Questions about SSD's

[Jono123499]

I am looking to get an SSD for my upcoming build; however I have a few questions which none of the current threads seem to answer, so i figured that i will start my own thread.

When doing research, i saw that many people were looking to have their OS and some games on an SSD; which is similar to what I intend to do. They were looking to get a 128gb SSD usually. I may be incorrect but i thought the drive which contains your OS is called the C:\. Furthermore i thought you have to have the "program files" and the "program files (x86)" folders on the same drive as the OS.

If I am correct in making these assumptions, i don't understand how a 128gb SSD is feasable; my program files folders are currently roughly 200gb, which is far too large for a 128gb and probably too large for a 256gb SSD, if i also have the OS on there.

Therefore, this leads me to believe that there is some way of splitting program files between two drives and possibly assigning the OS drive a different letter such as D:\ or E:\. However whenever I search google all i see is registry edits to move programs, which suggests to me that most people don't do this. However if they aren't moving programs, how can they get by with a 128gb SSD? And how do people claim to have SOME games on an SSD, when it seems all games have to be in the program files folder on ONE drive?

Could someone please explain this to me because i have been really confused. I will sumarise my main question below, as i feel that my post is a little bit long-winded and hard to grasp:

1. What size SSD would i need for my OS, selected programs and games.

2. How do you have some programs on the boot drive (SSD), and some less important programs on another drive (SSD)

3.Does the OS drive need to be the C:\. If it does, wont programs automatically download onto it (making space management a bitch)? If it doesn't, where do programs automatically download to

 

[pete123edgar]

The drive C:\ is for OS drive so when you say do a windows recovery, it will delete your C files not D not E, so you can have an OS there and have other files somewhere else.

 

[abbadon_34]

By default, and for most people, the OS is on the C:\ as are the program files. However, you can change it. When you install a program click the "custom" install option if present, and you can change the destination (and get rid on crapware, but that's a different subject). You can also go a step further and change the default path for downloads, documents, whatever you choose. For example right click on "downloads" (the icon/directory with the blue arrow if you have more than one) and select the "location" tab, and change path in the box. This is all in the basic SSD and Win 7 tutorials.

 

[Jono123499]

But how would I have my programs somewhere else? The program files folder has a set path, so surely it can't be as simple as "I want my programs on this drive so I'll just cut and paste them here". I am not just looking for confirmation on what is possible, i would also like to know how you do this

 

[unksol]

Programs don't have to be installed in the programs folders. They can be installed anywhere. You simply choose advanced install and select another drive or folder, or change the install Directory in programs such as steam. I don't think I have ever installed a game in the programs folder.

You can also swap programs between drives with steammover

 

[Jono123499]

By default, and for most people, the OS is on the C:\ as are the program files. However, you can change it. When you install a program click the "custom" install option if present, and you can change the destination (and get rid on crapware, but that's a different subject). You can also go a step further and change the default path for downloads, documents, whatever you choose. This is all in the basic SSD and Win 7 tutorials.

So how can i have some games on 1 drive and some in another one if steam for instance, has to have all its files in one place

 

[unksol]

So how can i have some games on 1 drive and some in another one if steam for instance, has to have all its files in one place

Steam does not require that. You can set up multiple install locations and pick which one to use when you install a game. Again, there is no requirement to INSTALL in one specific location. You cant just move installed programs around or you'll break install and registery links but steammover will let you swap programs between drives and do all the linking for you.

 

[MrSlavw]

I am using "steam" for games , and most of the games have option at the start of the download for a destination folder( you just make one in a different hdd) some older ones don't have that option , but still you can download them to a C/ , and then transfer them to a hdd using a transfer program ( you can find all that in "steam" forum).
Yes , I also have 128 gb , and just have to stay on top of it , watching all the "crap" and keep removing it.

 

[Jono123499]

I am using "steam" for games , and most of the games have option at the start of the download for a destination folder( you just make one in a different hdd) some older ones don't have that option , but still you can download them to a C/ , and then transfer them to a hdd using a transfer program ( you can find all that in "steam" forum).
Yes , I also have 128 gb , and just have to stay on top of it , watching all the "crap" and keep removing it.

So if i make a folder called steam on a second hdd, i can just choose which one to install games to?

Also does the program files folders have to be on the same drive as Windows?

 

[jnkweaver]

So if i make a folder called steam on a second hdd, i can just choose which one to install games to?

Also does the program files folders have to be on the same drive as Windows?

You can choose any folder on any drive as long as that drive is mounted (with a drive letter) at the time of installation. You can even install it on a external drive if you want. When the program is installed is the time to set the folder and drive location. People do this all the time.

 

[Jono123499]

You can choose any folder on any drive as long as that drive is mounted (with a drive letter) at the time of installation. You can even install it on a external drive if you want. When the program is installed is the time to set the folder and drive location. People do this all the time.

Been looking around steam to see if you can choose where to install games but it doesn't seem possible. Also if its so simple why do people use programs such as steam mover. Furthermore, i've read in plenty of forums that it is not possible to have steam games located in two hard drives at once, yet you say its an easy thing everyone does? Well why is there so many questions about it, and why can't i find a way to do it on steam? Whenever i install a game it just puts it in the "steam" folder, i have no choice in the install

 

[MrSlavw]

Been looking around steam to see if you can choose where to install games but it doesn't seem possible. Also if its so simple why do people use programs such as steam mover. Furthermore, i've read in plenty of forums that it is not possible to have steam games located in two hard drives at once, yet you say it's an easy thing everyone does? Well why is there so many questions about it, and why can't i find a way to do it on steam? Whenever i install a game it just puts it in the "steam" folder, i have no choice in the install

Yes , you will have 2 different steam folders.
Yes , the program fire folder needs to be to win (ssd).
Almost all new games will be installed in a folder of your choice ( the question will pop when installation begins, and it will show two different steam folders)
Yes , you need a steam mover to move older games (but not all of them) some of these games will not have the option for a different folder location.
examples:total war shogun2,hitman,metro2033,anno2070,dirt3- all in a hdd,

but company of heroes - no, had to use mover

 

[MrSlavw]

You can see all that from : steam/view/settings/downloads+clouds.

bottom rght corner you will have :steam library folders.
when you press that ,it will show all of them , you can add or remove a folder.
you can also create one from a windows.

 

[Jono123499]

You can see all that from : steam/view/settings/downloads+clouds.

bottom rght corner you will have :steam library folders.
when you press that ,it will show all of them , you can add or remove a folder.
you can also create one from a windows.

Thanks for showing me this. I don't know why it took so long for someone to inform me about this. Cheers