All SSD vs HDD + SSD. Can I get away with a 256GB?

123364

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Kind of a late post, but I'll leave it and check for responses in the morning. So in another post I was asking the typical questions a new guys would ask about SSDs. I came up with a few solutions:
Either get:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136795 (for stuff?)
+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148448 (for OS and main games)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148442 (which to get b/w these two <^ ? )

OR

Get one of: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148443

Ok, let me have it. Is it unrealistic to have all SSDs instead of HDD + SDD. Or is a HDD pretty much required/suggested. Some advice that SSDs are much too new to not have an HDD. Because I was thinking of buying one 256GB (linked above) and that't it, lol. I need to be able to store: Windows 7, GW2, D3, and maybe WoW (probably won't come back for a while). What do these totals look like? Please if you're not sure don't estimate, I need clear answers; I got mix estimates in my other posts. What am I not taking into consideration, like other necessary programs. Do you think I can get away with 256GB for now, just to run OS/basic stuff and maybe two games. I'm very new, just finished ordering the parts to my first build with Tom's help (I just need to decide on SSD/HDD and order OS); so I apologize in advance for my ignorance. Be nice. Good Nite.
 
Solution
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

Look at the 1 and 2 egg percentages.
On WD, ID DO NOT buy, nor recommend their "Blue, green, nor their red with yellow pokadot - o that something else). I only r4commend the Black, but my preference and what I've switched to is the Samsung F3.

PS DO NOT be fooled by SATA III label on any HDD as that is just a marketing tool. HDDs do not perform better on SATA II than on SATA III (only improvement is on burst speed).

ADDED: On SSD the cheaper one, YOU do NOT need the Xfer kit as you should always do a clean install. Only time I recommend Transfer" is from SSD -> SSD and That is FREE using windows Backup cloning.

game junky

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It's all about how much actual data you use - I think it is good to put your operating system on a SSD and if you are running Adobe Creative Suite I can see a reason to have a secondary SSD specifically used as a scratch disk for your projects. If you aren't, then I actually would recommend putting your media, documents and such on a HDD.

I myself am using a 120GB Intel 520 SSD for my OS and a 1.5 TB 7200RPM HDD for my media. Transferring between drives is incredibly quick so I can rip video to the SSD and store it on the larger platter drive without any worries. I use the Crucial M4 drives on older laptops because they're very reliable and fairly inexpensive on average compared to the faster SSDs. I usually look at the Samsung 830s and the Intel 520s whenever I need a drive for a machine that has SATAIII ports or that need performance and reliability and select based on price at the time because they both are quite often on sale. If you're not in a rush, I would sit on it until either of those drives are on sale (just got a 128 GB Samsung for $136 from newegg a few weeks ago). I have been using both drives in various builds over the last year and have had no problems with driver incompatibility or felt the need for a firmware update. Plus, they're smoking fast. Looks like the Sammy is $10 cheaper this week but it's a day to day thing with newegg so who knows who will be cheaper next week.
 

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Ya those are my only intensions right now. Web surfing + 2-3 games. What do you think about my choice of ssd, I choose the Crucial M4 CT256M4SSD2 because it seemed like the best bang for my buck. I don't want to get something outdated or anything, I am doig a fresh build so I might as well go with newer technology.
 
I have a Samsung 256GB ssd installed in my personal rig. To be honest it has more storage capacity than I really need. I still have an old leftover hard disk drive that I use to store Windows backup files as well as data files that I rarely use.

Most of the verteran posters here report that Microsoft Windows 7 will use up somewhere around 20 to 22 GB of space give or take a GB. The low capacity is due to a few Windows space saving tweaks.

Now, for the rest of your software applications, utilities, and games, you will have to do some math. Take a look at the pc requirements for each item. It should list how much storage capacity is required to install. Add them all up to get a rough idea of how much capacity is required just to install the items. There's more but that will get you started.
 
Highly recommend the two drive solution, SSD + HDD>
SSD 128 Gig min, and if you can afford the 256 - go for it.
.... On size, the more free space you have, the better, wear leveling, CG, and trim work.
HDD 2 X larger than SSD = Min.

Reason for the HDD - To store the Image file of the SSD incase you need to restore. You can restore this image file in about 10->15 Min and be back up and runnig exactly as you were when you made the Image (done from windows control panale, backup. Also for storing files that you seldom use. Just one example some photos - large files and are only accessed rarely.

