Solved Question about partitions for games

[markvis14]

Hello,

Would I gain any improvement if I made a new partition on the same hdd Win7 is on for games only?

Thanks in advance.

 

[TheReaper]

I think not, as the partition would be on the same physical disk, but there would be noticable improvement if the partition would be on a different HDD.

 

[SlasherIT]

Nope, still the same disk, same performance as usual...

 

[AstaLaVista]

Perhaps is time to invest on a new SSD?

 

[lobo6877]

There is a slight improvement in loading times. That's all I've noticed. I have 2 gaming PC's and the one that is the lesser of two (with games on their own partition), is a little faster at loading. Not sure if it's the separate partition, or the slightly weaker gfx settings though.

 

[sygnus21]

Hello,

Would I gain any improvement if I made a new partition on the same hdd Win7 is on for games only?

Thanks in advance.

No.

The only advantage to having the stuff on a separate partition/HD is that if you wipe the OS drive, stuff on the other partition/HD doesn't get lost/erased.

However you may still have to reinstall some games as some require registry entries to the OS, even though the game is on a separate HD.

This is where Steam based games has a huge advantage - If you have you Steam apps/files on a separate drive from the OS and you wipe the OS, all you have to do is reinstall the app itself (less than 2meg), and not all the games.

Anyway as to the original question? Again no.

BTW the only thing an SSD drive might do is load the game/levels faster, not necessarily increase game performance. And for what it's worth I my setup is SSD drive OS, game drive spinner.

 

[Wishmaster]

I agree. In fact, it may actually make the games load slower.

The outside edge of the disk is the fastest part. As you move in, speeds start to slowdown.
So essentially, what you'd be doing is making a partition and putting your games on a slower part of the drive.

You must also cosider the fact the OS itself has things to do.
This means the head of the HD must travel from one end of the HD, back to the other further degrading performance.
This could potentially result in hitching in some games.


This idea will be fine though for things you want to keep seperate from the OS in case of a re-install.
For example, Music, Movies, Pictures etc.

If your going to put games away from the OS, the best way will be to have thier own HD, that does not have an OS on it. Even if want to partition it, letting the games have the 1st (fastest) part of the drive will help.



I have mine setup similar to what Synus does.
A SSD for the OS apps and a spinning drive dedicated to Steam.


But as mentioned, this will not give you a FPS boost. But games will load up a bit faster, even if on a spinner. Because theres nothing else accessing the drive.

 

[markvis14]

Thanks for your valuable replies and opinions.

I decided to get a SSD and raptor for my OS and gaming.

Regards,
Mark

 

[SlasherIT]

Nice.