HDD and SSD

Hey Guys,

So I’m currently running windows 10 on a dell XPS 8900 with 16gb ddr4 memory and a 1 tb hard drive. My computer however has gotten really slow even with all that ram.

I just bought a 1tb Samsung 860 evo SSD and need some help with some options.

I’m a graphic designer and so I need to run adobe very demanding softwares on a daily basis, now I know the easiest thing might be to just clone the drive onto the SSD but what if I want to use the SSD to run the programs and use the HDD to store saved files, do you think that’s a good idea?

So for example, I want to run the illustrator from the SSD but store the project files on HDD. Would something like that work, or what is your best advice on how to use the SSD based on what I use it for?

Looking forward for your response

You are right on the money.
Install all your software on to the SSD and use the HDD for your docs, pics, vids etc.
Those personal folders (Documents, Pictures, Downloads etc) can be relocated at the Windows level so you still see them as usual but Windows stores them in the HDD.
Personally I would not clone although you certainly could. Reason being I would take the opportunity to start from scratch making sure it’s a clean install of everything thus giving the best chance of a fast pc as possible.
As an extra thing with a SSD, set aside 10% of its space as a raw partition for over provisioning.

A clean install as above would be the way to go, instead of cloning all you built up clutter.

ManishMan said:

but what if I want to use the SSD to run the programs and use the HDD to store saved files, do you think that’s a good idea?

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That's fine to do that, and what I did when I got my first SSD. Trouble with that is, you are going to use a fast drive with your apps on it and then if you want to work on something on another drive you will maybe have to wake the other drive, depending on your power settings, then retrieve the data losing some of the speed gains of your SSD. What I would suggest is to keep your current work on the SSD and when you have finished with it, archive it to the mechanical drive.

1TB Samsung........NICE

gus said:

Trouble with that is, you are going to use a fast drive with your apps on it and then if you want to work on something on another drive you will maybe have to wake the other drive, depending on your power settings, then retrieve the data losing some of the speed gains of your SSD.

Click to expand...

That was exactly what I wanted to know. Usually adobe files have to be reused for depending on the client and that would mean going back to the save work which is going to be on the HDD not the SSD. Was unsure if I would lose speed by doing something like that.

So what do I do since I bought this pc with windows 10 installed and I don't have the installation disc.

Also, do I have to move all my workfiles from the HDD to the SD and also re install my programs on the sd?

Presuming you bought this PC new, and it was Windows 10, you will probably have a recovery partition on your existing OS drive, so suggest you use something like Macrium or Aomei to make a system image of all partitions. Both of these are free.

Make a system image FIRST before anything else.

https://pchelpforum.net/resources/how-to-make-a-system-image-backup-with-macrium-reflect-free.133/

https://pchelpforum.net/resources/how-to-make-a-system-image-backup-with-aomei-backupper.134/

You may be entitled to download Windows from Dell?

If you archive your work on another mechanical drive you can always get to it, and work with it, just you will lose the speed advantage of the SSD.

Bearing in mind your statement about no windows install disc/media, it might in fact be better if you did clone your existing hard drive to your new SSD. Both the above apps will do that, and Samsung make a free app available also.

If you clone your disc, which hopefully does have a recovery partition, you can then restore the PC to how it was when new. Should you do a fresh install of windows, yes, you will have to reinstall any applications you want to use.

Have a look HERE

I have a 6tb external hard drive hooked up to my pc that is backing up data every 15 mins as well.

So my best option would be just to clone the HDd?

Just cloned my hdd to my 1tb ssd, I tried to restart the computer several times but it just keep booting from my HDD. I also went into bios and change the boot order but that still doesn't solve the problem. I even unchecked 'WINDOWS BOOT MANAGER' leaving just the SSD as the only option for booting up but the problem is still there.



I used Samsung's Data Migration software for the HDD to SSD.

Also everytime I restart the pc, my drive letters keep changing for both the HDD and the SSD. It just keep getting thrown about all over the place.


I'm running windows 10 64 bit on a dell xps 8900. SSD is 1tb Samsung 860 evo.

Would appreciate any help. Thanks

You are right, I didn't physically disconnect the old drive before rebooting the system. Also when I cloned the drive it didn't ask if I wanted to keep the OS.

What do I do now?

gus said:

It would probably be better if you put your pc back to the way it was with the old drive, then start again. This time remember to physically disconnect the old drive at the end of the clone.

Click to expand...

How do I do that?

gus said:

Oh dear.

Ok before you go any further disconnect your old drive first and try to boot your computer with only the ssd installed.

Does it work?

Click to expand...

It work after I disconnected the HDD. Unfortunately I'm struggling to see any real improvements on performance.

I am running 64 bit with 32gb ddr4 ram and haven't seen the dramatic change I was hoping for.

And yes, I also do think I should try to do a fresh install of windows, I have no disc though.