Brand - Curcial M4, Samsung 830, or Intel 510 or 520. You will not see a nickels worth of performance difference in real life day-to-day usage. So of the three which ever is the best bangs (size) for cost.
PS I have both the M4 and the 830, either or is great.
 

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It's JohnnyLucky! I've seen you on other posts helping folks, much appreciatte it. Like what applications exaclty> Like java, flashplayer, and itunes (only ones I can think of right now)? Looks like GW2 is going to be around 30GB from what I've heard, WoW is around 32Gb, D3 15-ish GB?
 

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I was just thinking about that RetiredChief. So what's the difference between:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769
and
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136795

$20 ia a huge diff.!
 
My installation - OS + programs, NO GAMES runs around 30->40 gigs on all my systems, and that is with Limited size page file and hibernation disabled and My doc's moved to HDD

Adding 20 -> 30 gigs for Installation and some apps PLUS approx 75 Gigs for games = about 95 -> 105 gigs.
124 gig SSD - 6 gigs for how manuf count space and another 12 gigs that YOU MUST leave free = 106 gigs. If you are correct on game size, and want all games on SSD I would highly recommend moving up in size, or Moving the game played LESS often to the HDD.
 

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http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

Look at the 1 and 2 egg percentages.
On WD, ID DO NOT buy, nor recommend their "Blue, green, nor their red with yellow pokadot - o that something else). I only r4commend the Black, but my preference and what I've switched to is the Samsung F3.

PS DO NOT be fooled by SATA III label on any HDD as that is just a marketing tool. HDDs do not perform better on SATA II than on SATA III (only improvement is on burst speed).

ADDED: On SSD the cheaper one, YOU do NOT need the Xfer kit as you should always do a clean install. Only time I recommend Transfer" is from SSD -> SSD and That is FREE using windows Backup cloning.
 
Solution

123364

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Nice...you rock! Now if you exuse me I gotta find a blue-ray drive :/ last thing I need.
 
I know you already selected a best answer, but I thought I'd chime it.

The real reason you would want a SSD+HDD is storage space.

My SSD is 180GB, using less than 50GB for programs and such. But I don't game.

My HDD is 2TB, and I'm using 1TB of space on it. I have ALOT of music and videos!

My other HDD is for back ups of both the other drives, using 1TB or so.

Now I know not everyone has as many videos as I do, as I have converted over 100 movies (or so) from DVD/Blu-Ray to my computer. I'm just that kind of geek!

So, IMHO, 256GB should last you a while. Just think of your backup options: internal or external HDD.

HDD only because it is more cost effective.
 

123364

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Ya thanks for input. You have helped me before :) Hmmm what do you mean bakup options internal or external, I guess I'm not understanding that part.
 
foscooter, LOL on 100 DVD/Bluray.

My Son out in LA has about 5 TB's of DVD/Blurays backed up so that he can select and play on any of the TV's. You'd think you were in Blockbusters.
123364 - Backups. I usally store my files on a HDD. Then I have a Internal HDD that is a back up. BUT to play it safe I also back up to an external HDD. Rare But does happen, Something wipes out computer and takes all your Internal SSD/HDDs with it. Unless you have an external Backup, you are hosed. External back up can be on external USB HDD, or DVDs. problem with DVDs is that the DO NOT last as long as many think (there is one that WILL Last). Some Home made DVDs are unreadable within a couple of years.
 

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O.O
 
I'm just saying, with only a SSD, you'd have no other backup but the ones it does onto itself (i.e. Windows back up).

I like to keep my backup on a seperate drive. Mine are internal and networked. But you could get an external USB drive to do back up to. But if you don't want an HDD right now, why would you get an external drive?
 

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Oh, I see. Ya i'll just buy a 500GB HDD and 128GB SSD for OS and games; seems like a no brainer now. Thanks guys.

By the way, if you're still here: Why are these $5 a apart:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148525 ($129.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148442 ($124.99)

I'm getting one of these two..

Also, I just realized these are "bare-drives," so what cables do I need for the HDD and the SSD.
This is my mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128544

EDIT: I just thought of something. Since all my parts are new;Corsair500r case and OCZ-ZT650W...those SATA and power connectors should be included? My packages arrived, but I haven't opened them yet. Will check.

Ya...everything is in here. ROFL. Such a noob.