How to set up an SSD as a "boot drive"

[TheRooster94]

In my planned build, I want an SSD to be a boot drive, and my HDD with all my other stuff on it.

Problem is, the SSD (a last-gen OCZ Vertex Plus) is 60GB, the HDD (Samsung Spinpoint F3) is 1TB. I can't fit all my game data in the program files, with the folder being in the boot (i.e. SSD) drive. So is there a solution? And if so, how do I fit Windows 7, and some other programs (Adobe CS5, MS Office, iTunes etc., hence the "boot drive") with both drives working in harmony?

Or should I ditch the SSD altogether and just save myself $80?

 

[RetiredChief]

While 60 Gig SSD is on the small size, I'd still go for it.

To Install.
1) with ONLY the SSD attached set the bios to ahci.
2) Install windows 7.
3) let windows do it's update thingy and install MB drivers.
4) check system out. If good continue.
5) perform some tweeks.
... Disable Hibernation (save 4->6 Gigs
... Reduce page file (if 4 gigs set both Min and max to 1024 megs. If more than 4 gigs ram use 512 mb for min/max. Push comes to shove the page file can be set to zero for C drive and placed on HDD.
... Move My doucment folder to HDD (D drive).
6) connect up HDD.
7) install MOST used programs using the default path "C:......."
8) For programs that you do not use that often set path to HDD

Disable Hibernation:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/920730
Move My docs folder:
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-performance/move-the-my-documents-folder-to-another-drive/a41eaabb-2c5b-4502-85ba-fd49a007fd82
Changing size of virtual memory (page file):
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Change-the-size-of-virtual-memory

 

[cadder]

Moving "my documents" to D: is worthwhile, but in the sequence you might have to connect the HDD before doing this.

 

[RetiredChief]

^ Thanks, corrected

 

[guskline]

TheRooster 94, I have been using SSDs for boot drives with VERY limited install of other programs. Be religious about all software installs. ALWAYS use custom intall if allowed and set the default to the Samsung (great HD BTW). In gaming, I installed Steam to my D or E hd ( C is the SSD). That way any downloads go to the larger HD.
Retired Chief makes excellent points about the install. Eliminating hibernation saves a ton of space - Google to find out how to do it. I keep my page file on the ssd but all three of my machines have 8 gigs of memory so you don't need a huge pagefile. Just having The OS alone on the SSD will make it faster. If you do install a program to the ssd make sure you go into the settings section of the program and set all data and saved locations to your mechanical HD. Be disciplined and you will be fine.

 

[TheRooster94]

Best answer selected by TheRooster94.