[SOLVED] M2 drive for OS and SSD for storage, or other way round?

[Vky Rhodes]

Hi,

I'm building a Windows pc for 2-d animation & video editing (1080p). Here's my build:

System Builder

pcpartpicker.com

I'm wondering which way round I should install my operating system. I figured
M.2 SSD: for Windows and Software/application installations
SATA SSD: should handle projects, library, cache, etc.

My Question: Is this the best configuration or is there an argument for installing the OS on the SATA SSD and the project files on the M.2?

My storage Options #1
1x Samsung 970 EVO Plus 500 GB NVMe M.2
1x Samsung EVO 500 GB SATA SSD
1x WD 1TB SATA HDD (if needed)

My Storage Option #2
1x Intel 660p 1TB NVMe
1x Samsung EVO 500 GB SATA SSD
1x WD 1TB SATA HDD (if needed)


Softwares I Use:

1. Adobe Premier Pro
2. Adobe Photoshop
3. Adobe After Effects
4. Adobe Flash / Animate
5. Wondershare Filmora

Other Specs:

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600
• Mobo: MSI B450 Tomahawk MAX
• GPU: Gigabyte 1660 6gb OC
• Memory: 16gb (8gb x 2) DDR4 3200
• PSU: Corsair RMX 650W 80+ Gold

Thanks.

 

[USAFRet]

Or Option 3, 500GB Samsung for the OS and applications, and the 660p for project files.

Any of the three options will work.

 

[Vky Rhodes]

Or Option 3, 500GB Samsung for the OS and applications, and the 660p for project files.

Any of the three options will work.

You mean a SATA SSD for OS and applications and NVMe M.2 for project files? As there is only one M.2 slot on the motherboard.

 

[USAFRet]

You mean a SATA SSD for OS and applications and NVMe M.2 for project files? As there is only one M.2 slot on the motherboard.

Yes.
The Samsung EVO SATA III for the OS.

Reasoning...Once the system is booted up and the applications are running, interaction with that drive is not a whole lot. It all happens in RAM and the CPU.
You're mostly interacting with the libraries and project files. Have those on the faster drive.

 

[Vky Rhodes]

Yes.
The Samsung EVO SATA III for the OS.

Reasoning...Once the system is booted up and the applications are running, interaction with that drive is not a whole lot. It all happens in RAM and the CPU.
You're mostly interacting with the libraries and project files. Have those on the faster drive.

Yeah. That makes perfect sense.

Is there really any concern about NVMe M.2 drives getting hot? Need a heatsink?

 

[USAFRet]

Yeah. That makes perfect sense.

Is there really any concern about NVMe M.2 drives getting hot? Need a heatsink?

Depends on the specific drive, and where it is located on the board.
Some get hotter than others.


Also, in my particular use, I've not seen a real difference between a 1TB Samsung 860 EVO and a 1TB Intel 660p.
Both of those as secondary drives, the Intel in a PCIe 3.0 x4 slot and adapter.
Adobe Lightroom, writing the same files with the same edits out to each of those...zero difference. The exact same function takes the same time.
CPU and RAM are doing the bulk of the work.

 

[Vky Rhodes]

Also, in my particular use, I've not seen a real difference between a 1TB Samsung 860 EVO and a 1TB Intel 660p.

Same goes for Intel 660p and Samsung EVO Plus M.2 SSD? No real difference in performance?

 

[USAFRet]

Same goes for Intel 660p and Samsung EVO Plus M.2 SSD? No real difference in performance?

Which specific "EVO Plus"?
The 970 Plus?

 

[Vky Rhodes]

Which specific "EVO Plus"?
The 970 Plus?

Yes. Samsung 970 EVO Plus 500 GB NVMe M.2
I mean the difference in performance vs Intel 660p.

 

[USAFRet]

Yes. Samsung 970 EVO Plus 500 GB NVMe M.2
I mean the difference in performance vs Intel 660p.

That 970 is significantly faster than the 660p.
I don't have a system that would allow full speed testing of the 97, so I can't make a specific determination.

But I'd still probably use that for the project drive.
The other difference is size per $$. The 660p is significantly cheaper per GB.
1TB vs 500GB.

 

[Vky Rhodes]

The other difference is size per $$. The 660p is significantly cheaper per GB.
1TB vs 500GB.

Yeah, That's what i was thinking.
Ouality-wise (like durability) too Intel 660p is pretty good. Right?

 

[USAFRet]

Yeah, That's what i was thinking.
Ouality-wise (like durability) too Intel 660p is pretty good. Right?

Its still new, but seems to be of good quality. I've not seen any disparaging reviews.

 

[Vky Rhodes]

Its still new, but seems to be of good quality. I've not seen any disparaging reviews.

Thanks a lot for all the info. Really helpful.

 

[USAFRet]

And regarding those drives getting too hot? Good info here:

SSD cooling - ekwb.com

SSD cooling has been a topic that's discussed a lot lately. Some people say "yes, you should cool it", some people disagree. In this article we'll be covering the benefits and drawbacks of cooling an SSD, and when do these drawbacks actually happen.

www.ekwb.com