Two partitions vs one on SSD?

[wpcoe]

I just brought home a new 120GB Intel 520 to replace my aging 64GB Kingston SSD.

Since the early days of computing, I've been anal about keeping different partitions for different uses, but increasingy have been consolidating partitions to make better use of HDD space allocation, i.e. to keep more file on the outer tracks.

My OS (C: ) partition currently has 33.40GiB data, and my Data (F: ) partition (on a HDD) has 38.92 GiB, so they will fit nicely on the 120GB SSD.

However, I'm wondering if there would be any advantage to consolidate them into one big partition on the SSD. I like separating the OS and data for backup purposes, and to simplify the occasional re-load of Windows.

Is there any operational advantage to having one partition of ~72GB data, with one free block of unused formatted space vs keeping two partitions with two separate blocks of unused space?

 

[zephxiii]

I just put a 120GB SSD in my main laptop (T61p), I didn't partition it...didn't see any reason to.

I like partitioning to keep the OS separate from data storage or to dual boot into another OS, but I have server to hold data so I didn't bother. I'd rather have one nice big chunk for the OS.

This is up to you though.

 

[dma0991]

I would like to keep them separate as there is room for expandability if required. Putting all into a single drive limits that and a lot more work if the OS dies. I keep my data separate on a HDD and I could easily move my HDD to a new PC when I do an upgrade or routine maintenance. Also partly due to the fact that I dual boot OS that might cause the boot loader to be troublesome at times.

 

[alexruiz]

I like separating the OS and data for backup purposes, and to simplify the occasional re-load of Windows.

I do it that way, and will keep doing so. An additional "advantage" of separate partitions is in case of disaster Much easier trying to recover from a separate partition

 

[gramboh]

I've had my system setup like this the past few years:

disk1:
C: - 45GB System partition, contains Windows 7, all applications, user folder
E: - 955GB Storage partition, contains all game installs (Steam, Origin etc), misc media files

disk2:
F: - 3TB partition, more media files and storage

Currently I have my SSD setup the same as disk1 above, 45GB for system and remainder ~180GB for games installations. The reason I like this is that I can back-up my C: partition frequently without using much space, and store more iterative back-ups which could be useful.

Going forward I will probably consolidate C:/E: and just keep one back-up image at a time, because I am currently not backing up my Steam/Origin directories, and downloading ~180GB of games would be a pain in the ass even at 25mbit.

 

[Elixer]

That depends on the size of the SSD.
If you are under 128GB, then no, don't do that, but if you have a 256GB or bigger SSD, I can still see value in having a OS only partition, and then a data partition set up that way.

It does make backups easier to manage, and much, much easier to reinstall the OS if needed.

 

[zephxiii]

I think 120GB is too small to partition tbh. but that really boils down to what all you are going to install app/game wise.

 

[wpcoe]

Is there any operational advantage to having one partition of ~72GB data, with one free block of unused formatted space vs keeping two partitions with two separate blocks of unused space?

So, I'll assume the answer is a "no"? If so, I will go with the status quo: two partitions.

 

[Charlie98]

It does make backups easier to manage, and much, much easier to reinstall the OS if needed.

I'm figuring that out now... with the OS and some programs installed on my 60GB SSD, and the remainder on my storage HDD... it's a backup headache. I should have at least put an 'OS' partition on the HDD to simplify backups... but I have something for that, soon... :sneaky: (...a bigger SSD!)