Installing SSD for STEAM gaming

[chrisfromoh]

So i've got a Samsung 850 EVO 250 GB that I want to install all my games on. I haven't installed the SSD yet but was wondering if I need to do any optimizing or if I can just connect it and install Steam and all my games on it?

I have an older Dell XPS with an Intel i7 870 and have only updraded the GPU to a GTX 780 and also a stronger PSU, OS is Windows 7 Home Premium. I'm pretty sure my Mobo is Sata II because I originally was trying to use the SSD as my boot drive but I ran into a lot of problems in my bios trying to do so, so now I'm just going to use the drive for all my games.

If i just connect my SSD as another drive do I need to do anything in BIOS or just plug that sucker in and I'll find it in "My Computer" with the rest of my drives? Thanks!

 

[USAFRet]

Ideally, youi put your OS and applications ont he new SSD>

Failing that:
Plug it in
If it is not seen in 'This PC', go to Disk Management
Initialize
Format
Give it a drive letter

After that, it is just another drive.
In the Steam client, you can designate that as an install location

 

[glamdringfh]

You'll probably need to format the SSD drive in order for windows to be able to actively use it. After you install the SSD drive and boot your system up follow this step-by-step "To create and format a new partition" in Disk Management:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-format-hard-disk-partition#create-format-hard-disk-partition=windows-7

After the drive is formatted you should be good to use it for Steam games!

 

[chrisfromoh]

Ideally, youi put your OS and applications ont he new SSD>

Failing that:
Plug it in
If it is not seen in 'This PC', go to Disk Management
Initialize
Format
Give it a drive letter

After that, it is just another drive.
In the Steam client, you can designate that as an install location

I intially bought it for my OS and programs but within my BIOS there was a lot of confusion. I looked for answers here on Tom's but nobody could figure it out either and I'm no expert at all. That was my first time even being in the BIOS menu. A local PC store, MicroCenter, could install it and reinstall the OS but they wanted almost $250 to do it. I haven't been able to decide to go through with it or not. I've had the SSD almost a year now, just sitting on my desk

 

[USAFRet]

Ideally, youi put your OS and applications ont he new SSD>

Failing that:
Plug it in
If it is not seen in 'This PC', go to Disk Management
Initialize
Format
Give it a drive letter

After that, it is just another drive.
In the Steam client, you can designate that as an install location

I intially bought it for my OS and programs but within my BIOS there was a lot of confusion. I looked for answers here on Tom's but nobody could figure it out either and I'm no expert at all. That was my first time even being in the BIOS menu. A local PC store, MicroCenter, could install it and reinstall the OS but they wanted almost $250 to do it. I haven't been able to decide to go through with it or not. I've had the SSD almost a year now, just sitting on my desk

Anything with an i7 870 should be able to install and boot from that SSD.

 

[USAFRet]

So...lets test this
Do you have your OS install media and the license key?
If so....disconnect all drives except for the SSD.
Boot from the install media, DVD or USB
See what happens.

 

[chrisfromoh]

Ideally, youi put your OS and applications ont he new SSD>

Failing that:
Plug it in
If it is not seen in 'This PC', go to Disk Management
Initialize
Format
Give it a drive letter

After that, it is just another drive.
In the Steam client, you can designate that as an install location

I intially bought it for my OS and programs but within my BIOS there was a lot of confusion. I looked for answers here on Tom's but nobody could figure it out either and I'm no expert at all. That was my first time even being in the BIOS menu. A local PC store, MicroCenter, could install it and reinstall the OS but they wanted almost $250 to do it. I haven't been able to decide to go through with it or not. I've had the SSD almost a year now, just sitting on my desk

Anything with an i7 870 should be able to install and boot from that SSD.

I'm trying to remember what the issue was. I think there was no AHCI option in my BIOS or Samsung's Magician Program still said "AHCI MODE = Deactivated" so I couldn't clone anything. Something like that.

 

[chrisfromoh]

So...lets test this
Do you have your OS install media and the license key?
If so....disconnect all drives except for the SSD.
Boot from the install media, DVD or USB
See what happens.

I believe the license key is stickered on my pc case. I don't have the OS install media though.

 

[USAFRet]

Yes, you should enable AHCI more int he BIOS settings.

 

[chrisfromoh]

Yes, you should enable AHCI more int he BIOS settings.

There wasn't an AHCI option in my BIOS.

 

[netyoda]

Make sure your current Dell system m/b has the latest BIOS firmware then Enable the AHCI option.

 

[chrisfromoh]

Make sure your current Dell system m/b has the latest BIOS firmware then Enable the AHCI option.

I'm scared, Netyoda. I've never updated BIOS before.