Is a 64gb SSD big enough to run Win7?

[goatt]

I got a 64gb SSD and I have a 1TB HDD which I'll reformat once the SSD is up and running. However, some people have said that there are programs which can only be installed to the boot drive (the SSD) and that SSDs should have 10% free space or so. Now I'm concerned 64gb isn't big enough.

So my questions are....

1) Is 64gb enough?
2) Can I install all programs to my HDD (except Win 7)? If not, what has to be in my boot drive?
3) Does my SSD have to be C: ? I'm used to the HDD being C: and if my HDD can be C: then I can use ninite which would really help out the transition.

If you have any other tips please let me know!

 

[ShaBaz Khan]

I got a 64gb SSD and I have a 1TB HDD which I'll reformat once the SSD is up and running. However, some people have said that there are programs which can only be installed to the boot drive (the SSD) and that SSDs should have 10% free space or so. Now I'm concerned 64gb isn't big enough.

So my questions are....

1) Is 64gb enough?
2) Can I install all programs to my HDD (except Win 7)? If not, what has to be in my boot drive?
3) Does my SSD have to be C: ? I'm used to the HDD being C: and if my HDD can be C: then I can use ninite which would really help out the transition.

If you have any other tips please let me know!

the ans to the 1st two ques is yes... and for your third ques.. u can make partion the way you like... but it is good to make it the C: drive as you will install windows in that partition ..that will make the programes load faster.. i would suggest u to install windows n softwares in SSD and games(mainly the big ones) in your HDD...there are no restrictions like that...

 

[nukemaster]

While you CAN make the SSD another letter and still have it load Windows. It can causes other issues with poorly written software.

I higher recommend you change the LOCATION of all users folders(Documents/Desktop/Pictures/Videos/Downloads/ect).

You can just right click the folders under c : \ users \ yourlogin \ and select the Location tab to set a new location.

I was running Windows 8 off of a 64 gigabyte SSD, but disabling Hibernate and reducing the page file are something you should do because 64 gigabytes goes rather fast.

I am using 81.9 gigabytes in my SSD in my media center(not too much actual software). But it has some games(45.8 gigabytes of games) installed as well.

It can be done, but you have to take extra care with installing programs in the locations you want(most programs have an advanced option to allow a change to the install location).

Form member djscribbles has posted a link to another option to move EVERYTHING in the Users folder(so ALL users) over to another drive(This prevents a build up of Temp and Appdata files on the SSD).
http://lifehacker.com/5467758/move-the-users-directory-in-windows-7

I have a guide to move programs/games from one drive to another(may be useful for programs that do not let you choose the install location. This must still be used with care) using Junctions as well if you wish to look.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/294557-32-guide-move-software-games-drive-reinstalling

I have recently started using Symbolic links so I can keep files(all my documents/videos/downloads/ect) on a network share and not even need a hard drive in some systems(just and SSD for Windows + programs). This also allows me to have the same files on ALL my systems as well as a nice easy central backup without having to rely on a backup on each system.

 

[casper1973]

Minimum requirement for Windows 7 is 16GB for 32-bit or 20GB for 64-bit.

This means it is very possible to use a 64GB drive. Things can get tight if you install a lot of programs though.


Taking my current PC as an example; these three folders total 57GB
C:\Windows
C:\Program Files
C:\Program Files (x86)

Then your page file will take up 4-8GB depending on how much RAM you have. The hibernation file will take up another few gigs. So basically I would be out of space even with my documents located on another HDD.

I do have a lot of programs installed though. Some of them very large such as Photoshop, AutoCAD and a few games.


Hope that helps.

 

[goatt]

Minimum requirement for Windows 7 is 16GB for 32-bit or 20GB for 64-bit.

This means it is very possible to use a 64GB drive. Things can get tight if you install a lot of programs though.


Taking my current PC as an example; these three folders total 57GB
C:\Windows
C:\Program Files
C:\Program Files (x86)

Then your page file will take up 4-8GB depending on how much RAM you have. The hibernation file will take up another few gigs. So basically I would be out of space even with my documents located on another HDD.

I do have a lot of programs installed though. Some of them very large such as Photoshop, AutoCAD and a few games.


Hope that helps.

But in my case, the program files (both) could go on the HDD...right?

 

[casper1973]

But in my case, the program files (both) could go on the HDD...right?

Yes most programs give you an option of changing the install location. You would just create another folder called Program Files on your HDD and point the installer there.

Personally I would install rarely used / non-important programs and games to the HDD. Keep your commonly used programs on the SSD so they can make use of the added speed. Bit of juggling act really.

Either that or buy a 2nd 64GB SSD and put them in RAID0 for a super fast 128GB volume. But that's taking things a step too far I think