New drives setup

[gamepassion]

So, with a new build at the corner, I want to improve my drive setup.

I use my pc for gaming, photoshop and media (streaming to my tv).

But, with ssd not not recomended to partition, comes a few question:

1. What could I gain from separate drives: one for OS and apps intall, one for games install and one for current use (documents, files, downloads, etc.). Of course, all these would be ssd. And a big hdd for storage and archiving.
2. Where should I set my photoshop scatch disk? There is a recomendation not to be on OS drive.
3. Is there such a big improvement when OS is on nvme ssd compared to sata ssd? I know the numbers (3 to 6 times better speed in theory, but really worth it?)
4. Related to 1. Some say game install to a diferent drive/partition makes things better. For example Skyrim modded. Is it true?
5. Still related to 1.considering only one m.2 port ia capable of nvme (on regular mobos) should I install there a drive just for OS or a bigger one for more purposes?

My curent project would look like this:

- Nvme ssd 500gb (970evo) OS and apps
- sata ssd (2.5 form) 960gb (adata su650) games install and scratch disk for PS
- sata ssd (2.5 form) 500gb (850evo, I already have it) for curent daily use (files, projects, downloads)
- hdd 4tb for storage/archive

 

[Lutfij]

1| Three separate SSD's for OS, Apps and games?
2| Ideally an SSD that is entirely blank but you can do with the scratch disk being the drive that houses the app.
3| NVMe's protocol is higher bandwidth, so yes.
4| I would need to know the make and model of your motherboard.

The SU650 isn't a good SSD, I'd swap the Sasmsung 850 Evo with the SU650.

 

[gamepassion]

Well, neither mobo nor ssd's are bought yet, so I'm open to sugestions.

For mobo, I thinking for gigabyte aorus x470 ultra gaming or the more expensive asus prime x470 pro.

No, 3 ssd for 1) OS and apps, 2) games, 3) curent files. 3 ssd is too much? For all my life, I moved user folder from c drive to my curent use drive, to keep c drive clean. Is this a bad thing?

 

[gamepassion]

Question about pcie 3 x2 vs pcie 2 x4.

As I understand, the numbers are quite similar: 1000x2 vs 500x4.

Now,I look for 2 motherboards: gigabyte aorus x470 ultra gaming and asus prime x470 pro. Both have first m.2 slot pcie 3.0 x4 and I will put there a samsung 970 evo 500gb benefiting from the full speed of the ssd.

But second slot is different: on gigabyte is a pcie 2.0 x4 and on asus is a pcie 3.0 x2. Now here I want a intel 660p 1tb that is labeled pcie 3.0 x4. But its speed are both write and read 1800mb/s. Well to my understanding, this is below those 2000mb/s that second slot m.2 on both gigabyte and asus provide. Will I get the full speed of intel ssd or not?