Best way to set up new PC with SSD C:\ and second normal drive.
I'm setting up a new Dell i7 with a 128GB ssd. I'd like to put all the core programs that get used all the time on C for obvious speed reasons. But I'm thinking I'd like to put the huge chunks of business data - spreadsheets and documents on the second non-ssd drive. So I started out by making D:\users\username\Document
I also want to eliminate unnecessary read/writes to the ssd if possible to extend its life. AND I'm doing a Windows Easy Transfer from an older XP pc to this one. SO I want to make sure things all go to the right place.
I run across this article about moving the Users folder to the secondary drive:
http://www.overclock.net/t/664738/how-to-setup-ssd-boot-drive-with-secondary-hard-disc-optimization
But I'm not sure I want to move the WHOLE users folder to D. I want key programs like Quickbooks, Office and browsers to run off of C. If I move "USERS" folder to D, am I losing some performance because temp folders and appdata folders are on D now?
Botton line: What are the key folders I should be concerned about keeping on C for performance and those that should move to D to preserve SSD life?
I also want to eliminate unnecessary read/writes to the ssd if possible to extend its life. AND I'm doing a Windows Easy Transfer from an older XP pc to this one. SO I want to make sure things all go to the right place.
I run across this article about moving the Users folder to the secondary drive:
http://www.overclock.net/t/664738/how-to-setup-ssd-boot-drive-with-secondary-hard-disc-optimization
But I'm not sure I want to move the WHOLE users folder to D. I want key programs like Quickbooks, Office and browsers to run off of C. If I move "USERS" folder to D, am I losing some performance because temp folders and appdata folders are on D now?
Botton line: What are the key folders I should be concerned about keeping on C for performance and those that should move to D to preserve SSD life?
Nobus is giving a reasonable suggestion here. You do not need any type of data in my documents on ssd. Let it reside on normal hdd. And for this install os to ssd only and then make redirections. Plus during installing the programs you can select where to store them.
ASKER
ok.... but you don't address the part of my question about moving the users folders to D as well. That link I posted suggests a way to create new users where the users folder is on the D instead of C drive. That reduces the drive read/writes for appdata and local settings folders. I don't know if I'm being clear on my question about moving different system folders to one drive or another based on performance or saving the life of the ssd.
Thanks!
Thanks!
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ASKER
" so why in heavens name move it to a slower one?)"
well, the whole point I was trying to clarify and figure out is the balance between putting files you want fast access to on the ssd and files that get accessed a LOT and you DON'T need fast access to off the ssd. It's my understanding that SSDs get "worn out" by total read/writes eventually and that if you can minimize a lot of small, constant read/writes you increase the life of your SSD.
So I guess the question is all about whether all that is necessary - trying to be careful about which folders go on the SSD to increase PC performance but yet not kill the SSD prematurely. Is this business about killing the SSD just a bunch of crap? Are we talking a 3 year death? 8 yrs? more? Are those small/ constantly read/written files precisely the ones that will make my PC FAST by being on the SSD?
I don't know. Maybe the question is unanswerable.
well, the whole point I was trying to clarify and figure out is the balance between putting files you want fast access to on the ssd and files that get accessed a LOT and you DON'T need fast access to off the ssd. It's my understanding that SSDs get "worn out" by total read/writes eventually and that if you can minimize a lot of small, constant read/writes you increase the life of your SSD.
So I guess the question is all about whether all that is necessary - trying to be careful about which folders go on the SSD to increase PC performance but yet not kill the SSD prematurely. Is this business about killing the SSD just a bunch of crap? Are we talking a 3 year death? 8 yrs? more? Are those small/ constantly read/written files precisely the ones that will make my PC FAST by being on the SSD?
I don't know. Maybe the question is unanswerable.
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How?
i connect ONLY the SSD, and install the OS and software (for performance)
then i connect the 1 TB drive for data
i leave the (empty) my documents on the SSD , and just copy the old contents to the extra drive
if you do that a couple of times per year - no worries
i hope this helps