[SOLVED] Installing two SSD’s on a new build

[DaDuckster]

Gathering the pieces for a new build, and have a 1TB SSD for the OS/programs and the 2TB SSD for games and storage. it’s been a long while since I built a system, so my basic question is regarding when/where to install the first and second SSD. Do I get the PC up and running with the OS before installing the 2TB unit, do they both get installed before the first turn on, or some different combination…and how do I ensure which gets labeled what?

Board is planned to be an MSI B650 Tomahawk WiFi, both SSD’s are M.2 Gen 4

 

[USAFRet]

Gathering the pieces for a new build, and have a 1TB SSD for the OS/programs and the 2TB SSD for games and storage. it’s been a long while since I built a system, so my basic question is regarding when/where to install the first and second SSD. Do I get the PC up and running with the OS before installing the 2TB unit, do they both get installed before the first turn on, or some different combination…and how do I ensure which gets labeled what?

Board is planned to be an MSI B650 Tomahawk WiFi, both SSD’s are M.2 Gen 4

Have only ONE installed when you do the OS install.

Put the other on in after the system is fully running.
(of course, power off when you connect the second one)

 

[Lutfij]

Assemble the system, add drive that you want to install the OS on, power system, install OS onto the drive, install all relevant drivers in an elevated command(if you're on Windows), then shut down and then add each drive one by one.

 

[Lafong]

Begin the install with ONLY ONE DRIVE CONNECTED. That will become the drive with C.

Otherwise, you may end up with Windows components on 2 drive, not a good idea.

 

[USAFRet]

How To - Windows 10 clean install tutorial

If you are looking for the Windows 11 Clean install tutorial, you can find that here: Windows 11 Clean install tutorial (Click here) Otherwise, welcome to the Windows 10 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[Nighthawk117]

You would normally put the OS SSD in the top M2 slot as that has a direct link to the CPU. I would normally install all SSD's at once. I havn't had an issue with partitions been scattered over multiple drives personally, but I always do a custom install.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

You would normally put the OS SSD in the top M2 slot as that has a direct link to the CPU.......YES

 

[USAFRet]

I would normally install all SSD's at once. I havn't had an issue with partitions been scattered over multiple drives personally, but I always do a custom install.

This often ends up with the small boot partition living on 'the other drive'.

All works great, until you take that drive out to repurpose.
Yes, Windows does this.
No, it is not something you choose or prevent.

Just have one single drive connected during the OS install, and bypass any issues completely.

 

[Nighthawk117]

This often ends up with the small boot partition living on 'the other drive'.

All works great, until you take that drive out to repurpose.
Yes, Windows does this.
No, it is not something you choose or prevent.

Just have one single drive connected during the OS install, and bypass any issues completely.

Fair enough, seems like a good precaution. Wouldn't creating a partition with all the space allocated on the second drive before installing on the first prevent this problem though?

 

[USAFRet]

Fair enough, seems like a good precaution. Wouldn't creating a partition with all the space allocated on the second drive before installing on the first prevent this problem though?

No.

The OS routine manipulates that space as it desires.

And in any case, you couldn't do that without an already running system.

Much much easier to just have one drive physically connected, no matter what type it is.

Further, we've seen people here with multiple drives of the same size, and only realize months later that they've installed the OS to the 'wrong' 1TB.

 

[Nighthawk117]

No.

The OS routine manipulates that space as it desires.

And in any case, you couldn't do that without an already running system.

Much much easier to just have one drive physically connected, no matter what type it is.

Further, we've seen people here with multiple drives of the same size, and only realize months later that they've installed the OS to the 'wrong' 1TB.

Fair enough.

 

[DaDuckster]

How To - Windows 10 clean install tutorial

If you are looking for the Windows 11 Clean install tutorial, you can find that here: Windows 11 Clean install tutorial (Click here) Otherwise, welcome to the Windows 10 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows...

forums.tomshardware.com

Would there be any difference for a Win11 install? I already have the USB with a fresh copy of Win11 from Microsoft.com, prepped it yesterday. I don’t love 11, but with 10 aging out…

 

[USAFRet]

Would there be any difference for a Win11 install? I already have the USB with a fresh copy of Win11 from Microsoft.com, prepped it yesterday. I don’t love 11, but with 10 aging out…

98% the same.
Some of the screens look a teeny bit different.
Same choices.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Basically identical , a few minor changes. Go with 11.

 

[bonsaimax]

Hi there I am necro this thread, just a question, Installing W11 on a MSI B650 Tomahawk with an m.2 Pcie drive needs some extra operation or w11 have the driver for the disk ?

 

[USAFRet]

Hi there I am necro this thread, just a question, Installing W11 on a MSI B650 Tomahawk with an m.2 Pcie drive needs some extra operation or w11 have the driver for the disk ?

It needs nothing extra.