Need help setting up New SSD and HDD!

[itspriyank]

Lately my HDD died and so I have place an order for WD RE4 1TB and Samsung 850 Evo 250GB SSD. First of all is that a good decision?
My primary works include gaming and game development.

Next I want to know how I should test these new drives as the company has 7 days replacement or refund warranty. I want to test my HDD for any bad sectors and SSD for and previous use or other issues.
Also I want help in setting up these new drives like where I should install OS and keep steam, what I should do to elongate the life of SSD.
Thanks

 

[USAFRet]

To check the drives, CrystalDiskInfo.

For where:
SSD gets the OS and all applications. Probably a game or two
HDD gets everything else. Docs/music/video/etc

To not kill the SSD, just don't fill it up too much. For that drive, keep the used space under 200GB.

 

[itspriyank]

Are the drives I have bought a good choice? What tests does this software performs ?

 

[USAFRet]

Are the drives I have bought a good choice? What tests does this software performs ?

Good drives.
CrystalDiskInfo gives you basic info. Power on hours, power on count. SMART info, etc, etc.

 

[itspriyank]

But for SMART info or some basic tests I can use official utilities. I want to test the drives deeply.

 

[USAFRet]

But for SMART info or some basic tests I can use official utilities. I want to test the drives deeply.

Both WD and Samsung have testing applications for those drives. The Samsung one is probably included with the drive.

 

[itspriyank]

Most of the people report that those utilities wont warn about any upcoming failiure as they just tell what SMART says. I want to test for badlocks and stuff.

 

[itspriyank]

I actually want to do a stress test.

 

[USAFRet]

Go here:
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/tp/tophddiag.htm

(and don't bump. It's only been a few minutes)

 

[itspriyank]

Any help related to badblocks scan?

 

[USAFRet]

Any help related to badblocks scan?

Which of the above linked applications did you look at?

 

[itspriyank]

I had a look at all of these. But none has any options for stress testing like badblocks scan.