Where should I install my antivirus?

[tstubbas]

Hi wizards,

I have a question that came up from the age old adage "OS on SSD and Programs on HDD", and that has worked pretty well up to this point. However, when it comes to security and speed, is it that much of a trade off? I am losing some speed because my antivirus (Avast) is on my HDD. It is functioning normally and its not all that slow, but it is noticeable. And if I wanted to use is more, I was thinking about its effect on the system.

My question is this: should I install my antivirus that is a bigger program with medium-high boot startup impact on my OS SSD because it is accessed during startup and frequently during use? Or follow the conventional method of installing this non-OS program on the HDD? Would I put myself at risk of more easily compromising the OS if it is on my main boot drive?

Thanks!

Specs:
i7 4770K | Captain 240 AIO
Asus z87 Pro MOBO
G.Skill Ripjaws DDR3-1600 2x8GB
EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB SLI
Samsung 840 Pro 128GB
Seagate Barracuda 2TB

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

I always install my OS and Antivirus on the SSD.

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

Yep, OS & AV on the same drive, AV needs (and will benefit from) the faster-performing drive.

 

[tstubbas]

Thanks for your responses, both. So from a performance perspective, the AV (Avast in this case) would get a benefit from the SSD. All I have on my SSD is my OS and basic MOBO config software. From a Security perspective however, if the AV were ever compromised, wouldn't the drive the AV is on be the first one to drive to be breached?
If so, is that the tactic? compromise the OS, shut down the system, but protect the data?
Thanks!!