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    SSD + HDD setups

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by HerrKaputt, Oct 4, 2009.

  1. HerrKaputt

    HerrKaputt Elite Notebook User

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    Hello all,

    I'd like to know how you all use your SSD + HDD setups. I plan to use my E6400 with dual hard drives soon (with a HDD caddy for the modular bay). So please tell me which kind of files you have on each drive, where is your paging file, hibernation file, your other OSes (if you have them), etc. All information is welcome.

    Thanks again!
     
    HerrKaputt, Oct 4, 2009
    #1
  2. qhn

    qhn Notebook User

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    Nothing to say really, just a straight swap over for me, from HHD to SSD - 1 drive, 1 partition, everything Vista stock!

    cheers ...
     
    qhn, Oct 4, 2009
    #2
  3. HerrKaputt

    HerrKaputt Elite Notebook User

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    That's feasible but I'm considering a 128 GB SSD which is a bit small for me (lots of games :)). I would like to use my 250 GB HDD as well.
     
    HerrKaputt, Oct 4, 2009
    #3
  4. sgilmore62

    sgilmore62 uber doomer

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    I wish it were simpler to install all data files, pictures, etc. to a hdd data drive and just have the OS and applications on the SSD but there is no simple solution AFAIK.
     
    sgilmore62, Oct 4, 2009
    #4
  5. hollis_f

    hollis_f Notebook Consultant

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    I use my machine mainly for photo processing using Lightroom. I have a 160GB SSD and a 500GB HDD. The SSD has got - Vista, Program Files, Lightroom catalog, a small (64MB fixed size) page file, hiberfil.sys and the photos I'm currently working on. Without photos it's got about 60GB used

    The HDD has Documents, Music and photos that have been processed.
     
    hollis_f, Oct 4, 2009
    #5
  6. qhn

    qhn Notebook User

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    Would this make any senses mixing fast access drive and "slow" drive as extended storage? I would think that one is bound to have a bottleneck somewhere.

    cheers ...
     
    qhn, Oct 4, 2009
    #6
  7. T61Dumb

    T61Dumb Notebook Consultant

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    Power consumption would be a problem as far as I know. I haven't seen any real life measurements.

    Windows hits all drives so often that I doubt an auxiliary drive would get a chance to spin down much. Too bad Windows doesn't have a "turn off the mechanical HDD that I've got in the multibay" button.
     
    T61Dumb, Oct 4, 2009
    #7
  8. Kamin_Majere

    Kamin_Majere =][= Ordo Hereticus

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    I'm using a 128GB SSD and a 500GB HDD in my rig. Its pretty easy to set up. I have all of my programs and apps and OS on the SSD and all of my Data is stored on the HDD. I just made folders and everything i save gets placed in them.

    Other then that i havent tweaked anything. Just left Win7 exactly as it was and its working out perfectly
     
    Kamin_Majere, Oct 4, 2009
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  9. crazycanuk

    crazycanuk Notebook Virtuoso

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    got a few machines here with 128 GB SSD's and if I need extra space any machine that has a second drive bay I add a 500 GB drive and the rest get an e-sata or USB external 500. Just put what you NEED on the SSD
     
    crazycanuk, Oct 4, 2009
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  10. davidkneiber

    davidkneiber Notebook Consultant

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    If you boot from a SSD do not have a page file
    especially not on the HDD since that is the slowest of the 3
    also vista's readyboost slows computer performance when using a SSD
    (unless you come by a SD card with reads higher than your SSD)
     
    davidkneiber, Oct 8, 2009
    #10
  11. User Retired 2

    User Retired 2 Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    Use hdparm-for-Windows to set standby timeout for individual drives to improve battery life. See sig on optical bay caddies.
     
    User Retired 2, Oct 8, 2009
    #11