Install 64bit HomeP on SSD

I'm planning to re-install window's home premium on my desktop. I want to replace the HDD that the OS is currently installed on with a SSD. My plan is to have the SSD hold the OS and maybe 1 or 2 key programs and then add a large HDD for all documents, pictures, videos, etc.

My question is, how big of a SSD is recommended for my plan to succeed? That is, how much space does the OS need initially and, as updates for the system come in, how much space should be available for the future?

Hi Eduede,

I have a 60GB OCZ Vertex 2 and it holds the following:

Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (plus very latest updates)
MSOffice Professional (everything)
Several other applications incl. anti-malware and virtualisation software

and I still have 22GB free. What make and size of SSD were you considering?

Regards,
Golden

If you go for a 50 GB one, it would be enough according to your plan .

EDIT : Golde posted it much faster :)

Thanks! I was looking at anywhere from 60-128GB. I really didn't know, though. As for make of SSD, I'm not sure who to go with. I was thinking that reliable RAM manufacturers might be a good bet: Corsair, Crucial, Kingston or Samsung. How are you liking OCZ? I'm seeing great prices on OCZ SSDs on Pricewatch at the moment.

Hi,

I'm no expert, but Intel, Crucial and Samsung are by far the most popular here and recommended by our hardware experts - I only got the OCZ because I didn't know better, but it has been very reliable for me. I'm getting the 128GB Samsung H830 around Christmas if all goes well.

http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/m.../MZ-7PC128N/AM

Regards,
Golden

Here's a side question: when I go to install the OS on the new drive using the same product Key, how will MS know to allow the install? I'm obviously going to wiping the drive that currently has the OS on it but how does MS know that?

eduede said:

Here's a side question: when I go to install the OS on the new drive using the same product Key, how will MS know to allow the install? I'm obviously going to wiping the drive that currently has the OS on it but how does MS know that?

I think it works like this: The Windows Activation servers will see if any computers are online with the product key that you have and since yours will be wiped withpout Windows, it won't seee the old Windows 7 installation and it will allow your product key to be used in a new installation.

If there is a previous activation of the Product Key then you will be prompted to use phone activation, which will ask how many computers this copy of Win7 is installed upon. The only answer for this is one. It will then take this as authorization to change to the new hardware signature for that Key.

When Win7 connects to the internet it periodically queries MS activations servers to see that it is installed on the same hardware signature. So the next time the overwritten install connects to the net it would be deactivated.

I believe the old hardware signature remains in MS Activation servers until it is overwritten thusly.