Question Separate partition for software?

[mc1986]

Hi everyone! I'm planning a new build in a few months, and I'm wondering if anyone could shed some light on something I've been wondering lately:

In my my current system, I have Windows and all my non-gaming software installed on an SSD, with my games stored on a HDD (I know, I should have sprung for a larger SSD). A few years ago, I had to perform a clean Windows install due to a faulty update. I backed everything up and hit start, but I was relieved to see that my entire game library remained intact, and was fully playable. But I still had to reinstall everything else on the C: drive.

So that got me thinking: For my next build, I'm planning on installing a 4 TB SSD. If I create 1 partition for Windows (Drive C) and another for everything else (Drive D), would that allow me to reinstall Windows without having to reinstall all my programs as well? I know games are handled differently from most other programs, and most commercial software requires access to the C: drive in some form or another (eg registry, appdata folder, etc) even if you install it on a separate drive.

Would this be worth doing, or am I better off putting everything on the C: drive?

 

[Lutfij]

I would still have a small SSD as the OS/app's/launcher drive, and a large SSD to act as your game library, without creating partitions on any SSD.

If you format and reinstall your OS, you will need to reinstall the app's as well.

 

[USAFRet]

1 drive for the OS and applications.
Other drives for game installs and everything else.

It makes no sense to try to split the OS and applications on 2 different drives.

In the event of an OS reinstall, you'll have to reinstall the applications anyway, no matter what drive they live on.

 

[mc1986]

Thanks for clarifying! In that case, would you recommend NVME for the second SSD, or should I just stick with SATA?

 

[USAFRet]

Thanks for clarifying! In that case, would you recommend NVME for the second SSD, or should I just stick with SATA?

This depends on the specs of the rest of the system, size needs, and budget.

 

[mc1986]

Thanks!