Do we still need 2 drives?

[tkline]

So, lately it seems the way to go is to put your OS on a small SSD, and have a second drive for storage. Do we still even need to these days? Like, for example, I've seen 1 TB M.2 SSD's under $300.. And prices are gonna keep coming down. I think that's more than enough space for average users unless you're someone who does crazy amounts of downloading or video editing.

If you were to build a new system today, would you rather get 1 bigger SSD and just have a C drive? or is it still better to have 2, with the OS separate from the rest of your files?

 

[mcconkeymike]

I personally prefer to have my OS on 1 drive (SSD either PCIe or SATA), games on 1 drive (SSD), and files on another drive (traditional). That way if you have to reload Windows, you don't have to redownload your games and your files are still intact.

 

[Flying Head]

Depends upon your habits. I need lots of bulk storage. A simple drive setup is appealing.

edit: Oh a second drive is essential for backups, which I think is needed.

 

[NEmpire95]

Depends on your personal needs and how much space you'll use. If you're okay dropping $300+ on a 1TB m.2 drive then by all means go for it! If you are looking to save money but need a few terabytes of space then a 250gb ssd and a 3TB HDD might be for you.

 

[boosted1g]

It comes down to the user.

You certianly can drop $300 on a 1TB SSD.
Or you can spend $100 on a 250 gb SSD and $50 on a 1TB drive.

With the dual drive scenario you can seperate your OS/files and/or have a full backup of your OS.

 

[Isokolon]

It's an easy calculation:
1 TB SSD 300 Money
1 TB HDD 50-80 Money

IF you can afford a big SSD, by all means.
However 250 in difference is the difference between going for a GTX 1050Ti or a GTX 1070
Dependant on your budget, preferences and priorities both things are justifiable.

However for many people 250 is a lot of cash.

 

[boosted1g]

So, lately it seems the way to go is to put your OS on a small SSD, and have a second drive for storage. Do we still even need to these days? Like, for example, I've seen 1 TB M.2 SSD's under $300.. And prices are gonna keep coming down. I think that's more than enough space for average users unless you're someone who does crazy amounts of downloading or video editing.

If you were to build a new system today, would you rather get 1 bigger SSD and just have a C drive? or is it still better to have 2, with the OS separate from the rest of your files?

Personally, I like having them seperate. I have 2 hard drives in RAID though so that my important items are backed up automatically. 1TB of data isnt enough for me.

I hope you mean your files are backed up to the RAID array, and not that because the drives are in a RAID array that equals them being backed up.
RAID 1 is not in any way a backup. RAID 1 is a perfect copy, it only protects you for a complete and utter drive failure. If the file is deleted or corrupted then all RAID 1 does is give you an exact copy of the same deleted/corupted condition on both drives.

 

[boosted1g]

So, lately it seems the way to go is to put your OS on a small SSD, and have a second drive for storage. Do we still even need to these days? Like, for example, I've seen 1 TB M.2 SSD's under $300.. And prices are gonna keep coming down. I think that's more than enough space for average users unless you're someone who does crazy amounts of downloading or video editing.

If you were to build a new system today, would you rather get 1 bigger SSD and just have a C drive? or is it still better to have 2, with the OS separate from the rest of your files?

Personally, I like having them seperate. I have 2 hard drives in RAID though so that my important items are backed up automatically. 1TB of data isnt enough for me.

I hope you mean your files are backed up to the RAID array, and not that because the drives are in a RAID array that equals them being backed up.
RAID 1 is not in any way a backup. RAID 1 is a perfect copy, it only protects you for a complete and utter drive failure. If the file is deleted or corrupted then all RAID 1 does is give you an exact copy of the same deleted/corupted condition on both drives.

You are correct. Maybe I did not word that clearly.

No worries, somehow many people have gotten this misconception that RAID 1 = backup. Its like a personal mission of mine to help reduce this.

 

[Flying Head]

So, lately it seems the way to go is to put your OS on a small SSD, and have a second drive for storage. Do we still even need to these days? Like, for example, I've seen 1 TB M.2 SSD's under $300.. And prices are gonna keep coming down. I think that's more than enough space for average users unless you're someone who does crazy amounts of downloading or video editing.

If you were to build a new system today, would you rather get 1 bigger SSD and just have a C drive? or is it still better to have 2, with the OS separate from the rest of your files?

Personally, I like having them seperate. I have 2 hard drives in RAID though so that my important items are backed up automatically. 1TB of data isnt enough for me.

I hope you mean your files are backed up to the RAID array, and not that because the drives are in a RAID array that equals them being backed up.
RAID 1 is not in any way a backup. RAID 1 is a perfect copy, it only protects you for a complete and utter drive failure. If the file is deleted or corrupted then all RAID 1 does is give you an exact copy of the same deleted/corupted condition on both drives.

You are correct. Maybe I did not word that clearly.

No worries, somehow many people have gotten this misconception that RAID 1 = backup. Its like a personal mission of mine to help reduce this.

So what do you think of backup on a Raid 0? If it fails hopefully the primary is still good.

 

[boosted1g]

So what do you think of backup on a Raid 0? If it fails hopefully the primary is still good.

If you are going to backup to a RAID array then it should either be RAID 10 (stipe and mirror) or a parity like 5 or 6.
I would actually rather backup to JBOD over RAID 0.
While RAID 0 and JBOD would both require 2 drive failures to cause data loss (drive of computer plus drive the backup is on), but RAID 0 configuration is way more stressfull on the drives then JBOD and thus the probability of drive failure goes up

 

[rkzhao]

It's an easy calculation:
1 TB SSD 300 Money
1 TB HDD 50-80 Money

IF you can afford a big SSD, by all means.
However 250 in difference is the difference between going for a GTX 1050Ti or a GTX 1070
Dependant on your budget, preferences and priorities both things are justifiable.

However for many people 250 is a lot of cash.

And those are prices for the cheapest least reliable SSD, vs a market standard HDD.
There's a reason why expensive things are expensive.

SSD prices will certainly continue to drop, but it will still be a long long time before they come anywhere close to HDD prices. As people's storage needs are also increasing with higher resolution everything and bigger games, there's still some demand for HDDs in the PC space. Also, like Isokolon said, the price difference is still plenty big and for most people and it is much better spent elsewhere.