 at 20:45

Thanks for the input guys, by program files do you mean install my programs onto the SDD? thanks - Adam

Matt2889 · 14 Sep 2010 at 20:51

As Duke said.

Install your operating system on the SSD and use the 1TB for storage.

Depending on how many games you have you may find that if you install them on the SDD then the loading times may reduce signifcantly. I say depending on how many games you have because of the size of the SSD.

Adam-182 · 14 Sep 2010 at 21:18

but what about programs? thanks - Adam

Duke · 14 Sep 2010 at 21:42

Put them on the SSD. To keep the space used to a minimum just make sure you do a custom install and only install the bits you need. E.g. on Office I only put on Word rather than everything.

wapcatlet · 14 Sep 2010 at 22:28

Adam-182 said:
Thanks for the input guys, by program files do you mean install my programs onto the SDD? thanks - Adam

When I say "Program Files" I actually mean stuff like office apps, dev tools, backup utilities, benchmarking tools, media players etc. Basically everything apart from games, photos and videos because they tend to eat up space.

Adam-182 · 14 Sep 2010 at 22:57

Thanks for the feedback guys! much appreciated im all sorted now

please check out my build in the general hardware section let me know what you think http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18184275

Podmonkey · 14 Sep 2010 at 23:38

If you have a look around on this forum (im not the one to explain as im going to be in a similar boat soon and will be needed to be lead by the hand through it all xD) then theres also a very good explanation as to how to cut down the windows installation itself by a huge amount (i.e. saving less important files on a different hdd and disabling unused features) which will free up more room on the ssd for apps and the odd game.