[SOLVED] Should I buy a new SSD? And if so, how do I migrate my C: files onto the new SSD?

[neznemi]

Hi!
I am looking for different opinions. I have a custom-built computer with Intel i7, Nvidia gtx1060 and 125GB SSD + 1TB HDD disk. This is all built on the older generation of sockets, as it was built in 2016. Now, I am running short with my SSD storage. I only have windows 10 there (and I try to download and install all software on the HDD (D, but ofc some parts are installed on SSD (C which I guess I cannot affect) The point is that my OS is mainly there, but for all the files I use HDD. For the last year or so, I always had around 10-15 GB left on my SSD. Now, the extreme is that I cannot download all my games from Steam, and when downloading an Update for my Windows 10, I then need to permanently remove the backup of older copies, because otherwise, I have now space left.
And this is getting quite annoying.
My questions are:

1. Firstly, when do you think I need to reinvest and buy new components? How long can my build from 2016 lasts before I need to buy a new graphic card, CPU and motherboard, and switch to a new socket version and etc.
2. Secondly, is it worth buying a new SSD? I was thinking to buy a 500GB one to also store some apps there
3. How do I migrate all my C: storage to a new SSD so that I will end up with 1 SSD at the end - the new 500GB one? I have quite slow internet connection, so I don't know if I want to download the entire windows again. And if so, would I just need to download Windows and nothing else? If my programmes are stored in D: ?

Thanks a lot for any help!

 

[USAFRet]

What is the specific make/model of your current SSD?
What motherboard is this on?

Yes, moving from a 12xGB drive to larger is recommended.
Given the right conditions, migrating can be relatively easy.

 

[neznemi]

What is the specific make/model of your current SSD?
What motherboard is this on?

Yes, moving from a 12xGB drive to larger is recommended.
Given the right conditions, migrating can be relatively easy.

Thanks for your reply! It is SSD disk Kingston SSDNow V300 120GB 7mm (was bought in August 2016). The motherboard is MSI Z97 GAMING 5. I've been also recently having some issues with malware so maybe by installing a new SSD and reinstalling windows, it might be pretty helpful right? Just worried about how much time it will take, my network speed is around 9 Mbps and upload around 0.5 Mbps

 

[USAFRet]

Thanks for your reply! It is SSD disk Kingston SSDNow V300 120GB 7mm (was bought in August 2016). The motherboard is MSI Z97 GAMING 5. I've been also recently having some issues with malware so maybe by installing a new SSD and reinstalling windows, it might be pretty helpful right? Just worried about how much time it will take, my network speed is around 9 Mbps and upload around 0.5 Mbps

OK.
A new SATA III SSD, of appropriate size. 500GB-1TB.
Samsung 860 EVO or Crucial MX500 are top choices.


If your current install is having malware issues, a fresh install is indicated. A clone operation won't fix that.

How To - Windows 10 clean install tutorial

If you are looking for the Windows 11 Clean install tutorial, you can find that here: Windows 11 Clean install tutorial (Click here) Otherwise, welcome to the Windows 10 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows...

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[USAFRet]

But if you DO get to the point of wanting to do a clone operation...exactly like this:

-----------------------------
Specific steps for a successful clone operation:
-----------------------------
Verify the actual used space on the current drive is significantly below the size of the new SSD
Download and install Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration, if a Samsung SSD)
If you are cloning from a SATA drive to PCIe/NVMe, install the relevant driver for this new NVMe/PCIe drive.
Power off
Disconnect ALL drives except the current C and the new SSD
Power up
Run the Macrium Reflect (or Samsung Data Migration)
Select ALL the partitions on the existing C drive

If you are going from a smaller drive to a larger, by default, the target partition size will be the same as the Source. You probably don't want that
You can manipulate the size of the partitions on the target (larger)drive
Click on "Cloned Partition Properties", and you can specifiy the resulting partition size, to even include the whole thing

Click the 'Clone' button
Wait until it is done
When it finishes, power off
Disconnect ALL drives except for the new SSD
This is to allow the system to try to boot from ONLY the SSD
Swap the SATA cables around so that the new drive is connected to the same SATA port as the old drive
Power up, and verify the BIOS boot order
If good, continue the power up

It should boot from the new drive, just like the old drive.
Maybe reboot a time or two, just to make sure.

If it works, and it should, all is good.

Later, reconnect the old drive and wipe all partitions on it.
This will probably require the commandline diskpart function, and the clean command.

Ask questions if anything is unclear.
-----------------------------

 

[neznemi]

ok thanks a lot!
I think I'll decide if I should clone, after I purchase the SSD. What do you think about Kingston SKC600 512GB ? It is currently in sale in a store where I buy from for 75$ Or should I pay 15 bucks extra for Samsung one?

 

[USAFRet]

ok thanks a lot!
I think I'll decide if I should clone, after I purchase the SSD. What do you think about Kingston SKC600 512GB ? It is currently in sale in a store where I buy from for 75$ Or should I pay 15 bucks extra for Samsung one?

Samsung or Crucial.

 

[mdd1963]

"Samsung or Crucial"

+1!

The 860 EVO or Crucial MX500 are each a standard 'go to' when a quality 2.5" SATA SSD is needed..