Noob question Re: SSD for OS & HDD for data

[ramj70]

Okay I just purchased a new Intel CPU and new motherboard, RAM, 256GB Plextor SSD for the OS and a couple games I always play and a WD 1TB black for data storage.

I've never done this so I just download the OS to the SSD drive and hook up my HDD to store data. I don't have to do anything to the HDD drive? I just hook up the SATA cable and that's it?

 

[aviator78]

There are several things to check while installing an OS on an SSD. There are several guides for this. One of the best I know is this one: http://www.overclock.net/t/1156654/seans-windows-7-install-optimization-guide-for-ssds-hdds
There is also one for optimizing Win8
http://www.overclock.net/t/1240779/seans-windows-8-install-optimization-guide-for-ssds-hdds
If you have more questions after reading this, please come back and ask.

 

[Elixer]

If the HD has been already formatted, then yeah, just hook it up, and you can start using it.

 

[corkyg]

If you have a 256 GB or larger SSD, the OS and programs are a good fit. Data on a secondary HDD. That's what I have and it works great.

 

[ramj70]

There are several things to check while installing an OS on an SSD. There are several guides for this. One of the best I know is this one: http://www.overclock.net/t/1156654/seans-windows-7-install-optimization-guide-for-ssds-hdds
There is also one for optimizing Win8
http://www.overclock.net/t/1240779/seans-windows-8-install-optimization-guide-for-ssds-hdds
If you have more questions after reading this, please come back and ask.

Thanks, I'll check out the article.

If the HD has been already formatted, then yeah, just hook it up, and you can start using it.

It's a brand new drive so I guess I will have to format it.

If you have a 256 GB or larger SSD, the OS and programs are a good fit. Data on a secondary HDD. That's what I have and it works great.

Yeah I can't wait to get everything set up and see how it runs.

 

[taltamir]

Make sure to unplug all HDD/SSDs except the one you are installing windows on during the OS installation process.
Windows installer tends to split your bootloader between multiple drives if you don't with no discernable reasoning (bios boot order and device order on the mobo don't seem to matter to it, it will still split it, its crazy).

Once you finish installing windows then plug the extra drives (which will then be detected and made available)

 

[ramj70]

Make sure to unplug all HDD/SSDs except the one you are installing windows on during the OS installation process.
Windows installer tends to split your bootloader between multiple drives if you don't with no discernable reasoning (bios boot order and device order on the mobo don't seem to matter to it, it will still split it, its crazy).

Once you finish installing windows then plug the extra drives (which will then be detected and made available)

Ah good to know, thanks!

 

[ramj70]

Well I installed my SSD and wow why did I wait so long to get one. I can't believe how fast Windows installed and now boots up. Money well spent.