Going to SSD......a few questions

Golden · 08 Dec 2010

Hi,

I've decided to take the great plunge and invest in a SSD.

From what little I know about how SSD's work, its best to limit them to read-only operations. Thus, I propose to only install the OS (Windows X64 Ultimate) to this drive (C:), and all other programs (MSOffice, MBAM, NIS2011 Steam etc. etc.) to my existing WD 10EARS 1TB SATA drive (let's call this D:).

I've searched within the forums (albeit only briefly, and had a look at a few tutorials (also briefly), and can't quite find the answers to a few questions I have.

So, here goes:

1. Once the OS is installed to C: (the SSD), how do I go about "informing" the OS that the C:\Temp and/or any other Windows temporary files/folders should now reference D:, and not C:?

2. When I install my other programs, do I create a D:\Program_Files into which all my other software is installed? Does this conflict with the default C:\Program Files that the OS creates during installation? How does the OS installed on the C: (the SSD) "interact" or "link" with the software installed on D: (the SATA drive)?

3. During anti-virus and anti-malware scans, will there be some temporary files that are written to C: (the SSD) that will be outside my control?

In essence, if I have understood correctly, my new setup should look like this:
On C: (the SSD) ONLY the OS is installed
On D: (the SATA) ALL other software is installed

My questions, I suppose, are really what is the interaction between C: and D: in terms of temporary files, but also in terms of installed software? I hope that makes sense.

Are there other issues I should be aware of?

Thanks for your time,
Golden

mpcrsc562 · 08 Dec 2010

You manually set the temp location.

The best way I have done with my computer is here: How-To: Optimize Your Windows Profile and Media Storage with a SSD | Maximum PC

For installing (large) programs (games mostly), I have mounted a partition in an empty folder inside of C:\Program Files (x86). To the OS, the folder looks like it is part of Program Files, but in actuality, it is on another drive.

On D: (the SATA) ALL other software is installed

You can install some to C: and some to D: or all to D:

For antivirus/antimalware scans, everything is scanned--C: and your temp files in D:

DirtyElf · 08 Dec 2010

the point of the SSD is to have applications, and the OS load fast... if you only put the OS on the SSD then your applications will still be on the slower spinner drive... id put all of the applications on the SSD, and use the "D:" for data storage only

at least thats the way i understand it

Golden · 09 Dec 2010

Thanks for the suggestions.

I just found out that a Western Digital Velociraptor is the same price as the SSD I had in mind. These are the specs:

SSD $163
A-RAM SSD ULTRA II 60GB 2.5" MLC, 285/275MB/s, Sandforce controller, SATA II, TRIM support/Garbage collection

WD $162
WD WESTERN DIGITAL 150GB WD1500HLFS VELOCI RAPTOR 10000RPM 16MB SATA II

What would you do if you were in my shoes, and had my budget?

richnrockville · 09 Dec 2010

Windows 7 requires most programs to put some files in the C:\windows directory and there is not much that you can do about it. I install many programs on my D drive when it asks where to install them. All data is on the D drive and it works fine.
SSD's are getting cheaper by the day. I just put a 256Gig SSD in my laptop.. works great...

Rich

Golden · 09 Dec 2010

Thanks Rich. Unfortunately SSD's are still very pricey here down-under, so I may wait it out a bit and go with the WD Velociraptor.

mpcrsc562 · 09 Dec 2010

DirtyElf said:

the point of the SSD is to have applications, and the OS load fast... if you only put the OS on the SSD then your applications will still be on the slower spinner drive... id put all of the applications on the SSD, and use the "D:" for data storage only

at least thats the way i understand it

That's not really an option if a person is going for the speed of an SSD on one of the "boot" drive SSDs, ie, the 32 GB and 40 GB models.
In my personal setup, I do have most programs installed on the SSD, but i have my games and other very large programs installed on a secondary drive.

mpcrsc562 · 09 Dec 2010

Golden said:

Thanks for the suggestions.

I just found out that a Western Digital Velociraptor is the same price as the SSD I had in mind. These are the specs:

SSD $163
A-RAM SSD ULTRA II 60GB 2.5" MLC, 285/275MB/s, Sandforce controller, SATA II, TRIM support/Garbage collection

WD $162
WD WESTERN DIGITAL 150GB WD1500HLFS VELOCI RAPTOR 10000RPM 16MB SATA II

What would you do if you were in my shoes, and had my budget?

Golden said:

Thanks Rich. Unfortunately SSD's are still very pricey here down-under, so I may wait it out a bit and go with the WD Velociraptor.

You don't need a Velociraptor... Use a good terabyte drive for the secondary drive. Personally, I have a 640 GB Western Digital Caviar Black for the drive my user profiles are stored on. Works great. Besides, you'll more than likely be needing more space than 150 GB if you're planning on installing all of your programs on the secondary drive anyway.

Golden · 09 Dec 2010

Thanks for the reply mpcrsc562.

I think I was unclear in the post : I meant ditch the SSD and use the Velocirator as the primary disk. My secondary disk will still be my existing 1TB WD.

So, given the price, do I go the SSD, or the Velociraptor. High quality SSD's in Australia are phenomenally expensive, hence I'm considering the Velociraptor instead.

I hope that makes better sense now,
Golden

mpcrsc562 · 09 Dec 2010

Oh, cool.

I did in fact misunderstand your post.

Glad you got it sorted out.

Good luck and happy building! :)