I have 2 ssd's - i want to install win 7 on one and my gaming files on the other - do i need to format the ssd i am going to p

[Xexth55]

I have 2 - 512 Gig Samsung 850 Pro SSd's. I want to install Win 7 on one drive and put my gaming files and steam on the other drive. Can I use my Win 7 pro dvd to partition the drive that I will be using to store my gaming files? Can I use the windows 7 program to format the the drive I will be storing the gaming files on or does it need formatting?

 

[MIGHTYxCOOKIEzZ]

It would only need formatting if you had data you didn't want on the other drive.
You can change the install directories when installing steam and the games.

 

[CaedenV]

It is certainly best practice to do a full format on a fresh install, and this can be done during the setup process. For a data drive where you are installing your programs you do not need a full format. Simply delete enough space for whatever you are installing.

just a thought, but if both drives are identical you could set up a RAID0 on the motherboard which would give you a single 1TB space to work with rather than dealing with 2 separate storage spaces. This is normally a bad idea, but 850 pros should be reliable enough for this not to be a problem.

 

[Jonathan Cave]

Yes you can use the windows install DVD to partition them how you want OR when you've installed windows Right click 'my computer' select 'manage' then 'Disk Management' - Here you have all of the options to make them how you want.

In steam, you can change the library location, alternativley just downlaod them all to your 2nd SSD.