How big of an SSD?

[Eziomandude]

I just want to put windows 10 on a SSD. I don't have alot of money for an SSD.

 

[Barty1884]

Are you pairing it with a mechanical HDD? OR will this be your sole drive?

PAired with an HDD, the *absolute* minimum I consider usable is 120GB...... but you do have to spend quite a bit of time managing your storage etc. 120GB will fill up fast.

The ideal 'minimum' would be 240GB.

Where are you located? In the US etc, the cheapest 120GB SSD will set you back a little north of $50.
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/RzfmP6/pny-internal-hard-drive-ssd7cs1311120rb

Then, the cheapest ~240GB runs you right around $75
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/8jH48d/sandisk-ssd-plus-240gb-25-solid-state-drive-sdssda-240g-g26

+50% storage for +25% cost.

Again, the cheaper option will 'work' in the most basic sense. But brings with it a bunch of unnecessary headaches IMO.



If you're only planning to run with a single drive, SSDs probably aren't going to cut it. Even 240GB will fill up fast if it's used for everything. In that case, a 1TB or greater HDD is likely a smarter option (just make sure you pick a 7200rpm drive with a >64MB cache).

 

[COLGeek]

Personally, I would not recommend a SSD smaller than 256GB (absolutely no smaller than 128GB).

 

[coozie7]

Even a 'cheap' <>120Gb SATA SSD will be a lot faster than a HDD, but bear in mind, you may have problems migrating the OS from one to the other, and if you do a fresh install of Windows on the SSD you'll be forced to reinstall all your applications/games to SSD or HDD.

That said, HDDs get cluttered up with garbage and need some TLC from time to time to keep them at peak efficiency, especially if the current Windows install is more than a year old.
What HDD maintenance have you done recently?

 

[RCFProd]

128GB will be enough for just Windows and a few programs/1-2 games. I've been fine with 128GB for 2 years now.

 

[GabiDabi]

Get yourself 128GB SSD which is going to be more than enough for a Windows 10. More than 100GB will be available which you don't need to use.

 

[USAFRet]

250GB minimum.

120GB sounds like it would work. But unless you are rabid about what goes on it...it will fill up.

 

[USAFRet]

I just want to put windows 10 on a SSD. I don't have alot of money for an SSD.

Define "a lot of money".

 

[Eziomandude]

I'm going to have another drive for files. This will be strictly for the OS.

 

[USAFRet]

I'm going to have another drive for files. This will be strictly for the OS.

If I had a nickel for everyone who said that, I could build a whole other PC.

It never, ever ends up as only the OS. And if you try, you're throwing away 1/2 the functionality of having an SSD>
Many things you DO want on it.
Utilities, applications (like the Steam client), etc, etc.

All those things will also benefit from being on the SSD.

You can get a 120GB if you want, but I'm just speaking from experience. As someone who started with a 120GB 5 years ago.

And with current prices, a 120GB doesn't make a lot of sense vs a 250GB.
Twice the space for less than twice the money. (unless of course you're looking at off brand SSD's from the cheap rack)