Windows 7: Partition recommendations for my ~300GB hard drive?

I didn't know whether to put this in the "Performance & Maintenance" thread or here.. but here it goes.

I have a quick question about partitioning. I have a ~320GB 5400RPM hard drive and I would like to partition it. I'm re-installing my OS so I will be starting fresh with formatted hard drive.

Here's some info about my usage:
I'm using a Dell Inspiron 1545 laptop (I think my specs are on my profile?)
Right now, my hard drive is at 240/300GB used.
I use iTunes RELIGIOUSLY, my library has at least 4,000 songs and I have apps, so in total my iTunes folder in the Music folder is about ~65GB. I have my iTunes set to where it makes a copy of whatever song I drag into the library and organizes it. Therefore, I delete the original downloaded music file to save space.
I browse the internet Google Chrome 24/7 and stream videos.
I use Office programs a lot, I have lots of documents due to school work.
I also use programs like MATLAB and ChemDraw (3-D molecule simulation) programs for school, as well.
Sometimes I use Photoshop to some of my pictures I take on the go.
I play FIFA 12 and other 3-D games from time to time.. I don't want it to lag, though.
These are large file games.

Also, I heard a lot about Linux Ubuntu, so I would like a partition separate for that dual-boot.
I would also like a small partition separate for "Recovery."

What do you guys recommend on the size/number of partitions?
The only reason I'm doing this is because I've read on several other forums that it increases the performance of your HDD and prevents having to delete all of your data when switching OS.

Thanks, guys!

Welcome to the forums!

Its mainly up to you in the long run. Personally I'd have at least three. One around 100gb for the O.S. (you'll have a 100mb system reserved automatically from Windows) and programs/utilities. One about the same for your school work and another about the same for your music and videos. I would highly suggest and recommend getting an external for back-up and recovery purposes. That would also leave you the extra space on your internal. 320GB goes pretty quick! Its all up to you in the long run and what you feel comfortable with and need. Again I would seriously consider getting an external for back up purposes, I promise you won't regret it.

Wow, I forgot about that. Lol, I have a 1 TB External drive with about ~700GB of movies on it. O_o
About these partitions.. so when I'm making them I would have to name them, right?

Another question, for iTunes: The default folder is C:\Users\XXXXXX\Music\iTunes. After partitioning and re-installing the OS, I would have to change the default folder location, right?

Yes if you reinstall Windows it will make the Music folder in the default folder C:\Users\Account Name\Music\iTunes . What you could do is change the location of the Users Folder as you're installing Windows . What that will do is change the location from C:\Users to D:\Users .

Look at this tutorial

User Profiles - Create and Move During Windows 7 Installation

Like a BAWS. Thanks, guys!
Unfortunately, I just ran into another problem. I'll post a thread soon until I find an appropriate place. :/

You don't need to worry about moving system files. No reason to do that anymore, thanks to libraries. However, you have a small drive to begin with, so there's also no reason to over-partition it. I'd leave it all as one solid partition, and then if you want to play around with Linux, use the Ubuntu option to run as a file. This way, if you don't like it or don't want to use it, it can be removed without altering your system or rendering your Windows install as unbootable.