Dedicated SSD For OS

[N2Abyss]

Hi everybody,
I'm thinking of building my first system and need some advice.
I have looked around, but I'm not finding the information I'm looking for.
I want to dedicate a SSD for the OS system and locate program files and personal files to another HD.

Is there a simple complete tutorial on, setting up,
#1 a SSD for the primary drive
#2 locating, just the OS on the SSD?
The idea is (To save money, speed up and keep an uncluttered OS) purchase a smaller SSD for the OS and use a standard HD for Program files.

As well, am I better off going for the (SLC) SSD rather than a (MLC)

Thanks
N2

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Installation to an SSD is about the same as a standard HD. You don't have to do anything special, particularly if it's brand new.

There's a few things you should check after the install: alignment, page file size, hibernation (maybe turn it off if you don't use it), and space devoted to System Restore.

Most here would tell you to put programs on the OS unless it is VERY small or unless you have an awful lot of programs or games.

64 GB or 80 GB is plenty for most people. I have 50 apps installed and use only 27 GB on an 80 GB SSD.

It's been a while since I researched the SLC/MLC thing. I'd just make sure I got a recent generation SSD, probably Crucial, Intel, or Samsung.

 

[N2Abyss]

Thanks ignatzatsonic, is there any tutorials for the SSD checks after install?
I just wanted to keep this system as fast as possible, so I thought keeping the clutter out of the OS environment might be a solution!

I think for me, the simplest solution is probably best!
I use Macrium for imaging and didn't give much thought to how I might go about imaging the OS then the Program files and getting a recovery to work. It may be a little confusing!
N2

 

[ignatzatsonic]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/70822-ssd-tweaks-optimizations-windows-7-a.html

I'd wouldn't even consider putting programs and OS in different partitions unless you are really in a size jam.

If everything is on C, you only need to image C to back up Windows.

You might want to avoid the System Reserved partition if you reinstall to an SSD, using Diskpart command. If you have a System Reserved partition, you have to image it as well as C in order to restore C. It contains boot files, but if you skip it, the boot files go onto C directly.

Everything but data on C simplifies.

 

[bobkn]

As well, am I better off going for the (SLC) SSD rather than a (MLC)

SLC drives are nearly non-existent. Here are some examples:

Newegg.com - Computer Hardware, SSD, Enterprise SSD, SLC

(Seagate 200GB SLC drive, $3600. 240 GB MLC drives are available for less than $300.)

I suggest a medium-sized SSD (120 -128GB). That's large enough to keep the OS and most applications. If you wish to keep tens of gigabytes of games installed, I suggest you keep those on your HD instead of the SSD.

 

[gregrocker]

If you want to keep the backup image smaller so if Win7 becomes irreparable you can reimage OS and programs to the SSD and the data set will be current on the HD, I would link data to the libraries in Win7: Library - Include a Folder - Windows 7 Forums

This is because if you move the User olders or account to another HD it will include that HD in the System image using Win7 backup imaging. You can avoid this by using

 

[gregrocker]

If you want to keep the backup image smaller with just the OS and Programs on the SSD then I'd link the data on the HD to Win7 by including it in libraries: Library - Include a Folder - Windows 7 Forums

Otherwise if you move the User account or folders to the HD it will want to include it in the Win7 backup image since these are considered System files. User Folders - Change Default Location

A way around this is to use free Macrium for the backup image, or the premium Acronis app which comes free with any WD or Seagate HDD in the mix.