Noob hard drive question here.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 5
    Windows 7
       #1

    Noob hard drive question here.


    I recently purchased a new computer with a SSD hard drive and a regular hard drive. Here are the stats

    CD: 24X Double Layer Dual Format DVD+-R/+-RW + CD-R/RW Drive (BLACK COLOR)
    CD2: None
    CAS: Thermaltake Element-T Mid-Tower Case (Original Color)
    CASUPGRADE: None
    CS_FAN: Default case fans
    CPU: Intel(R) Core™ i7-930 2.80 GHz 8M Intel Smart Cache LGA1366
    FAN: Asetek 510LC Liquid Cooling System 120MM Radiator & Fan (Enhanced Cooling Performance + Extreme Silent at 20dBA)
    FA_HDD: None
    FLASHMEDIA: None
    FLOPPY: None
    GLASSES: None
    HDD: 30 GB Kingston 2.5 inch SATA Gaming MLC Solid State Disk (Single Hard Drive)
    HDD2: 500GB SATA-II 3.0Gb/s 16MB Cache 7200RPM HDD (Single Hard Drive)
    IEEE_CARD: None
    KEYBOARD: Xtreme Gear (Black Color) Multimedia/Internet USB Keyboard
    MOUSE: XtremeGear Optical USB 3 Buttons Gaming Mouse
    MONITOR: None
    MONITOR2: None
    MONITOR3: None
    MULTIVIEW: Non-SLI/Non-CrossFireX Mode Supports Multiple Monitors
    MB_ADDON: None
    MEMORY: 6GB (2GBx3) DDR3/1333MHz Triple Channel Memory (Corsair Dominator)
    MOTHERBOARD: (3-Way SLI Support) MSI X58A-GD65 Intel X58 Chipset SLI/CrossFireX Triple-Channel DDR3 ATX Mainboard w/ 7.1 Audio, eSATA, GbLAN, USB3.0, SATA-III, RAID, IEEE1394a, 3 Gen2 PCIe, 2 PCIe X1 & 2 PCI
    MODEM: None
    NETWORK: Onboard Gigabit LAN Network
    OS: Microsoft(R) Windows(R) 7 Home Premium (64-bit Edition)
    OVERCLOCK: Pro OC (Performance Overclock 10% or more)
    POWERSUPPLY: 600 Watts - XtremeGear Power Supply - SLI/CrossFireX Ready
    PRINTER: None
    PRINTER_CABLE: None
    RUSH: NO; READY TO SHIP IN 5~10 BUSINESS DAYS
    SOFT1: Free Microsoft(R) Office(R) 2010 STARTER EDITION (Reduced-Functionality versions of Word and Excel that include advertising)
    SERVICE: STANDARD WARRANTY: 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY PLUS LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT
    SOUND: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
    SPEAKERS: None
    TEMP: None
    TVRC: None
    USB: Built-in USB 2.0 Ports
    USBHD: None
    USBFLASH: None
    USBX: None
    VIDEO: * NVIDIA GeForce GT 240 1GB 16X PCI Express (Major Brand Powered by NVIDIA)
    VIDEO2: None
    VIDEO3: None
    VC_PHYSX: None
    WNC: None

    The SSD hard drive has everything on it that came with the computer, while the other one is totally empty. I know that SSD hard drives are supposed to be faster, thats why I got it. My question is this: Where do I install programs? My understanding was that my games would be installed on the SSD drive, while everything else (my drivers, windows files, music, pictures, etc) would be on the regular hard drive. What is the purpose of the 30gb SSD drive, if not solely for the game files?

    Also, I notice that there are 2 folders, "Program Files" and "Program Filesx86". There doesn't appear to be anything in the program files folder that isn't in the program filesx86 folder, so what is the purpose of having 2 folders? Which one should games be installed to and which one should programs such as Xfire and Ventrilo be installed?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 17,796
    Windows 10, Home Clean Install
       #2

    You must have 64 bit like me. 86 is for 32 bit and the other for 64
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 4,517
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
       #3

    Operating system and most application make far better use of a SSD than a game will.


    They will help the initial load time of a Game a couple seconds, but after that its running from memory anyway (which is faster than a SSD.

    The OS is constantly accessing the disc.

    Program Files folder is for 64bit programs, Program Files (x86) for 32bit programs. mostly for organization purposed.

    I would make a folder for Games on the Spinning drive and install Games there.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 5
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Yes I do have 64 bit, but telling me that one folder is for 32 bit and the other is for 64 bit programs doesn't help me much. I do not know how to tell the difference
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 17,796
    Windows 10, Home Clean Install
       #5

    Files 86 is the folder for 32 bit.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 4,517
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
       #6

    Its mostly just for organization. To keep track of whats what.

    Although best to keep things sorted where they go, it will not hurt if you install to the wrong folder.

    But, windows will know where to put applications if you just let it or are unsure.


    Just Manually reloacte your user Files to the spinning disc (music,documents pics,videos, etc)
    And make you a folder "Games" and install all your games there.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 474
    Windows 7 Enterprise x64 SP1
       #7

    Sabellian said:
    Yes I do have 64 bit, but telling me that one folder is for 32 bit and the other is for 64 bit programs doesn't help me much. I do not know how to tell the difference
    Program Files folder is 64bit
    Program Files x86 folder is 32bit.

    The second folder is for installed programs that are not written to be native on a 64 bit platform. In other words, the second folder allows for 32 bit programs to be installed on a 64 bit operating system. Up until quite recently, most current programs were written for 32 bit.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 5
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Wishmaster said:
    Its mostly just for organization. To keep track of whats what.

    Although best to keep things sorted where they go, it will not hurt if you install to the wrong folder.

    But, windows will know where to put applications if you just let it or are unsure.


    Just Manually reloacte your user Files to the spinning disc (music,documents pics,videos, etc)
    And make you a folder "Games" and install all your games there.
    ok so I was correct in assuming that the SSD is for my games and the other one is for everything else?

    and what I meant by not being able to tell the difference, I meant that I wouldnt be able to tell the difference between a 32 bit program and a 64 bit program
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 12,012
    Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
       #9

    As Wishmaster told you: there is little point to putting the games on the SSD. But you can do it if you want. Keep in mind the SSD has limited capacity and Windows alone may want 20 GB or 30 GB, or more, over time. A 30 GB SSD is about as small as they come, so you ought to be very picky about what you put on the SSD or you will run out of space.

    General advice would be to keep ALL of your personal data on the spinning drive and use the SSD for Windows ONLY.

    You have 64 bit Windows. Given a choice between a 32 bit program and a 64 bit program, you should go with 64 bit. BUT, most 32 bit programs will work on your PC. Windows will recognize whether a program is 32 bit or 64 bit and install it in the appropriate folder. You don't have to worry about it much.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 4,517
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
       #10

    If you want you can, its up to you.

    But you will be sacrificing alot of system performance to save maybe 3 seconds of initial load time on a game. And, on a 30Gb you may only get 3 games on it.

    When you start the the installer, it will ask if you want to do a custom install or default.
    just take a glance at the default location.
    if windows want to put it in the Program Files Folder (its 64bit)
    if it want to install to Program Files (x86) its a 32 bit.

    Generally, anything for Windows 7 will be clearly labeled 64 or 32 bit bit when you DL it.
    If not, its 32bit.



    EDIT- I type too slow ..
      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:10.
Find Us