Upgrade HDD to SSD, some questions:

[dylannn44]

I currently have a 1 TB HDD that I bought when I originally built my computer in 2013. I'm not running out of space (470 GB used), but I would like faster boot times, and seeing less of 100% disk usage when I have a lot of programs up. So I want to upgrade to an SSD.

Could I buy something like a 512 GB SSD and use it in conjunction with my 1 TB HDD I already have? And to get faster boot times, and less 100% disk usage problem occurance, just put my OS, all my crucial, frequently used programs, and accessed files on the SSD while putting some less used files and programs on the HDD?

Or will that not work very well, and I'd just be better off spending more money on a full 1 TB SSD?

For games, and memory intensive editing programs (such as Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Suite, etc), is it worth putting those on the SSD if I go with the 512 SSD + 1 TB HDD option?

 

[androbourne]

Yes, that would work just fine. But you would need to install the OS on the SSD and wipe/format the HDD so the old OS on the HDD doesn't conflict with OS on SSD.

I would use a free backup program like Veeam Agent for Windows and backup your system before doing anything to an external drive. Then depending on how you want to do it. You can clone the HHD to the SSD and wipe/reformat the HHD or just wipe/reformat the HHD and cleanly install OS on SSD.

I personally have two SSDs. A 512GB for my OS and a 1TB for gaming. But many people use SSD for OS and HHD for gaming since it is a cheaper option.

 

[Imacflier]

What you propose is an excellent plan. Few programs and very few games require frequent disk access once loaded. The few that do will benefit from an SSD, the rest only benefit from reduced initial load times. Try your frequently used programs on your new SSD....if you see no significant advantage...and mostly you will not, then leave them on your HDD.

If you can move some of your files from your existing HDD to temporary storage you should be able to simply clone your existing HDD to your new SSD....probably the easiest way to go.

Larry

 

[dylannn44]

Thanks a lot to Larry and Andro - both are great answers! Very helpful and exactly what I wanted to know!

 

[dylannn44]

My last question is would this work with my motherboard, AsRock H97 Pro 4, or do I need another variant?

https://www.amazon.com/Silicon-Power-Performance-Internal-SP512GBSS3A55S25/dp/B07997QV4Z/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1530562140&sr=1-3&keywords=512gb%2Bssd&th=1

 

[USAFRet]

My last question is would this work with my motherboard, AsRock H97 Pro 4, or do I need another variant?

https://www.amazon.com/Silicon-Power-Performance-Internal-SP512GBSS3A55S25/dp/B07997QV4Z/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1530562140&sr=1-3&keywords=512gb%2Bssd&th=1

Yes, that will work.
I'd prefer a Crucial MX500 for $20 more, but that one will work.
https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-MX500-500GB-NAND-Internal/dp/B0784SLQM6

or the WD Blue:
https://www.amazon.com/Blue-NAND-500GB-SSD-WDS500G2B0A/dp/B073SBZ8YH

Question - What is your plan for the OS on this new drive?
Clean install or a clone from the old drive to the new drive?