SSD + mSATA + 5400RPM setup for Video Editing on laptop?

[recyclebargain]

Basically, I want the best performance possible with a three internal hard drive configuration for video editing with Adobe Premier and After Effects. Ill be usng a business class laptop (Lenovo T520 or Dell E6320). I also do photo editing but it is not a big concern at this point because I figure that if the laptop can handle video editing, it could easily handle Lightroom and Photoshop (right?). I have a 3TB and 1TB external hard drives for backup and and will subscribe to a server based storage solution for extra security. So my main concern now is to get maximum performance while working on my projects.

I will soon max out to 16GB memory RAM, but my question now is how to set up storage options. I currently have at my disposal:

2 128GB SSD
1 256GB SSD
1 750GB HDD 5400RPM (it might be 7200RPM, dont remember)

I was recently doing research and found out that you must have a "scratch disk" to increase performance, is this true?, what are the benefits?

If yes is the answer, I was thinking to use the 256GB SSD for os/apps and the occasional internet use. Then buy an mSATA for the scratch disk and adapt the 750GB to the DVD port for miscellaneous storage.

Is this the best option? If not, what would be? Im open to anything that would increase performance.

Also appreciated is info on where to set up the drives, ie main compartment for os or mSATA for os, or DVD adapter for scratch disk? And the function of said drives, ie workflow, os on (BLANK) and footage on (BLANK)

And also, recommendation on size to buy for mSATA drive if mSATA is recommended? I do not know a lot about this drives and don't have an idea what would be a good GB size for a scratch disk?

I know I asked a lot of questions and I hope I made sense, but your help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Dr_JRE]

The Intel HD 3000 isnt exactly the greatest option for Premiere and Photoshop.
Would be nice if we had room for the third SSD full time for the windows scratch.

For best performance, use the 256 GB for OS, Apps, & Windows Scratch.

Use a 128 as the scratch drive for adobe products.
When installing programs, they often give you the option to change where they install to. You may install apps to this 128GB drive if you know you usually wont be running them while using adobe products.

The multibay adapter for the 750.

One thing you could do, is buy a USB 3.0 external drive enclosure.
Install the second 128 SSD in the enclosure and have Windows use the drive for ReadyBoost.

 

[kenrivers]

You don't have to have a scratch disk but it definitely helps to have the project assets (files) on a separate disk from the program file disk.
"When you edit photos and video, files are constantly cached to your internal drive by default, which can slow you down quite a bit. You can make your system run faster by caching these files to an external drive instead."
Source: http://lifehacker.com/5536640/use-an-extra-drive-as-a-scratch-disk-for-increased-speed-and-space
I would change "external" to "internal" if you are using anything less than USB 3.0.
http://www.vtc.com/products/AdobePremiereProCS6/GettingStarted/111342